Construction / Electrician Continuing Education / Texas
- Texas
- Electrician CE
- All Electrical Classes
- Updated Oct 2026
Texas Electrician Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses
Texas electricians need 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE every year, covering the NEC, Texas electrician law and rules, and NFPA 70E electrical safety, before their license expires.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requirements
Hours per cycle
4 hrs
Must be state-approved and cover the required topics
Cycle
1 year
Texas electrical licenses expire every year
Deadline
License expiration date
One year from your issue or last renewal date
Online allowed?
Yes, all hours
State-approved online CE counts toward renewal
Who needs CE
Who needs continuing education for a Texas electrician license?
Almost every Texas electrical license holder needs 4 hours of CE to renew each year, from apprentices to masters. Renewal is handled by the state through TDLR, not by your city.
CE applies to
- Master and Journeyman Electricians
- Journeyman Lineman and Journeyman Industrial Electricians
- Residential Wiremen
- Maintenance Electricians
- Master and Journeyman Sign Electricians
- Apprentice Electricians and Apprentice Sign Electricians
Exemptions
- Apprentice Electricians enrolled in a DOL-registered electrical apprenticeship program are exempt from the 4-hour CE requirement if they submit proof of enrollment at renewal
Texas electrician CE at a glance
Texas electrician renewal, one box
| Renewed with | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
| CE required? | Yes, for all listed electrical license classes |
| Hours per cycle | 4 hrs |
| Cycle | 1 year |
| Required topics | NEC, Texas electrician law, TDLR rules, NFPA 70E safety |
| Online allowed? | Yes, all hours |
| Deadline | License expiration date (1 year from issue) |
| Who reports | Your CE provider (within 7 days) |
| Carryover | No |
| Grace period | None to work; late renewal up to 18 months with penalty |
| Renewal fee | $45 Master; $30 Journeyman; $20 Wireman, Maintenance & Apprentice |
| Last updated | October 28, 2026 |
Hours
How many CE hours does a Texas electrician license need?
Every class needs the same 4 hours of state-approved CE each year. The 4 hours must cover the National Electrical Code, Texas electrician law, TDLR’s electrician rules and NFPA 70E electrical safety.
| Class | Total | Required topics | Electives | Delivery limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master & Journeyman Electrician | 4 hrs | NEC, Texas law, TDLR rules, NFPA 70E | None (all 4 hrs in required topics) | Yes, all 4 hrs allowed online |
| Journeyman Lineman & Journeyman Industrial Electrician | 4 hrs | NEC, Texas law, TDLR rules, NFPA 70E | None (all 4 hrs in required topics) | Yes, all 4 hrs allowed online |
| Residential Wireman & Maintenance Electrician | 4 hrs | NEC, Texas law, TDLR rules, NFPA 70E | None (all 4 hrs in required topics) | Yes, all 4 hrs allowed online |
| Master & Journeyman Sign Electrician | 4 hrs | NEC, Texas law, TDLR rules, NFPA 70E | None (all 4 hrs in required topics) | Yes, all 4 hrs allowed online |
| Apprentice Electrician & Apprentice Sign Electrician | 4 hrs | NEC, Texas law, TDLR rules, NFPA 70E | None (or DOL apprenticeship enrollment) | Yes, all 4 hrs allowed online |
The NEC topic covers the code edition adopted under Texas Occupations Code §1305.101 or the current NFPA edition. The law topic is Occupations Code Chapter 1305, and the rules topic is Texas Administrative Code Title 16, Chapter 73.
Deadline
When is the Texas electrician license renewal deadline?
Texas electrical licenses expire every year on the anniversary of the issue date. Finish your 4 hours during your active 1-year license term and renew with TDLR before your license expires.
| Deadline rule | Your license expiration date each year |
| Cycle | 1 year |
| Grace period | None to perform electrical work while expired; late renewal up to 18 months |
| Late penalty | 1.5x renewal fee up to 90 days late; 2x renewal fee from 91 days to 18 months |
| CE completion deadline | Within your active 1-year license term before you submit your renewal |
Steps
How to renew a Texas electrician license, step by step
- Take approved CEBefore your deadline
Complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE that covers the NEC, Texas electrician law, TDLR rules and NFPA 70E safety. - Get your certificateSame day
Save the certificate of completion your provider gives you when you finish and keep it for 2 years. - Confirm it’s reportedWithin 7 days
Your provider must report your completion electronically to TDLR within 7 days (often by the next business day). Check TDLR’s CE lookup before you renew. - Pay the renewal fee$20–$45 fee
Submit your online renewal and pay your class renewal fee ($45 Master, $30 Journeyman, $20 Wireman/Maintenance/Apprentice) to TDLR. - Check your license statusAfter renewal
Look up your license with TDLR to confirm the new expiration date.
