Apprentice Electrician
An Apprentice Electrician license authorizes the holder to perform electrical work in Texas under the direct supervision of a Journeyman or Master Electrician while accumulating the 8,000 hours required to test for the journeyman license. An apprentice may not work unsupervised, may not pull permits, and may not contract for work. The license is the entry point for an electrical career in Texas and is the most numerous electrical license type held statewide.
Electrical Contractor
An Electrical Contractor (TECL) license authorizes the business to bid, contract for, and perform electrical work in Texas. Every TECL must designate a qualifying Master Electrician whose individual license backs the contractor license, must carry general liability insurance, and is renewed annually. The TECL is the license a homeowner verifies when hiring a company; the named Master Electrician is the individual whose qualifications support the contractor's authority. Some Texas cities require additional local registration before pulling permits.
HVAC Contractor
An HVAC Contractor license authorizes a business to install, alter, repair, and service air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in Texas. A Class A license covers equipment over 25 tons; Class B covers under 25 tons. The contractor must designate a Responsible A/C Contractor whose name backs the license and is named on every contract. The license does not cover gas-fired equipment outside the HVAC system, electrical work beyond the unit disconnect, or refrigerant handling for technicians, which requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.