Electrician license
Texas electrician license
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide. Anyone doing non-exempt electrical work in Texas must hold a TDLR license and work through a licensed electrical contractor. The licenses are Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Residential Wireman, Maintenance Electrician and Electrical Contractor. Each is below with its hours, exam, fees and official source, followed by how to apply, renewal, reciprocity and the official license lookup.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Not set in hours | No exam | $20 a year, paid with the online application |
| Journeyman Electrician | 8,000 hours | 80 questions, 2026 NEC | $30 application fee (apply by mail); renewal is $30 a year |
| Master Electrician | 12,000 hours | 100 questions, 2026 NEC | $45 application fee (apply by mail); renewal is $45 a year |
| Residential Wireman | 4,000 hours | 80 questions, 2026 NEC | $20 application fee (apply by mail) |
| Maintenance Electrician | 8,000 hours | 60 questions, 2026 NEC | $20 application fee (apply by mail) |
| Electrical Contractor | Not set in hours | No exam | $110 application fee |
How to get each Texas license
Apprentice Electrician
Requirements. No experience or exam is needed. Apply online and you can start working under the general supervision of a Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician or Residential Wireman.
Exam. No exam for this license.
Fees. $20 a year, paid with the online application.
Applicants who apply online and report no criminal convictions are issued a temporary license right away.
Source: TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Apprentice License.
Journeyman Electrician
Requirements. 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician. You may apply and take the exam once you have at least 7,000 hours, with each supervising master signing an Experience Verification Form.
Experience. 8,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2026 NEC |
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% on each portion |
| Code book | Open book: bring a soft-bound NEC (questions follow the 2026 edition). It may be highlighted and annotated beforehand and carry only publisher-made tabs; the NEC Handbook and spiral or ring-bound copies are not allowed. |
| Exam fee | $78 for both portions; a retake of one or both portions is $78 |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026) |
Fees. $30 application fee (apply by mail); renewal is $30 a year.
The exam has two parts taken back to back: NEC Knowledge (59 questions, 56 scored, 130 minutes) and Calculations (26 questions, 24 scored, 110 minutes). That is 80 scored questions in 240 minutes, and each part must be passed on its own.
Preparing for the Texas journeyman exam. The Texas journeyman electrician exam guide covers the format, the code book and the outline, and the free Texas practice test scores you by subject with no account. The full course is $149, one payment, six months of access.
Sources: TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License; TDLR: Renew a Journeyman Electrician License; TDLR Electrician Exam Information; PSI candidate information bulletin, TDLR Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026).
Master Electrician
Requirements. Hold a Texas Journeyman Electrician license for at least two years and show 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician. Journeyman Industrial experience does not count.
Experience. 12,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2026 NEC |
| Questions | 100 questions |
| Time | 320 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% on each portion |
| Code book | Open book: bring a soft-bound NEC (questions follow the 2026 edition). |
| Exam fee | $78 for both portions; a retake is $78 |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026) |
Fees. $45 application fee (apply by mail); renewal is $45 a year.
Two parts: NEC Knowledge (75 questions, 70 scored, 150 minutes) and Calculations (33 questions, 30 scored, 170 minutes), each passed on its own.
Sources: TDLR: Apply for a New Master Electrician License; TDLR: Renew a Master Electrician License; TDLR Electrician Exam Information; PSI candidate information bulletin, TDLR Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026).
Residential Wireman
Requirements. Either finish an approved career and technology education program or show 4,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas Master Electrician or Residential Wireman. The license covers single-family and multifamily dwellings up to four stories.
Experience. 4,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2026 NEC |
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Code book | Open book: bring a soft-bound NEC (questions follow the 2026 edition). |
| Exam fee | $64 |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026) |
Fees. $20 application fee (apply by mail)
The 80 scored questions come with 5 more unscored questions and 20 extra minutes.
Sources: TDLR: Apply for a New Residential Wireman License; TDLR Electrician Exam Information; PSI candidate information bulletin, TDLR Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026).
Maintenance Electrician
Requirements. 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas Master Electrician or Maintenance Electrician. The license covers electrical maintenance work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician.
Experience. 8,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2026 NEC |
| Questions | 60 questions |
| Time | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Code book | Open book: bring a soft-bound NEC (questions follow the 2026 edition). |
| Exam fee | $64 |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026) |
Fees. $20 application fee (apply by mail)
Sources: TDLR: Apply for a New Maintenance Electrician License; TDLR Electrician Exam Information; PSI candidate information bulletin, TDLR Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026).
