Does Texas require a general contractor license?

No. Texas has no state general contractor license. Anyone can operate as a general contractor in Texas without applying to a state board, passing an exam, or posting a state bond. However, specialty trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC/air conditioning, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and elevator — do require state licenses, and major cities require general contractors to register before pulling permits. Austin requires GC registration through Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS) via the AB+C portal (free but mandatory); Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth maintain GC-level contractor registration programs; Houston requires trade-specific contractor registration rather than a unified GC license.

How do I check if a Texas contractor is licensed?

The agency depends on the trade. For electricians, HVAC/ACR contractors, and elevator contractors, use the TDLR license search at tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/. For plumbers, use the separate Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners lookup — plumbers are not in the TDLR system. For fire alarm, fire extinguisher, or fire sprinkler contractors, use the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal licensee search. For general contractors, there is no state license to verify — check city-level contractor registration instead.

Who licenses plumbers in Texas?

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) — an independent state agency — licenses plumbers under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301. TSBPE is not part of TDLR. Plumbing licenses include Apprentice Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Plumbing Inspector, and specialty endorsements such as Medical Gas Piping Installer and Water Supply Protection Specialist. Verify plumber licenses at the TSBPE website (tsbpe.texas.gov), not TDLR.

Who licenses electricians in Texas?

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses electricians under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305. Individual licenses include Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Residential Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Apprentice Electrician, and specialty sign, industrial, and lineman variants. Businesses offering electrical contracting must hold a separate Electrical Contractor license and designate a Master Electrician as the responsible party.

What license does a Texas HVAC contractor need?

HVAC and refrigeration contractors are licensed by TDLR as Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Contractors under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302. Class A ACR Contractors can work on any size system. Class B ACR Contractors are limited to cooling systems of 25 tons or less and heating systems of 1.5 million BTU/hour or less. Technicians working for an ACR contractor hold either a Certified Technician or Registered Technician credential from TDLR.

Do I need a license to remodel a house in Texas?

Not at the state level. Texas has no state home improvement or remodeling contractor license. However, any electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or fire protection work performed during the remodel must be done by a state-licensed specialty contractor in that trade. Most Texas cities also require the person pulling the building permit to be a registered contractor — so while the state does not license remodelers, the city often does.

Who licenses roofers in Texas?

No one at the state level. Texas does not issue a state roofing contractor license. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) offers a voluntary industry certification, but it is not issued or enforced by the state. When hiring a Texas roofer, verify municipal contractor registration, proof of general liability insurance, and references rather than a state license.

What happened to the Texas Residential Construction Commission?

The Texas Residential Construction Commission Act took effect in 2003 to regulate residential homebuilders and provide a state dispute-resolution process. After a 2008 Sunset Advisory Commission review concluded the agency was ineffective at protecting consumers, the Texas Legislature let it expire on September 1, 2009. No replacement has been enacted. Texas consumers with homebuilder disputes today rely on the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, civil courts, and any warranty the builder provided voluntarily.

What's the Texas DTPA and how does it protect me from bad contractors?

The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (Business & Commerce Code Chapter 17) is the core consumer protection statute in Texas. It lets a consumer sue a contractor for false, misleading, or deceptive practices, including misrepresentation of services, unconscionable conduct, and breach of express warranty. Remedies include actual economic damages, up to three times damages for knowing violations, and attorney's fees. The Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division also enforces the DTPA for systemic violations.

Do Texas contractors need workers' compensation insurance?

Not by state mandate. Texas is the only US state where private employers can legally opt out of workers' compensation. Contractors that opt out are called "non-subscribers" and lose key common-law defenses if an employee is injured. From a homeowner's perspective, hiring a non-subscriber contractor creates exposure — an injured worker can sue the property owner directly. Always ask whether a contractor carries workers' comp, even though Texas does not require it.

How do I file a complaint against a Texas contractor?

Route the complaint to the agency that regulates the trade. TDLR handles electricians, HVAC/ACR contractors, elevator contractors, and water well drillers at (800) 803-9202 or tdlr.texas.gov/complaints. TSBPE handles plumbers at (512) 936-5200 or tsbpe.texas.gov. The TDI State Fire Marshal's Office handles fire alarm, sprinkler, and extinguisher contractors at (512) 676-6800. For general contractor disputes with no specialty-trade angle, file with the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and, if the contractor is registered with a city, that city's building department.

