Texas Contractor Registration Process at a City Level

Besides the licensing process through the different State Boards, over 40 cities in Texas require a separate registration process for Contractors to authorize them to perform their job on the territory. Some jobs this city-level resolution pertains to are General, Handyman, Home Improvement, Right of Way, Roofing, and Specialty.

A sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity is referred to as a General Contractor if it participates in the building, renovating, modifying, or repairing process of a facility or structure at a contracted price. The General Contractor will be in charge of overseeing the construction project on behalf of the owner in cases where there are multiple Contractors involved. Through agreements/contracts with Subcontractors, Suppliers, or Laborers, their primary responsibility is to directly or indirectly oversee the development of the building initiative and the performed improvements to the property.

A worker who handles certain materials and performs minor repairs or renovations on buildings, fixtures, and fittings is referred to as a Handyman, distinct from an Apprentice or Trainee. A Handyman engages in minor construction tasks and cannot affect any work usually performed by higher ranks within the industry.

Someone dedicated to Home Improvement sells goods and services to a retail buyer under a home improvement installment contract or sells goods and services to a retail buyer under a home improvement charge agreement but not in connection with the building of new homes. The individual may also manage or supervise reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modification, improvement, removal, and demolition projects.

Right of Way refers to the area owned and controlled by the City. It typically includes the street surface, sidewalks, alleys, and grassy areas between pavement and property lines. The boundaries of the ROW will vary depending on the physical conditions at any given location. It encompasses any construction work done on, above, below, or across a right-of-way that involves installing, repairing, or keeping utility pipes, ducts, lines, poles, wires, cables, conduits, etc.

A person is referred to as a Roofing Contractor if they build, modify, repair, or are involved in the business of installing and remodeling roofs, whether these are minted for residential or for commercial use. Currently, the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation does not administer Roofing Licensing, hence, education, insurance, licenses, nor State registrations are required. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (founded in 1975) is the organization that focuses on the administration, regulation, and legalization of Roofing & Waterproofing Contractors, as well as the primary entity concerning these two sectors. The RCAT Program was created to improve customer protection and to maintain public trust in the industry by enhancing the expertise and professionalism of this type of Contractors through voluntary self-regulation.

Specialty work includes those whose primary function involves using specialized building trades or crafts to conduct, as the name implies, specific construction skills and knowledge; this occupation may apply to a wide range of areas and industries depending on the options offered by the cities.

Additionally, depending on the candidate's scope, different policies and requirements about the paperwork may exist due to some cities' restrictions on the sort of work being performed and the authorization to work within the municipality.

Contractors could register online through platforms/portals or by completing and mailing the pertinent paper forms; in some cases, fees could apply. Below is the list of cities that requires the registration process with its requisites and relevant information:

List of Texas Cities that Require Separate Registration