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:
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.
Engaging with equipment related to air temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and ventilation control on any size units for commercial, residential or environmental use
Installation, maintenance, repair and service of equipment related to humidity, cleanliness, air temperature, and ventilation control on units of not more than 25 tons cooling capacity or 1.5 million British Thermal Unit per hour output heating capacity, for commercial, residential or environmental use
Voluntary registration to assist and work under the supervision of a Licensed ACR Contractor for equipment maintenance and repair labor
Mandatory registration to assist and work under the supervision of a Licensed ACR Contractor for equipment maintenance and repair labor
Registration of fire detection devices and systems companies’ separate locations
Fire detection devices and systems company registration
Registration for companies dedicated to serving single-station devices
Engaging and overseeing operations for asbestos abatement activities in a public building
Direct overseeing of personnel, work practices, and procedures during an asbestos abatement activity or project conducted in a public building under the employment of an Asbestos Abatement or Operations and Maintenance Company
Maintenance, repair, and installation of asbestos abatement related-equipment of asbestos containing material in a public building under the employment and supervision of an Asbestos Operation and Maintenance Company
Air monitoring and sample taking on asbestos abatement projects or activities under the employment of a Consultant Agency or Laboratory
Compliance monitoring for asbestos abatement projects or activities through sample taking, project monitoring and recommendations provision in a public building under the employment of a Licensed Asbestos Consultant Agency
Employment of Licensed Asbestos Consultants, Monitoring Technicians, Inspectors, and Project Managers
Provision of asbestos consulting services relating to public buildings, including design, development, monitoring, and recommendations for change of asbestos management plans and projects
Development of asbestos management plans for projects in a public building
Conduction of and reporting on asbestos surveys in public buildings determining the presence, location, and condition of asbestos-containing building material under the employment of a Licensed Asbestos Consultant Agency or a Licensed Asbestos Management Planner Agency
Branch certification for providing polarized light microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, or transmission electron microscopy analysis of a bulk or air sample collected in a public building
Employment of Licensed Asbestos Management Planners, Consultants, and Inspectors
Employment of asbestos operations and maintenance supervisors for activities in a public building owned or managed by an Operations and Maintenance Contractor
Direct supervision of Registered Asbestos Workers under the employment of a Licensed Asbestos Operations and Maintenance building owner or manager, or a Licensed Asbestos Abatement Contractor
Monitoring compliance of asbestos projects in public buildings on behalf of the owners through activities such as change recommendations for the asbestos abatement plans, and assistance in the development of asbestos exposure assessment
Offering, scheduling and conducting training for individuals who seek to comply with requirements according to the EPA's Model Accreditation Plan
Transportation of asbestos containing waste material removed from a public building to a permitted waste disposal facility that accepts it or to temporary storage off-site
Repair and testing of backflow prevention assemblies installation and operation at domestic, commercial, industrial, or irrigation level; fireline assemblies require employment by an approved Fireline Contractor
Boiler Inspector authorization to conduct work as such within the State of Texas
Examination of private water distribution facilities limited to the identification and prevention of cross-connections, potential contamination hazards, and illegal lead materials
Design and alteration of electrical wires, conductors, machinery, apparatus, or systems used for lighting, heating, powering or signaling purposes
Electrical work under on-site supervision of a Residential Wireman, a Master or, a Journeyman Electrician
Install, reconnect and service cold cathode, neon gas tubing, outline gas tubing or electrical sign, its related wiring and conductors
Electrical sign work under on-site supervision of a Master Electrician or a Master, or Journeyman Sign Electrician
Repairing and maintaining elevators or escalators and any related equipment
Equipment and installation verification of compliance with approved applications and plans
Installation of fire extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers only under the direct visual supervision of a valid licensee
Registration for each separate office location that does the same business as the company with an Extinguisher Certificate of Registration
Registration for companies in the business of portable fire extinguishers or fixed extinguisher systems
Repair and installation supervision of pre-engineered fixed fire extinguishing systems and portable extinguishers
