Texas electricians need 4 hours of continuing education every year — but only from TDLR-approved providers covering TDLR-approved topics. Taking the wrong course wastes your money and leaves your license at risk. Here’s how to make sure what you’re buying counts.
The Basic Rule
Only courses from TDLR-approved CE providers count toward your Texas electrician license renewal. TDLR maintains the official list of approved providers. A course does not count just because it covers electrical topics, comes from a reputable organization, or is approved in another state.
There are currently 136 TDLR-approved CE providers for Texas electricians. The majority offer online, self-paced courses you can complete in one sitting.
What Topics Are Required
TDLR requires that your 4-hour CE course cover material from four categories. Most approved 4-hour courses bundle all four into a single package:
| Topic Category | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|
| Texas State Laws and Rules | TDLR regulations, license requirements, disciplinary rules |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | Code updates, key articles, practical application |
| Safety | Workplace safety, NFPA 70E, arc flash, PPE requirements |
| NFPA Standards | Relevant NFPA codes beyond the NEC |
The exact time spent on each category varies by provider and course. What TDLR cares about is that the course is on their approved list and totals 4 hours — not that you hit exactly 1 hour per topic.
What Does NOT Count
These are common misconceptions about what counts as CE for Texas electricians:
General electrical training courses — A manufacturer’s product training, an apprenticeship class, or a safety refresher from your employer does not count unless the provider is TDLR-approved and the course is on their approved list.
Out-of-state CE — Courses approved by another state’s licensing board do not satisfy Texas TDLR requirements, even if the content is identical.
NEC study materials — Buying and reading the NEC yourself, taking a code study class from a non-approved provider, or attending an NFPA seminar that is not on TDLR’s approved list does not count.
Courses from non-approved online platforms — General e-learning platforms (LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, etc.) are not TDLR-approved CE providers, regardless of the course content.
Hours beyond 4 — TDLR requires exactly 4 hours per renewal year. Taking an 8-hour course does not give you credit for two years; the extra 4 hours do not roll over.
How to Verify a Course Is Approved
Before purchasing any CE course, verify it two ways:
1. Check the provider’s approval status. Every TDLR-approved CE provider has an approval ID. Their course materials and website should list this. You can confirm the provider is on TDLR’s approved list by searching the TDLR provider database.
2. Confirm the course covers electricians specifically. Some providers are approved for multiple trades — HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Make sure the course you’re buying is specifically approved for your electrician license type (Journeyman, Master, Residential Wireman, or Maintenance Electrician), not just for contractors in general.
Online vs. In-Person: Does Format Matter?
No — both formats count equally toward your renewal requirement. The vast majority of TDLR-approved CE courses for electricians are offered online and self-paced, which means you can complete them at any time, from any device, without scheduling around a class time.
A small number of providers offer in-person classroom instruction or live online webinars. These cost more and require advance scheduling, but the CE credit is identical. There is no quality distinction in TDLR’s eyes between a $5 online course and a $49 in-person class.
Does the Course Have a Test?
Most TDLR-approved electrician CE courses do not require any exam, quiz, or proctoring. You complete the course material, your provider records your completion, and they report to TDLR within 10 business days (most report within 24 hours for online courses).
A handful of providers include optional comprehension quizzes, but these are learning aids — not requirements for receiving CE credit.
Price Range for Approved Courses
Online CE courses from TDLR-approved providers range from $5 to $49 for the standard 4-hour renewal course. There is no quality threshold that justifies the higher end of that range from a compliance standpoint — both satisfy the same TDLR requirement.
When comparing providers, the more useful things to check are:
- Reporting speed — how quickly they submit your completion to TDLR (critical if your renewal deadline is close)
- Certificate delivery — whether they email you a completion certificate for your records
- Interface quality — whether the course is actually easy to navigate
Browse and compare all 136 TDLR-approved Texas electrician CE providers →