Become an Electrician in Texas

Working as an electrician is an excellent career path as we grow more dependent upon electricity at work and home. Electricians must go through extensive "on the job" training. In Texas, like in most states, anyone who works with electricity must first be licensed by the state. However, Texas's laws allow you some freedom to work anywhere in the state once you are licensed. There are several different types of electrical licenses you can receive in Texas, including apprentice electrician, apprentice sign electrician, residential appliance installer, residential wireman, maintenance electrician, journeyman lineman, journeyman electrician, journeyman sign electrician, master electrician, master sign electrician, appliance installation contractor, sign contractor, and electrical contractor. Find out how to become an electrician in Texas.

Steps

  1. Become a Texas electrical apprentice (must be at least 16 years of age), or become a sign apprentice (must be 18 years of age).
    • Texas electrical apprentice licenses are just licenses to learn. In Texas there are no educational requirements for these state issued electrical licenses. The state of Texas requires a criminal background check, supervised hours of "on the job" experience, an apprentice must work under a master electrician, or master sign electrician to qualify for the state apprentice license.
    • Apply to be an electrical apprentice or an electrical sign apprentice through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Pay $20, fill out the forms, including your criminal history, and submit proof of work under a licensed master electrician, or master sign electrician every year of your apprenticeship. Late fees will be required if you are late in submitting your license renewal paperwork.
    • Electrical sign apprentices usually work under a master sign electrician, but may be supervised by a master electrician also. They are taught to work with electrical signs and billboards exclusively.
    • A general electrical apprentice must work under a licensed master electrician, and may be taught to work in any/all electrical fields, depending upon the type of work of the master electrician, and/or the contractor.
    • This can be accomplished entirely online.
  2. Consider a State approved apprenticeship program (but it is not required, and will not speed your career path) These programs have educational requirements, and charge fees for the provided classroom training and books. While this is not necessary to become an electrician, it may be a preferable way to gain more knowledge about your chosen career.
    • You could also apply for a vocational electrician program (but it is not required, and will not speed your career path). Programs that take nine months to two years are commonly available at community colleges and tech schools, for a fee. While this is not necessary to become an electrician, it may be a preferable way to gain more knowledge about your chosen career.
  3. Work for at least two years as an electrical apprentice.
  4. Apply to become the "next level" of electrician.
    • To be a residential wireman, you must have 4,000 supervised hours (2 years) of supervised experience and pass the residential wireman examination.
    • To be a journeyman lineman you must have 7000 supervised hours (3 1/2 years) of experience and pass the journeyman lineman examination.
    • For the journeyman, and journeyman sign, or maintenance electrical licenses, you are required to have 8,000 supervised hours (4 years).
    • You can apply to be a master electrician, or master sign electrician once you have achieved 12,000 hours (6 years) of supervised electrical work. You must also be a journeyman (or sign) electrician for at least 2 years.
  5. Pass the appropriate electrician examination.
    • You can go to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to apply for these licenses and sign up to take your examination. The application fees are between $20 and $45, in addition to examination fees.
  6. Renew your electrician license every year. Unless you are a residential appliance installer, you will be required to obtain at least 4 hours of state approved continuing education credits annually in order to remain licensed.
  7. Opt to become an electrical contractor. If you want to start your own business, then you must apply to be a residential appliance installation contractor, sign contractor, or electrical contractor. In addition to being a residential appliance installer, master, or master sign electrician, you must also start a business that meets Texas' licensing requirements.
    • You will need to show proof of liability insurance for injury and property. This must total $600,000 in aggregate coverage and $300,000 of coverage per incident. You must also must show proof of worker's compensation insurance and a surety bond.

Tips

  • Although it is not required in the state of Texas, and will not speed your career path, you may wish to consider joining the IBEW (electrical union). As a DUES PAYING member, you will get other benefits such as continuing education training, (although equivalent continuing education can be obtained from many other state approved continuing education providers at a much lower cost).

Things You'll Need

  • Apprentice application ($20)
  • Application/annual renewal fees ($20 - $45)
  • Vocational program (optional)
  • Work experience (Maximum of 2000 hrs. per year)
  • 4 hours of Continuing education credits annually (from $10 - $45)

Sources and Citations

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