Testing of DOT non-specification and specification (per requirements), installation, certification, or repair of portable fire extinguishers
Certify, or repair portable extinguishers or any pre-engineered fixed fire extinguisher system used to protect a cooking area
Planning, installing, and certifying fixed fire extinguisher systems and portable fire extinguishers
Monitor residential or commercial fire alarms or detection devices/systems
Selling, planning, and monitoring of all types of fire alarm or detection devices/systems
Plan, certify, service, and monitor all fire alarm or detection devices or systems in one- and two-family dwellings
Servicing single-station heat or smoke detectors that are not connected to any other detection device or system in one- or two-family dwellings
Inspection, installation, service, and certification of residential single-family, two-family fire alarm or detection systems
Certify, service, and monitor all types of fire alarm or detection devices or systems
Fabrication, conduction, and supervision of flame effects
Assemble, conduct, and supervise public fireworks displays using 1.3G fireworks
Proximate displays assembly, conduction, and supervision while using 1.3G or 1.4G fireworks
Correction and identification of complex problems in groundwater treatment procedures
Participation in fixing and diagnosing issues related to groundwater remediation processes
Inspection and certification of the irrigation system, revision of the backflow prevention device installation, test analysis to the water purveyor, and complaints investigation
Connect a landscape irrigation system to a water supply, install backflow prevention devices, maintain, alter, repair, service, or set up an irrigation system under the supervision of a Licensed Irrigator
Electrical work performance under the general supervision of a Master Electrician
Perform electrical work in chemical plants, petrochemical plants, refineries, natural gas plants, natural gas treating plants, pipelines, or oil and gas exploration and production operations
Maintenance and operation of equipment associated with the transmission and distribution of electricity from the electricity’s original source to a substation for further distribution
Plumbing installation, repair, service, or renovation under the guidance of a Responsible Master Plumber
Perform any electrical sign work under the general direction of a Master Electrician or a Master Sign Electrician
Landscape analysis, planning, and arrangement; site design plan consultation, investigation, research, and preparation; performance of studies, specifications, and responsible supervision related to the development of landscape areas
Design, consultation, modification, repair, or service to an irrigation system; connection to the applicable water supply
Certification of companies, contractors, partnerships, corporations, associations, or other business entities that perform or offer lead-based paint services
Conduct lead inspections and sample dust or soil for abatement cleanup and clearance testing
Conduction of lead risk assessments, inspections, and hazard screens; dust and soil sampling for lead abatement cleanup and clearance testing
Prepare lead abatement project designs, occupant protection plans, and abatement reports
Supervise and conduct lead abatements, and prepare both occupant protection plans and abatement documents
Perform lead abatements in target housing and child-occupied facilities
Performance of electrical maintenance work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician
Maintenance or extension of electrical wiring systems and related equipment used in connection with the use of electrical energy in, on, outside, or attached to a building, structure, or premises, including service entrance conductors
Plumbing renovation under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber; direct direction of Plumber Apprentices and Limited Tradesman Plumbers
Pump installation and repair, plus on-site and general supervision capabilities
Reconnecting electrical wiring systems and its related equipment (signs, outline lighting, awnings, signals, light emitting diodes); installation of an electrical service integral to an isolated sign and/or outline lighting installation
Drilling and constructing water wells, as well as on-site and general supervision aptitudes
Provision of pre-remediation mold assessment reports, mold remediation protocols and, when compliance is confirmed, clearance reports
Observe and evaluate conditions for indoor mold presence, extent, or amount; measurement of mold remediation on-site temperature, humidity, and moisture levels
Determine the location and extent of mold or suspected mold present in a facility, measure initial or post-remediation mold assessment on-site levels of temperature, humidity, and moisture; prepare mold assessment reports
Employment of Licensed Mold Remediation Workers and Contractors to assist in the company's mold remediation activities
Mold remediation and supervision of Registered Workers performing such activities; preparation of plans to be performed on mold remediation projects
Limited mold remediation activities under the supervision of a Licensed Mold Remediation Contractor
Managing of landfill mining, storage and processing, energy and material recovery, compost and demonstration of municipal solid waste facilities
