Why It’s Important to Hire a Licensed Electrician or Electrical Contractor in Texas

Electrical work directly affects the safety of your home or business. When it’s done incorrectly, it can lead to fires, electric shock, equipment damage, failed inspections, and serious liability issues. In Texas, licensing exists to protect consumers and ensure electrical work meets established safety standards.

This article explains

• why licensing matters

• who is legally allowed to perform electrical work

• how to verify credentials using official government resources

  
  

Texas Electrical Licensing: What the Law Requires

In Texas, electrical work performed for others must be done under a Texas Electrical Contractor License (TECL) issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

An Electrical Contractor:

• Is a licensed business entity

• Must designate a Master Electrician as the Master of Record

• Must carry required insurance

• Is legally allowed to advertise and perform electrical work for others

  
  

Individual electricians must also be licensed through TDLR and fall into one of the following categories:

• Apprentice Electrician- Must work under on-site supervision and may not perform work alone

• Journeyman Electrician- May perform electrical work but must work under a licensed Electrical Contractor

• Master Electrician- Has the highest level of licensing and may serve as the Master of Record for an Electrical Contractor

  
  

Licensing requirements, supervision rules, and insurance verification are enforced by TDLR.

Advertising and License Disclosure Requirements

Texas law requires Electrical Contractors to include their Texas Electrical Contractor License (TECL) number on all forms of advertising (with limited exceptions).

This includes:

• Websites

• Social media posts

• Business cards

• Estimates and proposals

  
  

If someone is advertising electrical services without a TECL number, that is a significant red flag.

Why Licensing Protects You

1. Safety and Code Compliance

Licensed electricians are tested on the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is developed and maintained by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NEC is the nationally recognized standard for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection. Licensing helps ensure compliance with current NEC safety standards.

A license does not guarantee that every installation is done correctly. Licensing establishes a minimum legal and safety baseline, not a quality guarantee. Work can still be performed incorrectly due to negligence, shortcuts, lack of supervision, or failure to follow the adopted code.

In Texas:

• Electricians must pass state examinations to obtain a Journeyman or Master Electrician license.

• Licenses are renewed annually, and renewal requires state‑mandated continuing education that includes NEC updates and safety training.

• Compliance is maintained through continuing education and state enforcement.

• An individual may hold an electrician license without being employed at that moment, but electrical work must be performed under a licensed Electrical Contractor, and apprentices may not work alone.

  
  

Because licensing alone does not ensure proper workmanship, consumers should also rely on inspections to confirm work is done correctly.

2. Background Checks and Ongoing Accountability

As part of the initial licensing process, TDLR conducts a criminal history evaluation for electrician and electrical contractor applicants. Certain criminal convictions may result in denial of a license or disciplinary action, depending on the nature and timing of the offense and its relationship to the licensed occupation. Disciplinary actions, suspensions, or revocations appear in the public license record.

3. Insurance and Liability Protection

TDLR requires Electrical Contractors to provide proof of insurance as part of the licensing process. This protects property owners if something goes wrong during or after the job.

Work performed by unlicensed individuals may:

• Void homeowners or commercial insurance coverage

• Leave the property owner financially responsible for damages or injuries

• Create issues during property sales or inspections

  
  

Even though Texas requires Electrical Contractors to carry liability insurance to obtain and maintain a license, homeowners are encouraged to request and verify a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) before work begins. Insurance policies can lapse or be cancelled, and verifying coverage may help protect homeowners from financial liability.

4. Permits, Inspections, and Resale Issues

In jurisdictions that require permits, only a licensed Electrical Contractor with a Master Electrician on record may register with the city and pull electrical permits. Unpermitted or non-compliant work can result in fines, required removal or reinstallation, and problems when selling or insuring a property.

How to Verify an Electrician or Electrical Contractor in Texas

TDLR provides free, public license lookup tools that allow consumers to verify credentials.

Before hiring anyone, you should:

1. Ask for the Electrical Contractor license number (TECL) *They should have this clearly listed on their website, estimate or advertising

2. Ask which licensed electricians will be performing the work *Ensure any apprentices will be properly supervised

3. Verify the license types (Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master)

4. Confirm that the license statuses are Active on the TDLR license search

   
   

   Bonus: Request and verify a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) from the Electrical Contractor

   Bonus: Review Google ratings and references

   
   

Official TDLR License Search (Active & Expired Licenses)

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

This database allows consumers to verify:

• Active or expired license status

• License type (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, or Electrical Contractor)

• License numbers and expiration dates

  
  

TDLR Administrative Orders Search (Enforcement Actions)

TDLR also maintains a separate public database for administrative orders, which provides details about why a license was suspended, revoked, restricted, or penalized.

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cimsfo/

This search includes:

• License revocations and suspensions

• Administrative penalties and agreed orders

• Criminal-history-based enforcement actions

• Violations such as unlicensed contracting, fraud, code violations, or failure to supervise

  
  

Because the standard license lookup may not show full enforcement details, consumers are encouraged to check both databases when evaluating an electrician or electrical contractor.

Enforcement Reality: What Licensing Data Shows

TDLR enforcement data shows why licensing matters and why verification and inspections are still essential.

According to TDLR Enforcement Division statistics for Fiscal Year 2025:

• 2,585 enforcement cases were opened against electricians, including consumer complaints, departmental investigations, and criminal history matters.

• The most common violations resulting in disciplinary action included contracting without a license, criminal history issues, misrepresentation or fraud, and failure to meet licensing or supervision requirements.

  
  

Licensing creates accountability and enforcement authority, but it does not eliminate all risk. Consumer diligence- verifying licenses and permits (where required) remains a critical part of protecting safety.

The Bottom Line

Always verify licenses through TDLR and avoid anyone unwilling or unable to provide proper credentials.

Primary Authoritative Sources

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• National Electrical Code (NEC)