An electrician leverages their extensive knowledge of electricity and wiring to fulfill all our electricity needs. Of course, before they can do this, they must first acquire this knowledge and position themselves in a way that makes it easier to put it to good use.
If you’re interested in becoming an electrician in Texas but currently need guidance about how to begin, you have come to the right place. The guide below outlines everything you need to know about becoming an electrician in Texas, unique state licensing requirements, certification, and potential salary to look forward to.
How to Become an Electrician in Texas
The path to becoming an electrician in Texas is similar to any other state but with a handful of state-specific differences. Below is an outline of the most popular course with some of the unique requirements highlighted:
Foundational Requirements:
Step 1: High School Diploma and GED
A high school diploma and GED is essential to becoming an electrician because most trade schools and even apprenticeship programs require one. It is also crucial because it provides much foundational knowledge to be built upon later.
Step 2: Formal Education and Degree Program
While this step is not mandatory, many obtain formal training from a trade school or community college. The advantage of this is that you graduate with a certificate or even an associate’s degree, increasing your chances of getting employed.
While certificate programs don’t last more than a month, an associate’s degree often requires 2 years for completion.
Electrician License and Certifications In Texas
Step 3: Become an Electrical Apprentice
Apprenticeship programs offer much-needed real-world experience and supervision by master electricians. It is common to find an electrician who has completed a formal education program still enrolling for an apprenticeship.
One reason for this is that apprenticeship programs are also crucial for certification purposes. To become an apprentice in Texas, you must apply for an electrical apprentice license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
This license has no requirement except a $20 application fee.
Step 4: Obtain a Journeyman Electrician License
To become a journeyman electrician in Texas, you must have a minimum of 8,000 hours of training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed master electrician.
From here, you may proceed to take the journeyman electrician examination. This exam requires a $30 application fee. Once your application is approved, you must pay an extra $78 to take the exam.
Candidates must pass the exam with a 70 percent score or higher and do so within a year. Once you do so, you become an official Texas journeyman electrician.
Step 5: Obtain a Master Electrician License
Master electricians are a step above journeyman electricians. You must have been a journeyman electrician for at least two years and have a minimum of 12,000 hours of training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed master electrician.
From here, you may proceed to take the master electrician examination. This exam requires a $45 application fee. Once your application is approved, you must pay an extra $78 to take the exam.
Candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 70% and do so within a year. Once you do so, you become an official Texas master electrician.
Step 6: Become a Licensed Independent Contractor
To become an independent electrical contractor, you must have a licensed master electrician on your payroll. There are also a few more conditions to be satisfied under the required limits of business liability insurance.
These include no less than $300,000 for an occurrence of property damage and bodily injury, no less than $600,000 for aggregate events of property damage and physical harm, and no less than $300,000 for products and completed operations.
An aspiring independent contractor must also be ready to provide workers comp. The application fee costs $110, with an additional $165 annually for renewal.
Top Electrician Schools in Texas
Below are a few top-quality destinations to receive high-level training as an aspiring electrician in Texas.
North Lake College
North Lake College offers various electrical technology programs that ensure students acquire the skills they need to secure employment while having the luxury of going for an alternative that best suits their situation. For instance, those looking for a fast-tracked approach to their studies may go for the electrical technology certificate program. In contrast, those who wish for more rigorous training may go for the associate degree program.
Applicants can look forward to solid classroom instructions and rigorous laboratory practical sessions regardless of their choice.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College is one of the state’s most popular destinations for trade and technical training. Luckily for aspiring electricians, the school offers two certificate programs that operate at high-quality standards.
Among the topics of focus include industrial automation technology and electrical power technology. One of the program highlights is that students also get to enjoy an apprenticeship arrangement thanks to the school’s partnership with prominent shareholders in the area.
San Jacinto Community College
Lastly, aspiring electricians in Texas may also consider the San Jacinto Community College program. This program has high-quality instructors, a comprehensive curriculum, and a high graduate placement rate.
Officially known as the Electrical Technology program, graduates get a straightforward path to earn their journeyman license. The focus topics include electrical system design, national electric code, commercial wiring, and electricity principles.
Notable Mentions
Other notable mentions include the certificate program in Electronic Technology offered by El Paso Community College, the NCCER-recognized program provided by Lone Star College; the Electrician program offered by the Professional Career Training Institute, the Electrical Technology program provided by Lee College; and the Electrical Theory program offered by the Houston School of Carpentry.
Explore electrician schools by city:
Average Electrician Salary in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for electricians in Texas in 2021 was around $53,080. This is among the highest in the country. But of course, just like any profession, a few factors affect exactly how much you earn as an electrician, and one of these is experience.
While an apprentice can expect to earn around $19,73 per hour with $6,000 overtime per year, a journeyman electrician makes higher at approximately $24.5 per hour and $11,250 in overtime every year. Master electricians make even more at a rate of $31.51 per hour.
Other factors that can influence how much you earn as an electrician in Texas include specific industries such as government and manufacturing, certification level, additional skills, and education.
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