Supervision and management of facilities for municipal solid refuse storage and processing, energy and material recovery, composting, and demonstration
Provisional authorization for the supervision and managing of landfill mining, storage and processing, energy and material recovery, compost and demonstration (municipal solid waste facilities)
Authorization for the administration of demonstration sites for municipal solid waste, compost, energy and material recovery, and storage and processing
Installation of on-site sewage facility systems under the direct supervision of a Licensed Installer
Site evaluations, complaint investigations, system evaluations, and on-site sewage facility systems inspections
Septic tanks, absorptive drainfields, unlined evapotranspiration drainfields, leaching chambers, gravel-less pipe, and pumped effluent drainfields
Installation of all types of on-site sewage facility systems
Perform services associated with on-site sewage facility system maintenance, but only under the guidance and direction of the Maintenance Provider
Servicing or maintaining on-site disposal systems using aerobic treatment
Perform pre-construction site evaluations to determine a site's suitability for a particular on-site sewage facility system
Assistance with plumbing installation work under direct supervision of a Licensed Plumber
Inspect plumbing work and provide customer service inspection certification for public drinking water systems
Repair well pumps and related equipment according to the endorsement type
Installation and repair of well pumps and equipment under the instructions of a Licensed Pump Installer
Engage in the business of residential appliance installation, including pool-related electrical installment and maintenance
Limited to residential appliance installation, including residential pool-related electrical setup and maintenance
Electrical installations for one- and two-family dwellings, as well as multifamily units up to four stories tall; wiring methods, grounding, circuitry, and other technical aspects of residential electrical systems
Fire sprinkler systems in residential dwellings for single-family homes and duplexes
Test and repair fire sprinkler systems in buildings within the State; technical knowledge and compliance with laws and regulations related to fire sprinkler systems
Maintain underground fire sprinkler systems, covering the design and maintenance of underground piping and components
Manage and supervise the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of fire sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings, not including commercial or industrial buildings
Supervise the installation, repair, and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems in buildings
Ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to fire sprinkler systems in buildings
Installation, maintenance, service, and certification of all underground water supply piping for any sprinkler system
Inspection and identification for a Licensed Pest Control Business that provides and solicits pest control services; training, and supervision of Registered Apprentices and Technicians
Control of pests in and around homes, businesses, and industries under the supervision of a Licensed Applicator
Pest control services under the direct supervision of a Certified Applicator
Identification and correction of operations applicable to surface water procedures
Surface water procedures such as identifying, correcting, and carrying out control analysis tasks
Construct, install, repair, service, or renovate plumbing for one- and two-family dwellings under the supervision of a Responsible Master Plumber
Installation and repair of underground storage tank systems
Removal of underground storage tank systems
Install, repair, or remove underground storage tanks systems
Remove and/or repair underground storage tanks
Operational procedures for water distribution, including identifying and fixing problems, as well as performing process control duties
Monitoring and controlling the production and distribution of water, ensuring that the water systems are correctly treated
Plan, organize, staff, direct and control the operations of a public water system
Implement treatment processes used in treating public water systems
Exchange and regeneration of portable tanks and regeneration of non-portable tanks
Perform water treatment installations, exchanges, services, or repairs of equipment
Installation, exchange, servicing, and repair of water treatment equipment and appliances, including reverse osmosis and deionization equipment
Identification, general function and proper use of various domestic wastewater collection system facility components
Maintenance of wastewater collection system equipment, including pumps, motors, construction, inspection, and cleaning equipment
Wastewater pumps, motors, and pumping installations and maintenance
Water utility management and safety, activated sludge treatment process, wastewater treatment, collection, and laboratory analysis
Activated sludge treatment process, water utility safety and wastewater treatment, collection, and laboratory analysis
Operation and maintenance of a wastewater collection system and various modes of activated sludge treatment processes
Basic wastewater collection systems operation
Drill, bore, core, or construct water wells according to their corresponding endorsement type
Work under the supervision of, and pursuant to a training program developed by a Licensed Driller