Electrical Contractor
Requirements. A business license, not an individual one. The business must employ a licensed Master Electrician of record (who may be the owner) and carry liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, plus workers' compensation coverage or a filed notice of no coverage.
Exam. No exam for this license.
Fees. $110 application fee.
Sources: TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Contractor License; TDLR Electricians Frequently Asked Questions.
How to apply
Apprentices apply online. Journeyman, master, residential wireman and maintenance applicants mail the TDLR application form with the fee and signed Experience Verification Forms; once TDLR approves the application you schedule the exam with PSI. You have one year from when TDLR receives the application to pass the exam. Apply on the official site.
Sources: TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License; TDLR Electrician Exam Information.
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every year. Licenses are valid for one year from the date of issue. |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | 4 hours of continuing education before each renewal from a TDLR-registered provider, covering the NEC, Texas electrician law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety. Electrical contractors do not need continuing education; apprentices may count enrollment in a registered apprenticeship course instead. |
Sources: TDLR: Renew a Journeyman Electrician License; TDLR Electrician Continuing Education.
Reciprocity with other states
Journeyman Electrician by reciprocity with Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming; Master Electrician with Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa (Class A), Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. You must have passed that state's exam, held the license at least a year, and have 8,000 hours (journeyman) or 12,000 hours (master). No other license types reciprocate.
Source: TDLR: Transfer Your Out-of-State Electrician License to Texas.
Look up a Texas electrician license
To check that an electrician or contractor is licensed, use the official TDLR License Data Search.
Good to know
Texas exams switched to the 2026 NEC on September 1, 2026. Use a 2026 code book.
In fiscal year 2025, 27.52% of Journeyman Electrician exam takers passed (1,390 of 5,050).
TDLR runs a criminal history check on every applicant and reviews convictions case by case; you can ask for a review before applying.
Sources: PSI candidate information bulletin, TDLR Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026); TDLR Electrician Exam Statistics, Fiscal Year 2025; TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License.
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Texas?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide. Anyone doing non-exempt electrical work in Texas must hold a TDLR license and work through a licensed electrical contractor.
How do I get a journeyman electrician license in Texas?
Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician. You may apply and take the exam once you have at least 7,000 hours, with each supervising master signing an Experience Verification Form. Apprentices apply online. Journeyman, master, residential wireman and maintenance applicants mail the TDLR application form with the fee and signed Experience Verification Forms; once TDLR approves the application you schedule the exam with PSI. You have one year from when TDLR receives the application to pass the exam.
How many hours do you need to become a journeyman electrician in Texas?
8,000 hours for the Journeyman Electrician.
How many questions are on the Texas journeyman electrician exam?
80 questions in 240 minutes (4 hours), and the passing score is 70% on each portion.
Does Texas accept electrician licenses from other states?
Journeyman Electrician by reciprocity with Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming; Master Electrician with Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa (Class A), Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. You must have passed that state's exam, held the license at least a year, and have 8,000 hours (journeyman) or 12,000 hours (master). No other license types reciprocate.
How often does a Texas electrician license renew?
Every year. Licenses are valid for one year from the date of issue. Continuing education: 4 hours of continuing education before each renewal from a TDLR-registered provider, covering the NEC, Texas electrician law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety. Electrical contractors do not need continuing education; apprentices may count enrollment in a registered apprenticeship course instead.
How do I look up an electrician license in Texas?
Use the official TDLR License Data Search at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Texas's own licensing board, statute or rule, or the testing company the board names. Where a fact could not be confirmed from one of them, the page says to check with the board. Rules and fees change: confirm with the board before you apply.
- TDLR Electricians homepage, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR Electrician Exam Information, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Apprentice License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Master Electrician License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Contractor License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Renew a Journeyman Electrician License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Renew a Master Electrician License, opened November 11, 2026
- PSI candidate information bulletin, TDLR Electrician examinations (updated 9/15/2026), opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Residential Wireman License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Maintenance Electrician License, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR Electricians Frequently Asked Questions, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR Electrician Continuing Education, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR: Transfer Your Out-of-State Electrician License to Texas, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR License Data Search, opened November 11, 2026
- TDLR Electrician Exam Statistics, Fiscal Year 2025, opened November 11, 2026
Electrician license requirements in every state · How to become an electrician · Journeyman electrician license · Master electrician license
Last verified November 11, 2026.