Becoming a licensed electrician in Texas requires a structured progression of training, supervised work, and examinations. The career path is highly regulated, requiring compliance with state mandates from entry-level to the highest rank. Understanding the specific requirements for experience and testing is necessary to obtain each license tier and build a successful career in the state’s electrical industry.
The Licensing Authority in Texas
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is the sole state agency responsible for governing and issuing all electrician licenses in Texas. The TDLR establishes the rules and minimum qualifications for every license type, ensuring a uniform standard of safety and competence for electrical work across residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
All licensing is conducted under the authority of the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305). Adherence to these rules is mandatory for anyone performing non-exempt electrical work. The TDLR application process, including verification of on-the-job training hours, must be followed to be eligible for examination and licensure at each level.
The First Step: Becoming an Apprentice
The career begins with obtaining an Apprentice Electrician license, the foundational requirement before performing any work. Entry requirements are minimal: the applicant must be at least 16 years old and register with the TDLR. This license authorizes the holder to assist in electrical work under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, or Residential Wireman.
Aspiring electricians typically secure experience through two main avenues. One path involves enrolling in a formal trade school program for classroom instruction while securing a job with a contractor. The alternative is entering a registered apprenticeship program, which integrates on-the-job training with structured technical education. The Apprentice license requires no examination and involves a minimal application fee.
Residential Wireman License
The Residential Wireman license is an intermediate option that permits the holder to perform electrical work exclusively on one- or two-family dwellings. This license provides a quicker path to a licensed role for those specializing in the housing sector. To qualify, an applicant must document 4,000 hours of on-the-job training as an Apprentice under the supervision of a Master Electrician or Residential Wireman.
After the TDLR verifies the required training hours, the applicant is eligible for the examination. The exam is four hours long, open-book, and focuses on residential electrical systems and the National Electrical Code (NEC), requiring a 70% passing score. This license limits the scope of practice to residential structures and is not a prerequisite for the Journeyman license.
Achieving Journeyman Electrician Status
The Journeyman Electrician license is the standard professional qualification, allowing the holder to perform all types of electrical work in commercial, industrial, and residential settings under the general supervision of a Master Electrician. The primary requirement is the accumulation and verification of 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training under a licensed Texas Master Electrician. Applicants may apply to take the licensing examination once they have completed at least 7,000 hours.
Experience must be documented and verified by each supervising Master Electrician using an Experience Verification Form submitted to the TDLR. The Journeyman examination is comprehensive, assessing knowledge of electrical theory, installation methods, and adherence to the National Electrical Code (NEC). The open-book exam is four hours long and requires a minimum passing score of 70%.
Advancing to Master Electrician
The Master Electrician license represents the highest level of individual licensure, authorizing the holder to contract for and supervise electrical work and oversee other licensed electricians. Achieving this status requires holding a Journeyman Electrician license for a minimum of two years.
The applicant must also document a total of 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician. The Master Electrician examination is more rigorous than lower-tier exams, covering advanced electrical theory, complex code interpretation, and business practices related to contracting and project management. Passing this comprehensive exam grants the Master Electrician the authority to operate an electrical contracting business and take full legal responsibility for installations.
Maintaining Your Texas License
Maintaining any Texas electrician license requires strict adherence to the annual renewal schedule and continuing education (CE) requirements set by the TDLR. All licensed electricians, including Master Electricians, Journeyman Electricians, Residential Wiremen, and Apprentices, must complete four hours of CE annually before the license expiration date to qualify for renewal.
The required four hours of CE must cover updates to the National Electrical Code (NEC), Texas state laws and rules governing the profession, and electrical safety standards like NFPA 70E. Courses must be taken through TDLR-approved providers. Since all licenses are valid for one year, the completion of CE hours and submission of the renewal application are required annually.
Career Outlook and Earnings in Texas
The career outlook for licensed electricians in Texas is strong, driven by population growth and industrial expansion. Job growth is projected to increase significantly, exceeding the national average. This high demand is fueled by new construction, the development of electric vehicle infrastructure, and growth in the solar and wind energy sectors.
Earning potential varies based on license type, experience, and location within major metropolitan areas. An Apprentice Electrician typically starts with an average annual salary around $50,480. A licensed Journeyman Electrician sees an increase, with an average annual salary around $63,407. Master Electricians, who hold the highest credentials and often manage projects or run their own businesses, earn an average annual salary of about $69,600, with top earners exceeding $82,400.