If you’re considering a career as an electrician, you may have a lucrative and fulfilling professional future. Working as an electrician is more than just a job; it’s a career path – and a skilled professional role that will always be in demand.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of U.S. electricians is projected to grow by 8%. With an annual mean of $63,310 and an hourly wage of over $30, becoming a licensed electrician is an excellent career path.

Before you can start working as an electrician in Texas, you’ll need to complete the necessary steps to obtain your electrician license. The good news is that you can often receive a competitive wage throughout the training process.

Is a License Required to Work as an Electrician in Texas?

Yes. The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) is responsible for all aspects of license application, renewal, and examinations and breaks down the licenses into four different levels: Apprentice Electrician, Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician.

Anyone who performs electrical work in the state of Texas must be licensed. Electrical work is defined by TDLR as: “Any labor or material used in installing, maintaining or extending an electrical wiring system and the appurtenances, apparatus or equipment used in connection with the use of electrical energy in, on, outside, or attached to a building, residence, structure, property, or premises…” or “Service entrance conductors, as defined by the National Electrical Code.”

How to Become an Electrician in Texas

The apprentice license is the first step in your journey to working as a licensed electrician in Texas. Apprentices work under the supervision of a master electrician, journeyman electrician, or residential wireman. As an IEC apprentice, you will work under one of our contractor members and learn through on-the-job training and classroom courses.

For a Texas apprentice license, there are no experience qualifications required or examination. Simply complete an online application and include the non-refundable $20 renewal fee. Apprentice licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually. Renewals may be completed online.

How long does it take to complete an Electrical Apprenticeship Program?

In Texas, it takes approximately four (4) Years to complete the four (4) level program of 8,000 hours on the job (OJT) training hours, 576 hours of classroom hours with passing grades, and passing the required state of Texas journeyman exam, to receive your state electrical license.

With the IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County Chapter, students work full time while attending class one night a week (4 hours) if you begin in September.  For those students joining the program in January, the class is two nights (4 hours each) a week. You are supervised by a Journey level licensed electrician for all your on-the-job training while you are enrolled in the IEC program. IEC instructors are Master electricians with field and teaching experience. You must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training as one of the requirements for graduation. Joining an apprenticeship program, it is an opportunity for you to gain on-the-job experience and build critical skills while working towards your journeyman license.

Types of Electrician Licenses in Texas

Did you know that there are four different basic types of electrician licenses in Texas? Each of these licenses involves a different level of experience and specific training or areas of expertise.

  • Journeyman electrician:8,000 hours of work as an apprentice electrician under a Master Electrician licensed in the state of Texas, documented in an experience verification form. Renewal is annual, along with completing four hours of continuing education training.
  • Master electrician: Complete at least 12,000 hours of work under a Master Electrician license in Texas; have held a journeyman electrician license for at least two years and pass a master electrician exam. Renewal is annual, along with completing four hours of continuing education training.
  • Residential wireman: 4,000 hours of experience (two years) as an apprentice electrician under the supervision of a Residential Wiremen or Master Electrician licensed in the state of Texas, documented in an experience verification form. Renewal of this license is annual.
  • Electrical Contractor: Has the proper licensing, including a master electrician license (or hiring someone with that license), and holds workers’ compensation insurance.

There are also specialized electrician licenses in Texas, such as apprentice sign electricians, maintenance electricians, master sign electricians, and residential appliance installers.

Starting Your Career as an Electrician with Assistance from IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County

You have a lot of options when planning your educational path. A good education leads you into new territories, arms you with solid skills that will support you for a lifetime, and helps you turn a passion into a career. At IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County, we offer such a path and encourage you to explore Electrical Apprenticeship as an option. Unlike a traditional 4-year program, graduates of the IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County Apprenticeship Program leave school employed, with no school debts to carry, and the typical pay ranges of graduates are $40,000-$80,000 a year!

For individuals ready to take their first steps towards becoming a licensed electrician in Texas, the IEC Tarrant County/Fort Worth Chapter is the place to go. We can help you find training, apprenticeship, and job opportunities throughout Tarrant County and more Western parts of the state.

If you’re interested in more information about getting a job as an electrician in Texas, contact us today.