Important Texas licensing fact: the Master Electrician license is an individual professional credential. It is not the same thing as the Texas Electrical Contractor business license. A Master Electrician may serve as the Master Electrician of Record for an Electrical Contractor, including a business the Master owns, but the contracting company must separately meet TDLR business, insurance, and licensing requirements.
The Texas Master Electrician License is the state's advanced individual electrical credential. It is issued by TDLR to experienced electricians who satisfy the required Journeyman-license history, work experience, application, examination, and licensing requirements.
A Master Electrician is licensed to install, maintain, or extend electrical wiring systems and the appurtenances, apparatus, and equipment connected with electrical energy in, on, outside, or attached to buildings, residences, structures, property, and premises. The scope includes service-entrance conductors.
The Master credential is also important for electricians who plan to move into contracting. A Texas Electrical Contractor must employ a licensed Master Electrician as its Master Electrician of Record, although the Master may also own the business.
Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Testing provider: PSI.
Journeyman requirement: hold a Journeyman Electrician license for at least two years.
Experience: 12,000 hours under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician.
NEC Knowledge: 75 items including 5 non-scored items, 150 minutes.
Calculations: 33 items including 3 non-scored items, 170 minutes.
Passing score: 70% on each portion.
Format: multiple choice and open book.
Current reference: 2026 National Electrical Code.
For advanced preparation, review the 2026 Texas Master Electrician Exam Prep Study Guides & Code Book Ultimate Combo for Master-level NEC review, calculations, code navigation, practice questions, and repeated exam simulation.
The Texas Master pathway builds directly on Journeyman experience and adds a more demanding two-part electrical examination.
| Step | Authority / Requirement | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman License | TDLR | Hold a Texas Journeyman Electrician license for at least two years |
| Experience | TDLR | Document 12,000 qualifying hours under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician |
| Experience Verification | Supervising Master Electricians | Obtain signed Experience Verification Forms from qualifying supervisors |
| Industrial Journeyman Note | TDLR | Journeyman Industrial Electrician experience may not be used to qualify for this Master license |
| Application | TDLR | Submit the Master Electrician application with the current $45 non-refundable fee |
| Eligibility Approval | TDLR | Wait for approval before scheduling the PSI examination |
| NEC Knowledge | PSI | 75 items, 150 minutes, open book, 70% passing |
| Calculations | PSI | 33 items, 170 minutes, open book, 70% passing |
| License Issuance | TDLR | Satisfy all requirements within the applicable one-year application period |
Use current TDLR and PSI information as the final authority for eligibility, exam details, fees, reference rules, renewal, and contractor requirements.
| Verified Point | Authority | Current Result |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | TDLR | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation |
| Testing provider | PSI / TDLR | PSI Services LLC |
| Journeyman license history | TDLR | At least two years |
| Experience | TDLR | 12,000 qualifying hours |
| NEC Knowledge | PSI | 75 items including 5 non-scored, 150 minutes |
| Calculations | PSI | 33 items including 3 non-scored, 170 minutes |
| Passing score | PSI / TDLR | 70% on each portion |
| Exam fee | PSI | $78 for both portions |
| Exam reference | TDLR / PSI | 2026 National Electrical Code |
| Master application fee | TDLR | $45 |
| Master renewal | TDLR | Annual, $45 regular renewal fee |
| Continuing education | TDLR | 4 approved hours each license cycle |
Application window: Texas applicants generally have one year from the date TDLR receives the application to satisfy all requirements, including passing the examination.
The current Texas Master Electrician exam contains two separate, multiple-choice portions: NEC Knowledge and Calculations.
The NEC Knowledge Portion contains 75 total items. Five are non-scored, leaving 70 scored questions distributed across ten official subject areas.
The largest knowledge categories are Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems with 11 scored items and Branch Circuit Conductors with 11.
Electrical Equipment and Devices and Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions each contain 8 scored items. Definitions, Theory, and Plans; Wiring Methods and Materials; and Motors and Generators each contain 7.
The Calculations Portion contains 33 total items. Three are non-scored, leaving 30 scored calculation questions.
The biggest calculation areas are Services and Separately Derived Systems with 8 questions and Motors and Generators with 6.
The Master exam is where "open book" and "lots of time" can become famous last words. The code book is available, but the problem still expects you to know what to do with it.
