Electrician License from Texas to Rhode Island: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) — Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Examiners of Electricians ↗
No — Rhode Island has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Texas electrical license holders. You must apply to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) — Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Examiners of Electricians as a new applicant and meet Rhode Island's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
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Verdict
Full re-application
There is nothing to transfer into Rhode Island, and it has nothing to do with Texas: Rhode Island issues no statewide electrician license. Licensing is handled by city and county building departments, so your Texas license is neither accepted nor rejected at the state level — it is simply not the right unit. Identify the Rhode Island jurisdiction where you will work and apply to that local authority; the requirements and fees are set there, not by a state board.
What changes, Texas → Rhode Island
| Texas (current) | Rhode Island (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Application fee | $30 ($30.00 journeyman electrician reciprocal license fee; the master electrician reciprocal license fee is $45.00.) | $72 (Rhode Island offers no reciprocity; $72 is the officially published 24-month journeyperson (Certificate B) license fee (ri.gov) plus a $6 service charge. A separate examination fee applies through the board's exam process and is not published as a flat state fee) |
| Processing time | TDLR does not publish a fixed processing time for out-of-state reciprocal license applications. | RI DLT does not publish a processing time for electrician applications |
| Licensing authority | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Electricians program | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) — Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Examiners of Electricians |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Rhode Island sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Rhode Island's initial-licensure requirements on the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) — Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Examiners of Electricians website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Rhode Island's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($72 (Rhode Island offers no reciprocity; $72 is the officially published 24-month journeyperson (Certificate B) license fee (ri.gov) plus a $6 service charge. A separate examination fee applies through the board's exam process and is not published as a flat state fee)).
- Allow RI DLT does not publish a processing time for electrician applications.
Official links
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Frequently asked questions
Does Rhode Island accept a Texas electrician license?
No — Rhode Island has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Texas electrical license holders. You must apply to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) — Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Examiners of Electricians as a new applicant and meet Rhode Island's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam will I take moving from Texas to Rhode Island?
Rhode Island does not waive its exam for out-of-state electricians; holders of an out-of-state journeyperson or contractor license must pass the Rhode Island journeyperson (Certificate B) exam. An active out-of-state license plus a notarized employer letter may substitute for Rhode Island's education/experience documentation to qualify to sit the exam.
What does the Texas-to-Rhode Island move cost and how long does it take?
$72 (Rhode Island offers no reciprocity; $72 is the officially published 24-month journeyperson (Certificate B) license fee (ri.gov) plus a $6 service charge. A separate examination fee applies through the board's exam process and is not published as a flat state fee); processing RI DLT does not publish a processing time for electrician applications.
Who do I apply to if Rhode Island has no state license?
The city or county building or electrical department covering your jobsite. Rhode Island sets electrician licensing locally, so there is no statewide application — confirm the requirements with the specific Rhode Island jurisdiction where you will work.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- RI Board of Examiners of Electricians regulation (260-RICR-30-15-7): out-of-state applicants must sit the RI exam; Certificate B requires 8,000 hours ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DLT — Board of Examiners for Electricians ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI.gov — Electrician license fees (Certificate B journeyperson $72; Certificate A master $240; +$6 service) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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