Texas

Texas does not license general contractors or home builders at the state level. Only specialty trades — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, elevators, water well drilling, and manufactured housing — require state credentials. Six separate agencies administer these licenses, and highway construction requires TxDOT prequalification.

Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.

At a glance

The most important thing to know about Texas is what it does not regulate.

Signal	Value
General contractor license	Not required at the state level
Home builder license	Not required at the state level
Specialty trade license	Required for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, elevator, water well, LP gas, manufactured housing
Highway prequalification	TxDOT prequalification based on financial statements
Public works bond	$25,000 performance bond for contracts over $25,000
Reciprocity model	Trade-specific across 3 categories — not statewide

Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.

Contractors
Regulators

Does Texas require a general contractor license?

No. Texas does not license general contractors or home builders at the state level. General building and home construction do not require a state license. Check with your local municipality or county for any local registration or permit requirements. See Construction work regulated.

What specialty trades require a state license in Texas?

HVAC and refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, fire extinguisher, elevator/escalator, water well drilling/pump installation, LP gas/propane, and manufactured housing all require state credentials from separate agencies. See Construction work regulated.

Which agency issues each specialty license?

TDLR handles HVAC, electrical, elevator, and water well. TSBPE handles plumbing. TDI Fire Marshal handles fire alarm, sprinkler, and extinguisher. Railroad Commission handles LP gas. TDHCA handles manufactured housing. TxDOT handles highway prequalification. See Who regulates construction.

How much does it cost to get licensed?

Fees vary by trade. Master Electrician: $78 exam + $45 application. Journeyman Electrician: $78 exam + $30 application. A/C Class A: $74 exam + $115 application. Journeyman Plumber: $40 exam + $40 initial. Manufactured housing retailer: $550 license + $50,000 bond. See Requirements.

What are the insurance and bonding requirements?

A/C contractors need $300,000 / $600,000 liability (Class A) or $100,000 / $200,000 (Class B). Electrical contractors need $300,000 / $600,000 liability. Plumbing Responsible Master Plumber requires $300,000 commercial liability. Fire alarm companies pay $100,000 / $300,000. Public works contracts over $25,000 require a performance bond. Manufactured housing bonds range from $25,000 to $100,000. See Requirements.

Can I use my out-of-state license in Texas?

Reciprocity is very limited. A/C and refrigeration has agreements with Georgia and South Carolina. Master electrician has agreements with Louisiana and North Carolina. Journeyman electrician has agreements with 10 states. No general contractor reciprocity exists because Texas has no GC license. See Reciprocal agreements.

What about highway construction?

TxDOT prequalification is based on annual CPA-prepared financial statements. Bid limits are based on working capital. Contractors must use E-Verify. Processing takes approximately two weeks. There is no fee for prequalification itself. See Requirements.

Does Texas require a license for roofing work?

No. Roofing is not a state-licensed specialty trade in Texas. Check with local municipalities for any local registration or permit requirements.

Does Texas require a license for residential work?

No state license is required for residential home building or remodeling in Texas. Local municipalities and counties may impose their own registration or permit requirements. See Construction work regulated.

What about public works contracts?

Public works contracts over $25,000 require a performance bond. This is a statutory requirement regardless of whether the work involves a licensed specialty trade. See Construction work regulated.

How does Texas's specialty-only model compare to comprehensive licensing states?

Texas is one of the few states that does not license general contractors at the state level. This puts it in the same structural category as Oklahoma (also specialty-only). Most Southern states — Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia — license general contractors with dollar thresholds. The absence of a GC license is the defining feature of the Texas model.

How do Texas's fee structures compare to other states?

Texas fees are moderate for specialty trades. Master Electrician is $45 application / $45 renewal. Journeyman Electrician is $30 / $30. A/C Class A is $115 / $65. Plumbing Master is $75 initial. These are generally lower than states with comprehensive licensing requirements. See Requirements.

What types of construction work are regulated at the state vs. local level?

Texas regulates only specialty trades at the state level through 6 agencies. General building, residential, and commercial construction are left to local jurisdictions. This means regulatory analysis for Texas requires checking both state specialty requirements and local registration/permit rules.

How many agencies administer specialty trade licenses?

Six agencies: TDLR (HVAC, electrical, elevator, water well), TSBPE (plumbing), TDI Fire Marshal (fire alarm, sprinkler, extinguisher), Railroad Commission (LP gas), TDHCA (manufactured housing), and TxDOT (highway prequalification). See Who regulates construction.

What license classifications does Texas use?

