Electrician License from District of Columbia to Texas: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program ↗
A electrical license transfers from District of Columbia to Texas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program, verify your District of Columbia license, and meet Texas's endorsement requirements. Texas waives its journeyman electrician exam for an applicant who holds a journeyman license obtained by that state's examination in a reciprocal state and has held it for at least one year; applicants from non-reciprocal states must apply and pass the Texas journeyman exam.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Texas publishes no reciprocity list covering District of Columbia, but the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program licenses out-of-state electricians by endorsement, so this move runs on the board's case-by-case judgment rather than an automatic waiver. If you hold a master license this is usually your route regardless — master electricians typically endorse rather than transfer through journeyman reciprocity. Ask the board, in writing, exactly which exam or experience requirement it will waive before you rely on it.
What changes, District of Columbia → Texas
| District of Columbia (current) | Texas (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | — | 8,000 |
| Application fee | $65–$175 ($65 non-refundable application fee plus $110 initial 2-year journeyman license fee (about $175 total). Master reciprocity totals about $185 ($65 application + $120 master license)) | $30 ($30.00 journeyman electrician reciprocal license fee; the master electrician reciprocal license fee is $45.00.) |
| Processing time | DLCP does not publish a processing time for reciprocity applications | TDLR does not publish a fixed processing time for out-of-state reciprocal license applications. |
| Licensing authority | District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Texas sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Texas's current requirements on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold the reciprocal-state license, obtained by passing that state's examination, for at least one year.
- Document at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master electrician (12,000 hours for master electrician).
- Submit a letter of good standing / license verification from the reciprocal state.
- Master electrician reciprocity partners differ (Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio) and require prior journeyman licensure for 2 years (1 year for Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio).
- Pay the fees ($30 ($30.00 journeyman electrician reciprocal license fee; the master electrician reciprocal license fee is $45.00.)) and allow TDLR does not publish a fixed processing time for out-of-state reciprocal license applications..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas accept a District of Columbia electrician license?
A electrical license transfers from District of Columbia to Texas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program, verify your District of Columbia license, and meet Texas's endorsement requirements. Texas waives its journeyman electrician exam for an applicant who holds a journeyman license obtained by that state's examination in a reciprocal state and has held it for at least one year; applicants from non-reciprocal states must apply and pass the Texas journeyman exam.
Which exam will I take moving from District of Columbia to Texas?
Texas waives its journeyman electrician exam for an applicant who holds a journeyman license obtained by that state's examination in a reciprocal state and has held it for at least one year; applicants from non-reciprocal states must apply and pass the Texas journeyman exam.
What does the District of Columbia-to-Texas move cost and how long does it take?
$30 ($30.00 journeyman electrician reciprocal license fee; the master electrician reciprocal license fee is $45.00.); processing TDLR does not publish a fixed processing time for out-of-state reciprocal license applications..
Does this route work for a master electrician?
Usually yes — master electricians typically move by endorsement rather than journeyman reciprocity. Confirm the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program's master-level experience and exam requirements, which are separate from the journeyman track this site's grid tracks.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- TDLR — Electricians: Out-of-State (reciprocity) applicants ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TDLR News — Texas Expands Electrician Reciprocity with Ohio (2026-06-05) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- DC DLCP — Board of Industrial Trades (electrician reciprocity with Maryland and Virginia; fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- DC government bulletin — Electrician licensure by reciprocity for MD and VA electricians (MD master only; VA journeyman + master; exam waived) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]