At a glance
Texas Electrician License — Key Facts
Step-by-step process
How to Get a Texas Journeyman Electrician License
5 steps from apprentice registration to licensed Journeyman. Total timeline: approximately 4–5 years.
1
Register as an Apprentice Electrician with TDLR
Before you begin working, register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as an apprentice electrician. The application fee is $20 and can be submitted by mail. You must register before starting work — TDLR does not count hours accumulated before your registration date. This is the most common mistake new apprentices make in Texas.
Critical: Hours worked before your TDLR apprentice registration are not counted toward the 8,000-hour requirement, regardless of how long you have been doing electrical work. Register on your first day.
2
Complete 8,000 Hours of Supervised Electrical Work
Accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job electrical training under the direct supervision of a licensed Texas Master Electrician. Texas uses a single general “electrical work” category — unlike some states that break hours into specific subcategories. Your supervising Master Electrician must submit ELC017 (Verification of On-the-Job Training) forms to TDLR documenting your hours. Apprentices cannot self-report hours.
Timeline: At 40 hours/week with no time off, 8,000 hours takes approximately 4 years. Most apprentices complete this in 4–5 years. You can sit for the Journeyman exam at 7,000 documented hours but cannot receive your license until all 8,000 hours are verified.
3
Submit Your Journeyman License Application to TDLR
Once you have at least 7,000 documented hours, mail your Journeyman Electrician License Application to TDLR with the $30 non-refundable application fee. Include a completed Criminal History Questionnaire if you have any prior conviction other than a minor traffic offense. TDLR will review your application and notify you (by email or mail) when you are approved to sit for the exam.
Once approved: You have one year from the application date to pass the exam. Schedule your exam promptly after receiving your approval notice — do not wait.
4
Pass the PSI Journeyman Electrician Exam
Schedule and pass the Texas Journeyman Electrician exam through PSI Services online or by phone at (833) 333-4741. The exam fee is $78 per attempt. PSI has testing centers in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and other Texas cities. The exam consists of two separate portions — you must pass each with at least 70%. Time does not carry over between portions. If you fail one portion, you can retake just that portion ($78 fee applies again) with no waiting period.
NEC edition: As of September 1, 2026, the exam uses the 2026 NEC. Before that date, it uses the 2023 NEC. Bring the correct edition as your open-book reference. PSI inspects your codebook for unauthorized materials. No calculators or phones — PSI provides an on-screen calculator.
5
Receive Your Texas Journeyman License and Renew Annually
After TDLR verifies your 8,000 hours and receives your passing exam scores from PSI, they will issue your Texas Journeyman Electrician license. Your license is valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually. Renewals are completed online via the TDLR portal. The renewal fee is $30. Continuing education is required at renewal covering NEC code updates and electrical safety.
Next step: To pursue a Master Electrician license, you must hold your Journeyman license for at least 2 years and accumulate 12,000 total hours. The Master application fee is $45.
License levels
Texas Electrician License Types — Fees & Requirements
Apprentice Electrician
$20–$32/hrApplication: $20
✓Age 16 or older
✓Register with TDLR before starting work
✓Must work under direct supervision of licensed Master Electrician
✓No exam required at this level
✓Supervising Master submits ELC017 hour verification forms
✓Goal: accumulate 8,000 hours for Journeyman eligibility
Journeyman Electrician
$36–$54/hrApplication: $30 · Exam: $78
✓8,000 hours of verified on-the-job training
✓$30 TDLR application fee (non-refundable)
✓Pass PSI Journeyman exam — 70% on each of two portions ($78)
✓NEC 2023 (or 2026 NEC from September 1, 2026)
✓Can perform electrical work independently
✓Annual renewal — $30 fee + continuing education
Master Electrician
$82–$118K/yrApplication: $45
✓Hold active Texas Journeyman license for at least 2 years
✓12,000 total documented hours of electrical work
✓Experience Verification Form ELC-LIC-007 from supervising Masters
✓$45 TDLR application fee (non-refundable)
✓Pass PSI Master Electrician exam (more advanced NEC content)
✓Can pull permits, supervise Journeymen, qualify electrical contractor businesses
Texas cities with local licensing
Houston & Dallas — City Permit Requirements
Your TDLR state license is required throughout Texas. But Houston and Dallas also require a city-level registration to pull permits within city limits. You need both.
Houston
Houston Permitting Center · City of Houston
Houston requires a city electrical permit license in addition to your TDLR Journeyman or Master license. Required to pull permits for electrical work within Houston city limits. Separate application and fee through the Houston Permitting Center.
Dallas
Dallas Development Services · City of Dallas
Dallas requires a separate city electrical registration in addition to your TDLR state license to pull permits within Dallas city limits. The city registration is renewed annually alongside the state license.
Other major Texas cities (San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington) do not have separate local electrician licensing — your TDLR state license is sufficient. Always verify with the local building department before starting work in a new city.
License reciprocity
Texas Electrician License Reciprocity — 2026
Texas has bilateral reciprocity agreements with the following states. Reciprocity typically waives the trade exam — you still must pass the Texas Laws & Rules exam. Texas does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination.
Source: TDLR Electricians Division, tdlr.texas.gov. Reciprocity agreements change. Always verify current agreements with TDLR before applying under reciprocity.
Exam breakdown
Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam — 2026
Exam prep tip:The most common reason candidates fail the Texas Journeyman exam is not knowing how to quickly find information in the NEC codebook. The exam is open-book but time-pressured. Speed and familiarity with the book's structure matter more than memorization. Invest in an exam prep course before sitting — pass rates improve significantly with formal preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Texas Electrician License FAQs
How long does it take to get an electrician license in Texas?
Approximately 4–5 years for a Journeyman license from a cold start. You need 8,000 hours of supervised work (roughly 4 years at 40 hours/week) plus time to apply and pass the PSI exam. Register as a TDLR apprentice on day one — hours worked before registration do not count. The Master Electrician license requires an additional 2 years as a licensed Journeyman (12,000 total hours).
Can I work as an electrician in Texas without a license?
You can work as an apprentice without a Journeyman license, but you must register with TDLR as an apprentice first and work under direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician at all times. Performing electrical work independently without a Journeyman or Master license is illegal under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305 and carries significant penalties.
Does Texas accept out-of-state electrician licenses?
Texas has bilateral reciprocity with Alabama and Arkansas as of 2026. For all other states, you must complete the full Texas application, document qualifying hours, and pass both PSI exam portions. Texas does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination. If you have an active license from another state and are moving to Texas, contact TDLR directly to confirm current reciprocity status before applying.
Does GlobalCybers help with Texas electrician license renewal fees?
Yes. Job seekers registered through GlobalCybers are eligible for covered license renewal fees, new certification costs, and required continuing education as part of our candidate support program. We place licensed Journeyman and Master Electricians in full-time roles across Texas. Register as a candidate and our team will reach out about credential support and open electrician positions in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.
What is the average salary for a Journeyman Electrician in Texas?
According to BLS OES 2025 data, the median annual salary for Journeyman Electricians in Texas is approximately $74,000/year ($36/hr nationally). Texas markets — particularly Houston and Dallas — often pay above the national median due to high industrial and commercial construction activity. Foremen and Master Electricians earn significantly more.