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Texas Electrical

Texas electrician license guide

Texas electrician licensing is handled by TDLR. This guide separates the individual license path from the electrical contractor business path so contractors can find the right official page faster.

The short answer

In Texas, non-exempt electrical work must be performed by licensed people through a licensed electrical contractor, according to TDLR's electricians hub. Journeyman and master electrician licenses have separate experience, application, and fee requirements.

Who this applies to

  • Individuals performing non-exempt electrical work in Texas need the license level that matches their scope.
  • TDLR lists apprentice, journeyman, master, residential wireman, residential appliance installer, and business license paths.
  • Electrical businesses should review the Electrical Contractor path separately from individual journeyman or master licensing.

Requirement snapshot

Authority Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Journeyman experience TDLR says journeyman applicants must have at least 7,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed master electrician to apply to take the exam, with 8,000 hours required for licensure.
Journeyman application fee TDLR lists a non-refundable $30 application fee as of the last check date.
Master experience TDLR says master applicants must have held a journeyman electrician license for at least two years and completed 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed master electrician.
Master application fee TDLR lists a non-refundable $45 application fee as of the last check date.
Renewal TDLR says electrician licenses are valid for one year from issuance and must be renewed annually.

Practical application path

  1. Start on the TDLR electricians hub and select the individual or business license type.
  2. For journeyman or master applications, collect signed experience verification from each supervising master electrician.
  3. Submit the correct application and fee to TDLR.
  4. After TDLR approves the application, follow the exam instructions from the official exam page.
  5. If you plan to sell jobs under a company name, review the electrical contractor business license path before advertising.

Watchouts before you sell the work

  • Do not confuse individual journeyman/master licensing with the electrical contractor business license.
  • Journeyman industrial electrician experience may not qualify for the master electrician license path in the same way as journeyman electrician experience.
  • TDLR can contact supervisors to verify experience.

Official source links

TDLR electricians hub https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/ TDLR journeyman electrician application https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/apply/individuals/journeyman-electrician.htm TDLR master electrician application https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/apply/individuals/master-electrician.htm

FAQ

Who licenses electricians in Texas?

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation handles Texas electrician licensing.

How many hours does Texas require for a journeyman electrician license?

TDLR says applicants need at least 7,000 hours to apply to take the exam, with 8,000 hours required for licensure.