Electrician Licensing

Here are the public comments on general topics received during the 2012 Strategic Planning process. The comments are grouped as answers to the four questions we based our discussions on.

1. What are we doing well?
2. What can we do better?
3. If you could change one service that we provide or eliminate or amend any provision of TDLR’s statutes or rules, what would it be?
4. What major changes will occur over the next five years that will impact the way you do business and the services we provide?

Read the comments (106 kb PDF) To see the comments for each individual license program, go to that program's section on the web site.

The Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 28 at 9:00 a.m. in the 1st Floor Public Meeting Room of TDLR's North Campus Building, located at 1106 Clayton Lane in Austin. When the agenda is ready it will be posted on TDLR's web site. The meeting will be broadcast live and available for viewing via RealPlayer.

On May 1, 2012, TDLR will begin issuing “Gold Cards” for Master Electricians and Master Sign Electricians. We’re doing this in response to requests from licensees and industry professionals, so they can be more easily identified when interacting with local government officials and supply shop employees. The Gold Cards will contain the same information as our regular white cards. All new and renewal licenses for these programs will receive the new Gold Card but if you would like to order a Gold Card before your renewal, they will be available for $25 by mail beginning May 1, 2012. The white cards are still valid during the transition through May 1, 2013.

Call for Subject Matter Experts – Electricians TDLR and PSI, the vendor under contract to develop and administer examinations, are seeking Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to participate in reviewing and evaluating exam content outlines, exam items and reference lists. The participation of knowledgeable SMEs ensures competency levels for electricians and helps protect the public from dangerous construction practices. Applicants should have a broad-based knowledge of the technical aspects of the profession and familiarity with the current techniques, standards, and materials. Successful applicants must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement regarding exam content. If interested, please complete and follow the instructions on the Electrical SME application.

Justification for administrative rule changes

The Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board met February 16 in Austin. The agenda is online. The meeting was archived and is available for viewing in RealPlayer.

TDLR is now accepting online payment for administrative penalties.

2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) Becomes Effective September 1, 2011 - Chapter 1305.101(a)(2) of the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act requires our agency to adopt the revised NEC as the electrical code for the state of Texas. In accordance with state law, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to Chapter 73.100 of the administrative rules thereby establishing the NEC 2011 as the "minimum standard" for all electrical work in Texas that is covered by the Act. 

Chapter 1305.201 provides municipalities the authority to make local amendments to the 2011 NEC; however, any proposal to amend these standards should be done in accordance with NEC 90.4 which stipulates that "the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety."

Any non-exempt electrical work started on or after September 1, 2011 must be installed in accordance with the NEC 2011. For purposes of clarification, the “start” of electrical work is the day the electrician begins installing electrical materials or equipment within the residential or commercial building structure. Inside the corporate limits of a municipality,electricians must abide by city permitting requirements and adhere to any local amendments. 

Beginning October 1, 2011, all examinations for state electrical licenses will be based on the NEC 2011. The state electrical exams are available through PSI, who has contracted with TDLR to develop, maintain, and administer our state electrician licensing examinations. It is important for license candidates to review the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) which contains detailed information regarding the examinations and is vital to understanding the process.

List of registered electrical apprenticeship training programs now available

Residential Appliance Installers (RAI) Applications Available

Electrical contractors should verify a current TDLR license by visiting the "Search Licensees By License Type" page

APPLY FOR A NEW LICENSE or RENEW YOUR LICENSE ONLINE - and also obtain a duplicate receipt for the transaction