Short answer: Texas has 68 TDLR-registered electrical apprenticeship training programs: 67 on TDLR’s lookup page plus San Jacinto College from TDLR license data. 13 are union JATCs that test, interview and place you. 10 IEC and 3 ABC chapters mostly want you working for a member contractor. 18 are company programs. The rest are colleges, schools and training centers.
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Contents
A registered program is a training course TDLR lists for apprentices. Enrolling in one can replace the 4 hours of continuing education you need each year to renew your apprentice license (TDLR). Some programs also come with a job. Many do not. Get your apprentice license first, then pick the door that fits your life.
Program details checked October 2026 from TDLR’s lookup list and each program’s own website, from the shared Texas program data we keep up to date. 67 programs are on TDLR’s lookup page; the full list is at the end of this page.
The 68 programs by type
| Type | How many | How you usually get in |
|---|---|---|
| Union (IBEW-NECA JATC) | 13 | Apply to the JATC, pass an aptitude test, interview, then wait on a ranking list. The JATC places you with a contractor. |
| IEC chapter | 10 | Most want you working for a member contractor. IEC Fort Worth also has a self-pay path, and IEC of East Texas places accepted applicants with a member. |
| ABC chapter | 3 | Apply and interview. ABC South Texas says you must find a sponsor employer to start school. |
| Employer | 18 | You join by getting hired by that company. |
| College | 5 | Enroll and pay tuition. Texarkana College teaches classes for the Texarkana Electrical JATC. |
| Private school | 8 | Enroll and pay tuition. School time does not count as on-the-job hours. |
| Training center | 10 | Each one works differently. Ask. |
| Job Corps | 1 | A federal training program. |
Where they are
| Area | Programs |
|---|---|
| Houston | 12 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | 7 |
| Austin | 5 |
| San Antonio | 6 |
| Other Texas cities | 30 |
| Based outside Texas | 8 |
The out-of-state programs are national schools, a university course and companies with Texas job sites. Check how classes work before you enroll.
Front doors in the four big metros
These are the programs in each metro run by union committees, IEC and ABC chapters, colleges, schools and training centers. Company programs are left out here because you join those by getting hired.
- Houston: Galveston Electrical JATC (union); Houston Electrical JATC (union); IEC Texas Gulf Coast (IEC); San Jacinto College (college); Tulsa Welding School and Technology Center (Houston) (private school); Texas Electrical School and Apprenticeship (TESA) (training center)
- Dallas-Fort Worth: North Texas Electrical JATC (North Texas Electrical Training Center) (union); IEC Dallas (IEC); IEC Fort Worth and Tarrant County (IEC); Lincoln College of Technology (Grand Prairie) (private school); Remington College (private school); Construction Education Foundation of North Texas (CEF) (training center)
- Austin: Austin JATC (Austin Electrical Training Alliance) (union); CenTex IEC (IEC); Gary Job Corps (job corps)
- San Antonio: South Texas Electrical JATC (union); IEC Greater San Antonio (IEC); ABC South Texas (ABC); Southern Careers Institute (San Antonio) (private school); Texas Electrician Apprenticeship Program (training center)
Application windows we saw
- Houston Electrical JATC: applications closed August 1 to October 31, 2026. Transcripts are still accepted. The committee interviews every month (Houston Electrical JATC).
- CenTex IEC (Austin): open enrollment June 1 to August 31 and November 1 to December 31 (CenTex IEC).
- Austin JATC: the online application portal was open when we checked (Austin Electrical Training Alliance).
- IEC Dallas: classes start in September or January (IEC Dallas).
- North Texas Electrical JATC: interviews and acceptance all year (North Texas Electrical Training Center).
- IEC Greater San Antonio: apply in person Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm, all year (IEC Greater San Antonio).
- Galveston Electrical JATC: apply in person Tuesday to Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm (IBEW 527).
- Wichita Falls (IBEW 681): apply Wednesdays, 1 to 5 pm. Interviews in January and July (IBEW 681).
- Texarkana Electrical JATC: applications open every May for a few weeks (IBEW 301).
- Lubbock Chapter IEC: applications reopen June 2027 (Lubbock Chapter IEC).
What almost every program asks for
- Age. 18 to start. Some let you apply at 17.
