Electricians in Texas: Licenses, Code and Permits

In Texas, anyone who performs non-exempt electrical work must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the work must go through a licensed electrical contractor. Check both the electrician and the contracting business on TDLR's free license search. Since September 1, 2026, Texas electrical work must follow the 2026 National Electrical Code, and your city or county handles permits and inspections.

Who licenses electricians providers in Texas

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Electricians program. Anyone who performs or offers to perform non-exempt electrical work in Texas must be licensed, and the work must go through a licensed electrical contractor. Individual licenses include apprentice, journeyman, master electrician, residential wireman, maintenance electrician and sign electrician categories. Business licenses include electrical contractor, electrical sign contractor and residential appliance installation contractor. Search TDLR's license database by name or license number to verify one.

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Key facts for Texas

TDLR licenses individual electricians, including apprentice, journeyman, master electrician and residential wireman, and separately licenses electrical contractor businesses.
TDLR says non-exempt electrical work in Texas must be performed through a licensed electrical contractor.
A state electrician license is valid anywhere in Texas, while a municipal license is valid only in the city that issued it.
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation voted unanimously on July 28, 2026, to adopt the 2026 NEC, effective September 1, 2026.
The 2026 adoption includes an amendment that does not require GFCI protection on outdoor dwelling HVAC outlets under section 210.8(F).
TDLR says the local city, county or region, not TDLR, inspects electrical work in its area.
ERCOT manages power for about 90 percent of the state's electric load, and it ordered 20,000 MW of peak load shed during the February 2021 cold weather event.
Texas's final official death toll from the February 2021 winter storm was 246, and carbon monoxide poisoning caused 8 percent of those deaths.

Who has to be licensed to do electrical work in Texas?

TDLR says anyone who performs, or offers to perform, non-exempt electrical work in Texas must be licensed. The work must be performed through a licensed electrical contractor.

That means two checks for a homeowner. First, the person doing the work should hold an individual license, such as journeyman electrician, master electrician or residential wireman. Second, the company should hold an electrical contractor license.

Licenses have limits. TDLR's compliance guide says a residential appliance installer may not run new circuits or change receptacles. That work needs a licensed electrician working through a licensed electrical contractor. Licensed plumbers may disconnect and reconnect a plumbing fixture or appliance on an existing circuit, but they may not extend or replace wiring.

TDLR's FAQ says electrical contractors must meet insurance requirements listed on its application pages and in its administrative rules. Ask for a current certificate of insurance.

Which electrical code applies in Texas?

TDLR adopts the National Electrical Code as the state's electrical code. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation voted on July 28, 2026, to adopt the 2026 NEC. It took effect September 1, 2026, for all non-exempt electrical work in Texas. State electrical exams also switched to the 2026 edition that day.

The adoption includes one Texas change. It does not require GFCI protection on outdoor dwelling HVAC outlets under section 210.8(F).

Cities may amend the state code, but TDLR says local amendments must be as stringent as or more stringent than the NEC. A city cannot make a state-licensed contractor do an installation that falls below the 2026 NEC.

Timing matters. TDLR's compliance guide says that when a permit is required, the code that applies is the state-adopted code from when the permit was obtained. When no permit is required, it is the code in effect when installation begins.

Who handles electrical permits and inspections in Texas?

Local governments do. TDLR says the city, county or region is responsible for inspecting work performed in its area. TDLR does not perform those inspections.

Cities may not charge a state license holder a fee just to register a state license. They can still charge building permit fees and set their own ordinances. Permit rules differ by city. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin each run their own permit offices and inspection programs.

What did the 2021 winter storm teach Texans about power and safety?

Most of Texas runs on the ERCOT grid. ERCOT says it manages power for about 26 million Texas customers and about 90 percent of the state's electric load.

In February 2021, extreme cold knocked generation offline. ERCOT's board review lists a 20,000 MW peak load shed. At the worst point, it lost 52,277 MW of generation, about 48.6 percent.

The human cost was high. Texas set its final official death toll at 246. Close to two-thirds of deaths were due to hypothermia, and carbon monoxide poisoning caused 8 percent.

Those numbers are why generator safety matters. CPSC says to run portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. OSHA says never to tie a generator into a building's wiring unless a qualified electrician has installed a transfer switch.

How to choose a provider in Texas

Verify the individual's TDLR license and the company's electrical contractor license on the TDLR license search.
Make sure the license type fits the job. A residential appliance installer cannot run new circuits or change receptacles.
Ask for a current certificate of liability insurance.
Ask whether your city requires a permit and confirm the contractor will pull it.
Ask which code applies to your permit, since Texas moved to the 2026 NEC on September 1, 2026.
If you hire a city-licensed electrician, confirm the license is valid in your city. Municipal licenses do not work statewide.
For a backup generator, require a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician.
Get a written contract with the license number and start and completion dates.

Electricians in Texas cities

Questions people ask

Who licenses electricians in Texas?

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It licenses individuals, such as journeyman and master electricians, and businesses, such as electrical contractors. You can verify any license on TDLR's free online search.

Is a Texas electrician license good everywhere in the state?

A state license from TDLR is valid anywhere in Texas. A municipal license is valid only in the city that issued it. Cities may still charge building permit fees.

Does TDLR inspect electrical work?

No. TDLR says the local city, county or region is responsible for inspecting work in its area. Contact your local building department for permit and inspection questions.

Which edition of the National Electrical Code does Texas use?

Texas adopted the 2026 NEC effective September 1, 2026, for all non-exempt electrical work. The adoption includes an amendment on GFCI protection for outdoor dwelling HVAC outlets. Cities may add amendments only if they are as stringent or more stringent.

Can a residential appliance installer add an outlet?

No. TDLR's compliance guide says residential appliance installers may not run new circuits or change receptacles. That work requires a licensed electrician working through a licensed electrical contractor.

How do I report or check a Texas electrician?

Search TDLR's license database by name or license number. TDLR customer service is listed at 800-803-9202 within Texas or (512) 463-6599.

Why does generator installation matter so much in Texas?

Carbon monoxide poisoning caused 8 percent of the 246 deaths Texas tied to the February 2021 winter storm. CPSC says to keep portable generators outside and at least 20 feet from openings, and OSHA says to connect a generator to a home only through a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you hire a licensed electrician in Texas?