Contractor licensing in Texas

Texas does not issue a general contractor license at the state level for most construction. Cities and counties may require local registration for general contractors, but there is no statewide general contractor license. Trade-specific state licenses Texas does require include: - Electrical (Master, Journeyman, Residential Wireman, Sign Electrician, Apprentice) through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). - Plumbing (Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Plumbing Inspector, Water Supply Protection Specialist, Medical Gas Piping Installer) through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor (Class A and Class B) through TDLR. - Elevator contractor, irrigation, and several others through TDLR. For trades not covered by a state license (carpentry, masonry, painting, general remodeling), licensing is typically handled locally. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and most large cities require general contractor registration for work above a dollar threshold, though the requirements are lighter than the bonded-contractor regimes in California or Washington. To operate as a trade contractor in Texas you generally need: the underlying trade license (e.g. Master Electrician), a company registration if your business operates under an assumed name (DBA filed with the county), a tax permit from the Comptroller if you sell taxable items, and whatever local registration the city requires. Bonding is usually handled at the project level rather than through the state license. Commercial projects over a threshold and most public work require performance and payment bonds from the contractor.