Texas Contractor Licensing

Trade-by-trade licensing requirements for Texas, sourced directly from the state regulatory board and verified by the CLR Editorial Review Desk. We currently publish 12 published trade guides, with direct links to each underlying board, statute, or candidate bulletin.

Published guides: 12
Exam-backed: 10
Bond-backed: 0
Local / municipal: 7
Avg initial fee: $208

How licensing works in Texas

Texas is not a one-size-fits-all licensing market. Across the 12 guides currently live on this state hub, 10 require a formal trade examination and 0 require a surety bond before the credential can issue. 7 of the published entries rely on city, county, or municipal registration rather than a single statewide credential, so contractors need to confirm the local building department or business-license office before bidding work.

The point of this state page is to give you a fast read on the regulatory model before you dive into a specific trade. Start with the trades grid below if you already know your specialty. If you are comparing jurisdictions, use the cost calculator for first-year cost and the reciprocity matrix for license portability.

Main boards and agencies

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Texas does not license carpenters or general contractors at the state level. Registration and permitting are handled by municipalities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. TDLR regulates only specific trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).
Open agency site
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

TSBPE administers and enforces the Texas Plumbing License Law, licenses individual plumbers, registers plumbing apprentices, investigates consumer complaints, and inspects plumbing installations on a complaint basis. The agency was scheduled for sunset abolishment but was reconstituted by HB 3214 (89th Legislature, 2025).
Open agency site
Texas Department of Insurance / Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Texas does not have a state contractor licensing board for roofing. TDI enforces the public adjuster prohibition and deductible non-waiver rules. TDLR licenses electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and air conditioning contractors but not roofers. Roofing contractors operate under municipal permits, consumer protection law, and voluntary RCAT certification.
Open agency site
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (irrigation) and Texas Department of Agriculture (pesticide)

TCEQ licenses landscape irrigators, irrigation technicians, and irrigation inspectors. TDA licenses commercial pesticide applicators. Texas does not license landscape installation contractors at the state level; cities and counties may impose local registration.
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Texas Department of Insurance — State Fire Marshal's Office

The Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, a division of the Texas Department of Insurance, licenses fire sprinkler contractors, Responsible Managing Employees (RMEs), and individual fitters statewide and enforces NFPA 13 and NFPA 25 by reference through 28 TAC §34.706.
Open agency site
Texas Department of Public Safety — Private Security Bureau

DPS PSB licenses alarm/security/CCTV/access-control companies (Class B) and registers individual alarm installers under Chapter 1702. The Texas State Fire Marshal's Office (TDI) separately licenses fire alarm contractors under Insurance Code Chapter 6002. TDLR licenses electricians; structured cabling under 50 V is exempt from TDLR licensure.
Open agency site
Texas Department of State Health Services (public pool standards) / local building authorities (AHJ); no agency licenses pool contractors

Texas issues no state-level swimming pool/spa construction license, and no agency registers or licenses pool builders. DSHS sets minimum design and construction standards and performs plan review for public pools and spas under Health & Safety Code 341.064/341.0645 and 25 TAC Chapter 265, Subchapter L. Residential pool construction is controlled by the local building department (authority having jurisdiction) through building permits and by Health & Safety Code Chapter 757 (pool-yard enclosure and fence safety). TDLR licenses the electricians and TSBPE licenses the plumbers who perform those sub-scopes; TDLR's list of regulated programs includes none for pool contractors.
Open agency site
Texas Real Estate Commission

State agency that licenses and regulates real estate (home) inspectors in Texas, sets the Standards of Practice, approves qualifying and continuing education, administers the licensing exam program, and enforces the Real Estate Inspectors statute (Occupations Code Ch. 1102).
Open agency site

Licensed trades

Compare Texas against other states

Every trade above also has a national comparison hub showing how Texas's exam, bond, fee, and experience requirements stack up against the other 50 jurisdictions.

Best starting points in Texas

Budget

Estimate first-year cost

Compare filing fees, bond premiums, insurance assumptions, and renewal cost before you apply.

Mobility

Check reciprocity pathways

See whether this state accepts NASCLA or uses bilateral reciprocity for the trade you hold now.

Research

Search related guides

Jump directly to linked state and trade pages if you are comparing multiple jurisdictions side by side.