Texas Contractor Licenses

The State of Texas has diverse Boards, Commissions, and Departments that issue individual and business licensure. Different requirements could apply depending on the profession and the type of work to be conducted. Most Texas Licenses stipulate that candidates must take and pass specific tests as part of the application process; each board chooses its own approved testing organization(s). In some situations, the agencies may even provide the examination service themselves. The regulatory entities established by the State are:

• Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
• State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
• State Fire Marshal Office (SFMO)
• Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
• Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
• Department of Agriculture (TDA)
• Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE)

Aside from the ones provided by the entities mentioned above, some Contractor Licenses are not required at a State level; each Texas city has distinct registration procedures (both for individuals and businesses) that must be followed before conducting any work. Additionally, some trades do not require an Individual Contractor License but call for a Business Registration as a way of vouching for the worker’s expertise and covering insurance expenses in the case of any eventuality.

Below are the current Texas Licenses and Registrations with their specific scope of work, application procedures, contact details, and valuable educational resources.