The Types and Requirements of Electrical Licences in Texas

There are lots of amazing reasons to become an electrician in Texas, but you will want to do a couple of things before you can start your journey, to increase your chances of success. One of those is getting your licence from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to ensure you’re working legally.

The state requires you to have an up-to-date licence for all electrical works, including installations, maintenance, or extension of electrical wiring systems in commercial and residential settings. With different types of licences, each with specific requirements, which should you pick? Find out more about that below:

Types of Electrical Licences and Their Requirements

Understanding the types of electrical licences available in Texas is crucial not only in helping you determine what you qualify for at the moment but also in choosing the appropriate Texas Electrical License education and exam prep material. Here are the different types of licences you can choose from:

Apprentice Electrician License

If you are just beginning your career, this is the licence you will have to acquire. This part of the journey should be easy for you since you don’t have to do an examination and won’t need any work experience. However, you must:

• Be 16 years or older
• Pay a $20 application fee
• Submit an online application

While requirements like a high school diploma and GED aren’t typically mentioned, they offer much of the foundational knowledge that you build upon later on. Bear in mind that this licence is valid for a year.

Residential Wireman License

After acquiring your apprentice licence and accumulating several thousand hours, you can now move on to a more advanced licence like the residential wireman licence. With this one, you can work on electrical projects in single and multi-family residences less than four stories.

Some of the common services you can offer are wiring, installation of electrical control devices, and a range of other services that revolve around electrical wiring and apparatus. Before applying for a residential wireman licence, make sure you’ve met the following requirements:

• Spend at least 4000 hours working as an apprentice under an experienced residential wireman or master electrician.
• Submit a complete experience verification form that’s been signed by each of your supervisors.
• Make sure you have the physical capability to perform electrical work.
• Be 18 years or older.
• Pay a $20 application fee.
  

  

You are required to renew your licence every year.

Journeyman Electrician Licence

This is the next licence tier after the residential wireman licence, and it’s categorised into the following types:

Journeyman sign electrician – Appropriate for professionals who are interested in electrical sign work.

Journeyman industrial electrician – Required for electricians working in petrochemical plants, chemical industries, manufacturing plants, and other industrial facilities. Note that you can’t work on commercial or residential projects.

Journeyman lineman – The licence you need for electrical services that revolve around the operation and maintenance of electricity distribution systems.

Maintenance electrician – Ideal for electricians who want to concentrate on maintenance work under a master electrician’s supervision.

You will have to meet the following requirements before applying for any of the journeyman licence:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Ensure you’re physically capable of working as an electrician.
• Complete 8,000 hours of electrical work under the supervision of a master electrician licence in Texas.
• Have a complete experience verification form, signed by all your supervisors.
• Submit an online application
• Pay the $30 application fee and pass a certification test.

Journeyman licences are valid for one year, just like the other tiers mentioned above. You also have to complete 4 hours of continuing education from an accredited provider every year.

Master Electrician Licence

If you’re eyeing the highest licence you can get from the Texas Department of Licensing, then this is it. A master electrician with a valid licence can supervise other electricians and still perform any type of electrical work.

You are required to meet the following requirements to acquire this licence:

• Complete 12,000 hours of work under the supervision of a Texas-license master electrician.
• Have a valid Journeyman licence that you’ve held for not less than two years.
• Fill out a licence application form.
• Submit your application alongside an experience verification form.
• Pay $45 for the application.
• Pass your master electrician exam.

A master electrician licence is valid for up to one year and requires four hours of continuing education for a successful renewal.

Expedite Your Path to Licencing and a Successful Career

Getting your electrician licence may sound challenging, depending on how you look at it, but with some expert assistance, you should sail through the entire process quite easily. Since the most sensitive part of the entire process is acquiring the right training and passing your exams, where applicable, education providers like RocketCert come in to simplify these processes with special services like expert course narration.

Not only will that help you understand the training content more deeply, but it will also give you the confidence you need to succeed at work. Visit rocketcert.com to learn more and start your journey towards a thriving career today!