- School. A diploma or GED and official transcripts. Most union programs also want one year of algebra with a passing grade.
- A driver license. Several programs list it as required.
- Your Texas apprentice license. Houston Electrical JATC, North Texas Electrical JATC, IEC Dallas, IEC Fort Worth, IEC Greater San Antonio and CenTex IEC all ask for it when you apply. It costs $20 and needs no exam or experience (TDLR).
- A drug test. Many programs and employers list one.
How to use the full list
- Start with your metro. Find your city in the full list below, then read the union, IEC and ABC rows first.
- Union programs test math and reading. Austin’s test is 33 algebra questions in 46 minutes and 36 reading questions in 51 minutes (Austin). North Texas sends applicants to the Electrical Training Alliance’s sample questions (North Texas).
- IEC and ABC usually mean "get hired first." Some chapters help: IEC Fort Worth may refer qualified applicants to members, CenTex IEC has an employment application service, the Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend gives apprentices a list of employer sponsors, and Lubbock Chapter IEC posts its contractor member list. Use the contractor outreach scripts and the resume template.
- Company programs are training programs, not job ads. A company on this list has a registered training program. Ask whether it is hiring today.
- Schools cost real money. Lincoln Tech’s Grand Prairie electrical program lists $32,994 in total charges on its February 2025 price sheet (Lincoln Tech). Time in school is not the same as on-the-job hours. Read the training routes guide before you pay.
All 68 programs
Each program name links to that program’s own page about applying. Where a program’s own site did not say, the row says "Ask the program." Grouped by type, then sorted by city.
Union (IBEW-NECA JATC): 13 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Texas Electrical JATC | Amarillo | Apply online through the program’s application site ($30 fee). Testing and interviews run monthly. Offices in Amarillo and Lubbock. Job first: No. The JATC places you with a sponsoring contractor. Test: Yes. Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test, minimum score 5. Some veterans, experienced helpers and pre-apprentices can get direct entry. | $30 application fee. About $800 a year, taken from your pay. Starting pay is 50% of journeyman pay. |
| Austin JATC (Austin Electrical Training Alliance) | Austin | Apply online (the portal was open on our check). Then an aptitude test, an oral interview and a ranking list. Job first: No. You work for a participating contractor once you are placed from the ranking list. Test: Yes. Algebra and Functions (33 questions, 46 minutes) and Reading (36 questions, 51 minutes). Wait 90 days to retest. | $35 application fee. Tuition is announced before class starts. Pay starts at $21.07 an hour (55% of journeyman, 2026 scale). |
| Texas Gulf Coast JATC (Texas Gulf Coast Electrical Apprenticeship Program) | Corpus Christi | Apply online (APPLY NOW button) and bring original documents to be checked. Then an aptitude test and an oral interview. Job first: No. Test: Yes. Algebra and Functions (33 questions, 46 minutes) and Reading (36 questions, 51 minutes). A score of 3 or higher gets an interview. The program says it plans to drop the score cutoff once the Department of Labor approves new standards. | $20 application fee. Tuition not posted. |
| El Paso Electricians JATC | El Paso | Apply in person, Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 5 pm. If you meet the basics, you complete a formal application and take the entry test. Job first: No. Test: Yes. Electrical Training Alliance entry assessment, given at least twice a year at the training center. | $40 application fee. Tuition not posted. |
| North Texas Electrical JATC (North Texas Electrical Training Center) | Grand Prairie | Apply online (step-by-step PDF on the Applications page). Then an aptitude test and a committee interview. Interviews and acceptance run year-round. Job first: No. The JATC places you with a participating employer. Test: Yes. Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (algebra and reading). You need a 5 or higher for an interview. The test date cannot be changed. | $20 application fee, credited if you start. About $1,875 a year, about $7,500 over 4 years. Starting pay $20.33 an hour. |
| Houston Electrical JATC | Houston | Applications are closed August 1 to October 31, 2026. Transcripts are still accepted. The committee interviews every month. Job first: No. The JATC places you with a sponsoring contractor when jobs open. Test: Yes. Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test. Waived if you can prove 4,000 hours of electrical construction work. | The JATC spends about $4,500 a year per apprentice, and most accepted apprentices qualify for scholarships that cover most of it. Starting pay $17.33 an hour. |
