How to Get an Electrical License in Texas

To get an electrician license in Texas, first complete an approved apprenticeship program.

To work as an electrician in Texas, you must hold a journeyman electrician license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. As a journeyman electrician, you are authorized to work under licensed master electricians and licensed electrical contractors. To obtain a journeyman electrician license, first enroll in an approved electrical apprentice training program. The training program will last at least four years, comprising at least 8,000 hours of paid, on-the-job experience. Upon completion of the program, you must submit an application and pass a journeyman licensing examination before a license will be issued to you.

Instructions

1. Download an Apprentice Electrician Application packet, a Criminal History Questionnaire and a Disciplinary Action Questionnaire from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website (see Resources). Complete the forms and submit them, along with any supporting documents and fees, to the indicated address. After processing, an apprentice electrician license will be issued to you.

2. Obtain employment through an approved apprentice training program. Approved apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare you for journeyman licensure. Visit the Department of Licensing and Regulation website for a list of approved programs in your area (see Resources). Note that the department is not an employment agency; you must contact the training programs yourself.

3. Complete your apprenticeship.

4. Download a Journeyman Electrician License Application from the Department of Licensing and Regulation website (see Resources). Distribute the included experience verification forms to the master electrician(s) who supervised you during your apprenticeship. The verification forms, together, must show that you have the required 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience. Collect the signed verification forms and complete your application. Submit it, along with fees, to the indicated address. Upon approval, you will receive authorization to sit for the journeyman licensing examination.

5. Take and pass the journeyman licensing examination. The exam is administered by PSI Services, a private company. Visit the PSI Services website to download a Candidate Information Bulletin, which includes an exam registration form. Complete the registration form and submit it along with the required fee. Note that you must receive authorization from the Department of Licensing and Regulation before you can register for an exam. After passing the examination, you will be issued a journeyman electrician license.

References

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act
• PSI Exams Online: Journeyman Electrician Exam Information
• PSI Exams Online: Candidate Information Bulletin

Resources

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Apprentice Electrician Application Packet
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Criminal History Questionnaire
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Disciplinary Action Questionnaire
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Online Licensing Services
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Electrical Apprentice Training Programs
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Journeyman Electrician License Application