Texas Electrical Safety & Licensing Act
The Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act is state law designed to ensure that only licensed professionals perform electrical work in the state, in order to protect the public. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation administers the rules and regulations contained in the act. The act forms Chapter 1305 of the Texas Occupations Code and governs the licensing of all types of electrical professionals in the state, including master electricians journeyman electricians and residential wiremen.
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Electrical Safety And Licensing Advisory Board
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The act sets out the membership rules and composition of the Texas Electrical Safety And Licensing Advisory Board. This body is responsible for advising on aspects of professional licensing and issues concerning safety arising from the act. According to Section 1305.051 of the act, the composition of the Advisory Board shall be three members who are master electricians, three journeymen electricians, and three members of the public who are not electricians.However, the public members can include licensed electrical engineers or licensed electrical inspectors. Board members serve for six years, and three memberships must expire on Feb. 1 of every odd-numbered year. No member can serve more than two consecutive terms.
License Requirement
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To apply for a license as journeyman electrician, you must demonstrate that you have received 8,000 hours of on-the-job-training. A master electrician must supervise your training. You must also pass the journeyman electrician examination. On the road to becoming a journeyman electrician, you can install and replace wiring in residential premises by becoming a residential wireman. To become a residential wireman you need to have 4,000 hours of on-the job-training, and this training must be supervised by a master electrician or a licensed residential wireman. You must also pass the residential wireman examination. You can become a master electrician by passing the master electrician examination, after you have 12,000 hours of on-the-job training, supervised by a master electrician. Sections 1305.152 through 1305.168 of the act list the requirements for all categories of electrician allowed to work in the state.
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License Renewal
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As a licensed electrician in Texas, you must continually renew your license. Licenses typically expire on Dec. 31 each year, and you must renew your license every year. License holders of categories such as master electrician, journeyman electrician, maintenance electrician and residential wireman, must complete four hours of relevant continuing education each year and must pay the appropriate fee in order to renew their licenses. The continuing education courses must address specific areas, such as safety, the National Electrical Code and the regulations that apply to license holders.
Violations Of The Act
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On the grounds of public safety, the executive director of the Department of Licensing and Regulation can issue a cease and desist order if he believes that someone is engaged in electrical work in violation of the provisions contained in the act. The state attorney general can bring an action for an injunction or to award a civil penalty, against anyone working in violation of the provisions contained in the act. You are in violation of the act if you engage in electrical work without holding the appropriate license, of if you employ someone to do the work, and that person does not hold a license to do the work. If you certify the on-the-job training of someone working toward a license, this is also a violation of the act. Violations of the act are Class C misdemeanors.
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References
- Department Of Licensing And Regulation: Texas Electrical Safety And Licensing Act
- Department Of Licensing And Regulation: Electrical Safety And Licensing Advisory Board
- Department Of Licensing And Regulation: Application Requirements
- Department Of Licensing And Regulation: License Renewal
- Department Of Licensing And Regulation: Cease And Desist Order