| Rio Grande Valley Laredo JATC | McAllen | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Texarkana Electrical JATC | Nash | Texarkana area: applications open every May for a few weeks. Visit the hall at 114 Elm Street, Nash, or email for an application. Applications are only given out and taken during that window. Job first: No. | No tuition. You pay for your own books and materials. Starting pay is 50% of the journeyman wireman rate. |
| Beaumont Electrical Training Center (Electrical Training Alliance of Southeast Texas) | Nederland | Apply online (one application only) or on site at 707 Helena Avenue, Nederland, weekdays 9 to 10:30 am and 1:30 to 3 pm. Then an oral interview. Job first: No. The program places apprentices on jobsites. Test: Veterans with an electrical military job sit for the industry aptitude test. Ask the program about the test for other applicants. | Two payments of $325 a year for 5 years ($3,250 total by the program’s payment table). Starting pay is 50% of the journeyman rate, which the program says is over $32. |
| South Texas Electrical JATC | San Antonio | Create an account on the program’s online application site, pay the fee and fill in the form. You can also apply in person. Then an entrance exam. Job first: No. Test: Yes. You must pass an entrance exam. | $28 application fee. Tuition is not posted. First-year apprentice pay is listed at $19.79 an hour. |
| Galveston Electrical JATC | Texas City | Apply in person, Tuesday to Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, at 2509 FM 2004, Texas City. All documents must be in hand. Applications are taken all year. Job first: No. Accepted apprentices are placed with an electrical contractor. | Ask the program |
| Waco Electricians JATC | Waco | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Wichita Falls Joint Electrical Apprenticeship (IBEW 681) | Wichita Falls | Apply in person on Wednesdays, 1 to 5 pm, at 6111 Jacksboro Hwy, Wichita Falls. Interviews in January and July. School starts each August. Job first: No. | Ask the program |
IEC chapter: 10 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEC of the Texas Panhandle | Amarillo | Complete the online application forms on the chapter site. | Ask the program |
| CenTex IEC | Austin | Contact the IEC office to apply. Open enrollment June 1 to August 31 and November 1 to December 31. Application hours 1 pm to 5 pm. Job first: Yes. You must work for a CenTex IEC contractor member. The chapter has an employment application service for job seekers. | Ask the program |
| IEC El Paso | El Paso | Apply online. Get your TDLR apprentice license first (proof you applied is enough to start). Upload a resume or a photo of your handwritten work history. Job first: Yes. Students must work for an IEC contractor. The chapter works with 20+ contractors and acts as a go-between, but says a job is not promised. | The contractor who hires you pays your IEC tuition. |
| IEC Fort Worth and Tarrant County | Fort Worth | Fill out the IEC Fort Worth interest form, pick a pathway, then send the application and documents. Employer-sponsored applicants take a drug test within 14 days. Job first: No. You can be hired first (employer-sponsored) or start on the self-pay online pathway. IEC may refer qualified applicants to member contractors. | $1,080 employer-sponsored (usually paid by the employer) or $3,150 self-pay. Starting pay $16.25 an hour. |
| Rio Grande Valley IEC | Harlingen | Call the chapter office in Harlingen. Job first: Yes. On-the-job training is with an IEC contractor during the day and class at night. | Ask the program |
| IEC Texas Gulf Coast | Houston | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| IEC Dallas | Irving | Apply online. Classes start in September (one night a week) or January (two nights a week). No summer classes. Job first: Yes. Students work full time for a contractor, and tuition comes out of their pay through the employer. | $40 application fee. Tuition is 53 cents for each hour you work, taken from your pay. Books are billed to the contractor, who may pass the cost on. |
| Lubbock Chapter IEC | Lubbock | Applications reopen June 2027. Call or email the chapter with questions before then. Job first: Yes. You must work for an IEC member contractor. A contractor member list is on the site. The chapter says a job is not promised. | Ask the program |
| IEC Greater San Antonio | San Antonio | Apply in person at the IEC Training Center, Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm, all year. Then an interview with the A&T Committee. Job first: Yes. You complete your 8,000 work hours with an IEC contractor member. | About $750 a semester, 2 semesters a year. First-year books about $670. |
| IEC of East Texas | Tyler | Meet the requirements, then interview with the Apprenticeship Committee on a set date. Call the chapter to start. Job first: No. Accepted applicants are placed with a member contractor after a drug test (unless already working for one). | Ask the program |
ABC chapter: 3 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Merit Shop Training Program (Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend) | Corpus Christi | Email or call the apprenticeship coordinator at the Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend. Job first: Yes. Apprentices work full time for a sponsoring electrical company. The center gives every apprentice a list of employer sponsors and helps with the job search. | Ask the program. The center says industry contributions keep tuition and fees low. |
