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Short answer: A Texas Electrical Contractor license is a business license from TDLR. The business needs a Master Electrician of record, liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, and workers’ compensation proof or an election not to carry it. The application fee is $110, TDLR lists no separate contractor exam, and the license renews every year.
In detail: To get a Texas Electrical Contractor license from TDLR, the business must employ a licensed Master Electrician as its Master Electrician of record (the owner can be that master). It must carry liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations, and it must file workers’ compensation proof or an election not to carry it. You mail the application with a $110 non-refundable fee. TDLR’s contractor page lists no separate contractor exam. The license is renewed every year.
Last checked October 1, 2026 against the TDLR Electrical Contractor application page and the TDLR electrician FAQ.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What TDLR asks for |
|---|---|
| Master Electrician of record | A licensed Master Electrician employed by the business; may be the owner |
| One master, one contractor | A master can be assigned to only one contractor, unless the master owns more than 50% of the business |
| General liability insurance | At least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations |
| Proof of insurance | Electrical Contractor Certificate of Insurance Form |
| Workers’ compensation | Proof of coverage, a certificate to self-insure, or a statement that you elect not to carry it (plus a notice of no coverage filed with the Texas Department of Insurance) |
| Application | Mailed application with a $110 non-refundable fee |
| Criminal history | Questionnaire if applicable; background check including fingerprinting |
| License term | 1 year, renewed annually (online) |
| Continuing education | TDLR’s FAQ says contractors are not required to complete continuing education; the individual electricians are |
If your Master Electrician of record leaves
You must notify TDLR and name a new Master Electrician of record within 30 business days of the separation. TDLR provides an Electrical Contractor Notice of Change form for this.
The full Texas ladder to running your own shop
| Stage | Requirement | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Apprentice | None, $20 online | None |
| Journeyman Electrician | 8,000 hours under a Texas master (exam allowed at 7,000) | Two parts on the 2026 NEC |
| Master Electrician | Journeyman for 2 years and 12,000 hours | Two parts on the 2026 NEC |
| Electrical Contractor | Master of record, insurance, $110 | No separate exam listed |
Most of the waiting time is the experience requirement, and most of the risk is in the exams. The Texas electrician timeline estimates how long each step takes. In TDLR fiscal year 2025, only 22.21% of Master NEC Knowledge attempts and 19.08% of Master Calculations attempts passed. See the Texas Master Electrician exam guide and the Texas Journeyman exam guide.
Common questions before you apply
- Can I be my own master of record? Yes. The Master Electrician may also be the business owner.
- Can one master cover two companies? Only if the master owns more than 50% of the electrical contracting business.
- Is this the same as an Electrical Sign Contractor or Residential Appliance Installation Contractor? No. TDLR licenses those separately, with their own requirements.
Still on the way to Master?
The exams are the hardest gates on this ladder. Start with the free Texas Journeyman practice: 20 questions on the 2026 NEC, no sign-up.
Next step on the Texas ladder
You are here: Contractor license. Next: Continuing education. Your Master Electrician license still needs continuing education at each renewal.
Also useful: License types compared · All Texas electrician exams
Free first: try 20 Texas Journeyman questions, no sign-up.
Texas license ladder
Exam prep
FAQ
What are the requirements for an electrical contractor license in Texas?
Employ a licensed Master Electrician of record, carry the required general liability insurance, file workers’ compensation proof or an election not to carry it, and mail the application with a $110 fee.
Is there an exam for the Texas electrical contractor license?
TDLR’s Electrical Contractor application page lists no separate exam. The exam requirement sits with the Master Electrician of record, who must hold a Master license.
How much insurance does a Texas electrical contractor need?
At least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations, shown on TDLR’s Certificate of Insurance form.
How much does a Texas electrical contractor license cost?
The application fee is $110, non-refundable. Insurance and any workers’ compensation coverage are separate costs.
Do Texas electrical contractors need continuing education?
TDLR’s FAQ says contractors are not required to complete continuing education. Licensed electricians, including the master of record, follow the electrician continuing education rules.
Practice on the 2026 NEC
20 free practice questions on the 2026 NEC, no sign-up.
Start 20 free questions All Texas electrician exams in one placeSources
- TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Contractor License, read October 1, 2026
- TDLR electrician FAQ, read October 1, 2026
- TDLR fiscal year 2025 electrician exam statistics, read October 1, 2026
- TDLR Active License Search: look up a Texas electrician license, read October 3, 2026
- Texas Open Data Portal: TDLR All Licenses dataset, read October 3, 2026
