What are the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes:

• Create a pathway to licensure as a journeyman electrician through a Journeyman Electrician Education Program;
• Require these programs to meet certain standards and be approved by the Department;
• Generally award program graduates 3,000 hours of credit toward the required 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and allow them to take the required examination upon graduation; and
• Clarify the current policy of allowing other applicants to take the examination after completing 7,000 hours of on-the-job training, and make other clarifying changes to the existing rules.

When and where can I review the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes will be published in the Proposed Rules section of the Texas Register on April 10, 2026. To locate these proposed rule changes on or after that date just follow these steps:

1. Click this link to the Texas Register.
2. Select html or pdf format for the “Current Issue” if the date shown is the date published, or under “Previous Issues” if more than a week has passed since publication. (The Texas Register is published each Friday.)
3. Scroll down and click on “Proposed Rules.”
4. Look for the heading “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” and click the subheading “Electricians.”

How and where can I submit comments and information on the proposed rule changes?

Comments and information on the proposed rule changes may be submitted online; by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Shamica Mason, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711.

Any information that is submitted must include an explanation of how and why the submitted information is specific to the proposed rule changes. Please do not submit copyrighted, confidential, or proprietary information.

The Department will accept comments and information on the proposed rule changes until May 11, 2026.

Spanish Language Summary

“I was proud to sign House Bill 11 to encourage TDLR to pursue occupational licensure reciprocity agreements with other states,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This agreement with the State of Alabama ensures that Texas has the master electricians needed to spur economic growth and offer good quality, high-paying jobs. Texas will remove barriers to employment and cut red tape, so every Texan can earn a living free from unnecessary government intrusion.”

“The demand for licensed electricians continues to grow nationwide, and Texas is taking action to meet it. These new agreements remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining our high licensing standards,” TDLR Executive Director Courtney Arbour. “By recognizing comparable credentials, we’re opening doors for skilled electricians and supporting continued economic growth across our state.”

To qualify for licensing by reciprocity, applicants must hold a journeyman electrician license or master electrician license in good standing issued by either state and have held the license for at least one year before applying for licensing by reciprocity.

House Bill 11, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025, directed TDLR and other state agencies to pursue reciprocity agreements with other states to expand economic opportunities for Texans.

TDLR continues to pursue reciprocity agreements with other states that have similar licensing requirements as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Texas workforce while preserving public safety and professional standards. The state currently has master electrician reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, and North Carolina and journeyman agreements with Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Electricians interested in applying for licensure through reciprocity may do so at www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/out-of-state.htm

What are the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes:

• Adopt the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state, as required by law.
• Amend Section 210.8(F) of the NEC to remove the requirement that ground-fault circuit interrupters be used in electrical outlets that power outdoor HVAC equipment. This change will reduce the chance of HVAC systems malfunctioning due to equipment incompatibility.

When and where can I review the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes will be published in the Proposed Rules section of the Texas Register on March 20, 2026. To locate these proposed rule changes on or after that date just follow these steps:

1. Click this link to the Texas Register.
2. Select html or pdf format for the “Current Issue” if the date shown is the date published, or under “Previous Issues” if more than a week has passed since publication. (The Texas Register is published each Friday.)
3. Scroll down and click on “Proposed Rules.”
4. Look for the heading “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” and click the subheading “Electricians.”

How and where can I submit comments and information on the proposed rule changes?

Comments and information on the proposed rule changes may be submitted online; by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Monica Nuñez, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711.

Any information that is submitted must include an explanation of how and why the submitted information is specific to the proposed rule changes. Please do not submit copyrighted, confidential, or proprietary information.

The Department will accept comments and information on the proposed rule changes until April 20, 2026.

Spanish Language Summary

“Texas continues to take a common-sense approach to occupational licensing by reducing unnecessary barriers while protecting public safety,” said Courtney Arbour, TDLR executive director. “Expanding reciprocity with Iowa supports a strong, mobile workforce and helps meet the growing demand for skilled trades across our state.”

“Last year, I was proud to sign House Bill 11 to encourage TDLR to pursue occupational licensure reciprocity agreements with other states,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This agreement with the State of Iowa ensures that Texas has the master electricians needed to spur economic growth and offer good-quality, high-paying jobs. Texas will remove barriers to employment and cut red tape, so every Texan can earn a living free from unnecessary government intrusion.”

To qualify for licensing by reciprocity, applicants must hold a master electrician license in good standing issued by either state and have held the master license for at least one year before applying for licensing by reciprocity. TDLR continues to pursue reciprocity agreements with other states that have similar licensing requirements as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Texas workforce while preserving public safety and professional standards. Texas currently has master electrician reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, and North Carolina, and journeyman electrician reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

“The demand for licensed master electricians across the nation continues to grow. This new agreement reflects our commitment to removing unnecessary barriers where it makes sense, while maintaining license standards. By expanding reciprocity, we are creating more opportunities for Texans and supporting a strong, mobile workforce that benefits the Texas economy,” said Courtney Arbour, TDLR executive director.

“This year, I was proud to sign House Bill 11 to encourage TDLR to pursue occupational licensure reciprocity agreements with other states,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This agreement with the State of Arkansas ensures that Texas has the master electricians needed to spur economic growth and offer good-quality, high-paying jobs. Texas will remove barriers to employment and cut red tape, so every Texan can earn a living free from unnecessary government intrusion.”

To qualify for licensing by reciprocity, applicants must hold a master electrician license in good standing issued by either state and have held the master license for at least one year before applying for licensing by reciprocity.

TDLR continues to pursue reciprocity agreements with other states that have similar licensing requirements as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Texas workforce while preserving public safety and professional standards. The state currently has master electrician reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, and North Carolina, and journeyman electrician reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Exemptions exist for Systems installed on multifamily buildings with four or more dwelling units or stories, systems installed on nonresidential property, systems intended only for temporary or emergency use, to power a single appliance, and certain small systems that generate less than one-kilowatt of peak output power in the aggregate. 

