Getting a license in Texas coming from California

Hey guys, I'm a Master electrician here in Texas and an Instructor for the PSI exam for Electrian Testing in Austin. We travel all over the state and have written some great material that should help with your exams. Let me know if I can answer any specific questions for you guys. I also do private tutoring if anyone needs help.

What steps does a C10 CA licensed electrical contractor need to do to obtain a Texas license? Where to start and what to expect?

Let me have your email and I'll get you started on what you'll need to do. Texas does recognize C10 statuses for OJT hours but I'll need more information from you.
Thanks,
Mitchell Tolbert

...sending via LinkedIn...

joebanana in Upland, California said: One more thing, these "state certifications", are all based on the NATIONAL electric code, so having to retake the exam for each state you want to work in, is a joke. It's a scam. They say it's for safety, BS. Lets say the house you wired burned down, How is your being certified going to help the homeowner? I would say the bond, and insurance, is where they would get relief. Also, if a guy does crappy work, a cert. aint going to change that. Another thing is what's with the different "class's" of electricians, it's all the SAME code. Does a JW get paid the same as a residential? What's different in the "masters" exam from the JW? Harder code questions? Can a residential elect. do JW work? Can a JW do "Master" work? Where do you draw the line? If a painter can do electrical work without a cert.(just not for a living)but someone that's been doing elect. for 30+ years can't, without a cert. what kind of sense does that make? And, why does it cost a dollar a question, for a computer graded exam? Why $75 just to apply? And if you need a replacement card(which doesn't come with a renewal) they charge $30 for .03 cents worth of plastic. Why is this a "for profit","law" for the state? It doesn't increase wages, it doesn't guarantee work, and, it doesn't increase safety. And, why aren't framers, plumbers, landscapers,laborers, or any other trade required to be certified? Does the contractor get a break on his bonding, or insurance, by hiring "certified" electricians? And, why doesn't the state contractors board give the test?

REALLY-R-U-SERIOUS!!!
the rules in texas are pretty easy to comply with, and the fees are not excessive, i am glad that there are penaltys for handymen and wanna bes, grow up be a big boy, do the hard work to be a master, and cure your yourself of beechitas aka belly aching. after 15 or so years of fixing untrained/unskilled/ignorant electrical work your comment shows you lack so much common sens

joebanana in Diamond Bar, California said: "Public safety"? B.S. It has nothing to do with "safety

Joe, it IS about safety. Just like the Code is about safety, proving that you know the code is about safety. I learned electrical work from an older electrician who finished his apprenticeship 25-30 years before. I'm not sure he had looked at a code book since. Because he was a federal worker on federal property, he wasn't required to be licensed. Years later, when I decided to get my journeymans license and was studying the code book, I realized that a lot of what he taught me did not meet the code. I have worked on a lot of military sites where the code was considered a "suggestion" that should be followed as long as it wasn't too inconvenient.

I am very much in favor of not only licening but also continuing education requirements to keep your license. It is a life safety issue. Faulty electrical work is one of the leading causes of house fires. Too often it is performed by home owners and handymen who thought that knew what they were doing. Requiring permits and licenses is about the only way for a local jurisdiction to prevent that. If you live in a condo or townhouse, do you really want your neighbor wiring additional receptacles with lamp cord? I've seen it done.

The majority of home fires are caused by the homeowner, or by faulty equipment, not the installation. A fire is declared "electrical" whether it's heater too close to the curtains, an overloaded extension cord, a homeowner project done wrong, or a faulty device, they don't distinguish who installed it. Certifying electricians isn't going to stop homeowners from running their A/C's on a lamp cord extension cord. Building inspectors, and the NEC are for life safety, not certification. If a building inspector signs off on a job that isn't up to code, who's fault is that? Before I was certified, all my jobs met code, or, they didn't get signed off. Now that I'm certified, all my jobs meet code, or they don't get signed off, and I don't work. Certification hasn't changed that.

joebanana in Pomona, California said: The majority of home fires are caused by the homeowner, or by faulty equipment, not the installation. A fire is declared "electrical" whether it's heater too close to the curtains, an overloaded extension cord, a homeowner project done wrong, or a faulty device, they don't distinguish who installed it. Certifying electricians isn't going to stop homeowners from running their A/C's on a lamp cord extension cord. Building inspectors, and the NEC are for life safety, not certification. If a building inspector signs off on a job that isn't up to code, who's fault is that? Before I was certified, all my jobs met code, or, they didn't get signed off. Now that I'm certified, all my jobs meet code, or they don't get signed off, and I don't work. Certification hasn't changed that.