| ABC Southeast Texas | Not listed by TDLR | Call the ABC Southeast Texas Training Center about upcoming enrollment. | The training center says Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas funding fully covers tuition for NCCER and OSHA 30 safety credentials. Ask what the electrical apprenticeship costs. |
| ABC South Texas | San Antonio | Application, Selective Service check, interview, find a sponsor employer, then orientation. Job first: Yes. You must get a sponsor employer to start school. | Ask the program |
Employer: 18 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIC Holdings | Aurora, CO | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| ABM Industry Groups | Austin | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Facility Solutions Group | Austin | See FSG’s current openings, or fill out its Career Inquiry Form. Job first: Yes. Propel, FSG’s in-house training program, is for new hires and trains electricians from the ground up. | Ask the program |
| Britt Rice Electric (Britt Rice Construction Company) | College Station | This is a company program for its own employees. See the company’s careers information. Job first: Yes. You train as a Britt Rice employee. | Ask the program |
| SSC Service for Education | College Station | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Proficient Electric | Conroe | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Millennium Contracting Services | El Paso | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Reliance Electric | Hildale, UT | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Industrial Electrical Services | Houston | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Trio Electric | Houston | We found no Trio Electric page about its program. TRIO Education runs an Electrician Career Academy in Houston with an online interest form. Ask how it connects to Trio Electric’s apprenticeship. Job first: No, for the academy. | Ask the program |
| CEC Facilities Group | Irving | This is a company program for CEC employees. See the company’s careers information. Job first: Yes. The program is for CEC employees. | Ask the program |
| PCL Solar Constructors | Katy | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Pfeiffer & Son | La Porte | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Power Design | Saint Petersburg, FL | Apply to an Electrical Apprentice opening on the company careers site. One was posted for the Austin and Round Rock area when we checked. Job first: Yes. You are hired as an apprentice, then enroll in an apprenticeship program. | Ask the program |
| GVEC Home Services | Schertz | This is GVEC’s on-the-job program for its own electricians. Check GVEC’s careers information. Job first: Yes. GVEC says it offers an on-the-job apprenticeship program as an employer. | Ask the program |
| Interstates Construction Services | Sioux Center, IA | Apply through Interstates job listings. The electrical apprenticeship application is open all year. Job first: Yes. You are hired by Interstates and paid during class weeks. | Apprentices are paid while in class. No tuition is listed. |
| IESR School of Wire (IES Residential) | Stafford | Apply through IES Residential’s job listings for Texas. Job first: Yes. The company describes apprentice jobs that combine paid work with classroom education. | Ask the program |
| Red’s Electrical Services | Whitesboro | Ask the program | Ask the program |
College: 5 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blinn College | Bryan | Register for the non-credit Electrical Apprenticeship course (Levels 1 to 4) through Blinn Workforce. | $995 per level on the Fall 2024 Bryan schedule, the latest schedule we found. |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| San Jacinto College | Pasadena | Apply to San Jacinto College and major in electrical technology. Job first: No. | The Texas TIME Grant covers 100% of in-district tuition for the Electrical Installer or occupational certificate if you take two or more classes. |
| Howard College | San Angelo | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Texarkana College | Texarkana | Texarkana College teaches the classes and the Texarkana Electrical JATC recruits apprentices. Contact the JATC (see TDLR program 126) to apply. Job first: No. See the Texarkana Electrical JATC. | Ask the program |
Private school: 8 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Careers Institute (Brownsville) | Brownsville | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Lincoln College of Technology (Grand Prairie) | Grand Prairie | Apply to the school. This is a school program you pay for, not a job. Job first: No. | $29,380 tuition, $32,994 total with fees, books and tools (Grand Prairie, price sheet dated February 2025). |
