A Texas Journeyman Electrician has completed 8,000 hours of supervised experience and passed the Journeyman exam. A Master Electrician has completed 12,000 hours and passed a more comprehensive Master exam. Only a Master Electrician can independently design electrical systems, supervise other electricians, and pull permits in their own name. Beachy Electric operates under a Master Electrician license.

Yes. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305 requires a license for anyone performing electrical work for compensation. Homeowners can perform limited work on their own primary residence, but hiring an unlicensed person to do electrical work is a violation. In Dallas County, unlicensed work also cannot be permitted or inspected — leaving the homeowner liable for code violations and insurance issues.

Home inspectors in Dallas County check for evidence of unpermitted electrical work — mismatched panel brands, amateur wiring in attics, outlets without proper grounding. Buyers in Richardson, Coppell, and Carrollton routinely negotiate price reductions or require remediation before closing. Unpermitted panel upgrades and rewiring create title clouds that mortgage lenders flag.

Visit tdlr.texas.gov and use the license search tool. Enter the electrician’s name or license number to confirm it is active and in good standing. The search shows license type (Master, Journeyman, or Apprentice), issue date, and expiration date. If no results appear, the person is not licensed by TDLR and cannot legally perform electrical work for compensation in Texas.

Licensed electricians typically charge $85 to $150 per hour in Dallas County, while unlicensed handymen may quote $40 to $60. The difference covers insurance, permit fees, continuing education, and the liability protection you receive. In older Garland and Mesquite homes where wiring mistakes cause fires, the cost of hiring unlicensed help can run into the tens of thousands in damage and denied insurance claims.

If a fire investigator in Dallas County traces the cause to unpermitted electrical work, your homeowner’s insurance company may deny the claim. The homeowner becomes personally liable for the damage — and potentially liable to neighbors if the fire spreads. Additionally, the person who performed the unlicensed work faces criminal charges under Texas Occupations Code. This scenario is not hypothetical in older Dallas County neighborhoods.

For every job that requires a permit under local code — panel upgrades, new circuits, rewiring, EV charger installations, generator hookups — Beachy Electric files the permit through the appropriate Dallas County municipality. Simple fixture swaps and outlet replacements on existing circuits do not require permits. We tell you upfront whether your specific job requires one.

Older Dallas County homes — 1920s Lakewood bungalows, 1960s Richardson ranches, 1970s Garland tract homes — contain wiring systems that require specialized knowledge. Knob-and-tube must be properly abandoned, not just disconnected. Aluminum wiring needs COPALUM crimps at every junction. Federal Pacific panels require complete replacement, not just breaker swaps. A licensed Master Electrician has the training to handle these systems safely.