Texas Electrician Latest News..........

TDLR encourages all persons interested in the Electricians program to review the rule adoption. The
justification and adopted rules may be viewed on TDLR's website.

New Criminal History Requirements Legislation!

TDLR encourages all persons interested in the Procedural Rules of the Commission and Department to review the rule adoption.  The justification and adopted rules may be viewed on TDLR's website.

New Texas Electrician Examinations and Testing Service
Now you have to pre-qualify before taking the exam!!!

 You'll have to apply for your license FIRST, and THEN wait for a letter of permission to even SIT for an exam.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has entered into a new contract with PSI to develop, maintain and deliver licensing examinations.

This new contract, the resulting examinations and a new application process will change how electricians get licensed in Texas.

These changes went into effect on September 1, 2009.

1. VERY IMPORTANT: ICC examinations taken on or after September 1, 2009 will NOT be accepted for Texas electrician licensing.

2. Instead of taking the examination and then applying to the department for a license, electricians will first make application to the department and then, if they are eligible, will be notified by mail that they may make an appointment to sit for their examination.

3. PSI will deliver new Texas electrician examinations at 22 sites around the state. See www.psiexams.com for additional information about PSI. These new TDLR examinations have been developed by Texas electrician subject matter experts. Information about the new examinations and applications may be found on the TDLR web site in mid July:
www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elecexam.htm

TDLR Emergency Electrical Licenses

!!UPDATE!!

Emergency electrician licenses issued by TDLR in response to Governor Perry’s proclamation following Hurricane Ike expired on July 4, 2009. The emergency licenses are no longer valid and electricians holding the emergency license can no longer work in the designated counties named in the proclamation or elsewhere in Texas.

Electrical contractors should verify a current TDLR license by visiting www.license.state.tx.us and click on "Search Licensees By License Type."

To apply for an electrical license visit the TDLR web site at www.license.state.tx.us
or call TDLR Customer Service at 1-800-803-9202.

Texas has added a new class(s) of electrical licenses!

New Licenses -
Residential Appliance Installers & Residential Appliance Installer Contractors

Senate Bill 1222, which was passed during the 80th Legislative Session, has resulted in amendments to Chapter 1305 of the Texas Occupations Code
and new statewide requirements for residential appliance installers and contractors.

Beginning March 1, 2008, a person may not perform or offer to perform residential appliance installation or residential appliance installation
contracting work without the appropriate license. The new requirements establish minimum qualifications for these license holders and makes
them eligible to work anywhere in the state.

The law also established a “grand fathering period” which extends through June 1, 2008. The “grand fathering period” enables qualified
applicants (specifically those who have completed 4,000 hours of electrical work or residential appliance installation under the
supervision of a master electrician) to obtain a license without passing an exam. After the “grand fathering period” ends, all applicants will
need to present proof of having passed an exam approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

For more complete information go here; http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elec.htm

For exam information check here; http://www2.iccsafe.org/contractor/dsp_state.cfm?state=TX

THE TEXAS RESIDENTIAL APPLIANCE INSTALLER LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Legislation Behind the Requirement

• The State of Texas Senate Bill 1222, signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry on June 15, 2007 amended Chapter 1305 of the State Occupations Code to require people who install residential appliances [other than those that directly plug into an existing receptacle] in a single-family or multifamily dwelling not exceeding four stories, to obtain a Texas Residential Appliance Installer License. This Bill defines residential appliance as equipment that is installed as a unit and directly connected to an electrical circuit, and performs a specific function. This Bill also requires an applicant for a Texas residential appliance installer license to pass a residential appliance installer examination administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

• The State of Texas House Bill 1973, signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry on June 19, 2009 further amended Section 1305 of the State Occupations Code to include pool-related electrical devices under the definition of residential appliances, thus requiring people who install pool- and spa-related electrical devices to an existing circuit [other than those that directly plug into an existing receptacle], also obtain a Texas Residential Appliance Installer License by passing a residential appliance installer examination.

The exam developed by TDLR to cover the original amendment consisted of 40 multiple-choice questions addressing National Electrical Code® rules and regulations associated with the installation of typical residential appliances such as electric ranges, water heaters, dishwashers, cook tops and similar appliances. This exam addressed approximately 8 of the 144 Articles found in the 2008 National Electrical Code, had a fairly high pass rate, and required minimal preparation to pass.

The new exam, as required to cover the addition of pool-related electrical devices, consists of 80 multiple-choice questions related to the installation of residential appliances AND electrical pool devices. This exam addresses more than 20 of the 144 Articles found in the 2008 National Electrical Code, has a very low pass rate, and requires extensive preparation to pass.

Want HELP preparing? We have it! Just click the link below!

Electrician exam prep!

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (The Commission), TDLR’s governing body, has voted unanimously to reduce 21 licensing and registration fees in 8 of TDLR’s programs. Fee reductions range from 8 percent to as high as 80 percent.  On an annual basis, the fee reductions are projected to exceed $1,300,000.“ We perform an annual review of our licensing fees to ensure that each program covers only the cost of operating it,” said William Kuntz, TDLR’s executive director. “As our efficiency improves, it is good news for our licensees.”“The same basic functions are required regardless of the type of license,” Kuntz said. “So it only makes sense to us to have the same people issuing all licenses rather than setting up a system of specialists for each type of license. This also gives us more flexibility to handle the regular ebbs and flows of licensing.

”Fee reductions include: Master electrician and master sign electrician licenses, $65 annually to $50, a 23 percent reduction;
A complete list of fee reductions is below.

Effective May 15, 2008

Electrical Contractor - From $125 to $115
Electrical Sign Contractor - From $125 to $125
Master Electrician - From $65 to $50
Master Sign Electrician - From $65 to $50
Journeyman Electrician - From $40 to $35
Journeyman Sign Electrician - From $40 to $35

Current Texas agreements;

Texas has an agreement with Louisiana. For Master Electricians (Contractors).
Also - currently for Journeyman Electricians in Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

Requirements for a Texas license through reciprocity.

Click HERE for more information!

E-mail us at: