Texas licenses electricians through TDLR, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. You start with an apprentice license and count hours under a licensed electrician.
Facts from the official pages, checked October 26, 2026. Rules change: confirm on the linked page before you apply.
An apprenticeship is a paid job with training, and your pay goes up as you learn.
Check their site for when applications open
Electrician · 4 years (8,000 hours)
IBEW Local 520 · Austin Electrical Training Alliance (JATC)
You'll need: Apply online ($35 fee), aptitude test (algebra and reading; wait 3 months to retest), then interview and ranking; laptop and internet needed
Check their site for when applications open
Electrician
IBEW Local 602 · West Texas Electrical JATC
You'll need: 18+, diploma or GED, a year of algebra (C or better), aptitude score of 5, $30 fee; apply online
Check their site for when applications open
Electrician · 4 years (8,000 work hours)
IBEW Local 20 · North Texas Electrical JATC
You'll need: 18+, diploma or GED, a year of algebra, Texas apprentice electrician license, aptitude score of 5, driver's license, $20 fee; tuition about $7,200 in all
Check their site for when applications open
Electrician
IBEW Local 716 · Houston Electrical JATC
You'll need: 18 or older, one year of high school algebra, official transcript (GED ok), TDLR apprentice electrician license ($20 TDLR fee, separate), aptitude test, drug test, $30 application fee by money order only. Within 30 days of applying, bring your original driver's license and Social Security card (no copies) to 108 Covern St., Houston: Mondays 9-11 AM or Wednesdays 1-3 PM, in line before the cut-off, or the application is voided.
What electricians do all day, the training and the pay nationwide, in about 90 seconds.
Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Tap CC on the player for captions. On CareerOneStop ↗
Issued by TDLR
Get this license before your first day of electrical work. No exam and no experience needed.
| Where | Middle half (25th–75th) | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $22.71 – $35.44 | $28.45 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $22.85 – $34.32 | $28.37 |
| San Antonio | $21.78 – $31.61 | $27.41 |
| Austin | $22.97 – $35.25 | $29.03 |
| All of Texas | $22.44 – $34.20 | $28.16 |
An hour, for all workers in the occupation, not by license level. BLS: “Someone new to the field may expect wages near the 10th or 25th percentile, whereas those with more experience and education could expect wages near the 75th or 90th percentile.” BLS
Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Electricians). bls.gov/oes
U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission
An apprenticeship is a paid job with classes. Texas helps pay for the classes, but programs may still charge an application fee, tuition or books.
Texas Workforce Commission
If you qualify, your local Workforce Solutions board can pay a school for an approved training program. Each board sets its own limit, and money depends on its budget.
the mikeroweWORKS Foundation
A scholarship for trade school programs of two years or less. You'll need a tuition bill from your school, a short video and references.
We're not connected with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Apply on their site.
Training money in Austin, Houston, DFW and San Antonio →Veteran or still serving? →
Checked Oct 2026 from each program's own site. Amounts and rules can change; their page has the final word.
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Jobs that list this level: San Antonio (8)
Other options at this stage
Issued by TDLR
8,000 hours under a Texas Master Electrician, then a two-part state exam. You can sit the exam at 7,000 hours. $30 application.
Jobs that list this level: Houston (2) · Austin (22) · Dallas–Fort Worth (1) · San Antonio (1)
Get ready for the exam
Apply and register on TDLR's site ↗39 free practice questions, with official sources →Other options at this stage
Issued by TDLR
12,000 hours and two years as a Journeyman Electrician, then a state exam. $45 application.
Nationally recognized certifications that can help you get hired or move up. Optional unless an employer asks for one.
National Center for Construction Education and Research
National Center for Construction Education and Research
National Center for Construction Education and Research
From CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Listed by schools and certifying organizations; we don't check them.
Schools and programs within 25 miles, nearest first. Ask each one about cost, start dates and help paying.
Electricians
Interplay Learning · Austin · 1.3 mi
Certificate, less than 12 weeks · Mix of in-person and online · Prepares for: Certificate of Completion of an Apprenticeship
Interplay Learning - Electrician
Interplay Learning · Austin · 3.0 mi
Certificate, less than 12 weeks · Online · Prepares for: USDOL Electrical Journeymen Certificate
Electrcian Pre-Apprenticeship
Lone Star Construction Trades Training · Austin · 4.0 mi
Certificate, less than 12 weeks · In-person · Prepares for: Pre-Apprenticeship Electrician
Electrician
Austin Community College District · Austin · 4.7 mi
Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year · In-person
Electrician
Austin Career Institute · Austin · 5.4 mi
Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year · In-person
Electrical Helper
Goodwill Career and Technical Academy · Austin · 6.0 mi
Certificate, less than 12 weeks · In-person · Prepares for: NCCER Electrical Level 1
From CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Listed by schools and certifying organizations; we don't check them.