How to Verify a Contractor in Texas — No State License Required

Texas Contractor Licensing — Quick Facts

State License Required?: No — varies by city/county

Phone: TDLR: (512) 463-6599 / (800) 803-9202; TSBPE: (512) 936-5200; TDI SFMO: (512) 676-6800 / (800) 578-4677
Address: TDLR: P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711 (920 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701). TSBPE: 7915 Cameron Road, Austin, TX 78754. TDI SFMO: P.O. Box 12107, Austin, TX 78711
Email: cs.electricians@tdlr.texas.gov (TDLR electrical); info@tsbpe.texas.gov (TSBPE)
Online License Lookup: Search licenses online →

No statewide general contractor license. The Texas Residential Construction Commission Act expired in 2009 (sunset). State licenses specialty trades: electrical (TDLR, TX Occ. Code Ch. 1305), plumbing (TSBPE, Ch. 1301), air conditioning & refrigeration (TDLR, Ch. 1302), elevator (TDLR, Ch. 754 Health & Safety Code), and fire alarm/extinguisher/sprinkler (TDI State Fire Marshal, TX Insurance Code Ch. 6001-6003). Consumer protection runs through the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Business & Commerce Code Ch. 17), enforced by the Attorney General. Major cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth) require contractor registration; Austin requires permits with qualified applicants.

Search licenses on the official Texas board site →

Texas Contractor License Types

License Type	Application Fee	Annual Renewal	Bond
Electrical Contractor (TDLR) Business license required to offer electrical contracting services in Texas under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305. The business must designate a licensed Master Electrician as the responsible electrician. Individual electricians working under the business hold separate TDLR licenses (Master, Journeyman, Residential Wireman, Maintenance, Apprentice, or specialty sign/lineman/industrial variants).	See current TDLR fee schedule at tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/	Renewable annually; check TDLR electricians page for current fee	General liability insurance required per TDLR rules (16 TAC Ch. 73)
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractor — Class A (TDLR) Unrestricted HVAC/refrigeration contractor license under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302. Class A contractors can work on cooling systems of any size (no tonnage limit) and heating systems of any BTU capacity. Requires passing the Class A exam, documented experience, and carrying liability insurance as required by statute.	See current TDLR fee schedule at tdlr.texas.gov/acr/	Renewable annually; check TDLR ACR page for current fee	Liability insurance required under TDLR rule 16 TAC Ch. 75 (authority: TX Occ. Code Ch. 1302)
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractor — Class B (TDLR) Limited HVAC/refrigeration contractor license under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302. Class B contractors are restricted to cooling systems of 25 tons or less and heating systems of 1.5 million BTU/hour or less (per TDLR rules). Lower experience threshold than Class A.	See current TDLR fee schedule at tdlr.texas.gov/acr/	Renewable annually; check TDLR ACR page for current fee	Liability insurance required under TDLR rule 16 TAC Ch. 75 (authority: TX Occ. Code Ch. 1302)
Master Plumber (TSBPE) Highest tier plumbing license issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301. A Master Plumber must be designated as the Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) for any plumbing business operating in Texas. Requires 4 years as a licensed Journeyman plus exam.	See TSBPE fee schedule at tsbpe.texas.gov	Annual renewal; 6 hours continuing professional education (CPE) required	Responsible Master Plumbers for plumbing businesses must carry liability insurance per TSBPE rules
Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE) Second-tier plumbing license under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301. Must work under the supervision of a Master Plumber. Requires 8,000 hours (approximately 4 years) as a Tradesman Plumber-Limited or Apprentice plus passing the Journeyman exam.	See TSBPE fee schedule at tsbpe.texas.gov	Annual renewal; 6 hours CPE required	Not individually required; RMP of employing business carries insurance
Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) Entry-level licensed plumber classification for one- and two-family dwelling work only. Requires 4,000 hours as an Apprentice and passing the Tradesman exam. Cannot do commercial or multi-family plumbing independently.	See TSBPE fee schedule at tsbpe.texas.gov	Annual renewal; 6 hours CPE required	Not individually required
Fire Alarm Contractor / Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractor (TDI State Fire Marshal) Licensed by the State Fire Marshal's Office within the Texas Department of Insurance under Texas Insurance Code Chapters 6002 (fire protection sprinklers) and 6003 (fire alarms). Required to design, install, inspect, or service fire alarm systems or automatic fire sprinkler systems in Texas. Separate Fire Extinguisher Contractor licensing under Ch. 6001.	See TDI SFMO licensing fee schedule at tdi.texas.gov/fire/	Renewable; check TDI SFMO for current renewal cycle	Financial responsibility/insurance required under TX Insurance Code Ch. 6001-6003

