Texas electrician license renewal takes 4 hours of continuing education (CE, short approved classes that keep a license current) each year. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires those hours to cover the National Electrical Code (NEC), Texas electrician law and rules, and NFPA 70E electrical safety, under 16 TAC §73.25. You renew online every year.
| Quick facts | Texas electrician CE |
|---|---|
| Hours | 4 before each renewal. One CE hour is 50 minutes of instruction. |
| Cycle | 1 year. Master and journeyman licenses are valid one year from the date issued. |
| Deadline | Finish the hours within the term of the license you're renewing, before it expires. |
| Required topics | NEC, Texas law (Occupations Code Chapter 1305), Texas rules (16 TAC Chapter 73) and NFPA 70E safety |
| Who needs CE | Master, journeyman, journeyman lineman, journeyman industrial, residential wireman, maintenance, master sign, journeyman sign, apprentice and apprentice sign electricians. Contractors and residential appliance installers need none. |
| Online allowed | Yes. TDLR approves classroom and internet or webinar courses from registered providers. |
| Reporting | Your provider reports the hours. Check them on TDLR's CE Course Look Up. |
| JCR approval | TDLR-approved 8-hour and 4-hour CE classes, in person or virtual, per JCR's Texas reporting page |
How many CE hours do Texas electricians need?
Four hours per renewal on every license that needs CE. Licenses last a year, so that's 4 hours a year.
- More than one license? 4 hours total covers them all, if the courses fall within the term of the license you're renewing.
- Apprentices: 4 hours, or enrollment in a TDLR-registered apprenticeship training program.
- No repeats: the same course counts only once.
- No partial credit: finish the whole course. A provider may let you finish it another day.
Need Texas CE hours? JCR CE classes are $230 for 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom, plus a bonus 8-hour online video course. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states, and its 8-hour class is TDLR-approved in person or virtual. Add Texas state reporting for $25.
What counts for TDLR continuing education for electricians?
Your 4 hours must address these topics, per TDLR's electrician CE page:
- The NEC edition Texas adopted, or the current edition approved by NFPA
- Texas electrician law, Occupations Code Chapter 1305
- Texas electrician rules, 16 TAC Chapter 73
- Electrical safety as defined in NFPA 70E
Took all 4 hours in the NEC? Then add at least 1 approved hour in law, rules or NFPA 70E safety. Only courses from a TDLR-registered provider count.
Can Texas electrical continuing education be online?
Yes. TDLR's course approval form covers classroom and internet or webinar courses, and the CE rule sets no online limit. The course just needs TDLR approval.
- Certificate: no certificate within 15 days of the course? Check with your provider first.
- Records: keep each certificate for 1 year. A TDLR inspector may ask to see it.
- Missing hours: ask the provider to report them. If that fails, you can file a complaint against the provider.
How do I renew a Texas electrician license?
- Watch for the reminder. TDLR emails or mails one about 60 days before your license expires.
- Finish 4 CE hours within your current license term.
- Check your hours on the CE Course Look Up.
- Renew online on TDLR's renewal page and pay the fee.
| License | Renewal fee | Up to 90 days late | 91 days to 18 months late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Electrician | $45 on time | $67.50 if up to 90 days late | $90 if 91 days to 18 months late |
| Journeyman Electrician | $30 on time | $45 if up to 90 days late | $60 if 91 days to 18 months late |
After 18 months, renewal is by mail with a request form, up to 3 years. After 3 years, you apply as a new applicant.
A late renewal leaves an unlicensed gap from the expiration date, and you can't do electrical work during it. For a late renewal, your CE hours must fall within the year before you renew.
Texas electrician CE questions
How many hours of CE do Texas electricians need?
Four hours before each yearly renewal, covering the NEC, Texas law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety.
Do Texas electrical contractors need continuing education?
No. TDLR exempts electrical contractors and residential appliance installers. Individual electrician licenses still need 4 hours.
Can I take Texas electrician CE online?
Yes. TDLR approves internet and webinar courses from registered providers, and the rule sets no online limit.
What if I took all 4 CE hours in the NEC?
Take at least 1 more approved hour in Texas law, rules or NFPA 70E safety before you renew.
How do I check my Texas electrician CE hours?
Search TDLR's CE Course Look Up. If hours are missing, contact your provider first, since providers report them.
Texas electrical continuing education with JCR
JCR's Texas reporting page lists these TDLR approvals:
- 8-hour CE class: in person or virtual
- 4-hour morning session: in person or virtual
- 4-hour afternoon session: virtual
- Detailed NEC Workshop: 10 hours on each of its 2 days
To complete your full Texas hours, JCR gives you an online course on Texas Rules & Regulations. Sign the Texas roster when you arrive and include your TDLR license number.
Add Texas state reporting for $25.
Sources
- TDLR: Electrician Continuing Education
- TDLR: CE Providers for Electricians
- TDLR: CE course approval application
- TDLR: Laws and rules (16 TAC Chapter 73)
- TDLR: Renew your electrician license
- TDLR: Master Electrician renewal
- TDLR: Journeyman Electrician renewal
- TDLR: CE Course Look Up
Last checked October 21, 2026: TDLR's electrician CE page, provider page and course approval form, the Master and Journeyman renewal pages, and 16 TAC §73.23 and §73.25.