Texas Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & Reciprocity (2026)

If you want to get your Texas electrician license, you've come to the right place. Texas requires a state-issued license before performing any non-exempt electrical work — no exceptions, no grandfather provisions, no local substitutes. This guide walks through exactly what you need in 2026, verified directly against the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the official PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

For a quick overview, see the Texas electrician license summary page, or check our general electrician exam guide for NEC study strategies that work in every state.

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Overview: Texas Electrical Licensing

Texas is a state-licensed jurisdiction under the authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Per TDLR, "anyone who performs, or offers to perform, non-exempt electrical work in the state of Texas must be licensed and perform that work through a licensed electrical contractor."

The state's licensing ladder runs from apprentice all the way up to master and contractor, with each level carrying distinct scope-of-work authority. Texas is one of the largest electrical licensing markets in the country — and getting licensed is your ticket to work on any project in the state.

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Types of Texas Electrician Licenses

TDLR issues the following individual electrician license types:

Apprentice Electrician

The entry-level credential for tradespeople who are working toward full licensure. Apprentices must work under the supervision of a licensed electrician at all times.

Journeyman Electrician

The core commercial/industrial license. A Journeyman Electrician is licensed to perform electrical work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician. This is the goal for most tradespeople moving through the licensing ladder.

Journeyman Industrial Electrician

A specialized license for industrial environments. Like the standard Journeyman, this license requires exam and experience documentation.

Journeyman Lineman

For linemen performing overhead and underground power distribution work.

Journeyman Sign Electrician / Master Sign Electrician

Scope-limited licenses for the electrical sign industry.

Maintenance Electrician

Covers maintenance and repair of electrical systems in commercial and industrial settings, with a separate 60-question exam.

Master Electrician

The highest individual electrician license in Texas. A Master Electrician is authorized to install, maintain, or extend an electrical wiring system, including service entrance conductors. At least one Master Electrician must be the responsible party for an Electrical Contractor license.

Residential Wireman

Licensed to perform electrical work in residential structures. A separate license track from the Journeyman.

Residential Appliance Installer

Limited to appliance installation work. Uses a separate 80-question exam.

Business licenses (Electrical Contractor, Electrical Sign Contractor, Residential Appliance Installation Contractor) require a licensed Master Electrician of record and are separate from individual licenses.

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Requirements to Get Your Texas Journeyman Electrician License

To apply for a Journeyman Electrician license in Texas, you must have completed at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician licensed in Texas.

Note: You may submit your application and sit for the exam after accumulating 7,000 hours — but you must reach 8,000 hours before a license will be issued.

Each supervising Master Electrician must sign an Experience Verification Form (PDF), which is submitted with your application.

Application fee: $30 (non-refundable, submitted by mail)
License validity: 1 year from date of issuance; renewed annually

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Requirements to Get Your Texas Master Electrician License

To apply for a Master Electrician license in Texas, you must:

1. Hold a current Texas Journeyman Electrician license for at least 2 years
2. Show 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician licensed in Texas

Note: Journeyman Industrial Electrician experience does not count toward Master Electrician qualification.

Application fee: $45 (non-refundable, submitted by mail)
License validity: 1 year from date of issuance; renewed annually

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Texas Electrician Exam Details

Texas uses PSI Services LLC as its third-party testing vendor for all electrician licensing exams. Exams are offered at PSI testing centers across the state, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, and more.

Open Book — NEC 2023

The Texas electrician exam is open book. You may bring your own copy of the National Electrical Code (NEC), 2023 Edition to the exam. Soft-bound editions are permitted; loose-leaf, spiral-bound, or ring-bound copies are not allowed.

Bring your own code book. PSI will provide electronic notepads but does not supply code books.

Journeyman Electrician Exam (Effective March 11, 2025)

As of March 11, 2025, the Journeyman exam was reformatted into two separate portions. You must pass both.

Exam fee: $78 for both portions combined. Retake fee is also $78 per attempt (whether retaking one or both portions).

Time does not roll over between portions — finish the first portion, and the clock resets for the second.

Master Electrician Exam

The Master exam is also split into two portions.

Exam fee: $78 for both portions combined. Retake fee: $78.

Other Exam Types

All exams: 70% to pass.

How to Schedule

Once TDLR notifies you of exam eligibility, visit test-takers.psiexams.com/tdlnrp or call PSI at (833) 333-4741 to schedule. Your name must match your government-issued ID exactly as TDLR has it on file.

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How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Accumulate your hours
Document your on-the-job training hours as you go. Have each supervising Master Electrician sign an Experience Verification Form.

Step 2: Submit your application and fee by mail
Mail the completed Journeyman Electrician License Application Form with the $30 non-refundable fee to TDLR (PO Box 12157, Austin TX 78711-2157). Initial applications cannot be submitted online.

Step 3: Receive eligibility notification
TDLR will review your application and notify you by email (or mail) that you're approved to test.

Step 4: Schedule and pass your PSI exam
Bring your NEC 2023 code book. Pass both portions at 70% or better.

Step 5: License is issued
Your Journeyman Electrician license is valid for one year from issuance. Renew annually online.

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Texas Electrician License Fees

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Continuing Education Requirements

Texas requires 4 hours of continuing education prior to each annual license renewal. The following license types must comply:

• Master Electricians
• Journeyman Electricians
• Journeyman Linemen
• Journeyman Industrial Electricians
• Residential Wiremen
• Maintenance Electricians
• Master and Journeyman Sign Electricians
• Apprentice Electricians (including Sign Apprentices)

Electrical contractors and Residential Appliance Installers are not required to complete CE.

