May 2025 / Issue #27
The Arc Flash keeps city officials, electricians, and consumers throughout Texas informed about the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act and TDLR’s efforts to enforce the associated requirements.
Please feel free to PASS IT ON!
To subscribe to email news and updates about the Electrician program, or to review your email subscription settings, visit the TLDR Email Updates page.
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Hello, Electrician Licensees,
Although I've been Executive Director of TDLR since June 2024, this may be the first time we've met. During my first year with the agency, I’ve enjoyed learning more about your profession and the important part it plays in the lives of all Texans.
I have a favor to ask: Won’t you please consider applying to be a member of one of our volunteer advisory boards or committees?
Thanks to a change in state law, we’re able to hold most of our advisory board meetings online, so members no longer must travel to Austin to meet. Most terms on the boards and committees last for six years, although some terms may be shorter because a seat has been vacated by a member who was unable to complete their term. There is no financial compensation for membership, but you’ll have the personal satisfaction that comes with serving your fellow Texans.
The following boards and councils currently have vacancies for public members who represent consumers and other interested parties:
- Board of Boiler Rules
- Code Enforcement Officers Advisory Committee
- Orthotists and Prosthetists Advisory Board
- Texas Water Well Drillers Advisory Council
Apply for any of these vacancies. Please also feel free to share this with anyone you think might make a great fit.
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I look forward to hearing from you and those in your industry as I learn all I can about TDLR’s broad range of programs and responsibilities. Please know that I am honored to serve in this position, and that I will do my best to be responsive and open to your concerns.
Sincerely,
Courtney Arbour, Executive Director
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The 89th Legislature convened on January 14, and our Government Relations (GR) team and Executive leadership have been working tirelessly to champion TDLR's budget priorities and strategic initiatives during this legislative session.
You can keep up with the bills that relate to current TDLR programs by visiting our legislation webpage. This webpage is updated weekly or as developments occur.
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The NFPA will take its final vote on the 2026 edition of the NEC in the mid-June 2025. After all other committees review the changes, the NFPA is expected to adopt the 2026 edition as the most current edition at the end of August 2025.
Texas will adopt the 2026 NEC on September 1, 2026 -- approximately one year after the NFPA adopts it -- to give all Texas electricians, building officials, electrical inspectors, and all other AHJs ample time for education and training on the changes from the 2023 to the 2026.
The Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to adopt the revised National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state of Texas. Keep an eye out for more information about the 2026 NEC as we get closer to the implementation date in Texas in 2026.
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As of March 2025, the Journeyman Electrician exam now has two parts: a knowledge section and a calculations portion.
The state electrical exams are available through PSI, which contracts with TDLR to develop, maintain, and administer the state electrician licensing examinations.
It is very important for license candidates to review the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB), which contains detailed information regarding the examinations including material the exam covers. The CIB is vital to understanding the testing process.
Questions? Contact TDLR.
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Curious about which states share reciprocity for electrician licenses from Texas? TDLR maintains a list.
Texas and TDLR are always willing to discuss possible reciprocal agreements with other states for the Master and Journeyman electrician licenses. Reciprocal agreements can be achieved when other states' license requirements are equal to the state of Texas’ requirements. Once an agreement has been achieved, an individual from a reciprocal state can apply for a Texas license that is equal to the license they hold in their home state, and the exam will be waived.
All reciprocal agreements have a clause that states “and all other requirements for licensure." So, if there is a reciprocal agreement, the licensee from a reciprocal state must meet all Texas requirements in order to fall under the reciprocity agreement.
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A new Texas law provides a new way to earn your residential wireman license by attending and passing a state approved college course.
Career and technology education (CTE) programs provide a pathway to an air conditioning and refrigeration technician certification or a residential wireman license.
High school and community college students who are 16 years old or older can participate in career technology education that provides hands-on, practical training in the electrical or HVAC fields
and can obtain entry-level electrical or HVAC licenses at age 16!
Students who participate in these TDLR-approved CTE programs in high school or community college will receive more than 80 percent of their instruction in real-life job training experience under a licensed electrical contractor or air conditioning and refrigeration contractor – and will be job-ready at graduation.
Under this program, electrical students have the ability to obtain a residential wireman license. (Please note: Hours earned for the residential wireman license do not count toward the hours required for obtaining an electrical journeyman license.)
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For electrical safety information and fun activities for the little ones you can go to http://www.sparky.org/.
Electrical safety education for a child is important…teach them early!
Arc The Electric Safety Armadillo has created some special TDLR coloring sheets with specific safety messages related to some of the topics covered in this edition of the Arc Flash. We'd love to see the finished versions!
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 Arc the Texas Electric Safety Armadillo reminds us that everyone who isn't an armadillo should always take precautions and “call 8-1-1 before you dig.”
Remember that power lines are underground as well.
To help protect against personal injury, including loss of life, costly property damage, expensive repairs and legal and civil penalties, TDLR encourages our licensees to follow guidance provided by the Railroad Commission of Texas through their Pipeline Damage Prevention Program.
Help protect against personal injury, including loss of life, costly property damage, expensive repairs and legal and civil penalties, by contacting Texas 8-1-1 as an excavator.
Be safe out there, y'all!
Please welcome aboard Deputy Chief Electrical Inspector Josh Hall. Josh is a third-generation Texas Master Electrician with 14 years of experience in almost every part of the electrical industry. Josh holds a Certified Master Electrical Inspector certification from the IAEI along with 26 ICC certifications -- the highlight being Master Code Professional. Before joining TDLR in June 2024, Josh was an Electrical Inspector and Plans Examiner for the City of Bryan and an Electrical Contractor and Electrician in Lubbock.
Contact The Team
If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or observations, please contact us – we want to hear from you.
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