A/C has Class A (all sizes) and Class B (25 tons and under) in both environmental air and commercial refrigeration. Electrical spans from apprentice through journeyman through master with multiple specialty types. Plumbing runs apprentice through tradesman through journeyman through master with endorsements. Fire protection has alarm, extinguisher, and sprinkler categories. See Types of licenses.

How does reciprocity work in Texas?

Reciprocity is limited to 3 trade categories. A/C and refrigeration: Georgia, South Carolina. Master electrician: Louisiana, North Carolina. Journeyman electrician: 10 states (Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming). No GC reciprocity is possible. See Reciprocal agreements.

What exam requirements exist across the specialty trades?

Most trades require PSI-administered exams at 70% minimum. Plumbing requires written and practical exams at 70% each. Fire alarm exams are closed-book (NICET or PSI). LP gas exams are given five days a week in Austin. A/C and electrical require prequalification before sitting for the exam. See Requirements.

What are the renewal cycles across Texas agencies?

A/C licenses renew annually with CE. Electrical licenses renew annually with CE for most types. Plumbing licenses renew annually; endorsements renew triennially. Fire alarm and extinguisher renew biennially. Manufactured housing renews biennially with 8 hours of CE. TxDOT prequalification is annual. See Requirements.

How does Texas compare to other large states?

Texas’s no-GC model contrasts sharply with California (comprehensive single-board, $500 threshold) and Florida (two-tier certified/registered system). Within the South, Texas is structurally closest to Oklahoma. The six-agency specialty model creates complexity for cross-state comparison despite the absence of a GC license.

What is the public works bond requirement?

Public works contracts over $25,000 require a $25,000 performance bond. This statutory requirement applies regardless of whether the work involves a state-licensed specialty trade. It is the primary state-level financial requirement for general contractors working on public projects. See Construction work regulated.

Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

Is licensure triggered?

Start with the type of work — Texas triggers licensing by trade, not by dollar amount.

Find the right regulator

Use the regulator directory to route your question to the correct Texas agency.

Application and renewal details

Exams, fees, bonds, continuing education, and renewal cycles for each specialty trade.

Reciprocity direction

Find out which states have reciprocity agreements with Texas specialty boards.

Special considerations

Different roles need different things from a Texas page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.

Contractors
Regulators

Texas does NOT license general contractors at the state level. Your first question is whether your trade requires a specialty license.

General building and home construction do not require a state contractor license.
Check with your local municipality or county for any local registration requirements.
HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, elevator, water well, LP gas, and manufactured housing trades require state licenses from separate agencies.
Highway construction requires TxDOT prequalification with annual financial statements.
A $25,000 performance bond is required for public works contracts over $25,000.
Insurance requirements vary by trade — check the specific agency.

Readiness checklist

Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Texas as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

Determine if a specialty license is required

General building and home construction do not require a state license. Specialty trades — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, elevator, water well, LP gas, manufactured housing — do.

Check local and public works rules

Local municipalities may require registration. Public works contracts over $25,000 require a performance bond. Highway work requires TxDOT prequalification.

Route to the correct agency

Texas splits specialty licensing across 6 agencies. Use the regulator directory below to find the right one.

Confirm the requirement set

Confirm exams, experience, fees, insurance, bond, renewal cycle, and reciprocity rules for the specific trade before filing.

If you can confirm whether state licensing applies, which agency handles it, and what the requirement set is, you have the minimum package needed for a Texas readiness check.

Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

New state evaluation if you are screening Texas for the first time.
Multi-state bid readiness if you need to compare Texas with nearby jurisdictions.
Licensing thresholds or prequalification patterns for cross-state context.

Construction work regulated

Texas regulates specialty trades regardless of contract value. The trigger is the type of work, not the dollar amount.

Work lane	What triggers regulation
General construction	No state license required — check local
Home building / remodeling	No state license required — check local
HVAC and refrigeration	State license required (TDLR)
Electrical	State license required (TDLR)
Plumbing	State license required (TSBPE)
Fire alarm, sprinkler, extinguisher	State license required (TDI Fire Marshal)
Elevator / escalator	State registration required (TDLR)
Water well drilling / pump installation	State license required (TDLR)
LP gas / propane / CNG / LNG	State license required (Railroad Commission)
Manufactured housing	State license required (TDHCA)
Highway construction	TxDOT prequalification required
Public works contracts over $25,000	Performance bond required

Although general contractors are not licensed at the state level, local municipalities and counties may impose their own registration or permit requirements. Always check local rules.

Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.

General contractor or home builder

Texas does not require a state license for general contractors or home builders. Check with your local municipality or county for registration requirements, building permits, and inspection rules.