Processing time: Varies by trade and agency. TDLR electrical and ACR licensure timelines typically run weeks to a few months after exam; TSBPE plumbing progression from Apprentice to Master spans roughly 8 years of documented experience plus exams; municipal GC registrations can be approved within 1-2 weeks. from application submission to license issuance.

Texas does not require a state-level general contractor license. However, this doesn't mean contractors can operate without any oversight. Many cities and counties in Texas have their own licensing requirements, and specialty trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) typically require state licensing even when general contracting doesn't.

How to Verify a Contractor in Texas

Since Texas doesn't have statewide licensing, you'll need to:

Check local requirements. Contact your city or county building department to find out if contractors need a local license, permit, or registration to work in your area.
Verify specialty licenses. If your project involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or other specialty trades, those contractors should hold state-issued specialty licenses. Check the official Texas licensing site for specialty license verification.
Ask for proof of insurance. Even without a licensing requirement, any reputable contractor should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Ask for certificates before signing a contract.
Check the Better Business Bureau. In states without licensing boards, the BBB and online reviews are your primary tools for vetting contractors.
Verify business registration. Check that the contractor is registered as a business with the Texas Secretary of State.

Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing

In states like Texas where there's no state licensing board to file complaints with, it's especially important to:

Get a detailed written contract before any work begins
Never pay more than 10-30% upfront
Verify the contractor pulls all required building permits
Get multiple bids and check references
Use a credit card for payments when possible (chargeback protection)

Should Texas Require Contractor Licensing?

States without contractor licensing consistently have higher rates of consumer complaints about home improvement fraud. Licensed states provide consumers with surety bond protection, complaint investigation, and disciplinary enforcement that unlicensed states lack. If you're in Texas, consider advocating for statewide contractor licensing through your state legislature.

Sources

Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.

TDLR — Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (home) — Primary state regulator for electrical, HVAC/ACR, elevator, and other trades in Texas. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TDLR — License Search — Official lookup for all TDLR-regulated trades including electricians, ACR contractors, and elevator contractors. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TDLR — Electricians Program — List of electrical license types under Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1305, fees, rules, and CE. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TDLR — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Program — ACR Class A / Class B contractor and technician licensing under Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1302. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302 — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors — Statutory authority for ACR licensing. Liability insurance requirements are set by TDLR rule (16 TAC Ch. 75). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305 — Electricians — Statutory authority for TDLR electrical licensing. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TSBPE — Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners — Independent state plumbing regulator. Main phone: (512) 936-5200. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TSBPE — License Verification — Official lookup for Master, Journeyman, Tradesman, Apprentice, Inspector, and endorsement plumbing licenses. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301 — Plumbers — Statutory authority for TSBPE plumbing licensing. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TDI — State Fire Marshal's Office — Licenses fire alarm, fire extinguisher, and fire protection sprinkler contractors under TX Insurance Code Ch. 6001-6003. Phone: (512) 676-6800. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
TDI SFMO — Company / Licensee Search — Official fire-protection contractor license lookup. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 17 — Deceptive Trade Practices Act — Core Texas consumer protection statute applicable to contractor fraud and deceptive practices. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Texas Office of the Attorney General — Consumer Protection — DTPA complaints and enforcement against contractors engaged in deceptive practices. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Sunset Advisory Commission — Texas Residential Construction Commission Final Report (2008-2009) — Sunset review that led to the TRCC's expiration on September 1, 2009. (retrieved 2026-04-20)

Other States

Looking up a contractor in a different state? Visit our state-by-state contractor license lookup page to find the right verification tool for your state.

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Search on Official Texas Site →

How to check a contractor's license in Texas.

Texas Contractor License Types

How to Verify a Contractor in Texas

Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing

Should Texas Require Contractor Licensing?

Sources

Other States

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