Hiring a contractor in Texas: check, red flags, complaints
Check HVAC and electrical licenses on the TDLR search and plumbers with TSBPE. General contractors have no state license, so check your city rules too. (source: TDLR license search help (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the TDLR website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Search by name (Last, First) or by license type plus the 8-digit number, e.g. 00000123. (source: TDLR license search help (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation sources. See sources.
Red flags when hiring
- Someone doing non-exempt electrical work who is not licensed or not working through a licensed electrical contractor. (source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))
- An HVAC contractor who cannot give you a TDLR ACR license number (format like TACL/A/000000/C). (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
How to file a complaint
- File a complaint about a TDLR licensee using the TDLR online complaint form. (source: TDLR complaint form (opens in a new tab))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- Office of the Texas Governor: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- City of Austin contractor registration (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TDLR license search (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TDLR license search help (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Texas Occupations Code chapter 1302 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TDLR: Electrical contractor license (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TSBPE license types (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- TDLR complaint form (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- EPA Section 608 technician certification (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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