| Tulsa Welding School and Technology Center (Houston) | Houston | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Brightwood College | McAllen | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Remington College | North Richland Hills | Apply to the school. This is a diploma program you pay for, not a job. Job first: No. | Ask the program |
| Southern Careers Institute (San Antonio) | San Antonio | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Penn Foster | Scranton, PA | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Southern Careers Institute (Waco) | Waco | Ask the program | Ask the program |
Training center: 10 programs
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Apprenticeship Training Foundation (NATF) | Arkadelphia, AR | Contact the office for an application. Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. | Ask the program |
| South Texas Associated General Contractors | Corpus Christi | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| International Code Council | Country Club Hills, IL | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Construction Education Foundation of North Texas (CEF) | Dallas | Enroll online through the CEF student portal, or your company enrolls you. Fall classes start in August. Test: A math placement test or Applied Construction Math class is required before Electrical I. | Ask the program |
| Southwest Electrical Apprenticeship Program | El Paso | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| South Texas Initiatives | Hidalgo | Fill out the STI apprenticeship registration form linked on its website. | Ask the program |
| Texas Electrical School and Apprenticeship (TESA) | Houston | Drop off a paper application in person or email an online application to the school. Job first: Yes. The program combines paid, full-time work under a licensed journeyman or master with classes. | No application fee. Tuition amount not listed on the page we read. |
| Construction Workforce Training Center | Odessa | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Texas Electrician Apprenticeship Program | San Antonio | Ask the program | Ask the program |
| Mid Coast Construction Academy | Victoria | Use Apply Now on the academy website. Adult and high school programs. Job first: Partner businesses provide the paid on-the-job training. Ask how placement works. | Ask the program |
Job Corps: 1 program
| Program | City | How to get in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Job Corps | San Marcos | Ask the program | Ask the program |
Six questions to ask any program
- When is the next application window or class start?
- Do I need a job with a contractor before I can enroll?
- Is there an aptitude test, and what is on it?
- What do I pay each year, and what does my employer pay?
- What is the starting pay, and when does it go up?
- Do you take people changing careers at 25, 35 or 45?
Your next steps
- Get your apprentice license.
- Build a one-page resume that shows safety, reliability and math.
- Call or visit with the outreach scripts.
- Know what to expect from starting pay by metro.
- Use the first-week checklist and start your hours log on day one.
Next step on the Texas ladder
- All Texas electrician licenses and exams in one place
- Plan your dates with the Texas electrician license timeline
- Texas electrician license statistics: apprentices and Journeymen by county
- Try 20 free Texas Journeyman practice questions
FAQ
How many electrical apprenticeship programs are registered in Texas?
68. TDLR’s Electrical Apprentice Training Programs Look Up lists 67, and TDLR license data shows one more active program, San Jacinto College.
Do I need a job before I join a Texas electrical apprenticeship?
For union JATCs, no: the committee places you with a contractor after you are accepted. Most IEC and ABC chapters expect you to work for a member or sponsor contractor, and company programs are joined by getting hired.
Does a registered apprenticeship program replace continuing education?
Yes, for apprentices. TDLR lets an apprentice enrolled in a department-registered apprenticeship training course renew without the 4 hours of continuing education.
Do I need my apprentice license before I apply to a program?
Several programs ask for it at application, including Houston Electrical JATC, North Texas Electrical JATC, IEC Dallas, IEC Fort Worth, IEC Greater San Antonio and CenTex IEC. It costs $20 and needs no exam or experience.
Are Texas electrical apprenticeship programs open to career changers?
Many are. North Texas Electrical JATC says applications are open to all regardless of age and that no construction experience is needed. Ask each program directly, since most do not say.
Sources
- TDLR: Electrical Apprentice Training Programs Look Up, checked October 2026
- TDLR: Renew an Apprentice Electrician License, checked October 2026
- Texas Open Data Portal: TDLR All Licenses (7358-krk7), checked October 2026
- TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Apprentice License, checked October 2026
- Lincoln Tech tuition and fees by program and campus, February 2025, checked October 2026
- Each program’s own page, linked row by row in the full list, checked October 2026
