Texas Electrician License Reciprocity Guide
Yes. Texas has reciprocity with 13 states.
Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks. Always confirm details with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before applying.
Reciprocal states (13)
| State | Classes covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AL · Alabama | Journeyman, Master | — |
| AK · Alaska | Journeyman | — |
| AR · Arkansas | Journeyman, Master | Master reciprocity for AR master electrician class |
| ID · Idaho | Journeyman | — |
| IA · Iowa | Journeyman, Master | Master: Class A master electrician only. Added Feb 2026. |
| LA · Louisiana | Master | LA state contractor's license only |
| NE · Nebraska | Journeyman, Master | — |
| NM · New Mexico | Journeyman | — |
| NC · North Carolina | Master | Master electrician or unlimited electrical contractor |
| OH · Ohio | Master | Added June 2026 |
| OK · Oklahoma | Journeyman | — |
| SD · South Dakota | Journeyman | — |
| WY · Wyoming | Journeyman | — |
Requirements checklist
- Licensed 1+ year in your home stateLicense must be current and in good standing.
- 8,000 hours of documented experience
- Reciprocal exam requiredReciprocal exam is shorter than the standard TX exam. Master requires reciprocal master exam.
- Experience affidavitRequired with the application.
- Letter of good standingRequest one from your home-state board.
Master reciprocity requires a journeyman license held for 2 years minimum (reduced to 1 year for AL, IA, NE, OH applicants). The 12,000-hour experience requirement includes those journeyman years.
Fees
| License class | Total | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman | $30 | — |
| Master | $45 | — |
How to apply in Texas
- Complete the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) reciprocal application — official application.
- Attach proof of 1+ year of licensure, your experience affidavit, and your letter of good standing.
- Submit to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), PO Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711.
- Questions? Call (512) 463-6599. Allow 4–8 weeks for processing.
Apprentice Registration
- Registration fee
- $20
- Renewal
- $20 every 1 year
- Employer requirements
- Must work under supervision of a licensed TX journeyman or master electrician.
1. Complete online application via TDLR portal 2. Pay $20 non-refundable fee 3. Submit criminal history questionnaire if applicable 4. Receive temporary license immediately upon approval (if no criminal convictions reported) 5. Renew annually online for $20
Texas issues a temporary apprentice license immediately upon approval — no wait period if you have no criminal history flags. Among the fastest-onboarding apprentice programs in the country. Under state law: "With the exception of certain allowed exemptions, anyone who performs electrical work in the state of Texas must be licensed."
Moving from another state?
- Must re-register: Yes
- Out-of-state hours transfer: Unclear — contact board
TDLR does not publicly document apprentice hour transfer policy. Master-level applicants receive 2,000 hours credit per year of out-of-state master license, but apprentice-level equivalents are not stated. Contact TDLR (512) 463-6599 for your specific situation.
Apprentice rules change often — confirm with Texas before relying on this summary.
Coming from a non-reciprocal state?
If you're from a non-reciprocal state, you'll need to sit for the full TX electrician exam through PSI:
- 8,000 hours documented for journeyman
- 12,000 hours + 2 years as journeyman for master
- Full TX exam (longer than the reciprocal version)
- Same $30 (journeyman) / $45 (master) fee
TX has one of the smoother processes even for non-reciprocal applicants because the state-level license is uniform — no per-city licensing on top.
Local licensing notes
Texas does not permit municipal-level electrician licensing on top of the state license. Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso all recognize the TDLR license directly.
Related
These states accept your Texas license: Oklahoma, Utah, Arkansas, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Louisiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Idaho, Alaska, New Mexico, Alabama.
Current openings in Texas: Journeyman Electrician jobs · Master Electrician jobs · Apprentice Electrician jobs.
Licensed and ready for more? See which certifications unlock higher pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes. Texas has reciprocity agreements with 13 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, and 8 others.
How much does electrician reciprocity cost in Texas?
journeyman: $30; master: $45
How long does the Texas reciprocity process take?
Typical processing time is 4-8 weeks once the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) receives a complete application with verification from your issuing state.
Do I need to take an exam to reciprocate my license into Texas?
Yes. Reciprocal exam is shorter than the standard TX exam. Master requires reciprocal master exam.
Can I transfer apprentice hours to Texas?
Unclear — the Texas licensing agency does not publicly document a policy on transferring apprentice hours. TDLR does not publicly document apprentice hour transfer policy. Master-level applicants receive 2,000 hours credit per year of out-of-state master license, but apprentice-level equivalents are not stated. Contact TDLR (512) 463-6599 for your specific situation.
Licensed in Texas? See the full list of states that accept your license.
Last verified 2026-09-25 · Source: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Reciprocity data is informational only and may be stale. Confirm with the destination state licensing board before applying.