Texas plumbing license

1. Who needs a license

General contractors do not need a state license in Texas, but cities or counties may have their own rules. HVAC, electrical and plumbing work are state-licensed. (source: Office of the Texas Governor: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab))

• Local example: the City of Austin has its own contractor registration. (source: City of Austin contractor registration (opens in a new tab))

2. Plumbing license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

Experience: 4 years. For an ACR (HVAC) contractor license: 48 months supervised by a licensed ACR contractor in the last 72 months. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

• Or hold a technician certification for 12 months plus 36 months of experience in the last 48 months. A degree, engineering background or military training can substitute. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
• Electricians: journeyman 8,000 hours plus an exam; master 12,000 hours plus 2 years as a journeyman plus an exam. (source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))

1. Check if your trade is licensed HVAC and electrical are licensed by TDLR, plumbing by TSBPE. General contracting has no state license. (source: Office of the Texas Governor: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab), source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))
2. Get your experience For ACR: 48 months under a licensed ACR contractor in the last 72 months. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
3. Apply Apply to TDLR. The ACR application fee is $115. You must be 18 or older. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
4. Pass the exam Pass the exam within 1 year of applying. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
5. File insurance After the exam, file a certificate of insurance at the amount for your class. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))

• ACR contractors must pass the exam within 1 year of applying. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

Bond

We're still verifying this, check the official board: TDLR website (opens in a new tab).

Insurance

• General liability: ACR Class A: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products and completed operations. Class B: $100,000 / $200,000 / $100,000. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

• Electrical contractors: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products and completed operations. (source: TDLR: Electrical contractor license (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 1 year. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: Texas Occupations Code chapter 1302 (opens in a new tab))

An ACR contractor license lasts 1 year. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: Texas Occupations Code chapter 1302 (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

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))

You can search by: Person or company name, License number. (source: TDLR license search help (opens in a new tab))

For individual plumbing licenses, check the TSBPE: Check on the TSBPE website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

We're still verifying this, check the official board: TDLR website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

6. 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))

7. How to complain

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))