Electrical apprenticeship & licensing

Texas electrical apprentice requirements.

Texas uses a statewide individual licensing system through TDLR, with apprentice, journeyman, master, residential-wireman, and other electrical license classes.

Official licensing authority

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Electricians Program

Electricians program → · Apprentice application → · Journeyman application → · Reciprocity →

Last verified: October 2, 2026 · TRADECAIRN status: Educational summary; official authority controls.

At a glance

Current licensing facts

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Apprentice license

$20 nonrefundable fee; no experience or exam required.

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License term

Apprentice and journeyman licenses are valid for one year.

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Journeyman early exam

At least 7,000 supervised OJT hours may be submitted to test early.

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Journeyman license

8,000 supervised OJT hours are required for licensure.

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Supervision

Apprentices work under general supervision of the appropriate licensed electrician.

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Reciprocity

Texas publishes separate journeyman and master reciprocity lists.

Texas requires a license before electrical work begins

TDLR states there is no grace period. Eligible online apprentice applicants can receive a temporary license.

Exam eligibility and licensure are separate milestones

An applicant can test after 7,000 verified hours but still needs the full 8,000 hours before the journeyman license is issued.

Experience must be verified

TDLR requires experience verification from the Texas Master Electricians who supervised the qualifying work.

Recommended study references

Study from the reference your actual exam uses.

Verify the controlling authority and exam reference list first, then select the matching NEC edition.

Choose the correct NEC edition →

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Electrical license reciprocity / portability

Texas currently recognizes journeyman licenses from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Master reciprocity currently includes Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Ohio. Applicants must still satisfy Texas conditions and obtain a Texas license.

Compare electrical license mobility by state →

Official sources

Electricians program · Apprentice application · Journeyman application · Reciprocity

Always use the licensing authority above for the latest application, fee, exam, code, and renewal information.

Keep moving

Useful next steps

Prepare for the tradeElectrical Apprentice Pro, practice, NEC navigation, and exam readiness.Add useful credentialsOSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E, CPR/AED, solar, and other career-building training.Build your field kitProfessional apprentice tool guidance with buy-now vs shop-provided recommendations.Study the NEC betterLearn code navigation instead of trying to memorize the book.

Important: Verify current state and local requirements before applying, testing, or performing work.

Pay, outlook & career planning

Look beyond licensing requirements.

Licensing is only one part of choosing where and how to build an electrical career. Compare current BLS wage sources, long-term trade outlook, license classifications, and advancement paths alongside the rules above.

PAYElectrician pay by state

Current federal wage sources and state-by-state career context.

Explore pay →OUTLOOK5–20+ year trade outlook

Official near-term projections plus transparent long-range scenarios.

See the outlook →LICENSINGElectrical license types

General, residential, limited-energy, fire alarm, signs, high-voltage, master, contractor and other paths vary by jurisdiction.

Understand the categories →SOURCESHow TRADECAIRN verifies data

See how wage, licensing, apprenticeship, and outlook information is sourced and labeled.

Methodology →