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Short answer: Texas electricians must complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education before each license renewal, taken during the license term being renewed. The hours cover the NEC, Texas electrician law, the Texas electrician rules and electrical safety (NFPA 70E). Electrical contractors and residential appliance installers do not need continuing education, and licenses renew every year.
In detail: Texas electricians must complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education before each license renewal. The hours must be taken during the license term being renewed and must cover the NEC, Texas electrician law (Occupations Code Chapter 1305), the Texas electrician rules (16 TAC Chapter 73) and electrical safety (NFPA 70E). One hour means 50 minutes of instruction. Electrical contractors and residential appliance installers do not need continuing education. A Journeyman Electrician renewal costs $30 online, and licenses renew every year.
Rules from the TDLR Electrician Continuing Education page and the TDLR Journeyman renewal page, read October 2, 2026.
Who needs it
TDLR requires 4 hours before each renewal for these licenses: Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Lineman, Journeyman Industrial Electrician, Residential Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Master Sign Electrician, Journeyman Sign Electrician, Apprentice Electrician and Apprentice Sign Electrician.
Not required: Electrical Contractors and Residential Appliance Installers.
Apprentices have an alternative: being enrolled in a TDLR-registered electrical apprenticeship training course also satisfies renewal.
More than one license? Four hours in total covers all of them, as long as the courses fall inside the term of the license being renewed.
The rules that trip people up
| Rule | What TDLR says |
|---|---|
| Timing | Courses must be taken within the term of the license you are renewing |
| Provider | Only courses from a TDLR-registered provider count |
| Hour length | 1 hour of credit = 50 minutes of instruction |
| Repeats | No credit for taking the same course twice |
| Partial courses | Not accepted (a provider may let you finish later) |
| Topics | NEC, Texas electrician law, Texas electrician rules, NFPA 70E safety |
| Reporting | The provider reports your hours; you can check them in TDLR’s course lookup |
If your hours are missing, contact the provider first. If that does not fix it, TDLR says you can file a complaint against the provider.
Renewing a Journeyman Electrician license
| Situation | What to do | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Before it expires | Renew online after finishing 4 hours of CE | $30 |
| Expired 90 days or less | Renew online | $45 |
| Expired 91 days to 18 months | Renew online | $60 |
| Expired 18 to 36 months | Apply by mail with a Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal | $60 |
| Expired more than 3 years | Cannot renew; apply again as a new applicant | – |
TDLR sends a reminder about 60 days before expiry, but renewing on time is your responsibility. Other license types have their own renewal pages and fees on TDLR.
Plan it so it never blocks a renewal
- Note your license expiry date and count back one year: that is your CE window.
- Pick a TDLR-registered provider whose 4-hour course covers all required topics.
- After the course, check the TDLR lookup a week later to confirm the hours were reported.
- Renew online before the expiry date.
If you are still working toward your first Journeyman license, CE is not your bottleneck. The exam is. See the Texas Journeyman exam guide and the free Texas Journeyman practice.
Next step on the Texas ladder
You are here: Continuing education. Next: Master exam. The next license up the ladder.
Also useful: Contractor license · All Texas electrician exams
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Texas license ladder
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FAQ
How many hours of continuing education do Texas electricians need?
4 hours of TDLR-approved courses before each renewal, taken during the term of the license being renewed. One hour is 50 minutes of instruction.
What topics must Texas electrician CE cover?
The National Electrical Code, Texas electrician law (Occupations Code Chapter 1305), the Texas electrician administrative rules (16 TAC Chapter 73) and electrical safety under NFPA 70E.
Do Texas electrical contractors need continuing education?
No. TDLR says electrical contractors and residential appliance installers are not required to complete continuing education.
Do Texas electrical apprentices need continuing education?
Yes, 4 hours, unless the apprentice is enrolled in a TDLR-registered electrical apprenticeship training course.
How much is the Texas journeyman electrician renewal fee?
$30 online before expiry. Late renewal costs $45 up to 90 days after expiry and $60 after that, up to 3 years.
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- TDLR: Electrician Continuing Education, read October 2, 2026
- TDLR: Renew a Journeyman Electrician License, read October 2, 2026
- TDLR electrician FAQ, 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
