The State of Texas requires Electrical Contractors to hold a license. Licenses are issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Contractors are required to hold a license when performing the repair, installation or extension of electrical wiring systems and equipment. This includes labor or materials inside, outside or attached to any building or structure.
As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to meet all TDLR requirements, submit an application and pass a qualifying exam.
The TDLR offers multiple license types to Electrical Contractors. The type of license the contractor chooses depends if they plan to work alone or operate a business.
The TDLR offers the following license types to individuals:
The TDLR offers the following license types to businesses:
Use the chart below to determine the number of on-the-job training hours the contractor is required to complete, as well as any age requirements for each license type.
| License Type | On-the-Job Training Requirement | Age Requirement | Additional Requirements |
| Master Electrician | 12,000 hours under supervision of a Master Electrician | N/A | All Master Electrician applicants must hold a Journeyman Electrician License for at least 2 years |
| Master Sign Electrician | 12,000 hours under supervision of a Master Electrician or a Master Sign Electrician | N/A | N/A |
| Journeyman Electrician | 8,000 hours under supervision of a Master Electrician | N/A | N/A |
| Journeyman Sign Electrician | 8,000 hours under a Master Electrician or a Master Sign Electrician | N/A | N/A |
| Journeyman Lineman | N/A | N/A | 7,000 hours in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program OR 3 ½ years’ experience as a Journeyman Lineman for an Electrical Contractor, municipality-owned utility, electric utility or electrical cooperative |
| Residential Wireman | 4,000 hours under supervision of a Master Electrician or Residential Wireman | N/A | N/A |
| Maintenance Electrician | 8,000 hours under supervision of Master Electrician or Maintenance Electrician | N/A | N/A |
| Residential Appliance Installer | N/A | 16 years old | N/A |
| Electrical Apprentice | N/A | 16 years old | N/A |
| Electrical Sign Apprentice | N/A | 18 years old | N/A |
Click the link below to obtain a copy of the application. Please note that there are separate applications for each license type. The most current version of Adobe Reader is needed to download the application.
Be sure to read all instructions and complete the application in its entirety, printing in black ink only. If additional space or additional information must be included, attach the information on a separate 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper. Fasten all pages together using a paper clip. Do not use staples.
All individual applications require contractors to include the following information:
All business applications require contractors to include the following:
All businesses are required to hold general liability insurance in the following amounts:
Be sure to include the licensing fee along with the application. The TDLR accepts payment in the form of check or money order. Refer to the chart below to determine the license fee amount for each license type:
| License Type | License Fee Amount |
| Master Electrician, Master Sign Electrician, | $45 |
| Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Sign Electrician, Journeyman Lineman, Residential Appliance Installer | $30 |
| Residential Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Electrical Apprentice, Electrical Sign Apprentice | $20 |
| Electrical Contractor, Electrical Sign Contractor, Residential Appliance Installer Contractor | $110 |
Submit the completed application along with all the required documents and the licensing fee to the following address:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 1257
Austin, TX 78711-2157
Any questions about the licensing process or filling out the application should be directed to the TDLR at:
Once the TDLR has verified that the contractor meets all the requirements and the application is approved, they will issue an approval notice with instructions for registering for the exam.
All applicants have 1 year from the time their application is approved to take and pass the qualifying exam. The TDLR holds a contract with PSI Services to administer the exam.
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to register for and prepare for the exam, including the exam registration form, a list of suggested references and study materials, content outline of the test, sample test questions.
To download a copy of the Candidate Information Bulletin, please visit:
Applicants may register for the exam ONE of the following ways:
The cost to take the exam is between $60 and $78 depending on the license type the contractor is applying for:
PSI accepts payments in the form of:
Once PSI accepts the exam registration form, it is the applicant’s responsibility to call PSI to schedule their exam. To schedule an exam, call PSI at: (800) 733-9267
Testing centers are located in:
On the day of the exam, contractors should arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled test to allow time for check-in. They must also bring along a government-issued photo ID that contains their name, date of birth and signature, such as:
Contractors must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%. Scores are issued same-day, at the end of the exam. PSI submits all exam results electronically to the TDLR.
Once the contractor passes the exam, they will receive their license, authorizing them to begin bidding or working on electrical projects anywhere within the State of Texas. All licensed contractors are required to display their license number on their vehicle.
All Electrical Contractor License types are good for a period of 18 months in the State of Texas. Licenses expire 18 months from the date that they were originally issued. The TDLR mails out renewal notices approximately 60 days before the license expires.
All contractors must ensure that their renewal application and fees are postmarked before the expiration date to be considered on-time. The TDLR also offers online renewal services.
The cost to renew a license is the same as the initial licensing fee.
At renewal time the following license types are required to attend 4 hours of continuing education courses:
Continuing education courses must cover the following topics:
For a list of approved continuing education courses, please visit:
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $20 | License Fee to obtain a Residential Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Electrical Apprentice or Electrical Sign Apprentice License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $30 | License Fee to obtain a Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Sign Electrician, Journeyman Lineman or Residential Appliance Installer License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $45 | License Fee to obtain a Master Electrician or a Master Sign Electrician License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $110 | License Fee to obtain a Electrical Contractor, Electrical Sign Contractor or Residential Appliance Installer Contractor License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $60-$78 | Cost to take the qualifying examination | Upon submitting the exam registration form |