Joe...If you would quit complaining about the system and focus more on your work and promoting your business, you might be a happier person. If the homeowner does his own work, your invoice should clearly detail what work you did while on the job and you are off the hook. Most inspectors just look at the job and don't have a clue whether it's wired correctly. Ultimately, you are still responsible even if they pass the inspection. Your insurance company won't pay the claim if someone else tampers with your work.

Certification is a must and that's why it is in place! I get great joy in looking at Texas's licensing website and seeing the hefty fines people I've turned in have to pay. Several lose their licenses for a year too. It is indeed all about public safety!

joebanana in Pomona, California said: If a building inspector signs off on a job that isn't up to code, who's fault is that? Before I was certified, all my jobs met code, or, they didn't get signed off. Now that I'm certified, all my jobs meet code, or they don't get signed off, and I don't work. Certification hasn't changed that.

Joe, that may be true where you live. In many rural parts of the country, for residential work, the inspector only signs off that the panel and feeder meet the code. They don't inspect branch wiring. If you paid an electrical contractor to perform work, it's on the contractor make sure that his work meets code. If it's found that he does shoddy work, he will eventually lose his license. But how many buildings were wired improperly in the mean time?

While you may keep up on the latest code requirements, too many electricians don't. The electrician who trained me, was going by what he was taught in the 50's. By the late 80's when I worked with him, the code had changed a little. The only way a homeowner or business owner has of knowing whether you are qualified or not is by your license, and then only if continuing education is required to maintain that license.

Matthew in Henderson, Texas said: I completed an electrician's apprenticeship in California through ABC (4000 hours and 4 years of school) which has an affiliate in Houston Texas and put in over 8000 journeyman hours in California. I passed the Master's Electrician test in Texas.

I am having nothing but problems trying to get a license in the state of Texas. I have sent in paperwork after paperwork proving hours, school information for over 8 months! It started with "I don't have a journeyman card" I have an apprenticeship card that you only get after completing the program. I explained it is the same as a journeyman card in Texas. I have sent in letters from the school saying I was a journeyman. I have sent in letters from employers stating I was a journeyman. I have sent in letters from the state that I received when I graduated stating that I was a journeyman. Now they are saying they don't recognize California electrical journeymen? Does anyone have any pointers on getting a license in this state besides starting all over again?

Hey inTexas its about money. Do what is right because the words coming from your mouth have the answer. Get the journeyman card. Wait a montha nd then go take the new test Texas wants and get you freaking masters. Your lucky cause I am a journeyman and I cant get a job cause I have a record. Go back to Cali. Texas sucks!

Not a month wait.... 2 year wait!!
Did jump through the hoops.

Mike Cason in League City, Texas said: Joe...If you would quit complaining about the system and focus more on your work and promoting your business, you might be a happier person. If the homeowner does his own work, your invoice should clearly detail what work you did while on the job and you are off the hook. Most inspectors just look at the job and don't have a clue whether it's wired correctly. Ultimately, you are still responsible even if they pass the inspection. Your insurance company won't pay the claim if someone else tampers with your work.

Certification is a must and that's why it is in place! I get great joy in looking at Texas's licensing website and seeing the hefty fines people I've turned in have to pay. Several lose their licenses for a year too. It is indeed all about public safety!

As you stated "hefty fines". Do the peoples houses that burn down see any of that "fine"? What about the hefty cost to get certified? A licence is just a permit to do something that would ordinarily be illegal, in order for the state to rip off more money from those that have it. I don't mind being tested, but I mind paying out the butt for it. $125 to APPLY for the test is a lot of friggin money to process a four line form.

There you go knocking the system again Joe....It takes a lot of money for the exam preparation, employees, and etc.

We are in an industry that pays well, especially if you run your business right. It takes a license to obtain that with all of the costs included. I've also sold real estate for many years and my up front expenses were tremendous but the rewards were great when I would sell a 1/2 million dollar home.

If you were to add in my contractor's license, Lloyds 2 million dollar insurance policy, and fully loaded service vehicles, I spend a lot to be in this business. It can be very rewarding if you would somehow look at the positive side of things.

Regards...

