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How to check a contractor's license in Texas

Texas licenses electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning contractors through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), at any job size, but it has no state license for general contractors or roofers.

When a license is required

Texas has no dollar threshold. The Occupations Code requires a license for electrical work (1305.151), air conditioning and refrigeration contracting (1302.251) and plumbing (1301.351).

Which license class

TradeLicenseIssued by
ElectricalElectrical contractorTDLR
PlumbingResponsible master plumberTSBPE
Heating and air conditioningClass A or Class B air conditioning and refrigeration contractorTDLR

A Class B license is limited to systems of 25 tons of cooling or 1.5 million BTU an hour of heating (1302.253). Texas doesn't license general contractors (Texas Law Help), and its roofing license bill, HB 3344, didn't become law. For those trades, check your city or county for local rules.

Check it in three steps

  1. Ask for the license number. A plumbing company must name its responsible master plumber, whose number begins with "M".
  2. For electrical and air-conditioning work, search the TDLR license search. It lists active licenses only, so a contractor who isn't listed isn't currently licensed.
  3. For plumbing, search the TSBPE license search with the master plumber's number to confirm the license is valid and a certificate of insurance is on file.

Master plumbers must file proof of commercial general liability insurance of at least $300,000 a year (1301.3576 and 1301.552).

Licensed contractors we've already checked