If you hold an electrical license in the state of Texas, you are required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305 and its administrative rules in 16 TAC Chapter 73 — to complete continuing education (CE) hours before renewing your license. This applies to journeyman, master, apprentice, maintenance, residential wireman, and sign electrician licenses — though apprentices can instead satisfy renewal by enrollment in a TDLR-registered apprenticeship training program (16 TAC §73.25(c)), and electrical contractors and residential appliance installers have no CE requirement. If you hold a journeyman license, our journeyman electrician CE guide walks through the renewal specifics.
How Many CE Hours Do Texas Electricians Need?
To renew an electrical license in Texas, you must complete a total of 4 hours of department-approved continuing education per year. The required topics include:
National Electrical Code (NEC) Updates — changes and amendments to the current code cycle (see the key NEC 2023 changes for Texas electricians)
Texas Laws & Rules — state-specific regulations governing electrical work (Occupations Code Chapter 1305 and 16 TAC Chapter 73)
Safety Practices — electrical safety as defined in NFPA 70E, including arc flash protection, grounding, and jobsite safety
What Happens If My License Is Expired?
If your electrical license has been expired 90 days or less, you may still renew online by paying a late fee (1.5 times the normal renewal fee) and completing your 4 hours of CE. From 91 days to 18 months, the fee is doubled. From 18 months to 3 years, renewal is mail-in only — the first two pages of the license application plus a Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal form, with the doubled fee, and CE is still required (completed within the year before your renewal, 16 TAC §73.25(d)). After 3 years you must reapply as a new applicant. Full fee tables and steps: Texas electrician license renewal guide.
How Are CE Hours Reported?
You do not need to mail a certificate to the state. As a TDLR-approved provider, OnlineTexasCE.com transmits your completion record electronically to the TDLR database within 24 hours of finishing the course.
How to Renew Your Texas Electrician License
- Complete your 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education (which you can do right here on OnlineTexasCE.com).
- Visit the TDLR website and log in to your account.
- Pay the renewal fee and submit your application.
- Your renewed license will typically be processed within a few business days.
Important Note
Make sure to complete your CE hours before your license expires. While you can still renew a recently expired license, it will cost significantly more in late fees — and performing electrical work with an expired license can result in fines or disciplinary action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.01How many CE hours do Texas electricians need?
Texas electrician licenses — journeyman, master, apprentice, maintenance, residential wireman, and sign electrician — require 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education annually. The hours must collectively cover the NEC, Texas law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety. Multiple license holders only need 4 total hours. Two exceptions: apprentices can instead satisfy renewal by enrollment in a TDLR-registered apprenticeship training program (16 TAC §73.25(c)), and electrical contractors and residential appliance installers have no CE requirement.
Q.02Does my Texas electrician CE need to cover the NEC 2023?
Yes. Texas electrician CE must cover the National Electrical Code as adopted in Texas — the 2023 NEC through August 31, 2026, and the 2026 NEC from September 1, 2026 (adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation on July 28, 2026). Your 4 hours cannot be all NEC content, though: they must also cover Texas law and rules and NFPA 70E safety.
Q.03What happens if my Texas electrician license expires?
If your electrical license has been expired 90 days or less, you can renew online by paying 1.5 times the normal renewal fee and completing your 4 hours of CE. From 91 days to 18 months, the fee is doubled. From 18 months to 3 years, renewal is mail-in only: you send TDLR the first two pages of the license application plus a Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal form, with the doubled fee — and CE is still required, completed within the year before your renewal (16 TAC §73.25(d)). After 3 years, you must reapply as a new applicant.
Q.04Can I take Texas electrician CE online?
Yes. OnlineTexasCE.com offers a TDLR-approved 4-hour electrician CE course that is 100% online and mobile-friendly. Your completion is electronically reported to the TDLR.
Q.05How are my electrician CE hours reported to the TDLR?
You do not need to mail a certificate. As a TDLR-approved provider, OnlineTexasCE.com electronically transmits your completion record directly to the TDLR database within 24 hours of finishing the course.
Q.06How much does Texas electrician CE cost?
The TDLR-approved 4-hour electrician CE course at OnlineTexasCE.com costs $22.95 and covers all required topics including NEC 2023 code updates, Texas law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety. TDLR's license renewal fee is separate: $30 for journeyman, $45 for master, and $20 for apprentice, maintenance, and residential wireman licenses.
Q.07What topics are covered in Texas electrician CE?
Texas electrician CE must cover National Electrical Code (NEC) updates and amendments, Texas laws and rules governing electrical work, and electrical safety as defined in NFPA 70E — including arc flash protection, grounding, and jobsite safety practices.
Last updated August 26, 2026