The Master Electrician license is the top individual electrical license issued by TDLR. Earning it requires 12,000 hours of on-the-job electrical experience, at least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman, and passing the Master Electrician exam — which has a pass rate of roughly 19–22%, the most difficult electrical licensing exam in Texas.
A Master can perform all types of electrical work, supervise Journeymen and Apprentices, pull permits in their own name, and — uniquely — serve as the Master of Record for an Electrical Contractor license. Every electrical contractor business in Texas must employ a licensed Master in that role, which keeps demand for the license high.
Maintaining it requires 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE every year and a $45 annual renewal fee — the same 4-hour requirement as every other individual electrical license. Late renewal costs $67.50 within 90 days and $90 from 91 days to 18 months (still $90 to 3 years, with TDLR executive-director approval); after 3 years expired, you must reapply as a new applicant and retake that exam.
What it means for your renewal
If you serve as a Master of Record, a lapsed license doesn't just affect you — the contractor license cannot be renewed while your individual license is expired, which can stall an entire operation. Complete your 4 hours early each cycle; our master electrician CE course has no final exam and we report your completion to TDLR within 24 hours.
Authority: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305