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HomeTexas Contractor License Verification Guide

How to Verify a Contractor License in Texas

Last updated: 2026-04-07

This guide is for Texas homeowners and property managers who want to verify that a contractor is properly licensed before hiring. LicenseStatusVerify is a non-government utility. Always confirm details using the official regulator source.

Quick Checklist Before Hiring Any Contractor

  • Ask for the contractor's license number before any work begins.
  • Search that number (or their full name) on this site or the official regulator database.
  • Confirm the license status shows **ACTIVE** — not expired, suspended, or revoked.
  • Confirm the license type matches the work being done (e.g., a Journeyman Electrician cannot pull permits without a Master Electrician).
  • Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
  • Click the "Official record" link on any result to verify directly with the issuing regulator.

Which Contractors Need a License in Texas?

Texas does not require a general contractor license at the state level — but specific trades require individual state licenses. The following professions are regulated and verifiable:

Electricians

Licensed by the **Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)**. Types include Apprentice Electrician, Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, and Master Sign Electrician. A Master Electrician license is required to pull permits and run an electrical contracting business.

[Verify Texas electrician licenses →](/tx/electricians)

HVAC Contractors

Licensed by **TDLR** under the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) program. License classes include TACLA (Class A, all commercial and residential) and TACLB (Class B, residential and light commercial under 25 tons). All technicians handling refrigerants must also hold EPA 608 certification.

[Verify Texas HVAC licenses →](/tx/hvac)

Plumbers

Licensed by the **Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)**. License types include Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, and Plumbing Inspector. Always verify both the individual plumber's license and, for larger jobs, the business license.

[Verify Texas plumber licenses →](/tx/plumbers)

Barbers & Cosmetologists

Licensed by **TDLR**. Covers barbers (Class A), cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, eyelash extension specialists, and salon establishments. Both the individual practitioner and the salon establishment must hold valid licenses.

[Verify Texas barber and cosmetology licenses →](/tx/barbering-cosmetology)

Structural Pest Control (Exterminators)

Licensed by the **Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)**. Commercial pest control businesses and the certified applicators who perform treatments both require separate licenses. When hiring a pest control company, verify the business license and ask for the applicator's individual license number.

[Verify Texas pest control licenses →](/tx/structural-pest-control)

Water Well Drillers & Pump Installers

Licensed by **TDLR**. Covers Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers. Required for any work involving drilling wells or installing pumping systems on residential or agricultural property.

[Verify Texas water well driller licenses →](/tx/water-well-drillers-pump-installers)

Step-by-Step Verification

Option 1: Search by License Number (Most Reliable)

1. Ask the contractor for their license number before they start work. 2. Go to the LicenseStatusVerify search bar on the homepage, or navigate directly to the profession page for their trade. 3. Enter the license number and hit search. 4. Review the result: confirm status is ACTIVE, license type matches the work, and the name matches the person you are hiring. 5. Click "Official record" to cross-check directly on the regulator's database.

Option 2: Search by Name

1. Enter the contractor's full legal name (or business name) in the search bar. 2. If multiple results appear, narrow by county or license type. 3. If you cannot find a match, ask the contractor for their license number and search again. 4. A contractor who cannot provide a license number for a regulated trade is a red flag.

Understanding License Status

| Status | What It Means | |---|---| | **ACTIVE** | The license is valid and in good standing. Safe to hire for this trade. | | **EXPIRED** | The license has lapsed. The contractor is not currently authorized to perform regulated work. | | **SUSPENDED** | The license has been administratively suspended, often for unpaid fees or a regulatory violation. Do not hire. | | **REVOKED** | The license has been permanently revoked, typically for serious violations. Do not hire. | | **INACTIVE** | The license holder has voluntarily placed the license in inactive status. Not authorized for active work. |

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Contractor cannot provide a license number when asked.
  • The name on the license does not match the person or business you are hiring.
  • License status is anything other than ACTIVE.
  • License type does not match the work scope (e.g., a Journeyman Electrician doing master-level permit work).
  • Contractor claims to be "licensed in another state" — Texas requires its own state license for regulated trades.
  • Very low bid with pressure to start immediately and pay in cash.

Texas Contractor Licensing Regulators

| Profession | Regulator | Official Search | |---|---|---| | Electricians | TDLR | [tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/) | | HVAC | TDLR | [tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/) | | Plumbers | TSBPE | [vo.licensing.hpc.texas.gov](https://vo.licensing.hpc.texas.gov/datamart/selSearchType.do) | | Barbers & Cosmetologists | TDLR | [tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/) | | Structural Pest Control | TDA | [texasagriculture.gov](https://texasagriculture.gov/Regulatory-Programs/Pesticides/Structural-Pest-Control-Service/Structural-Pest-Control-Reports-Current-Licenses) | | Water Well Drillers | TDLR | [tdlr.texas.gov/wwd](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/wwd/) |

After a Storm: Hiring Emergency Contractors in Texas

Texas spring and summer storm seasons (April–September) bring a surge of roofing, electrical, and HVAC contractors — including unlicensed and out-of-state operators looking to take advantage of storm damage. Before hiring anyone after severe weather:

  • Do not sign any contracts under pressure. Reputable contractors do not require same-day signatures.
  • Verify the license before work begins, not after. It takes under two minutes using this site.
  • Be especially cautious with door-to-door solicitations following a storm.
  • Check with your insurance company — most policies require work performed by licensed contractors for a valid claim.

Electricians and HVAC technicians doing emergency repair work in Texas are still required to hold a valid state license regardless of where their company is headquartered.

File a Complaint

If you have hired a contractor who performed work without the required license or who violated their professional obligations, you can file a complaint with the relevant regulator:

  • **TDLR complaints:** [tdlr.texas.gov/field_operations/complaints.htm](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/field_operations/complaints.htm)
  • **TSBPE complaints:** [tsbpe.texas.gov](https://tsbpe.texas.gov/)
  • **TDA pest control complaints:** [texasagriculture.gov](https://www.texasagriculture.gov/)

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