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Texas Contractor License Requirements

A Texas contractor license depends on your trade, because the state has no general contractor license.

What kind of contractor?

A Texas contractor license depends on your trade, because the state has no general contractor license. HVAC and electrical contractors apply to TDLR, plumbers to TSBPE, and landscape irrigators to TCEQ. General contractors, builders, remodelers, and roofers need no state license, but Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth require city registration.

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Texas contractor license requirements at a glance

Who needs a state licenseElectricians, HVAC, mold, residential solar sellers, elevator, and water well trades (TDLR); plumbers (TSBPE); landscape irrigators (TCEQ). Not general contractors, home builders, remodelers, or roofers.
Dollar thresholdNot required. There is no state general contractor license, so there is no project-value threshold.
Exam(s)General contractors: not required by the state. Trades: set by each board (TDLR, TSBPE, TCEQ).
Experience requiredGeneral contractors: not required by the state. HVAC contractor: 48 months of supervised experience in the past 72 months, or 36 months plus 12 months holding a technician certification. Electrical contractor: the business must employ a licensed Master Electrician.
BondGeneral contractors: no state requirement. Trades: check with the issuing board.
InsuranceGeneral contractors: no state requirement. Trades: check with the issuing board.
FeesHVAC contractor: $115 application. Electrical contractor: $110 application (non-refundable). San Antonio home improvement contractor registration: $150 initial and renewal.
Typical timelineSet by each board.
Renewal cycleHVAC contractor license: valid 1 year from issue. Austin general contractor registration: one-time, no annual renewal. Austin trade contractors: update annually with their state license.

How to get a contractor license in Texas

  1. Find out whether your trade needs a state license. The TDLR license search lists every license type TDLR issues. Plumbing is licensed by TSBPE and irrigation by TCEQ. If your work isn’t on any of these lists, there’s no state license to get.
  2. HVAC contractors: apply to TDLR. Confirm you meet the experience requirement, then start the TDLR air conditioning & refrigeration contractor application. The license is valid for 1 year from issue.
  3. Electrical contractors: apply to TDLR. Employ a licensed Master Electrician (this can be the owner), then start the TDLR electrical contractor application or use the paper application (PDF).
  4. Plumbers: apply to TSBPE. Use the TSBPE apply and renew page.
  5. Landscape irrigators: apply to TCEQ. Use the TCEQ landscape irrigation licensing page. You can’t install or advertise irrigation work without the license.
  6. Register with each city where you’ll pull permits. Check the city table below. Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth require registration; Houston does not license general contractors, but electrical contractors register with the city.
  7. Track your renewal date. TDLR HVAC contractor licenses renew every year, and Austin trade contractors update their city registration each year along with their state license.

Texas city contractor registration

CityRuleOfficial page
AustinOne-time general contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services before being assigned to a building permit. No license; no annual renewal for GCs. Trade contractors register and update annually with their state license.Austin contractor registration
San AntonioResidential contractors register with Development Services: Home Improvement Contractor (nonstructural repair/remodel; $150 initial and renewal per city application Rev 10/25) or Residential Building Contractor (new 1-2 family homes, structural work; requires ICC certification and FBI background check per Information Bulletin 228).San Antonio contractor registration
DallasGeneral contractors must register with the City of Dallas Development Services Department. The city defines general contractor broadly: residential builder, commercial builder, fence, foundation repair, demolition, swimming pool, landscaper, tree service.Dallas registration form (PDF)
Fort WorthAnyone obtaining a building, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical permit must have a valid Contractor Registration on file with Development Services.Fort Worth contractor registration
HoustonGeneral contractors are not required to be licensed. Building permits can be purchased by the owner, agent, or contractor. Electrical contractors must register with the city's Electrical Inspections section.Houston electrical contractor rules

Residential, commercial, and trade licensing in Texas

State trades vs. everyone else. Texas regulates particular trades (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, irrigation, and a few others) rather than general contracting.

Residential vs. structural work in San Antonio. San Antonio separates Home Improvement Contractors (nonstructural repair and remodel) from Residential Building Contractors (new one- and two-family homes and structural work), and the second needs an ICC certification and an FBI background check (Information Bulletin 228, PDF).

Dallas defines “general contractor” broadly. Residential and commercial builders, fence, foundation repair, demolition, swimming pool, landscaping, and tree service companies all register as general contractors with the city.

Texas contractor license FAQ

Do you need a license to be a general contractor in Texas?

No. Texas has no statewide general contractor license. The City of Austin puts it plainly: anyone can be a general contractor in Texas, and a state license is not required (City of Austin). Many cities still require you to register before you pull permits.

How much does a Texas HVAC contractor license cost?

TDLR charges a $115 application fee, and the license is valid for 1 year from issue. You need 48 months of supervised A/C and refrigeration experience in the past 72 months, or 36 months plus 12 months holding a technician certification (TDLR).

What do I need for an electrical contractor license in Texas?

The business must employ a licensed Master Electrician, who can be the owner. The TDLR application fee is $110 and non-refundable (TDLR).

Do I need to register with my city to work in Texas?

It depends on the city. Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth require contractors to register before pulling permits. Houston does not license general contractors, but electrical contractors must register with the city’s Electrical Inspections section.

Who licenses plumbers in Texas?

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), not TDLR. TSBPE licenses Responsible Master, Master, Journeyman, and Tradesman Plumber-Limited plumbers; apply or renew on the TSBPE site.

Did Texas ever license home builders?

Texas had a Residential Construction Commission that registered home builders, but the agency was abolished when its law expired on September 1, 2009 (Texas Sunset Advisory Commission). No statewide home builder license has replaced it.

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Texas contractor licensing overview · All states

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Independent reference. Not a government agency. A valid license does not guarantee quality of work, insurance coverage, or the absence of complaints.