How to Renew Your Electrical Apprentice License in Texas
Your Texas electrical apprentice license is valid for one year from the date it was issued. That might seem like a lot of time, but that renewal window goes faster than many people expect, especially when you’re focused on job sites and logging training hours.
Being late with submitting requirements for electrical license renewal in Texas can lead to a host of issues. From the moment your license expires, your legal authorization to work on the job site lapses right along with it.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees all electrician licensing in Texas and sets the requirements every license holder must meet to maintain active status. The guide below provides clarity on how to renew an electrical license and keep your career as a licensed electrician in Texas moving forward.
How Do I Renew My Electrical License in Texas? Application Requirements for Apprentices
TDLR sends a renewal reminder approximately 60 days before your license’s expiration date. But it’s best not to wait for it before you renew.
According to the TDLR, it is the licensee’s responsibility to renew on time. Not receiving a notice because of a change of address or a lost email is not considered a valid excuse for missing the renewal window and working with an expired license.
Fortunately, TDLR license renewal for apprentice electricians is a fairly straightforward process. The main requirements are:
- A completed TDLR online application
- Proof that the continuing education requirement has been fulfilled
The fee, starting at $20 for on-time renewals, is paid during the application process.
Continuing Education Requirements for Apprentice Electrician License Renewal in Texas
The continuing education (CE) requirement is 4 hours per license cycle. These hours must come from a TDLR-registered provider and must be completed within the term of the license you are currently renewing. Hours from a previous term cannot be carried over, and repeating the same course does not count toward a new cycle.
There is an alternative pathway for some apprentices. Those formally enrolled in a department-registered electrical apprenticeship training program may submit proof of that enrollment in place of the 4 CE hours. For everyone else, completing the required coursework through an approved provider is the standard TDLR license renewal path.
What the 4 Hours of CE Must Cover
The TDLR specifies the exact content your CE hours must address before you can renew. These subject areas cover the legal and safety knowledge that applies directly to daily work as an apprentice. Reviewing them before choosing a course confirms that your enrollment will satisfy the renewal requirement.
The 4 hours must cover the following areas:
- Electrical Safety: As defined in NFPA 70E, published by the National Fire Protection Association
- Texas Electrician Administrative Rules: The administrative rules under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 73
- Texas Electrician Law: Laws and regulations under Title 8, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305
- National Electrical Code (NEC): The 2023 NEC, the current edition adopted by TDLR, or as subsequently updated under §1305.101
One detail worth noting: if all 4 hours were completed in NEC content only, TDLR requires at least 1 additional hour covering law, administrative rules, or NFPA 70E safety topics before your renewal can be processed.
Completing these hours online is a practical route for apprentices with demanding work schedules. OnlineLicenseRenewals.com offers a TDLR-approved course that includes all required subject areas.
How to Renew an Electrical License: Step-by-Step Guide for Apprentice Electricians
Once your CE hours are taken care of, you might ask, “How do I renew my electrician license in Texas?”
The renewal itself doesn’t take long. The whole process is done online through TDLR’s portal; no visits to a licensing office are required.
The steps for renewing your Texas electrical apprentice license are:
- Log in to the TDLR Online Licensing System: You will need your license number and either your Social Security Number or your unique login details from your renewal notice.
- Submit Your Online Renewal Application. Since TDLR verifies your CE hours electronically, you won’t need to upload any documents.
- Pay the $20 Renewal Fee: You can pay with a credit or debit card during the submission process.
- Check Your License Status: After one to three business days, visit TDLR License Search to confirm your license is active and reflects the new expiration year.
Licenses that have expired between 18 months and 3 years can no longer be renewed online. At that point, you’ll need to mail a paper application to TDLR along with a completed “Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal Form.”
TDLR License Renewal Fees and the Cost of Waiting
On-time renewal costs $20. That fee increases once a license passes its expiration date, and the further a license lapses, the more involved the process becomes. The table below breaks down the fee structure based on how long a license has been expired.
| Renewal Status | Fee |
| On time (before expiration) | $20 |
| Expired 90 days or fewer | $30 |
| Expired 91 days to 18 months | $40 |
| Expired 18 months to 3 years | $40 + mail-in process required |
Past the 3-year mark, renewal is no longer possible. The only option at that point is to start the full application process over as a new applicant.
What Happens When a License Lapses
An expired license has real consequences for your day-to-day work and your career as a licensed electrician in Texas. Working without an active license puts you in violation of state law, and TDLR has the authority to issue fines. Most employers will pull you off the job site as soon as they can’t verify your license is active.
There’s also a consequence that catches many apprentices off guard. In Texas, a supervising Master Electrician must sign off on your OJT hours, and any hours logged with an expired license will not be accepted by TDLR toward your journeyman exam. That time drops off your record entirely, and your advancement timeline gets pushed back as a result.
Since a license that has expired for 3 years requires a full new application, you need to contend with fees and waiting periods before you can return to the field legally.
Criminal History and Electrical License Renewal in Texas
TDLR runs a criminal background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on every renewal application. Any conviction that comes up gets flagged and referred to TDLR’s Enforcement Division for review, which can add several weeks to your renewal timeline.
Apprentices who have had a criminal conviction since their last renewal should submit a Criminal History Questionnaire when they apply. TDLR considers the nature of the conviction alongside supporting factors like your court compliance history and conduct record. Submitting it when you apply, rather than waiting for TDLR to flag it, keeps the review moving and reduces the chance of delays.
Stay on Top of Electric License Renewal in Texas With Online CE Courses
For apprentices who want to complete their CE around a busy work schedule, OnlineLicenseRenewals.com offers TDLR-approved online courses covering all required subject areas. You can work through the material at your own pace and finish well ahead of your deadline.
Browse the full course catalog, and enroll today. You may also reach out to us for inquiries.