How to check an electrician’s license in Texas

Electrical work for hire in Texas is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Two licenses matter when you hire: the business license and the electrician's own license.

The business: Texas Electrical Contractor license (TECL)

A company that offers electrical work to the public needs a TECL from TDLR. Texas rules require the contractor to show its TECL number in its advertising, so you should be able to find it on the company's website, estimate or invoice.

The person: individual TDLR licenses

• Master Electrician. The highest individual TDLR license; can supervise electrical work.
• Journeyman Electrician. Can do electrical work under a master's supervision.
• Residential Wireman. Limited to work on one- and two-family homes.
• Apprentice Electrician. Registered with TDLR and must work under a licensed electrician's supervision.

Check a license on the TDLR website

1. Open the TDLR license search.
2. Choose the electrician program, then search by license number or by name.
3. Confirm the license is active, the expiration date hasn't passed, and the name matches the person or company you are dealing with.
4. Do the same for the company's TECL.

Questions worth asking

• Will this job need a city permit and inspection? Panel work and new circuits usually do.
• Who will actually do the work, and what TDLR license do they hold?
• What does the written estimate include, and what would change the price?

How Tack On uses TDLR records

Before an electrical contractor can accept requests on Tack On, we check its TECL and each electrician's license against TDLR's public data and re-check them regularly. You see the license numbers and the date of our last check when a pro accepts your job. A TDLR license doesn't tell you about price or quality of work, so it is still worth asking the questions above.