Overview
Texas offers one of the most streamlined electrical apprentice licensing programs in the United States. Regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the path to a Journeyman Electrician License requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed Master Electrician. Unlike states like California that break hours into multiple categories with individual credit caps, Texas uses a single generic "electrical work" category. This simplicity makes Texas one of the easiest states to track hours in, but it comes with its own unique documentation requirements.
The primary form you will encounter throughout your apprenticeship is the ELC017 (Verification of On-the-Job Training). What makes this form unique is that each supervising Master Electrician must submit a separate ELC017 for the hours they personally supervised. If you worked under three different Master Electricians during your apprenticeship, you will need three separate ELC017 forms — one from each supervisor. The supervising Master Electrician is the one who fills out and signs the form, not the apprentice.
Texas also stands out for accepting digital submissions. TDLR has modernized its systems and you can submit experience verification forms electronically through the TDLR online portal. This is a significant advantage over states like California and Washington that still require paper submissions with wet ink signatures. The digital submission process is faster, less error-prone, and allows you to track the status of your application online.
Hour Categories & Requirements
Texas requires 8,000 hours across 1 category.
General Electrical Work
All electrical installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair work performed under the direct supervision of a licensed Texas Master Electrician. Texas does not subdivide hours into separate categories. All hours of qualifying electrical work count equally toward the 8,000-hour total.
Application Process
- 1
Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR. You must register before your hours begin counting. The registration fee is $20 and can be completed online at the TDLR website.
- 2
Work under the direct, on-site supervision of a licensed Texas Master Electrician. The supervising Master Electrician must be physically present at the worksite or available to respond to the worksite within a reasonable time.
- 3
Log your hours consistently. While Texas uses a single category, you should still record daily hours, work descriptions, jobsite locations, and the name and license number of your supervising Master Electrician.
- 4
When you have completed your hours, each Master Electrician you worked under must complete and submit a separate TDLR Form ELC017 (Verification of On-the-Job Training) documenting the hours they supervised.
- 5
ELC017 forms can be submitted digitally through the TDLR online portal. The supervising Master Electrician must submit the form — apprentices cannot submit on their own behalf.
- 6
Once TDLR verifies that your total documented hours equal or exceed 8,000, you will receive authorization to schedule the Journeyman Electrician examination.
- 7
Pass the journeyman exam, which covers the National Electrical Code (NEC) and Texas electrical laws. The exam fee is $78.
- 8
Upon passing, pay the license fee ($30) and receive your Texas Journeyman Electrician License.
Important Rules & Gotchas
Register first, work second: Hours worked before your TDLR apprentice registration are not counted. Many apprentices lose months of work because they did not register on day one. The $20 registration fee is worth doing immediately.
Each supervisor files separately: If you worked under three Master Electricians, all three must each submit their own ELC017. One comprehensive form from your employer is not sufficient — it must come from each individual Master Electrician.
The Master Electrician submits the form, not you: You cannot submit an ELC017 on your own behalf. If a former supervisor has moved, retired, or become uncooperative, tracking them down can delay your application. Maintain a positive relationship with every supervisor.
Supervision requirements are specific: The supervising Master Electrician must hold an active Texas Master Electrician license (not just a journeyman license). Verify your supervisor's license status before logging hours under them.
License number accuracy matters: A wrong license number on the ELC017 form will cause processing delays. Always record your supervisor's exact TDLR license number.
Apprentice-to-master ratio: Texas generally requires one licensed Master Electrician on-site for every three apprentices. Hours worked in violation of this ratio may be disqualified.
Classroom & Education Requirements
Texas does not require any formal classroom hours for the Journeyman Electrician License. There are no mandated classroom hours, no required technical instruction courses, and no education prerequisites beyond a high school diploma or GED.
However, the journeyman examination is based on the current National Electrical Code (NEC) and Texas electrical laws and rules. Self-study or exam preparation courses are strongly recommended even though they are not required for licensure.
Many electrical contractors and trade schools in Texas offer voluntary NEC code classes and exam prep courses. IBEW locals and independent JATCs in Texas also provide classroom instruction as part of their apprenticeship programs, even though it is not a state requirement.
If you are planning to eventually obtain a Master Electrician license in Texas, note that you must pass a more comprehensive exam. Building a strong foundation in electrical theory and code during your apprenticeship will serve you well.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Texas Journeyman Electrician licenses must be renewed annually. The renewal fee is $30.
You must complete 4 hours of continuing education (CE) during each annual renewal period. This is one of the lowest CE requirements in the nation, reflecting Texas's generally streamlined regulatory approach.
CE courses must be from a TDLR-approved provider and must cover the National Electrical Code. Many providers offer the required 4 hours as a single half-day session or online course.
TDLR sends renewal reminders, but it is your responsibility to renew on time. If your license lapses, you cannot legally perform electrical work. Late renewal within one year requires the standard fee plus a late penalty. Beyond one year, you may need to re-examine.
Renewal can be completed online through the TDLR portal, making Texas one of the most convenient states for license management.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Register with TDLR on your first day. This is the single most important step. The $20 registration fee is trivial compared to losing months of unregistered hours.
Even though Texas has a single category, keep detailed daily logs. Record what you worked on, where, and under whom. If your hours are ever audited, you will need to demonstrate that the work was genuinely electrical in nature.
Record every supervisor change. When you move to a new job or work under a different Master Electrician, note the exact date and the new supervisor's license number. This information is needed for the ELC017 forms.
Get ELC017 forms filed periodically, not just at the end. If you work under a Master Electrician for two years and they retire, getting their signature later can be difficult. Ask supervisors to submit their ELC017 at natural milestones (e.g., every 2,000 hours or when you leave that employer).
Verify your supervisor's license status. You can look up any Master Electrician's license on the TDLR website. Make sure their license is active and current before counting hours under their supervision.
Use WireHours to maintain a real-time hour count. While Texas tracking is simpler than states with multiple categories, having an accurate running total and supervisor history makes the final application process significantly faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do I need to become a journeyman electrician in Texas?
You need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed Texas Master Electrician. Texas uses a single generic category — all qualifying electrical work counts equally toward the total.
Can I submit my Texas electrician hours online?
Yes. Texas accepts digital submissions through the TDLR online portal. However, it is the supervising Master Electrician who submits the ELC017 form, not the apprentice.
Do I need classroom hours for a Texas electrician license?
No. Texas has no classroom hour requirement for the Journeyman Electrician License. However, you must pass an exam covering the NEC and Texas electrical laws, so study is recommended.
What is the ELC017 form in Texas?
Form ELC017 is the Verification of On-the-Job Training that each supervising Master Electrician must submit to TDLR to document the hours they personally supervised. Each Master Electrician files a separate form.
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