How to check if a contractor is licensed in Texas
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Texas, the state keeps license or registration records for electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. For general contractors and roofing contractors, our survey found no state-level license, so check with the city or county where the work is done. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | City or county | Texas does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| Electrical | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | City or county | Our survey of official Texas sources found no state-level roofing contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
Step by step
- Ask the city or county building department where the work is done how they license general contractors.
- For electrical work, also check the electrical contractor lookup from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
- For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
- For HVAC work, also check the HVAC contractor lookup from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
- The TDLR license search shows active licenses only, searchable by license type, number, name, business name, city and expiration date. source TDLR publishes administrative orders with sanctions or penalties, covering the current and past two fiscal years. source
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
Homeowner protections in Texas
- With no state roofing license, the Texas Department of Insurance tells homeowners to confirm a roofer has insurance or a bond and to get three written bids. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Texas?
- Texas does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's official lookup in the table on this page where the state keeps one.
- What can I do if a contractor in Texas is not licensed?
- Complaints about electricians go to TDLR through its online complaint process. Where a city or regional electrical licensing program exists, complain to that local authority first. Complaints about plumbers go to TSBPE using its General Complaint Form.
All Texas licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/business/transcript_Basics_of-Business_Licensing.pdf
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/apply/businesses/contractor-elec.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elecfaq.htm
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/
- https://vo.licensing.hpc.texas.gov/datamart/selSearchType.do
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/responsible-master-plumber/
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/apply/individuals/master-electrician.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/out-of-state.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/renew/businesses/contractor-elec.htm
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/master-plumber/
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/category/out-of-state-licensing/
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrstate.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-renew.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cimsfo/fosearch.asp
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/file-a-complaint/
- https://tdi.texas.gov/WIND/documents/RepairingRoofAfterStorm.pdf
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/dbproduction2/Lteecele.csv
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/disclaimer.htm
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/dbproduction2/ltairref.csv
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/dbproduction2/Ltelcall.csv
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/dbproduction2/ltactech.csv
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.