I'm a big advocate for national licensing instead of this silly patchwork of state, county, and sometimes even city licenses.

Washington State really screwed over their electricians when they ended reciprocation with all other states. Now, since the job market sucks in WA I have a choice, I can work at home for half what I feel that I'm worth, or I can work overseas. I chose overseas and have been working in Afghanistan for over a year

I understand that there are differences from region to region that require local codes above and beyond the NEC. I just wish we had one big test that covered it all so as a worker I could move fluidly from job to job. It would benefit electrical workers, contractors, and the consumer if we could easily go were the work is. The only people that would be hurt by it are the good old boys that don't want outsiders coming into "their" town, taking "their" work and leveling the playing field.

emilio cervantes in Long Beach, California said: your completion of the 4 year ABC program does not constitute that you are now a licensed journeyman in the state of california. you have to pass the examination first that is given statewide, separately from the ABC-non union and JATC-union programs. all those programs do is log in enough hours for you to individually take your journey exam. once you pass the exam in california, you are certified to work as a journeyman licensed electrician WITHIN the state of california. if you are to do work in any other state, you would have to retest for the journeyman cert in that state as well. in california, its the DIR, dept of industrial relations. you download an app, send in the proof of the program, pay 125, and then set up the time and date for the exam. then do the same for texas.

Best thing to have done was to go threw JATC union program.I went threw a five year program studied for the test in California(Bakersfield,LA,SanJose,San Francisco etc...)

ABC is a non union program.I went threw the IBEW program.I got a license in California,and Texas.I got a asociates degree threw my program from the universty of texas.I have work around non union and union.The guys are almost the same.But when you are non union IF you are a journey man electrcian you are the man to run the whole job.It is not just comercial,its residental,and industrial(PLCS Instrument tech every thing)I think if you have a journeyman card you should be able to work in any state!!!I did not have a proablem getting a journeymans card in California.I took the test and passed.The local union helped me with all the frustration.(In bakersfield)

Mike Cason in League City, Texas said: Bravo Larry!

"I worked hard for mine, they need to do the same, and if they can't pass what does that tell us? They're not qualified."

I carry a camera and have a pen handy to write down TECL license numbers on trucks with no business name posted, their license plate, and then find the owner of the truck's registration. I try to get a pic of the driver. All of this information I turn over to the state for investigation. Too many masters are "renting out" their license # and the public is in danger. I also turn in ads for handymen doing electrical work, catch them in the act. Other contractors I know are doing the same. We are in a tough economy and this cancer is growing and it's up to us to help the state with their enforcement. They know me well in Austin at TDLR.

I agree!!!!!!Keep it up.

Mitchell Tolbert in Austin, Texas said: Hey guys, I'm a Master electrician here in Texas and an Instructor for the PSI exam for Electrian Testing in Austin. We travel all over the state and have written some great material that should help with your exams. Let me know if I can answer any specific questions for you guys. I also do private tutoring if anyone needs help.

I'm thinking of moveing to Texas. Tied of California. I have my journeyman card for 5 years now, been in the trade for 13 years. What is it going to take to be certified It work in Texas?

I just took the texas masters test for the 5th time and its a scam got a 74 the 4th time and a 71 the fifth. its just crap they tell you you fail and give you a vague asessment no real info as to what you missed or where you need to study like the first topic is
definitions, calculations, theory, and plans... thats one topic how much more vague can they be
I don't understand what they have to gain from... well i guess they quit getting paid if I pass... and I guess there is less competition for the existing masters but I don't know It just doesn't make sense to me I mean there are classes that basically give you all the answers if you want to pay for it but they the state won't tell the regular honest dude what he needs to know to better his position in life by being able to pass the test I call them and its just a goos chase I'd love to give up but i got to get it its very depressing 5 failures and may not be done failing yet

its a flunkin scam in Fort Worth, Texas said: I just took the texas masters test for the 5th time and its a scam got a 74 the 4th time and a 71 the fifth.

I haven't taken Texas' exam, but I passed the Master's test in WV, VA and Wash. DC. first time each using Mike Holt's "Electrician Exam Preparation" book. When I got it, it was only a book - no dvd's. So I don't know if they are worth the money or not. But I found the book to be extremely helpful and I highly recommend it before you take your next exam.

