Quick answer: Electricians in Texas are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Search the electrician’s name or license number in the free TDLR License Search and confirm the license is current. If a company is doing the job, also confirm it holds an Electrical Contractor license, which requires a licensed Master Electrician of record.
Bad wiring can hide behind drywall for years before it causes a problem. Checking an electrician’s license is free and takes a few minutes. This guide covers the lookup, the license types, the Master Electrician rule, insurance minimums and what to do if something is off.
In this guide
How to look up an electrician’s license, step by step
Step 1: Get two numbers
Ask for the license number of the electrician coming to your home and the company’s Electrical Contractor license number. A licensed company should give both right away.
Step 2: Open the TDLR License Search
Go to the TDLR License Search and pick the Electricians program. You can also start from TDLR’s Search / Verify Licenses page.
Step 3: Search by number first
The license number is the most exact search. If you only have a name, compare the city and other details so you do not mix up two people with similar names.
Step 4: Confirm the license type and status
Check the license type (Master, Journeyman, Residential Wireman and so on) and make sure it is current today. Then look up the company’s Electrical Contractor license the same way.
Step 5: Look for violations
TDLR’s search page also lets you search for violations. If something shows up, ask the electrician about it before you hire.
Reading the results
| What you see | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Active, expiration date in the future | The license is current. Confirm the type fits the job. |
| Expired | Do not hire until it is renewed. Electrician licenses renew every year. |
| Apprentice | This person can help on the job but must work under the supervision of a licensed electrician. They cannot run the job alone. |
| Individual license, but no Electrical Contractor license | A licensed person still needs to work for a licensed Electrical Contractor to do work for the public. Ask which contractor they work for. |
| No record found | Try the license number, then spelling variations. If nothing turns up, ask for an explanation before work starts. |
Texas electrician license types
| License | What it means |
|---|---|
| Master Electrician | The highest individual license. Requires 12,000 hours of on-the-job training and at least two years as a licensed Journeyman, plus an exam. Can serve as the Master Electrician of record for a contractor. |
| Journeyman Electrician | Requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and an exam. Does residential, commercial and industrial work under a Master Electrician’s supervision. |
| Residential Wireman | Requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and an exam. Limited to residential work. |
| Maintenance Electrician | Maintenance and repair of existing electrical systems in commercial and industrial settings. Not for new installations. |
| Apprentice Electrician | A registration with no exam. Works under the supervision of a Master, Journeyman or Residential Wireman while logging hours. |
TDLR also issues sign electrician licenses for electrical signs and a Residential Appliance Installer license for limited appliance hookups. Neither covers general home wiring.
The Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician rule
Licenses belong to people, but the business doing your job needs its own license. According to TDLR’s Electrical Contractor license page, a business must employ a licensed Master Electrician to get an Electrical Contractor license. The Master Electrician can also be the owner.
A Master Electrician can be assigned to only one Electrical Contractor, unless they own more than 50 percent of the business. That stops one master from lending a license number to several companies. When you hire a company, confirm both the contractor license and the Master Electrician behind it are current.
Insurance the state requires
TDLR requires Electrical Contractors to keep general liability insurance at all times. The minimums:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Per occurrence (property damage and bodily injury combined) | $300,000 |
| Aggregate (property damage and bodily injury) | $600,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate | $300,000 |
Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance and check that the dates cover your job. Get the estimate and any warranty in writing.
License numbers on ads and trucks
State law requires electrical and air conditioning contractors to include license information in their advertising. TDLR has run stings where investigators answered newspaper and social media ads that left it off, then filed enforcement cases against people offering unlicensed work. No license number on the ad, website or truck is a reason to ask questions.
City permits and inspections
TDLR licenses electricians. Your city handles electrical permits and inspections. A panel upgrade, new circuit, service change or generator hookup often needs a permit, and some cities also ask contractors to register locally. Call your city’s building or permit office before work starts. The contractor should pull the permit, not you.
Adding a new AC or heat pump? It may need electrical work too. See our guide to checking an HVAC contractor’s license.
How to file a complaint
If an electrician is unlicensed, is working outside their license, or did work you believe breaks the rules, you can complain to TDLR. Use the File a Complaint link on the TDLR website. Include names, license numbers if you have them, your contract, receipts and photos. TDLR’s customer service line is (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
- They will not give a license number, or it does not match their name.
- The company has no Electrical Contractor license.
- Their ads, website or truck show no license number.
- Only an apprentice shows up and no licensed electrician supervises the work.
- They say a panel or service upgrade does not need a permit without checking with your city.
- They ask you to pull the permit in your own name.
Need electrical work in West Texas? Send a free request with your city and what you need. It is free and there is no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in Texas?
Search the electrician’s name or license number in the free TDLR License Search and choose the Electricians program. Confirm the name matches and the license is current.
Who licenses electricians in Texas?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide.
What is the difference between a Master and Journeyman electrician?
A Master Electrician has at least 12,000 hours of training and two years as a Journeyman, and can be the Master Electrician of record for a contractor. A Journeyman has at least 8,000 hours and works under a Master’s supervision.
Does an electrical company need its own license?
Yes. A business needs an Electrical Contractor license from TDLR, and it must employ a licensed Master Electrician of record.
Do Texas electrical contractors need insurance?
Yes. TDLR requires at least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate and $300,000 for products and completed operations.
Can an apprentice electrician work alone?
No. An apprentice must work under the supervision of a licensed Master, Journeyman or Residential Wireman.
How do I report an unlicensed electrician?
File a complaint with TDLR through the File a Complaint link on its website, or call (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
Checking other pros?
See our guides to checking an HVAC license, checking a plumber’s license and the Texas roofing license.
Agency rules, phone numbers and website features can change. Confirm current details on the TDLR website before you rely on them.