Last updated on February 26th, 2024.
Discovering your path to becoming an electrician in Texas starts right here.
So if you want to:
- Find out where to get an electrical apprenticeship in Texas
- Understand Texas’s Electrical licensing requirements
- Learn how to get started as an electrical apprentice in Texas
Then you’ll love the detailed information in this guide.
Let’s dive right in.
How to Become an Electrician in Texas
In order to become an electrician in Texas, you need to have an electrician license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
TDLR requirements for electrician licenses are:
- Journeyman Electrician – at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master electrician prior to taking the exam.
- Residential Wireman – at least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master electrician or residential wireman prior to taking the exam.
Becoming an electrician is a popular choice for people who are interested in getting started in skilled trades.
The electrician career attracts many because it offers ample job opportunities, engages with cutting-edge technology, and involves hands-on, physical work that’s both challenging and rewarding.
Before setting your sights on the electrician’s licensing exam, you’ll need to navigate through a few essential steps.
The first step to becoming an electrician in Texas is to apply for an electrician apprentice license online through the TDLR website.
Or you can download it and mail it in. TEXAS ELC001 Apprentice Electrician License Application
Once the application is complete you want to enroll in an electrical apprenticeship or electrician training program at a trade or vocational school.
Texas Military and Veterans
If you’re in the military or are a veteran, your verified military experience, service, training, or education will be credited towards TDLR licensing requirements. This means if you’re an electrician in the Air Force then you can speed up the licensing process.
The TDLR not only waives the initial license application and exam fees for military and veterans but also prioritizes your application, offering an expedited process to get you started sooner.
Your work under the National Electric Code is credited so that one year of military experience equals 2,000 hours; 6 months equals 1,000 hours, etc. This experience will be credited towards the following licenses:
- Master Electrician
- Master Sign Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician
- Journeyman Sign Electrician
- Residential Wireman
- Maintenance Electrician
- Journeyman Lineman
Electrician Certification and Licensing
Once you have completed your apprenticeship you’ll need to apply to take the electrician license exam. Once you have applied you will have one year to take the exam before having to re-apply. Take the time to study and prepare for the exam.
After passing the test you will be licensed as a journeyman electrician with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The next course is to begin recording your working hours as a journeyman electrician. You need 4,ooo hours (about 2 years) of working as a journeyman to meet the requirements for the master electrician exam.
Electrical Apprenticeships in Texas
There are two types of apprenticeships in Texas: the Independent Electrical Contractors and Electrical Training Alliance (IBEW). Learn more about the IEC apprenticeships. Learn more about the ETA apprenticeships.
Independent Electrical Contractors
East Texas
P.O. Box 1261 Tyler, Texas 75710-1261
Phone: (903) 597-7054
Fax: (972) 597-7500
Electrical Training Alliance (IBEW / NECA)
WICHITA FALLS ELECTRICAL JATC
6111 Jacksboro Highway
Wichita Falls, TX 76302
Phone (940)322-1661
Fax (940)723-9301
LU 898 IBEW
909 Caddo Street, San Angelo
TX 76901
Phone 325-655-1401
Fax 325-655-2881
Houston Electrical JATC
108 Covern Street, Houston
TX 77061
Phone 713-649-2739
Fax 713-649-1166