Texas · Electrician

How to get a Electrician license in Texas

Yes — Texas requires a Electrician license, issued by TDLR — Electricians Program. You must pass the state exam, document your qualifying experience. The license fee is $30, and it renews every 1 year.

Texas Electrician license requirements at a glance

License required	Yes (state)
Issuing board	TDLR — Electricians Program
Exam	Yes — Journeyman exam (8,000 hrs OJT; may test at 7,000 hrs); Master exam (12,000 hrs total + JM license held 2 yrs)
Experience	Journeyman: 8,000 hrs under a licensed Master; Master: 12,000 hrs total + Journeyman license held 2 years
Bond	No
License fee	$30
Renewal	Every 1 year(s)
Reciprocity	Journeyman: AL, AK, AR, ID, IA, NE, NM, OK, SD, WY. Master: AL, AR, IA, LA, NE, NC, OH (JM held 2 yrs; 1 yr for AL/IA/NE/OH)

License required

Yes (state)

Issuing board

TDLR — Electricians Program

Exam

Yes — Journeyman exam (8,000 hrs OJT; may test at 7,000 hrs); Master exam (12,000 hrs total + JM license held 2 yrs)

Experience

Journeyman: 8,000 hrs under a licensed Master; Master: 12,000 hrs total + Journeyman license held 2 years

Bond

License fee

$30

Renewal

Every 1 year(s)

Reciprocity

Journeyman: AL, AK, AR, ID, IA, NE, NM, OK, SD, WY. Master: AL, AR, IA, LA, NE, NC, OH (JM held 2 yrs; 1 yr for AL/IA/NE/OH)

Step by step

Meet the experience requirement. Journeyman: 8,000 hrs under a licensed Master; Master: 12,000 hrs total + Journeyman license held 2 years
Pass the required exam. Journeyman exam (8,000 hrs OJT; may test at 7,000 hrs); Master exam (12,000 hrs total + JM license held 2 yrs)
Pay the license fee and apply. Submit your application to TDLR — Electricians Program with the $30 fee.
Keep the license current. Renew every 1 year to stay eligible to pull permits.

Fee detail and fine print

Fees: Journeyman $30, Master $45, Electrical Contractor business $110 + liability insurance $300k/occurrence, $600k aggregate, $300k products/completed-ops. Annual renewal.

Already licensed in another state?

Journeyman: AL, AK, AR, ID, IA, NE, NM, OK, SD, WY. Master: AL, AR, IA, LA, NE, NC, OH (JM held 2 yrs; 1 yr for AL/IA/NE/OH)

Texas Electrician reciprocity in detail →

Official source: TDLR — Electricians Program →

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to work as a electrician in Texas?: Yes. Texas requires a Electrician license issued by TDLR — Electricians Program.
How much does a Electrician license cost in Texas?: The license fee is $30. Fees: Journeyman $30, Master $45, Electrical Contractor business $110 + liability insurance $300k/occurrence, $600k aggregate, $300k products/completed-ops. Annual renewal. Exam, fingerprinting, bond premium and insurance are billed separately where they apply.
How much experience do you need?: Journeyman: 8,000 hrs under a licensed Master; Master: 12,000 hrs total + Journeyman license held 2 years
What exam do you have to pass?: Journeyman exam (8,000 hrs OJT; may test at 7,000 hrs); Master exam (12,000 hrs total + JM license held 2 yrs)
Is a surety bond required in Texas?: No surety bond is required for this license by TDLR — Electricians Program. Fees: Journeyman $30, Master $45, Electrical Contractor business $110 + liability insurance $300k/occurrence, $600k aggregate, $300k products/completed-ops. Annual renewal.
Does Texas have reciprocity with other states?: Journeyman: AL, AK, AR, ID, IA, NE, NM, OK, SD, WY. Master: AL, AR, IA, LA, NE, NC, OH (JM held 2 yrs; 1 yr for AL/IA/NE/OH)
How often do you renew?: Every 1 year.