HVAC or electrical contractor

You need a state license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Exams are given by PSI, with a 70% minimum passing score. Insurance is required.

Plumbing contractor

Route to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Texas uses a tiered plumbing credential system from Apprentice through Master, each with specific hour requirements.

Highway construction

Submit financial statements to TxDOT for annual prequalification. Bid limits are based on working capital. Contractors must use E-Verify. No separate fee for prequalification.

Reciprocity request from another state

Texas reciprocity is limited to three trade categories: A/C and refrigeration, master electrician, and journeyman electrician. Check the reciprocal agreements section below for covered states.

Who regulates construction

Texas splits specialty trade licensing across 6 agencies. There is no general contractor board. Use this directory to find the agency for your trade.

Highway prequalification — Texas Department of Transportation

6230 East Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744Phone: (512) 416-2584 | Fax: (512) 416-2414Email: cst_prequalification@txdot.govWebsite: txdot.gov

HVAC, electrical, elevator, water well — Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711Phone: (512) 463-6599 | Toll-free: (800) 803-9202Website: tdlr.texas.gov

Plumbing — State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)

P.O. Box 4200, Austin, TX 78765Phone: (512) 936-5200 | Fax: (512) 302-5090Website: tsbpe.texas.gov

Fire alarm, sprinkler, extinguisher — Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal

P.O. Box 149221, Austin, TX 78714-9221Phone: (512) 676-6800 | Fax: (512) 490-1056Website: tdi.texas.gov/fire/fmli.html

LP gas, propane, CNG, LNG — Railroad Commission of Texas

P.O. Box 12967, Austin, TX 78711-2967Phone: (800) 642-5327 | Fax: (512) 463-7292Website: rrc.texas.gov

Manufactured housing — Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)

P.O. Box 12489, Austin, TX 78711Phone: (800) 500-7074 or (512) 475-2200 | Fax: (512) 475-1109Website: tdhca.texas.gov/mhd

Requirements

Each Texas specialty trade has its own exams, fees, insurance, and renewal rules. Expand the trade that applies to your situation.

Highway Prequalification

Requirement	Detail
Financial statements	Annual CPA-prepared statements required. Bid limits based on working capital.
E-Verify	Contractors must use the E-Verify program to verify employee information.
Processing time	Approximately two weeks.
Validity	One year from the date of financial statements or receipt of application.
Fee	None for prequalification itself.

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Requirement	Detail
Experience	4 years under a licensed A/C contractor in past 6 years, or technician certification for 12 months plus 36 months practical experience in past 48 months.
Exam	PSI exam, 70% minimum. Prequalification required.
Insurance	Class A: $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate. Class B: $100,000 per occurrence / $200,000 aggregate. Products/completed operations coverage also required.
Renewal cycle	Annual, continuing education required.

License Type	Exam Fee	Application Fee	Renewal Fee
Environmental Air Class A	$74	$115	$65
Environmental Air Class B	$60	$115	$65
Commercial Refrigeration Class A	$74	$115	$65
Commercial Refrigeration Class B	$60	$115	$65
ACR Technician	No exam	$20	$20

Electricians

Requirement	Detail
Experience	Varies by license type.
Exam	PSI exam, 70% minimum. Prequalification required.
Insurance	$300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate for businesses, plus $300,000 products/completed operations.
Renewal cycle	Annual, most require continuing education.

Business licenses:

License Type	Application Fee	Renewal Fee
Electrical Contractor	$110	$110
Electrical Sign Contractor	$110	$110
Residential Appliance Install Contractor	$110	$110

Individual licenses:

License Type	Exam Fee	Application Fee	Renewal Fee
Master Electrician	$78	$45	$45
Master Sign Electrician	$64	$45	$45
Journeyman Electrician	$78	$30	$30
Journeyman Industrial Electrician	$64	$30	$30
Journeyman Lineman	$61	$30	$30
Journeyman Sign Electrician	$64	$30	$30
Residential Wireman	$64	$20	$20
Maintenance Electrician	$64	$20	$20
Apprentice Electrician	No exam	$20	$20

Plumbing

Requirement	Detail
Exam	Written and practical exam, 70% minimum on each portion.
Experience	Ranges from 2,000 hours (Residential Utilities Installer) to 8,000 hours (Journeyman). Hours documented via Employer’s Certification Form (ECF).
Training	TSBPE-approved classroom program required (24-48 hours depending on level).
Insurance	Responsible Master Plumber designation requires $300,000 commercial liability.
Renewal cycle	Annual for licenses; triennial for endorsements. CPE required.