Required Coursework

The 4 hours must address all of the following subjects:

• National Electrical Code (as adopted under Texas Occupations Code §1305.101, or current NFPA-approved version)
• Texas Electrician Law (Title 8, Occupations Code, Chapter 1305)
• Texas Electrician Administrative Rules (Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 73)
• Electrical Safety as defined in NFPA 70E

Courses must be taken within the term of the license being renewed. TDLR does not accept partial CE credit. Courses must come from a registered TDLR provider.

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Reciprocity: Transferring Your License to Texas

Texas has reciprocal licensing agreements with specific states. Requirements differ by license type.

Journeyman Electrician Reciprocity

Texas recognizes Journeyman licenses from the following states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Wyoming

To qualify, you must have passed the reciprocal state's statewide examination, held the license for at least 1 year, and have at least 8,000 hours of documented OJT under a Master Electrician.

Application fee: $30 (Journeyman by Reciprocity)

Master Electrician Reciprocity

Texas recognizes Master licenses from:

• Alabama — Class A license required; Journeyman for 1+ year
• Arkansas — must hold Journeyman license for 2+ years
• Iowa — Class A Master only (Class B does not qualify); Journeyman for 1+ year
• Louisiana — state contractor's license; Journeyman for 2+ years; must be a resident of Louisiana to qualify
• Nebraska — Journeyman for 1+ year
• North Carolina — master electrician or unlimited electrical contractor; Journeyman for 2+ years

All Master reciprocity applicants must also provide a letter of good standing from their originating state confirming they passed the statewide exam.

Application fee: $45 (Master by Reciprocity)

If your state is not listed, you will need to sit for the Texas PSI exam. Contact TDLR at (512) 463-6599 or visit tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/out-of-state.htm for current information.

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Study Tips for the Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam

Texas moved to a two-part exam format in March 2025 — which changes how you need to prepare.

1. Study the Calculations Portion Separately

The Calculations portion (26 items, 110 minutes) is now its own timed session. Load calculations, conductor sizing, voltage drop, and box fill are high-yield areas. Practice these independently so you don't run short on time.

2. Tab Your NEC Book

Build a tabbing system before you walk in. Key reference points include Table 310.16, Article 250 (grounding and bonding), Article 314 (boxes), Table 300.5, and Chapter 9. Speed in code navigation is the difference between passing and failing.

3. Simulate Real Time Pressure

Journeyman Knowledge Portion: 56 scored items in 130 minutes = ~2.3 minutes per question. Calculations Portion: 24 scored items in 110 minutes = ~4.6 minutes per question. Practice under actual time constraints.

4. Know What the Exam Actually Covers

The Journeyman Knowledge Portion pulls from: electrical services and service equipment, branch circuits, wiring methods and materials, equipment, motors, special occupancies, and renewable energy. The Calculations Portion overlaps these but focuses entirely on math-based application.

5. Use 2023 NEC Practice Questions

Texas's exam is based on the 2023 NEC. Older materials aligned to the 2020 or 2017 edition won't reflect current question framing. Practice with 1,600+ NEC 2023-aligned questions at getlicenseready.com — built specifically for tradespeople preparing for the Texas PSI exam.

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Texas Electrician Salary Outlook

Texas is one of the strongest electrician job markets in the country. The state's construction industry continues to grow, driven by semiconductor manufacturing facilities, data centers, energy infrastructure, and commercial development. Licensed electricians are in high demand statewide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a state license required for all electrical work in Texas?

Yes, with limited exceptions. Per TDLR, anyone performing non-exempt electrical work in Texas must hold a valid state license. Exempt categories are defined under TDLR rules — consult TDLR's exemptions page for the complete list.

What NEC edition does Texas use?

Texas uses the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) for all electrician licensing exams. Bring an approved soft-bound copy to your PSI exam.

How long does it take to get a Texas journeyman electrician license?

The experience requirement is 8,000 hours of OJT — typically 4–5 years. Once you have your documentation and receive TDLR eligibility approval, the exam scheduling and licensing process itself takes a few weeks.

Can I take the Texas journeyman exam before I have all 8,000 hours?

Yes. You may submit your application once you have 7,000 hours documented, but you must complete all 8,000 hours before TDLR will issue the actual license.

What is the passing score?

70% on each portion. You must pass both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations portions of the Journeyman or Master exam.

How do I renew my Texas electrician license?

Licenses are renewed annually online at tdlr.texas.gov. You must complete 4 hours of CE before renewal. The standard Journeyman renewal fee is $30.

What happens if I fail a portion of the Texas exam?

You may retake either portion. The retake fee is $78 (covers one or both portions). Contact PSI at (833) 333-4741 to reschedule.

Who regulates electricians in Texas?

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Electricians Program. Contact: (800) 803-9202 [in-state] or (512) 463-6599. Mailing: PO Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711.

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Related Guides

• How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try — An 8-week study plan, NEC navigation tips, and exam-day strategy that apply directly to the Texas PSI exam
• Iowa Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & Reciprocity — Iowa and Texas have a reciprocal agreement; useful if you're licensed in both states
• Massachusetts Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Apply — One of the most demanding licensing states, for comparison
• Browse all state electrician requirements — Compare licensing requirements across all 50 states

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Final Thoughts

Getting your Texas electrician license means going through a clear but demanding process: 8,000 hours of documented OJT, a two-part open-book PSI exam, and annual renewal with 4 hours of CE. The new two-part format for the Journeyman and Master exams (effective March 2025) adds a layer of preparation that candidates shouldn't underestimate — you need to pass both portions, and the time doesn't carry over.

Start building your exam readiness now. Practice with 1,600+ NEC 2023-aligned questions at getlicenseready.com — built for tradespeople who need to pass, not just study.

Good luck. Texas needs licensed electricians, and the path is in front of you.