The pathway to performing electrical work in Texas is governed by a mandatory licensing process designed to ensure public safety and professional competence. This system is administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which oversees all applications, qualifications, and examinations for individual electricians and electrical businesses across the state. Navigating this structure requires a clear understanding of the experience milestones and application procedures established under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305.
Defining the Texas Electrical Licensing Structure
The TDLR maintains several distinct categories of electrical licenses, defining the scope of work an individual is authorized to perform. These licenses range from entry-level registration to the highest supervisory and contracting authority. The main license types include the Electrical Apprentice, Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, and Master Electrician.
The hierarchy is structured around increasing levels of experience and responsibility, often requiring supervision from a higher-level professional. A Residential Wireman is limited to work on one and two-family dwellings, while a Journeyman Electrician can work across residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The Master Electrician stands at the top of the individual licensing structure, possessing the authority to supervise and design electrical installations.
The Foundational Step: Electrical Apprentice Registration
The first step for anyone entering the electrical trade is registering as an Electrical Apprentice or Electrical Helper with the TDLR. This registration is a prerequisite for legally gaining the necessary on-the-job training hours required for higher-level licenses. Apprentice status allows an individual to assist in electrical work under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, or Residential Wireman.
The registration process requires no prior experience or examination. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and complete an online application. The apprentice license is valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually to ensure the training time is officially recognized by the state.
Earning the Journeyman Electrician License
Achieving the Journeyman Electrician license demonstrates proficiency in the electrical trade. To qualify for the examination, an applicant must document specific on-the-job training (OJT) acquired while registered as an apprentice under the supervision of a licensed Master Electrician. The minimum age requirement for this license is 18 years old.
The state requires a total of 8,000 hours of verified OJT, typically translating to about four years of full-time work. Candidates may submit their application and qualify to take the licensing examination once they have completed at least 7,000 hours of supervised work. This allows the applicant to attempt the exam in anticipation of reaching the full 8,000 hours needed for final license issuance.
Accurate documentation involves submitting an Experience Verification Form for each supervising Master Electrician who oversaw the work. This confirms the applicant received comprehensive training in installation, maintenance, and repair tasks across various electrical systems. Verification of these hours can take several weeks for the TDLR to process, making meticulous record-keeping necessary throughout the apprenticeship period.
Achieving the Master Electrician License
The Master Electrician license represents the highest level of technical qualification in the electrical field. This license signifies a professional’s comprehensive understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the ability to oversee, plan, and design complex electrical systems. The requirements build directly upon the foundation established at the Journeyman level.
To be eligible for the Master Electrician examination, an applicant must have held a Texas Journeyman Electrician license for a minimum of two years. The applicant must also demonstrate a total of 12,000 hours of documented on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed Master Electrician. This higher threshold ensures the individual has mastered the trade’s advanced and supervisory aspects.
The Master license grants the holder authority to work independently, pull permits, and employ and supervise other licensed electricians. This expertise is foundational for establishing an Electrical Contractor business, as the state requires any contracting entity to either be a licensed Master Electrician or employ one full-time.
The Formal Application and Examination Process
Once the required experience hours for the Journeyman, Master, Residential Wireman, or Maintenance Electrician licenses are met, the candidate must submit a formal application to the TDLR for approval. This submission includes the application form, the applicable fee, and all verified Experience Verification Forms signed by supervising Master Electricians. TDLR reviews the documentation to confirm eligibility before the examination phase.
Upon TDLR approval, the candidate receives notification of eligibility and can schedule the required examination with the state’s third-party testing vendor, PSI Services LLC (PSI). All electrical examinations are open-book and based on the current edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) adopted by Texas (as of late 2023, the 2023 NEC). The exam fee, typically around $78, is paid directly to PSI upon scheduling.
The examinations are administered at PSI testing centers across the state. Candidates are given one year from the date of TDLR application approval to pass the required test. A score of 70% or better is needed to pass the examination and complete the final requirement for licensure. Test results are reported electronically to the TDLR, which then proceeds with final license issuance.
Licensing for Electrical Contractors
An Electrical Contractor license is separate from individual licenses and is required for any business entity performing or offering to perform electrical work in Texas. This license is a business operational credential, requiring specific structures and insurance coverage. The most significant requirement is that the contracting business must either be owned by a licensed Master Electrician or employ a full-time Master Electrician of record to supervise all electrical work.
To secure the contractor license, the business must register as a legal entity in Texas and provide proof of specific liability insurance limits. The mandatory minimum coverage includes:
- $300,000 per occurrence for combined property damage and bodily injury.
- $600,000 aggregate for property and injury coverage.
- $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations.
The contractor license is renewed annually, requiring the business to keep its insurance and its Master Electrician of record current with the TDLR.
Keeping Your License Active
Maintaining any Texas electrical license requires adherence to the TDLR’s continuing education (CE) and renewal requirements. Licensees must complete four hours of TDLR-approved continuing education annually to be eligible for renewal. This CE coursework must cover specific topics:
- Updates to the National Electrical Code.
- Texas Electrician Law.
- Texas Electrician Administrative Rules.
- Electrical safety standards as defined by the NFPA 70E.
All electrical licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually on the anniversary of the issue date. The renewal process is completed online through the TDLR website, where the licensee confirms the completion of required CE hours. Failure to renew an expired license within a specific timeframe, usually 36 months, necessitates reapplying as a new applicant and restarting the entire process.