electrician license types
The 4 Electrician License Types in Texas: A Plain-English Guide
Electrician license types in Texas are issued by TDLR under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305. Each type covers a different role — from apprentice to business owner. Here is what each one means.
The 4 Electrician License Types in Texas
TDLR issues four electrician license types in Texas under Chapter 1305. Each one fits a different role.
Know the difference so you stay legal and plan your next step.
Apprentice Electrician (AE)
The AE is the entry level. You work under a Journeyman or Master. You cannot work alone.
Journeyman Electrician (JE)
The JE lets you work without supervision. You run your own jobs.
Master Electrician (ME)
The ME is the top individual tier. A Master can lead others and serve as the qualifier for a business EC license.
Electrical Contractor (EC)
The EC is a business license. A company holds it. A Master must be on file as the qualifier.
If you hold more than one active Texas electrician license, one 4-hour CE course covers all of them in the same renewal cycle. You do not need a separate course per license type.
Apprentice and Journeyman Electrician License Types
The AE and JE licenses cover field work. Both are individual licenses issued by TDLR.
Apprentice Electrician
As an AE, you work under a Journeyman or Master. You build hours toward the JE exam. Your AE renews each year with a $45 fee and 4 hours of CE.
Journeyman Electrician
The JE removes the need for supervision. You can work on your own. To get a JE, you pass the Journeyman exam and show your work hours. Once licensed, you renew each year. See the Texas Journeyman Electrician license renewal for details.
- AE: work under Journeyman or Master, annual renewal, 4-hour CE
- JE: work without supervision, annual renewal, 4-hour CE, $45 base fee
- Both licenses renew through TDLR MyLicense Office
Master Electrician License: What It Covers
The ME license is the top tier. A Master can lead other electricians. A Master can also serve as the RME for an EC business license.
To get the ME, you must first work as a Journeyman. Check tdlr.texas.gov for the hours needed.
How ME Licenses Renew
ME licenses renew each year. The fee is $45 base. You need 4 hours of CE before you renew. Read the master electrician renewal guide for all steps.
Renewal Requirements Across All Electrician License Types
All four electrician license types renew each year through TDLR MyLicense Office. Each license expires on its issue date — not December 31.
Individual Licenses (AE, JE, ME)
You need 4 hours of CE before each renewal. You pay the $45 base fee, or a late fee if expired. There must be no open holds in your TDLR account.
EC License
The business must have an active RME on file. The RME must hold a current license. Proof of insurance must also be on file with TDLR.
If your license lapses, you have up to 3 years to renew with a late fee. After 3 years, you must re-apply as a new applicant.
Which Electrician License Type Do You Need?
Your answer depends on what you want to do.
If you are new to the trade, start with the Apprentice license. It lets you work and build the hours you need to test for Journeyman.
If you want to work without supervision, get the Journeyman license. You pass an exam and show your work history.
If you want to supervise other electricians or act as an RME for a business, you need the Master Electrician license.
If you own or manage an electrical contracting business, you need the EC license plus a licensed Master Electrician on staff as your RME.
Each license tier builds on the last. Apprentice → Journeyman → Master → Electrical Contractor. You cannot skip a tier. The exam for each level requires documented work experience at the tier below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the electrician license types in Texas?
Texas has four main electrician license types: Apprentice Electrician (AE), Journeyman Electrician (JE), Master Electrician (ME), and Electrical Contractor (EC). The first three are individual licenses. The EC is a business license.
Do all Texas electrician license types require CE?
The three individual license types — Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master — all require 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE before each annual renewal. The EC license does not require separate CE for the business, but the Responsible Master Electrician on file must complete their own 4-hour CE.
How much does it cost to renew a Texas electrician license?
The standard annual renewal fee is $45 for individual electrician licenses. Late renewal fees are $67.50 within 90 days of expiration and $90 from 91 days up to 3 years. EC license fees are separate — check tdlr.texas.gov for current EC renewal amounts.
Can I hold more than one Texas electrician license type at the same time?
Yes. You can hold multiple active Texas electrician licenses simultaneously. One 4-hour CE course covers all your active licenses in the same renewal cycle — you do not need a separate course for each license type you hold.