In Texas, electrical work is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The path runs in three stages: apprentice, journeyman, master.

The first stage needs no exam. The other two need documented work hours, an application to TDLR and a computer-based exam given by PSI.

This guide walks through each stage in order, with the hours, the paperwork and the renewal rules. This site is an independent training site and is not affiliated with TDLR, PSI or NFPA.

In short

  • An electrical apprentice license has no exam and no experience requirement.1
  • To sit the journeyman exam you need at least 7,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training, and full licensure requires 8,000 hours.2
  • A master license needs two years as a Texas journeyman and 12,000 hours of training under a Texas master electrician.3
  • TDLR charges a $30 application fee for journeyman and $45 for master.23
  • All of these licenses are valid for one year and renew annually, with 4 hours of continuing education for journeyman and master.24
  • The exams pass at 70 percent and are based on the 2026 NEC.5
Contents
  1. Step 1: apprentice license
  2. Step 2: journeyman license
  3. Step 3: master license
  4. The exam
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Common questions
  7. Sources

Step 1: apprentice license

Everyone who starts in the trade works as an apprentice. TDLR states that there are no examination requirements and no experience qualifications to apply for the apprentice license.1

You apply online. If you report no criminal convictions, a temporary license is issued automatically. If you do report convictions, you send in a Criminal History Questionnaire, and TDLR says reviews can take one to six weeks.1

An apprentice works under the general supervision of a master electrician, a journeyman electrician or a residential wireman.1 Your hours as an apprentice are the hours that count toward the next license, so keep records from day one.

Step 2: journeyman license

Hours

TDLR says you need at least 7,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed master electrician to be approved for the exam, while full licensure requires 8,000 hours.2

Proof of experience

Each supervising master electrician completes and signs an Experience Verification Form (ELC017). Every supervisor needs a separate form, and the forms go with your application. TDLR may contact supervisors to verify the hours.2

Application

You send the journeyman application, the forms and a non-refundable $30 application fee to TDLR. Once TDLR has verified the application, it notifies you that you may take the exam.2 You then have one year from the date TDLR received your application to meet all requirements.5

Step 3: master license

The master license has two conditions. You must have held a journeyman electrician license for at least two years (journeyman industrial experience does not count), and you must show 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas master electrician.3

The paperwork follows the same pattern as for journeyman: signed ELC017 forms from each supervisor, the application and a non-refundable $45 fee. After TDLR verifies the file, you are notified to take the exam.3

The exam

Journeyman and master exams are given by PSI. Since March 11, 2025, the journeyman exam has two parts, a knowledge part and a calculations part.5 A score of 70 percent or better is required.5

The exam is open book, but only with your own soft-bound NEC. TDLR's exam page names the 2026 edition, and loose-leaf, spiral-bound and ring-bound copies are not allowed.5

The details of format, timing and calculator rules are in our article on the Texas journeyman exam format and passing score. To see where you stand, start a free practice test.

Renewal and continuing education

Journeyman, master and apprentice licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewals can be completed online.231

Journeyman and master electricians need 4 hours of continuing education per renewal. Holders of several license types need only 4 hours in total. The hours must cover the NEC, the Texas Electrician Law (Occupations Code, Chapter 1305), the administrative rules (16 TAC Chapter 73) and electrical safety under NFPA 70E, and they must come from a TDLR-registered provider.4

Common questions

Do I need a course before the exam?

The sources used for this article do not list a required course before the exam. The requirements are the hours, the verification forms, the application and the fee.2

Can I take the journeyman exam before I reach 8,000 hours?

Yes. TDLR states that 7,000 hours is enough to take the exam, while full licensure requires 8,000 hours.2 Check the current wording on the TDLR page before you apply, because third-party sites sometimes quote different numbers.

Does an apprentice need to pass an exam?

No. There are no examination requirements for the apprentice license.1

How long is a license valid?

One year. Renew it annually.2

Sources

All requirements were read on the TDLR electrician pages. Fees and hours can change, so confirm them on TDLR before you apply.

  1. TDLR: Apprentice Electrician license (tdlr.texas.gov)
  2. TDLR: Journeyman Electrician license (tdlr.texas.gov)
  3. TDLR: Master Electrician license (tdlr.texas.gov)
  4. TDLR: Electrician continuing education (tdlr.texas.gov)
  5. TDLR: Electrician exam information (tdlr.texas.gov)