It sounds like Texas is not a friendly state for outside electricians. They test with the same book I tested with I've wired many custom homes and commercial business's and schools. What's the point my main concern is and always has been safety. I don't want to be responsible for hurting anyone. Texas should change there boric from NEC to TEC SINCE THEY DON'T recognize out of state electricians as equals.

To all who are coming from out of state to TEXAS. Lived in Calie, it blows!!!!!! Now once you get your hours approved by TDLR, go to "electriciantesting.com" and sign up. BEST prep class in Texas!!!!!!
Mike Holt maybe good, but Michael Tobert preps you for the Texas test.
I was like the rest of you at first cring about the Texas' requirements for becoming a State License Electrician, but that was getting me nowhere. Work five long months, got quilifed to test, found Michael Tolberts claas took it and Passed my JW test first time out. Then waited my two years and took my Masters test. Fail first time, took Michael Tolberts class for teh master, and now I have my Texas State Master License. Point of story,cring about the law will not get your Texas License. But hard work will, so be a MAN and do the hard thing. That is what a MAN does. Little girls cry, men go to work.

@Moose, Most states that require all electricians to be licensed do not recognize licenses from other jurisdictions or only recognize one or two, usually neighboring, states. That's not just Texas. Now VA will reciprocate with WV. When I got my license in VA ,they didn't. I had to take VA's master electrician test even though I held a master license in WV. When I got my master license in Washington, DC, same thing. They don't recognize anybody else's license. You must take their test.

Many states that will reciprocate with other states, it is for master's license or contractor's license only. Very few states, if any, reciprocate on a journeyman's license.

Figure out what the best way for you to learn the material is, whether a book, dvd, seminar, etc. Then learn the material and pass the test. If you had to pass a test in CA, then taking another one in TX should not be that hard for you.

It's not the fact of retaking the test. I know I have to prove I'm qualified. Just like any new job or position. I have my contrators lic. I should be able to take the other states test for masters and contractor test with out hassle. Yes i believe you should have to retake your test anywhere you go. Its the only way to prove your any good and safe at what you do. No matters what your lic is. (ML,JL etc)you should be able to go to Texas show them your card and sign up to take the test. If your not good enough you won't pass the test. You have to beable to understand electrical. Cali is a sinking ship it's only a matter of time. Look out other states were coming lol

It's not the fact of retaking the test. I know I have to prove I'm qualified. Just like any new job or position. I have my contrators lic. I should be able to take the other states test for masters and contractor test with out hassle. Yes i believe you should have to retake your test anywhere you go. Its the only way to prove your any good and safe at what you do. No matters what your lic is. (ML,JL etc)you should be able to go to Texas show them your card and sign up to take the test. If your not good enough you won't pass the test. You have to beable to understand electrical. Cali is a sinking ship it's only a matter of time. Look out other states were coming lol

I can not believe their are electricians out their that are 14 teen to 15 teen year apprtices and not tooken their test.The state of Texas needs to stop this.All they have to do is study!!!!The IBEW is the best place to be.

In Kansas City I worked for a general manager that failed the Journeyman exam five times, and worked with nother guy that failed his test five times in a row AND GOT A LOWER SCORE EACH TIME HE TOOK IT! They were managrs!

There was a time when you could take a National Block Test (which I did)and it was recgnized in almost all States. Now everyone wants to do everything their way simply to make money off the backs of sucessful people. Look at the people giving these tests, they themselves can not pass they impose on others. They are businessmen, they pay money to politicians to change laws and force you to do what they want. It has absolutely nothing to do with safety, or improving the qualityof workmanship. Its corruption just like they have had in Mexico for decades.

Texas not friendly to out of State electricians? That depends, are you and illegal Mexican?

hamilton19 in Midland, Texas said: I can not believe their are electricians out their that are 14 teen to 15 teen year apprtices and not tooken their test.The state of Texas needs to stop this.All they have to do is study!!!!The IBEW is the best place to be.

IBEW BLOW!!!!! BEST thing I have ever done for my career is to drop my ticket. True the schooling is the best, but that is far as it goes with the IBEW. If you want to make more money, or move your career forward, drop your ticket and work in an open shop. I have moved from topping out in union shop at 55,000 a year, to over 135,000 a year in an open shop. One thing has become very clear in the past 30 years of my career, union means lazy, open mean hard workers. Union or so called "Brotherhood", cry babies. drop the I'm better then you, do what it take to get your Texas License.

AMEN to THAT!