Core license fees:

License Type	Initial Fee	Exam Fee
Responsible Master Plumber designation	$300	N/A
Master Plumber	$75	$175
Journeyman Plumber	$40	$40
Tradesman Plumber — Limited	$35	$36
Plumbing Inspector	$55	$55
Plumber’s Apprentice Registration	$15	N/A

Registration fees:

Registration Type	Initial Fee
Residential Utilities Installer	$18
Drain Cleaner	$18
Drain Cleaner — Restricted	$18

Endorsement fees:

Endorsement	Master	Journeyman	Inspector
Medical Gas Piping Installation	$55 / $80 exam	$14 / $27 exam	$27.50 / $40 exam
Water Supply Protection Specialist	$55 / $80 exam	$14 / $27 exam	$27.50 / $40 exam
Multipurpose Residential Fire Sprinkler	$55 / $80 exam	$14 / $27 exam	$27.50 / $40 exam

Fire Alarm

Requirement	Detail
Exam	1-3 exams depending on classification, 70% minimum. Closed-book. NICET or PSI.
Insurance	$100,000 single limit / $300,000 aggregate, including products/completed operations.
Renewal cycle	Biennial.

Individual licenses:

License Type	Initial Fee	Biennial Renewal
All categories (except RAL)	$120	$200
Residential Alarm Technician (RAL)	$50	$100

Company registration:

Certificate Type	Initial Fee	Biennial Renewal
Company Registration	$500	$1,000
Single Station only	$250	$500
Branch Office (each)	$150	$300

Fire Extinguisher

Requirement	Detail
Exam	Varies by type — NICET Level III for Type PL; technical and statute/rules tests for other types. 70% minimum.
Renewal cycle	Biennial.

Individual licenses:

License Type	Initial Fee	Biennial Renewal
Type PL Planning	$70	$100
Type A, B, K, R	$70	$100
Apprentice Permit	$30	N/A

Company registration:

Type	Initial Fee	Biennial Renewal
Main Office	$450	$600
Branch Office	$100	$200
Type C Registration	$250	$300

Fire Sprinkler System

Requirement	Detail
Exam	General RME requires NICET Level III plus agency exam at 70%, or registration as a Texas professional engineer.
Renewal cycle	Biennial.

Responsible Managing Employee (RME):

License Type	Initial Fee	Biennial Renewal
RME-General	$200	$350
RME-Dwelling	$150	$200
RME-Underground	$150	$200
RME-General Inspector	$50	$100

Company registration:

Type	Application Fee	Initial Fee	Biennial Renewal
SCR-General	$50	$950	$1,800
SCR-Dwelling	$50	$350	$600
SCR-Underground	$50	$350	$600

LP Gas

Requirement	Detail
Exam	Required. Exams given five days a week in Austin and on scheduled dates at other sites.
Insurance	$25,000 per occurrence / $50,000 aggregate general liability, plus workers’ comp or accident/health.
Waiver	License and exam waived for holders of a current A/C contractor license or master plumber license (registration with Railroad Commission still required).

Fee	Amount
Initial license (Category D)	$100
Annual renewal	$70

Elevator Contractors

Requirement	Detail
Registration	Required for anyone installing, repairing, altering, or maintaining elevators, escalators, or related equipment.
Plans	Must submit plans for review and approval for all new and altered equipment before acceptance inspection.
Renewal cycle	Annual.

Fee	Amount
Application / renewal	$115 per year

Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers

Requirement	Detail
Experience	2 years under a licensed driller or installer. Must document qualifying drillings or installations.
Exam	PSI exam, 70% minimum.
Renewal cycle	Biennial.

License Type	Exam Fee	Application Fee	Renewal Fee
General Water Well Driller	$52	$430	$430
General Pump Installer	$52	$430	$430
Combination Driller/Installer	$104	$650	$650
Endorsements (various)	$43—$52	$25	N/A
Apprentice (Driller or Installer)	N/A	N/A	$65

Manufactured Housing

Requirement	Detail
Education	8-hour Core Licensing Education Class (LEC) required; retailers and installers need an additional 4-hour course.
Exam	State Business and Trade exam, 70% minimum.
Bond	Required — amount varies by license type.
Continuing education	8 hours of CE required for renewal.
Recovery fund	Maximum $35,000 per claim.
Renewal cycle	Biennial.

License Type	Bond	License / Renewal Fee
Manufacturer	$100,000	$850
Retailer	$50,000	$550
Broker	$50,000	$350
Installer	$25,000	$350
Salesperson	N/A	$200
Retailer/Installer	$50,000	$900
Retailer/Broker	$50,000	$900
Retailer/Broker/Installer	$50,000	$1,250

Education class fees:

Course	Fee
Core LEC	$150
Retailer LEC	$50
Installer LEC	$50

Out-of-state manufacturers without a Texas warranty service facility must post an additional $100,000 bond.

