You can test at 7,000 hours.
You cannot license until 8,000.

Bottom line: Texas requires a license for non-exempt electrical work. The normal journey path requires a Texas apprentice license, supervised work under a Texas-licensed master electrician, 8,000 documented on-the-job hours, TDLR application approval, and a passing Texas examination. TDLR permits an early exam application after at least 7,000 approved hours, but it will not issue the journey license until all 8,000 are approved. Confirm the current license paths with TDLR ↗

The path, in order

1. Apply for the apprentice license

   The January 2026 TDLR form lists a $20 nonrefundable fee. An apprentice license is valid for one year.

2. Work under the right supervision

   For the standard journey path, the experience must be on-the-job training under a master electrician. Keep every employer and supervisor's current contact and license information.

3. Collect signed verification

   TDLR requires an experience verification form for each employer, signed by the supervising master electrician. The agency may contact verifiers.

4. Apply at 7,000 or 8,000 hours

   At 7,000 hours, you may seek approval to test early. At 8,000 hours, you meet the experience threshold for issuance after the other requirements are completed.

5. Wait for approval, then schedule with PSI

   TDLR reviews the application before exam scheduling. Since March 11, 2025, the journey exam has separate knowledge and calculations portions.

Current fees and renewal

What the journey license allows

TDLR describes a journey electrician as licensed to perform electrical work under the general supervision of a master electrician. That is different from independently offering electrical contracting services: non-exempt electrical work must be performed through a licensed electrical contractor.