Providers
Approved Texas electrician license CE providers
We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay. Courses must be approved by the state to count toward your 4 hours.
Approval
How to check a Texas electrician CE course is approved
Only state-approved courses from TDLR-registered providers count toward Texas electrician CE. An approved course runs a total of 4 hours and covers the NEC, Texas electrician law, TDLR rules and NFPA 70E electrical safety.
- Confirm the provider and course number are approved by TDLR before you pay.
- Check that it totals 4 hours and covers all four required topics.
- Make sure it uses the NEC edition Texas has adopted or the current NFPA edition.
Reporting
How Texas electrician CE is reported, and what happens in an audit
Under 16 TAC Chapter 59, your CE provider must report your completion electronically to TDLR within 7 days (many upload by the next business day). You then submit your own renewal to TDLR.
- Print or save your certificate of completion and keep it for at least 2 years.
- Check that your hours show up in TDLR’s online CE lookup before renewing.
- Keep your certificate in case TDLR audits your renewal.
Cost
How much does Texas electrician license renewal cost?
| Item | Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Master Electrician / Master Sign renewal | $45 / $30 | TDLR |
| Journeyman / Lineman / Industrial / Sign Journeyman renewal | $30 | TDLR |
| Residential Wireman / Maintenance / Apprentice renewal | $20 | TDLR |
| Late renewal (up to 90 days / 91 days–18 mos) | 1.5x fee / 2x fee | TDLR |
| CE course (4 hours) | Varies by provider | CE provider |
Fees from 16 TAC §73.80 and the TDLR Electricians fee schedule, checked October 2026.
Late or lapsed
Late, expired or inactive Texas electrician license
You cannot legally perform electrical work in Texas on an expired license. TDLR allows late renewal for up to 18 months with a scaled late fee, or up to 3 years with Executive Director approval.
Grace period & late fees
There is no grace period to work while expired. Renewing 1 to 90 days late costs 1.5x the standard fee ($67.50 Master, $45 Journeyman, $30 Apprentice/Wireman/Maintenance). Renewing 91 days to 18 months late costs 2x ($90 Master, $60 Journeyman, $40 Apprentice/Wireman/Maintenance).
Makeup CE
You still need the 4 required hours completed within the 1-year period immediately prior to your late renewal application.
Expired over 18 months
Licenses expired 18 months to 3 years require an Executive Director request. At 3 years or more, you must reapply and retest.
Who controls
Who controls Texas electrician license renewal?
Renewal authority
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
920 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (800) 803-9202 or (512) 463-6599
Website: tdlr.texas.gov/electricians
Responsibilities
- Issues and renews Texas electrical licenses
- Approves electrician CE courses and registered providers
- Enforces Texas electrician law (Occupations Code Chapter 1305) and rules (16 TAC Chapter 73)
- Receives CE completion records electronically from providers
Getting licensed
Getting a Texas electrician license
Need the license first? Our Texas guide covers who needs a license, the classes, exams, fees and the steps to apply.
FAQ
Texas electrician license CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Texas electrician need?
4 hours every year, covering the NEC, Texas electrician law, TDLR rules and NFPA 70E electrical safety.
When is the deadline?
Texas electrical licenses expire every year on the anniversary of issuance. Finish your CE during your active license term and renew before your license expires.
Can I take CE online?
Yes. State-approved online courses can cover all 4 hours.
Who reports my hours?
Your CE provider reports your completion electronically to TDLR within 7 days (often by the next business day). You still submit your own renewal to TDLR.
Do apprentices need CE?
Yes. Apprentice Electricians and Apprentice Sign Electricians must complete 4 hours of CE each year unless enrolled in a DOL-registered electrical apprenticeship program.
Do hours carry over?
No. Extra hours do not carry over to the next 1-year renewal cycle.
Sources
Official sources for Texas electrician CE rules
- TDLR Electricians Continuing Education
- TDLR Renew an Electrical License
- TDLR Electricians Fees
- Texas Occupations Code, Title 8, Chapter 1305
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 73 & Chapter 59
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).