Electrician Schools in Texas: Classes & Salary Info (2023 Updated)

Potential Salary

Texas electricians have the following salary information according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2021.

Mean Wage:

Annually – $53,080
Hourly – $25.52

Percentile	Average Annual Wage
10%	$34,970
25%	$39,510
50%	$48,590
75%	$61,590
90%	$76,270

Annual Salary Range:

$34K

$48K

$76K

Average Salary of Electricians in Texas

City Name	Salary
Houston	$49,149
Dallas	$47,630
San Antonio	$46,704
Austin	$47,231
El Paso	$41,941
Fort Worth	$46,724
Arlington	$46,647
Corpus Christi	$44,374
Plano	$47,426
Garland	$47,528

* Salary information last updated 2023

How to Become an Electrician in Texas

The TX Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates and issues the licenses of the following:

Apprentice electrician
Electrical sign apprentice
Journeyman electrician
Journeyman industrial electrician
Journeyman lineman
Journeyman sign electrician
Maintenance electrician
Master electrician
Master sign electrician
Residential appliance installer
Residential wireman

However, note that you may not need a license if you perform work under those exempted by the state.

Becoming an Apprentice Electrician / Electrical Sign Apprentice

Qualifications

TDLR doesn’t have any experience requirements for you to qualify for apprenticeship registration.

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed online application
Application fee – $20
Completed criminal history questionnaire if you’ve been convicted for any misdemeanor or felony
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire if you’ve been suspended, revoked, or denied a license, certification, or registration

License Renewal

Your registration will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $20
Proof of completing 4 CE hours or approved apprenticeship training course
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Journeyman Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master electrician
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a journeyman electrician license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional journeyman electrician license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $30
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

TDLR has contracted with PSI to help administer the licensure exams.

Here are the details for the journeyman electrician exam:

Exam fee – $78
No. of questions – 80 items
Duration – 240 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

Note: You can apply for an early examination if you’ve completed 7,000 hours of on-the-job training.

But to obtain the license, you’ll have to submit proof of completing the remaining 1,000 hours to meet the 8,000-hour experience requirement.

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $30
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Journeyman Industrial Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master electrician
Successfully pass the required licensure exam (effective January 1, 2023)

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $30
Completed experience verification form for each employer
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the journeyman industrial electrician exam:

Exam fee – $64
No. of questions – 60 items
Duration – 180 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $30
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Journeyman Lineman

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 7,000 hours of approved apprenticeship training OR 3.5 years of experience as a TX journeyman lineman
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a journeyman lineman license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional journeyman lineman license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $30
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the journeyman lineman exam:

Exam fee – $61
No. of questions – 40 items
Duration – 120 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $30
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Journeyman Sign Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master or master sign electrician
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a journeyman sign electrician license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional journeyman sign electrician license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $30
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the journeyman sign electrician exam:

Exam fee – $64
No. of questions – 80 items
Duration – 240 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $30
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Maintenance Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master or master maintenance electrician
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a maintenance electrician license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional maintenance electrician license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $20
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the maintenance electrician exam:

Exam fee – $64
No. of questions – 60 items
Duration – 180 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $20
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Master Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master or master sign electrician
Held a journeyman license for at least 2 years
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a master electrician license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional master electrician license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $45
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the master electrician exam:

Exams to take
- NEC Knowledge – 75 items in 150 minutes
- Calculations – 33 items in 170 minutes
Exam fee – $78 for both exam portions
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $30
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Master Sign Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master or master sign electrician
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a master sign electrician license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional master sign electrician license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $45
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
- Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the master sign electrician exam:

Exam fee – $64
No. of questions – 100 items
Duration – 300 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $45
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Residential Appliance Installer

Qualifications

TDLR doesn’t have any experience requirements for you to qualify for this license.

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed online application
Application fee – $30
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the residential appliance installer exam:

Exam fee – $64
No. of questions – 80 items
Duration – 240 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $30
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Residential Wireman

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of these requirements:

Option 1

At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master electrician or residential wireman
Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Option 2

Held a residential wireman license issued by a TX municipality or region that has discontinued the issuance or renewal of such licenses
Held a municipal or regional residential wireman license in the last year
Submitted the license application within 90 days from the date the municipality or region has discontinued the license issuance or renewal

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application
Application fee – $20
Proof of meeting license qualifications:
- If option 1
  - Completed experience verification form or letters from previous supervisors
  - Completed employment history form
- If option 2
  - Completed discontinued municipal or regional license program form
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable
Completed disciplinary action questionnaire, if applicable

Exam Details

Here are the details for the residential wireman exam:

Exam fee – $64
No. of questions – 80 items
Duration – 240 minutes
Exam type – open book
Reference material allowed – NEC 2020
Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $20
Proof of completing 4 CE hours
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor

TDLR issues 3 types of electrical contractor licenses:

Electrical contractor
Electrical sign contractor
Residential appliance installation contractor

Becoming an Electrical Contractor / Electrical Sign Contractor

Qualifications

To qualify, you must have the following:

A master electrician of record
- For the electrical contractor, you or your assigned employee must be a licensed TX master electrician
- For the electrical sign contractor, your or your assigned employee must be a licensed TX master or master sign electrician
Certificate of general liability insurance
- At least $300,000 per occurrence (combined for property damage and bodily injury)
- At least $600,000 aggregate (total pay for property damage and bodily injury coverage)
- At least $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations
Certificate of worker’s compensation insurance or an exemption

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application signed by the master electrician of record and owner
Application fee – $110
Proof of insurance – general liability and worker’s compensation
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $110
Maintained a master electrician of record
Proof of maintaining the general liability insurance
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Becoming a Residential Appliance Installation Contractor

Qualifications

To qualify, you must have the following:

A residential appliance installer of record where you or your assigned employee must be a licensed TX residential appliance installer
Certificate of general liability insurance – same coverage as with the electrical or electrical sign contractor
Certificate of worker’s compensation insurance or an exemption

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

Completed initial license application signed by the residential appliance installer electrician of record and owner
Application fee – $110
Proof of insurance – general liability and worker’s compensation
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

License Renewal

Your license will need annual renewal from the issuance date.