Prepare beyond Journeyman-level recognition. The Master exam expects deeper NEC application, more complicated calculations, and stronger understanding of how multiple code rules work together.
Services: practice service conductors, disconnecting means, load calculations, fault current, grounding, bonding, service equipment, and separately derived systems.
Feeders: review feeder loads, grounded conductors, equipment grounding, overcurrent protection, ampacity, and demand factors.
Branch Circuits: practice conductor sizing, continuous loads, GFCI, AFCI, overcurrent protection, grounding, and required circuits.
Motors: review full-load currents, motor conductors, overloads, short-circuit protection, controllers, disconnects, and generators.
Wiring Methods: study raceways, cable trays, boxes, cabinets, panels, cables, cords, underground wiring, and raceway calculations.
Calculations: practice services, feeders, branch circuits, conductors, transformers, motors, raceways, HVAC, appliances, EV charging, and special installations.
The 2026 Texas Master Electrician Super Combo combines Master exam review, a dedicated calculations guide, flash cards, the 2026 NEC, and tabs for both portions of the examination.
Master-level questions often connect several NEC requirements. A single problem can move from a load calculation to conductor sizing, then grounding, then overcurrent protection, before finally asking for one number.
Texas Master Electrician exam-prep illustration for advanced NEC navigation, services, grounding, motors, and calculations.
Move from Journeyman experience through documentation, TDLR application, PSI approval, both exam portions, Master licensure, and possible Electrical Contractor qualification.
Maintain a Texas Journeyman Electrician license for at least two years before applying for Master Electrician.
Document at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job electrical training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed Master Electrician.
Have each qualifying supervising Master Electrician complete the applicable Experience Verification Form.
Send the completed application, experience documentation, and current $45 non-refundable application fee.
Wait for TDLR approval, then follow the PSI scheduling instructions for the Master Electrician examination.
Complete 75 total items within 150 minutes and earn at least 70 percent.
Complete 33 total items within 170 minutes and earn at least 70 percent. Time does not transfer between portions.
After satisfying TDLR requirements, maintain the Master license annually. If you plan to operate an electrical contracting business, complete the separate Electrical Contractor licensing process.
The current NEC Knowledge Portion contains 70 scored questions plus 5 non-scored questions. These are the official scored subject counts.
Calculations Portion: the current 30 scored calculation questions are distributed as follows: Calculations and Theory 2; Services and Separately Derived Systems 8; Feeders 3; Branch Circuit Calculations and Conductors 4; Wiring Methods and Materials 2; Equipment and Devices 2; Motors and Generators 6; Controls and Disconnects 1; Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions 1; Renewable Energy Technologies 1.
Heavy hitters: Services, Branch Circuit Conductors, and Motors deserve serious attention because they are strongly represented across the knowledge and calculation portions.
The exam is open book, but PSI controls which technical reference may enter the testing room and how that book may be prepared.
| Reference | Primary Study Use | Exam-Room Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Electrical Code, 2026 Edition | Definitions, services, feeders, branch circuits, grounding, bonding, wiring methods, equipment, motors, special installations, renewable energy, tables, and calculations | Current authorized technical reference |
| PSI Texas Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin | Exam structure, subject counts, timing, fees, testing procedures, and reference-material rules | Use before exam day to verify current rules |
| TDLR Master Electrician Requirements | Experience, Journeyman history, application, fees, and licensing process | Licensing resource, not an added exam-room technical reference |
| Texas Electrician Law and Administrative Rules | Master responsibilities, contractor relationships, renewal, continuing education, and compliance | Important licensing study, not an additional technical exam reference |
Current code cycle: effective September 1, 2026, Texas electrician examinations are referenced to the 2026 National Electrical Code.
Candidates are responsible for bringing their own compliant NEC to the examination site.
Current PSI rules: the NEC may contain highlighting, underlining, and notes prepared before the exam. Permanent index tabs manufactured or provided by the NEC publisher are permitted. Candidates may not add markings during testing. The NEC Handbook, loose pages, homemade tabs, loose-leaf books, spiral-bound books, and ring-bound books are not permitted.
A Texas Master Electrician is licensed to install, maintain, or extend electrical wiring systems and related electrical apparatus, equipment, and service-entrance conductors.
The credential represents an advanced level of individual electrical licensing and can support supervision, technical responsibility, and the Master Electrician of Record role.
