Texas: no statewide contractor license found

The limit in Texas

The limit: no statewide license was found, so there is no state dollar limit either. No state page says in words that Texas does not license general contractors or handymen; the state body that once registered home builders was abolished in 2010. What was found: No statewide general contractor or handyman license found; the state body that once registered residential builders (Texas Residential Construction Commission) was abolished effective September 1, 2010. Cities may impose their own registration.

Licenses in Texas

General contractors: No statewide license found. None was found for Texas either, for the reason above. What was found: No state general/residential contractor license found on official sources; Texas Residential Construction Commission abolished (2009 Sunset, effective Sept. 1, 2010). Trades licensed separately.

Plumbing: State license. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners license required for plumbing work (22 TAC § 367.11).

Electrical: State license. TDLR license required for non-exempt electrical work, done through a licensed electrical contractor.

HVAC: State license. TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license for installing, repairing or maintaining A/C, refrigeration or heating systems.

Your license number in Texas

Your license number: Plumbers must show the number on invoices, proposals, contracts (including estimates and receipts), advertising and vehicles. Electrical contractors must show the number on invoices, proposals, written contracts, advertising and vehicles. Air-conditioning and refrigeration contractors must show the number on invoices, proposals, advertising and vehicles.

In the rule's words: “the first page of each written or electronic proposal, invoice or contract for plumbing services includes, in at least twelve-point font: (1) the first and last name of the RMP of record; (2) the license number of the RMP of record” (Trades only: 22 TAC § 367.10 (plumbing: proposals, invoices, contracts incl. estimates and receipts; ads; vehicles); 16 TAC § 73.51 (electrical: proposals, invoices, written contracts; ads; vehicles); 16 TAC § 75.71(g)-(i) (A/C: proposals and invoices; ads; vehicles). No rule for general/handyman work.)

Texas's board, and when this was checked

The board: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (electrical, A/C) / Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (plumbing). As of November 6, 2026. Dates on the state's pages: TSBPE Administrative Rules: January 2025.

This is a summary of each state's own pages as of November 6, 2026, not legal advice. Rules change, and cities and counties add licenses of their own. Check with your state's board, linked on this page, before you rely on it.

Compare Texas with every state's limit.

Next door to Texas

• Arkansas: up to $2,000 per job
• Louisiana: under $7,500 per job
• New Mexico: up to $7,200 a year (with a certificate)
• Oklahoma: no state license

Official sources for Texas

8 of Texas's own pages, each quoted with its link:

• TDLR - Electricians (Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1305): “Anyone who performs, or offers to perform, non-exempt electrical work in the state of Texas must be licensed and perform that work through a licensed electrical contractor.”
• TDLR Electricians Compliance Guide (16 TAC § 73.51): “Proposals, Invoices, and Contracts ... Contractor's name, Address, Phone number, License number”
• TDLR Electricians Compliance Guide (16 TAC § 73.51): “A licensed contractor (i.e. electrical, sign, residential appliance installation) must display its name and license number on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business”
• TDLR - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1302): “Contractors who install, repair, or maintain systems related to air conditioning, refrigeration, or heating must have a TDLR license”
• TDLR - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Penalties and Sanctions (16 TAC § 75.71(g)-(i)): “Failed to include license number in advertisement which requires the license number 75.71(h) ... Failed to include license number on proposal or invoice 75.71(i) ... Failed to display or incorrectly displayed the company name and license number on vehicles which require it 75.71(g)”
• TSBPE Administrative Rules - January 2025 (22 TAC § 367.11(a)): “An individual shall not engage in plumbing work requiring a license, registration or endorsement under the Plumbing License Law without a current license, registration or endorsement issued by the Board.”
• TSBPE Administrative Rules - January 2025 (22 TAC § 367.10(b)(5)): “the terms "proposal," "invoice" and "contract" include any and all documents used to define the scope and/or cost of the work to be performed for a consumer. This would include items such as written estimates, service invoices, billing invoices, receipts”
• Residential Construction Commission (Abolished 2010) - Texas State Library and Archives: “Abolished: 2009 Sunset, effective September 1, 2010”

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