Electricians
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Program News and Updates
On The Level - January 2023 Edition
January 18, 2023
Articles in the January 2023 edition of TDLR On The Level include:
- Legislative Update
- Code Enforcement Officer Program Undergoing 4-Year Review
- Honoring Faye Williams For Her Tireless Work To Advance Code Enforcement Officer Education In Texas
- TDLR Evaluating Use Of Third Party Inspectors For Mold Program
2023 National Electrical Code is Almost Here!
November 30, 2022
The Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Actrequires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to adopt the revised National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state of Texas. In 2023, TDLR will adopt the 2023 NEC as the electrical code for the state of Texas and establish it as the "minimum standard" for all electrical work in Texas covered by the Act. The proposed effective date will be September 1, 2023.
Chapter 1305.201 of the Act provides municipalities the authority to make local amendments to the 2023 NEC; however, any proposal to amend these standards should be done in accordance with NEC 90.4 which stipulates "the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety."
Any non-exempt electrical work started on or after September 1, 2023, must be installed in accordance with the 2023 NEC.To clarify: the “start” of electrical work is the day the electrician begins installing electrical materials or equipment within the residential or commercial building structure. Inside the corporate limits of a municipality,electricians must abide by city permitting requirements and adhere to any local code amendments.
Also, beginning September 1, 2023, all examinations for state electrical licenses will be based on the 2023 NEC.The state electrical exams are available through PSI, which contracts with TDLR to develop, maintain, and administer the state electrician licensing examinations. It is very important for license candidates to review the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB),which contains detailed information regarding the examinations and is vital to understanding the process.
Questions? Contact TDLR at Jerry.Daniel@tdlr.texas.govor Larry.Reichle@tdlr.texas.gov
Commission Adopts Rules
November 18, 2022
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 73, §73.100, regarding the Electricians program. The adopted rule amends §73.100(b) to state that compliance with Section 210.8(F) of the 2020 NEC is not required.
The adoption justification was published in the November 18, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 7680) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of December 31, 2022.
TDLR Extends Date for Accepting NCCER Industrial Electrician Written Assessment
October 14, 2022
TDLR has extended the date for accepting the NCCER Industrial Electrician Written Assessment.
Effective January 1, 2023 (previously November 1, 2022), TDLR will no longer accept the NCCER Industrial Electrician Written Assessment. Persons who apply for a journeyman industrial electrician license on or after January 1, 2023 will be required to take and pass the Texas Journeyman Industrial Electrician examination administered by PSI.
TDLR is currently in talks with NCCER to determine whether to approve a future revision of the exam. Please watch this space for updates.
Schneider Electric Issues Product Recall Safety Notice for QO™ Plug-On-Neutral Load Center
July 15, 2022
Schneider Electric has issued a product recall safety notice for their QO™ Plug-On-Neutral Load Centerbecause the wire binding screw within the lug body could potentially not be torqued properly to the Plug-on-Neutral bar. Over time, this unsecured electrical joint could result in losing the neutral connection and potentially lead to overheating at the load. Schneider has issued instructionsfor inspecting the affected devices, which were installed in 2020 and after.
Welcome to the TDLR Arc Flash!
May 4, 2022
Our newsletteris intended to keep city officials, electricians, and consumers throughout Texas informed of the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act and TDLR’s efforts to enforce the associated requirements.
May Is Electrical Safety Month
May 2, 2022
Download these coloring pagesfor the youngsters in your life – it’s never too early to instill respect for electricity and encourage safe behaviors around electricity.
Continuing Education Requirements
October 25, 2021
HB 1560, the Sunset legislation for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, repealed Occupations Code §1305.168 from the Electricians statute, and transferred authority regarding the continuing education requirements to TDLR’s enabling statute, Chapter 51 of the Texas Occupations Code.
Please note that no changes were made, and Electrician program licensees are still required to obtain continuing education (CE) credits as specified in the program rules.
Conducting Residential Electrical Inspections
August 13, 2019
Learn more about conducting electrical inspections in this white paper issued by the National Fire Protection Association. Read More (PDF)
Residential Appliance Installers Authorized Scope of Work and Service – Pool-Related Electrical Devices
January 8, 2019
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) hereby provides additional scope of work and service guidance to political subdivisions, residential appliance installer license (RAIL) holders, and related stakeholders regarding pool and spa work settings. Holders of a RAIL license may:
- Install, uninstall, or replace pool-related electrical devices including underwater lights, ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), pumps, motors, heaters, automation systems, and related equipment on the “load-side” of the control-center while maintaining National Electrical Code compliance. However, if the system requires a new or upgraded “line-circuit,” only a licensed electrical contractor with a designated master electrician may offer to perform that work.
- Install or add pool-related electrical devices to an existing pool that do not require an increase in amperage or access to a main breaker panel. For example, a RAIL holder may install salt systems, a time clock or similar automation equipment, a variable speed motor, or ultraviolet or ozone equipment.
- Install, uninstall, or replace pool-related electrical devices that use direct or alternating current.
In addition, a residential appliance dealer or manufacturer, or a person authorized by a dealer or manufacturer, may perform maintenance and repair of a pool-related electrical device. However, maintenance and repair may be performed using only components of the same type and ampacity as the original components.[1]
The above services and work scope, if performed by a RAIL holder as outlined, would be in accordance with TDLR requirements and may be deemed eligible for applicable governmental, vendor, or manufacturer rebates sought by consumers.
[1] See Texas Occupations Code § 1305.003(a)(22).
Advisory Board Meetings
Upcoming Meeting - April 10, 2023
The next Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via videoconference and the public will be able to view the meeting on TDLR's YouTube page. Sharing of pre-recorded audio or video is not allowed during the public comment period. When the agenda and staff reports are available, they will be posted online.
Previous Meeting - August 25, 2022
The Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory BoardmetAugust 25, 2022via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR’s YouTube channel. The agendaand staff reportsare available online.