TDLR already regulates the installation of solar energy systems by electricians and electrical contractors under the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act.  Although electrical contractors and their employees will be exempt from having to register as solar retailers or salespersons, they will be required to comply with most provisions of RSRRA and related rules adopted by the Commission.

Starting September 1, 2025, sales and lease contracts for residential solar energy systems must contain certain contract provisions and disclosures, and must provide a five-day right-to-cancel the transaction. Also, starting September 1, 2025, TDLR may enact rules for solar retailers and salespersons, may establish a code of conduct for the industry, and may require that certain educational materials be provided to consumers.  Once adopted, the rules, code of conduct, and educational materials will be published to TDLR’s solar program website.

Starting September 1, 2026, individuals selling or leasing most residential solar energy systems, and the companies for which they work, will be required to obtain a registration from TDLR.  Additionally, certain specific statutory provisions concerning deceptive and misleading practices and penalty enhancements will go into effect. 

What This Means for Electrical Contractors

Although Texas licensed electrical contractors who engage in residential solar retail sales, along with their employees, will be exempt from the new solar registration and insurance requirements, they are subject to most other requirements of the Act and, under Sec. 1806.208 of the Act, may be subject to disciplinary action for violations of the Act or program rules. 

• Effective September 1, 2025, key provisions these electrical contractors must follow include: Sec. 1806.155 Required Contract Provisions
• Sec. 1806.156 Right to Cancel Agreement

See below for details on the required contract provisions and right to cancel agreement. All Texas licensed electrical contractors who engage in residential solar retail sales should include these requirements in their residential solar contracts beginning September 1, 2025.

Required Contract Provisions

If the sale or lease of residential solar energy system involves the installation of the system at a person’s residence, the sale or lease agreement must:

1. Provide that the installation of the residential solar energy system will be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.
2. Conspicuously state the name and license number of the electrical contractor who will perform the installation. This requirement may be satisfied by providing a list of electrical contractors in the agreement from which one must be selected to perform the installation.
3. Provide that the solar retailer or electrical contractor, as applicable, will obtain:
   • any permit required by a government entity for the installation
   • if Section 39.554 or 39.916, Utilities Code, applies, the approval by the electric utility serving the person’s residence of the interconnection of the residential solar energy system; and
   • if the person is a customer of an electric cooperative or a municipally owned utility, the cooperative’s or utility’s approval of the interconnection of the residential solar energy system.

Third-party lenders

If the sale or lease of a residential solar energy system involves a third-party lender that is affiliated with or referred by the solar retailer, the agreement must include a provision requiring the third-party lender to cancel any accompanying loan made by the third-party lender to the buyer or lessee upon cancellation of the agreement.

Right-to-cancel

A solar contract must allow a buyer or lessee to cancel the agreement without penalty or further obligation by providing written notice of the cancellation on or before the fifth business day after the date on which the agreement was executed by the buyer or lessee.

A solar retailer must include in an agreement for the sale or lease of a residential solar energy system the last calendar date of the cancellation period and the mailing address or e-mail address for providing the notice of cancellation.

If the agreement does not contain the required address for cancellation, the buyer or lessee may cancel the agreement by providing written notice of cancellation to the solar retailer by any reasonable method.

Duty to Supervise

Under Sec. 1806.152 of the Act, an electrical contractor whose employees sell or lease solar energy systems must exercise reasonable supervision over the employees to ensure that they follow the requirements of the RSRRA and program rules.

Compliance with Other Law

Under Sec. 1806.153, the electrical contractor must comply with any Code of Conduct adopted by the department and with other consumer protection laws, including the federal Truth-in-Lending-Act, the state Deceptive Trade Practices—Consumer Protection Act (Business & Commerece Code, Chapter 17) and the provisions of Business & Commerce Code, Chapter 115 (which pertain to certain solar transactions).

Stakeholder Workgroup

TDLR is establishing a stakeholder workgroup made up of business, consumer and government members – including a Texas licensed electrical contractor – to provide advice and recommendations on the residential solar retailer program and rules in preparation for June 1, 2026, when rules must be adopted, and Sept. 1, 2026, when residential solar retailers and solar salespersons must be registered with TDLR. Licensing applications will be available in advance of this date. We will send out a link to applications for the workgroup soon. Please sign up for email updates so you will receive information about the Residential Solar Retailers program.

Note:

• TDLR can begin accepting consumer complaints against residential solar retailers for contracts entered into starting on or after Sept. 1, 2025. For incidents involving residential solar retailers occurring before Sept. 1, 2025, consumers should file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection.

• TDLR can accept complaints against electrical contractors for work they performed at any time when installing or repairing solar panels.

For more information, visit the Residential Solar Retailers homepage.

Under this new law, a municipality may not adopt or enforce an amendment to the National Electrical Code, or adopt or enforce an ordinance, rule, or other measure, that would regulate the installation or inspection of a residential energy backup system.

A municipally owned utility, as defined by Section 11.003, Utilities Code, may regulate the installation or inspection of a residential energy backup system within the utility’s service area.

All non-exempt electrical work in Texas, including that related to residential energy backup systems, must be done in accordance with Ch. 1305, Texas Occupations Code, and the National Electrical Code, and be performed by licensed Texas electrical contractors with licensed electricians.

If you have questions, please reach out through the TDLR Contact page (select Electricians from the drop-down menu).  

Articles in the July 2025 edition of On the Level include updates on:

• 2025 Legislative recap
• Test Format Change for Electricians
• Elimination of Architectural Barriers Forms
• Boiler Safety Maintenance Checklist