Texas Electrician Reciprocity: Which States (2026)

If you already hold an electrician license in another state, you may not have to start over in Texas. TDLR has reciprocity agreements with a set list of states for the master and journeyman licenses. This guide lists those states as of November 2026, the requirements and fees, and what does not transfer. Reciprocity lists change, so confirm your case with TDLR before you apply.

Key facts

Master reciprocity: 8 states. Journeyman reciprocity: 10 states (TDLR out-of-state page, as of November 2026).
You must have passed the other state’s exam and held its license at least 1 year (TDLR).
Texas hour rules still apply: 8,000 hours for journeyman; 12,000 hours and 2 years as a journeyman for master, or 1 year for some states (TDLR).
Fees: $45 master, $30 journeyman, as of November 2026 (TDLR).
Only master and journeyman licenses reciprocate. Contractor licenses do not transfer (TDLR).

Master electrician reciprocity states

State	Notes from TDLR
Alabama	Journeyman time needed is 1 year, not 2
Arkansas	Master electrician
Iowa	Class A master; journeyman time needed is 1 year, not 2
Louisiana	State contractor license; Louisiana residents only
Nebraska	Journeyman time needed is 1 year, not 2
North Carolina	Master or unlimited electrical contractor
Ohio	Journeyman time needed is 1 year, not 2
Tennessee	Electrical Contractor license; journeyman time needed is 1 year, not 2

Source: TDLR Out-of-State Applicants page, checked 2026-11-09, which matches TDLR’s November 2026 newsletter.

Journeyman electrician reciprocity states

State
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Idaho
Iowa
Nebraska
New Mexico
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Wyoming

Source: TDLR Out-of-State Applicants page, checked 2026-11-09.

What TDLR asks for

As of November 2026, per TDLR’s out-of-state page:

Requirement	Journeyman	Master
Passed the other state’s exam	Yes	Yes
Held the other state’s license	At least 1 year	At least 1 year
Hours	8,000 hours	12,000 hours
Journeyman license held	Not applicable	2 years (1 year for Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio and Tennessee)
Fee	$30	$45

The hour figures match Texas’s own rules for in-state applicants: 8,000 hours under a master for journeyman and 12,000 hours plus 2 years as a journeyman for master (TDLR journeyman and master apply pages).

TDLR’s page lists the requirements above. It is your job to confirm with TDLR whether anything else applies to your situation, such as how your out-of-state hours are verified or whether any Texas exam is required, before you send money.

Recent changes

The list has grown. TDLR’s electricians news feed shows announcements of new agreements with Arkansas (2025-12-30), Iowa (2026-02-06), Alabama (2026-03-20) and Ohio (2026-06-05). TDLR’s November 2026 newsletter also carries a reciprocity update. Because the list changes, a state missing here may be added later, and terms can shift. Always check TDLR’s out-of-state page on the day you apply.

What does not transfer

Contractor licenses. An out-of-state contractor license does not transfer. To contract in Texas, the business needs a Texas Electrical Contractor license with a Texas Master Electrician of record, plus the required insurance. See the contractor guide.
Other license types. Only master and journeyman licenses reciprocate. Residential, sign, maintenance, lineman, industrial and appliance installer licenses do not.

If your state is not on the list

You apply the same way as anyone trained in Texas. For journeyman, document 8,000 hours under a master (you may test at 7,000) and pass both exam portions. For master, show 2 years as a journeyman and 12,000 hours, then pass both portions. TDLR’s master page asks for hours under a Texas-licensed master, and its journeyman page does too, so ask TDLR how it treats out-of-state experience before you count on it.

The Texas exams are open book on the 2026 NEC, and each portion needs 70% (PSI bulletin updated 9/15/2026). If you learned on an older code edition, plan time for the 2026 changes. Our journeyman practice test, master practice test, code lookup drills and formula sheet are free. See journeyman requirements and master requirements.

Before you apply

Check TDLR’s out-of-state page for your state and license type.
Confirm you have held the other state’s license at least 1 year and passed its exam.
Count your hours against the Texas figures above.
Call or write to TDLR if anything in your case is unclear.

TexasElectricianExam is independent and not affiliated with TDLR, PSI or NFPA. Confirm reciprocity terms with TDLR before applying.

Questions people ask

Which states have master electrician reciprocity with Texas?

As of November 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa (Class A master), Louisiana (state contractor license, Louisiana residents only), Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee (Electrical Contractor), per TDLR's out-of-state page.

Which states have journeyman electrician reciprocity with Texas?

As of November 2026: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming, per TDLR's out-of-state page.

Does my electrical contractor license transfer to Texas?

No. TDLR says contractor licenses do not transfer. A Texas contractor license needs a Texas Master Electrician of record.

How much does a reciprocal Texas electrician license cost?

As of November 2026, TDLR lists $45 for a reciprocal master license and $30 for a reciprocal journeyman license.

What if my state is not on the list?

Then you apply like any Texas applicant: document your hours and pass the Texas exam. Texas only reciprocates master and journeyman licenses with the listed states.

Texas Electrician Reciprocity: Which States Qualify