For electricians who want to operate a contracting company, the Master license is especially important because a Texas Electrical Contractor must employ a licensed Master Electrician as its Master Electrician of Record.
The Master may also own the contractor business. Generally, one Master Electrician may be assigned to only one Electrical Contractor unless the Master owns more than 50 percent of the electrical contracting business.
Contractor distinction: the Master Electrician credential does not automatically create an Electrical Contractor license. The business must submit a separate contractor application, designate the Master Electrician of Record, and satisfy insurance and other TDLR business requirements.
Texas separates individual electrical credentials from the business license used to contract with customers.
| Credential | Main Purpose | Experience / Path | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Build supervised electrical experience | Register and work under required supervision | Entry-level credential used while accumulating qualifying hours |
| Residential Wireman | Qualifying residential electrical installations | Approved education route or qualifying supervised experience | Scope is limited to qualifying residential buildings |
| Journeyman Electrician | Perform electrical work under a Master Electrician | 8,000 hours required for standard licensure | Required stepping stone for the standard Master Electrician path |
| Master Electrician | Advanced individual electrical credential | Journeyman license for 2 years + 12,000 qualifying hours + Master exam | May serve as Master Electrician of Record for an Electrical Contractor |
| Electrical Contractor | Operate an electrical contracting business | Separate business application, Master Electrician of Record, insurance, and contractor requirements | Business license rather than an individual trade credential |
Electrical Contractor insurance: current Texas minimum liability limits include $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations.
Build advanced NEC navigation, service and feeder knowledge, motor expertise, grounding skill, and calculation speed together.
The Texas Master exam is designed for experienced electricians, and it expects a deeper command of both the NEC and electrical calculations than the Journeyman examination.
The NEC Knowledge Portion gives you 150 minutes for 75 total items, or about 2 minutes per administered item.
The Calculations Portion gives you 170 minutes for 33 total items, or roughly 5.15 minutes per administered item.
That sounds generous until a calculation starts asking about service load, demand factors, transformers, motor full-load current, grounding, conductor ampacity, and overcurrent protection in the same neighborhood.
The best preparation combines field experience with repeated NEC navigation and timed math practice. Open book is useful, but only when you already know which part of the book deserves to be opened.
Passing rule: both portions require at least 70 percent. Passing one portion does not erase a failing score on the other portion.
Retakes: the current PSI fee is $78 whether you are taking both portions or retaking a failed portion under the applicable testing rules.
Need a shorter rental period? Review the Texas Master Electrical Contractor Books & Course Rental , which includes a highlighted and tabbed 2026 NEC rental and structured course access.
Need a complete owned package? The 2026 Texas Master Electrician Ultimate Combo combines the Master guide, calculations guide, 2026 NEC, flash cards, and online preparation.
This Texas-specific 1 Exam Prep credential image is directly related to Texas Master Electrician licensing and exam preparation.
• Texas Master Electrician preparation
• TDLR and PSI licensing pathway
• 75-item NEC Knowledge Portion
• 33-item Calculations Portion
• 70% required on each portion
• Open-book 2026 NEC examination
• Services, feeders, grounding, and bonding
• Branch circuits, conductors, and wiring methods
• Motors, generators, controls, and special installations
• Advanced electrical calculation preparation
Master the rule and the math. The Texas Master examination separates those skills into two portions, but successful preparation connects them. A good Master candidate should know where the NEC rule lives and how to turn it into the correct calculation.
Texas Master Licensing
Exam Structure
NEC Knowledge Topics
Calculations
Open-Book Rules
Application and Renewal
Electrical Contractor Path
1 Exam Prep
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep Texas electrician video featured with the Texas Master Electrician study materials. Use it to reinforce Texas electrical licensing, 2026 NEC preparation, code navigation, electrical calculations, and exam-study strategy.
Master study tip: watch with your 2026 NEC nearby. When services, feeders, grounding, motors, conductors, special installations, or calculations come up, practice identifying the correct article, table, or calculation method yourself.
Combine current TDLR and PSI information with structured 1 Exam Prep Master study guides, 2026 NEC packages, calculation materials, rentals, and contractor-business support.
Build faster 2026 NEC navigation, stronger service and feeder knowledge, advanced grounding and bonding skill, better conductor sizing, confidence with motors, generators, transformers, wiring methods, special installations, photovoltaics, EV charging, and the dedicated Texas Master Calculations Portion.
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Texas Master Electrician Exam Prep