Reciprocal agreements

Texas reciprocity is limited to three specialty trade categories. There is no statewide reciprocity because there is no general contractor license.

Reciprocity in Texas applies only to A/C, master electrician, and journeyman electrician credentials. No general contractor reciprocity exists because Texas does not license general contractors.

Trade	Reciprocal states	Coverage
A/C and refrigeration	Georgia, South Carolina	2 states
Master electrician	Louisiana, North Carolina	2 states
Journeyman electrician	Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming	10 states

Types of licenses

Texas offers specialty trade credentials across six agencies. Use these tabs to find the license category that matches your trade.

TDLR — HVAC, Electrical, Elevator, Water Well

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration:

BE — Cooling, heating, ventilation for human comfort (25 tons and under)
BR — Refrigeration for equipment, product, or process cooling (25 tons and under)
AE — Cooling, heating, ventilation for human comfort (all sizes)
AR — Refrigeration for equipment, product, or process cooling (all sizes)
ACR Technician

Electrical:

Electrical Contractor (business); Electrical Sign Contractor (business)
Residential Appliance Installation Contractor (business)
Master Electrician; Master Sign Electrician
Journeyman Electrician; Journeyman Industrial Electrician; Journeyman Lineman; Journeyman Sign Electrician
Residential Wireman; Maintenance Electrician; Residential Appliance Installer
Apprentice Electrician; Electrical Sign Apprentice

Elevator:

Elevator Contractor (registration)

Water Well:

General Water Well Driller; Pump Installer; Combination Driller/Installer
Endorsements: Water Well, Monitor Well, Closed-Loop Geothermal, Injection Well, Dewatering Well, Single-Phase Pump, Three-Phase Pump, Line-Shaft Turbine Pump, Windmill/Hand Pump/Pump Jack

TSBPE — Plumbing

Registrations:

Plumber’s Apprentice
Drain Cleaner — Restricted; Drain Cleaner
Residential Utilities Installer

Licenses:

Tradesman Plumber — Limited
Journeyman Plumber
Master Plumber
Plumbing Inspector
Responsible Master Plumber (designation)

Endorsements:

Medical Gas Piping Installation
Water Supply Protection Specialist
Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist

TDI — Fire Protection

Fire Alarm:

Fire Alarm Technician; Residential Fire Alarm Technician
Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent; Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent — Single Station
Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent; Fire Alarm Monitoring Technician

Fire Extinguisher:

PL Planning; Type A Fixed System; Type B Portable Extinguisher; Type K Cooking Systems
Apprentice Permit; Type C Hydrostatic Testing Registration

Fire Sprinkler:

General; Underground; Dwelling; General Inspector

Other Agencies

Manufactured Housing (TDHCA):

Manufacturer; Broker; Retailer; Installer; Salesperson

LP Gas (Railroad Commission):

General Installer and Repairman

Residential Construction (local):

Builders and Remodelers (local registration only — no state license)

South region guide

Browse all South jurisdictions for comparison.

Contractors guide

Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.

Regulators guide

Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.

Neighboring jurisdictions with reciprocity ties:

Louisiana

Master electrician reciprocity with Texas.

Oklahoma

Journeyman electrician reciprocity with Texas.

Arkansas

Journeyman electrician reciprocity with Texas.

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Territories and DC

At a glance

Frequently asked questions

Start with your goal

Is licensure triggered?

Find the right regulator

Application and renewal details

Reciprocity direction

Special considerations

Readiness checklist

Navigation

Construction work regulated

Common determination scenarios

Who regulates construction

Requirements

Reciprocal agreements

Types of licenses

See also

South region guide

Contractors guide

Regulators guide

Louisiana

Oklahoma

Arkansas

​At a glance

​Frequently asked questions

​Start with your goal

Is licensure triggered?

Find the right regulator

Application and renewal details

Reciprocity direction

​Special considerations

​Readiness checklist

​Navigation

​Construction work regulated

​Common determination scenarios

​Who regulates construction

​Requirements

​Reciprocal agreements

​Types of licenses

​See also

South region guide

Contractors guide

Regulators guide

Louisiana

Oklahoma

Arkansas

At a glance

Frequently asked questions

Start with your goal

Special considerations

Readiness checklist

Navigation

Construction work regulated

Common determination scenarios

Who regulates construction

Requirements

Reciprocal agreements

Types of licenses

See also