To renew, you must submit the following:

Completed online renewal application
Renewal fee – $110
Maintained a residential appliance installer of record
Proof of maintaining the general liability and worker’s compensation insurance
Completed criminal history questionnaire, if applicable

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Texas

An aspiring electrician such as yourself needs to have proper trade education and training.

You can obtain this either by enrolling in a vocational school or a sponsored apprenticeship program.

Vocational School

The school will give you the foundation you need to work in the trade, either as an apprentice or entry-level technician.

During the program, you’ll learn subjects like:

Commercial wiring
Tech electrical
Electronics for electricians
Grounding electrical
Programmable controllers
Conduit bending for electrical
Electrical/micro comp
Fiber optic electrical
Fire alarm/Security
Electric motor control
Electrical code
Arc welding
Standard first aid

Apprenticeship Program

Unions and non-unions will usually sponsor apprenticeship programs.

The apprenticeship program will provide you with real-world on-the-job training and relevant coursework.

To apply for an apprenticeship, union and non-union sponsors will commonly require the following:

Must be at least 18 years old
Holds a high school diploma or GED equivalent
Passing grade in high school algebra
Valid driver’s license or government-issued ID
Pass the general aptitude test and physical exam

The table below lists some of the schools and associations offering accredited electrical programs in Texas.

50 Electrician Schools in Texas

School Name	Address
Austin Community College	5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752
Brazosport College	500 Colleges Drive Lake Jackson, TX
CenTex Chapter IEC	8868 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78758
Cisco College	101 College Heights Cisco, TX 76437
El Paso Community College	9050 Viscount Boulevard El Paso, TX 79925
El Paso Chapter IEC	6596 Montana Avenue El Paso, TX 79925
Galveston College	4015 Avenue Q Galveston, TX 77550
Greyson College - Main Campus	6101 Grayson Drive Denison, TX 75020
Greyson College - South Campus	1455 West Van Alstyne Parkway Van Alstyne, TX 75495
Houston Community College	3100 Main Street Houston, TX 77002
IEC Dallas Chapter	1931 Hereford Drive Irving, TX 75038
IEC of East Texas	P.O. Box 1261 Tyler, Texas 75710
IEC Fort Worth - Tarrant County	5809 East Berry Street Fort Worth, TX 76119
IEC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter	601 North Shepherd Road Houston, TX 77007
IEC of the Texas Panhandle	200 South Main Street Borger, TX 79007
IEC of Texas	1005 Congress, Suite 162 Austin, Texas 78701
JATC of Austin	4000 Caven Road Austin, TX 78744
JATC of Beaumont	707 Helena Avenue Nederland, TX 77627
JATC of El Paso	6040 Luckett Court El Paso, TX 79932
JATC of East Texas	2914 East Marshall Avenue Longview, TX 75601
JATC of Houston	108 Covern Street Houston, TX 77061
JATC of North Texas	680 West Tarrant Road Grand Prairie, TX 75050
JATC of Rio Grand Valley - Laredo	224 North McColl Road McAllen, TX 78501
JATC of South Texas	2503 Blanco Road San Antonio, TX 78212
JATC of San Angelo	909 Caddo Street San Angelo, TX 76901
JATC of Texarkana	114 Elm Street Nash, TX 75569
JATC of Texas Gulf Coast	2301 Saratoga Corpus Christi, TX 78417
JATC of Tyler	200 North John Avenue Tyler, TX 75702
JATC of Waco	1813 Orchard Lane Waco, TX 76705
JATC of West Texas	200 South Fannin Road Amarillo, TX 79105
JATC of Wichita Falls	6111 Jacksboro Highway Wichita Falls, TX 76302
Laredo Community College - South Campus	5500 South Zapata Highway Laredo, TX
Lee College	200 Lee Drive Baytown, TX 77520
Lone Star College - Tomball Campus	30555 Tomball Parkway Tomball, TX 77375
Lubbock Chapter IEC	6310 Genoa Ave # C, Lubbock, TX 79424
Kilgore College	1100 Broadway Kilgore, TX 75662
Kilgore College - Longview Campus	300 South High Street Longview, TX 75601
North Lake College - Central Campus	5001 North MacArthur Boulevard Irving, TX 75038
Paris Junior College - Workforce Education	2400 Clarksville Street Paris, TX 75460
Rio Grande Valley IEC	219 East Monroe Avenue Harlingen, TX 78550
San Antonio Chapter IEC	2307 Bandera Road San Antonio, TX 78228
San Jacinto College - Central Campus	8060 Spencer Highway Pasadena, TX 77505
San Jacinto College - North Campus	5800 Uvalde Houston, TX 77049
St. Philip’s College	1801 M. L. King Drive San Antonio, TX 78203
South Texas College	3201 West Pecan McAllen, TX 78501
Texas Southmost College	80 Fort Brown Brownsville, TX 78520
Texas State Technical College	3801 College Drive Waco, Texas 76705
Texarkana College	2500 North Robison Road Texarkana, TX 75599
Victoria College	2200-A East Red River Victoria, TX
Western Texas College	6200 College Avenue Snyder, TX 79549

Electrician Schools by City

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