How to Check a Contractor's License in Texas

Texas does not have a state-level general contractor license. That surprises most homeowners. Unlike California or Florida, there is no single database where you can look up every contractor in the state. Instead, Texas licenses specific trades at the state level and leaves everything else to cities and counties.

This guide covers exactly how to verify a contractor in Texas, which databases to check, what the results mean, and what to do when your contractor does not show up in any of them.

Does Texas require a contractor license, and how does the system work?

Texas only requires state-level licenses for electricians, HVAC contractors, and plumbers. General contractors, roofers, painters, and most other trades are regulated at the city or county level — meaning a roofer in Houston faces different requirements than one in Dallas. There is no single statewide database for these trades. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the agency oversees more than 40 license types across the state.

Texas only requires state-level licenses for three types of contractors:

• Electricians - licensed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
• HVAC contractors- licensed through the TDLR as "Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors"
• Plumbers - licensed through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)

General contractors, roofers, painters, landscapers, and most other trades are licensed at the city or county level. That means a roofer in Houston has different licensing requirements than a roofer in Dallas. There is no statewide lookup for these trades.

Which database should I search to verify a Texas contractor's license?

The right database depends entirely on the type of work. For electricians and HVAC contractors, search the TDLR License Search at tdlr.texas.gov. For plumbers, use the TSBPE License Verification at tsbpe.texas.gov. For general contractors, roofers, and other trades, there is no state database — you need to contact your city or county permit office directly.

Before you start searching, you need to know what kind of work your contractor does:

• Electrical work - search the TDLR License Search
• HVAC / air conditioning - also the TDLR License Search
• Plumbing - search the TSBPE License Verification
• General contracting, roofing, painting, etc.- check your city's permit office or website

How do I look up an electrician or HVAC contractor on the TDLR website?

Go to tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch and search by license number or name. Use the "containing" option rather than exact match if you are unsure of the spelling. Important caveat: the TDLR active search only shows current, active licenses — an expired or revoked license will not appear, so a blank result does not always mean the contractor was never licensed.

Go to tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch to verify electricians and HVAC contractors. You can search by:

• License number - fastest and most reliable if you have it
• Name- you can search by the individual's name or business name

A few tips for searching by name on the TDLR site:

• You must fill in at least one field. The search will not run if all fields are blank.
• Use partial names.If you are unsure of the exact spelling, you can choose to search for names "beginning with" or "containing" the letters you enter.
• The database only shows active licenses.If a contractor's license has expired or been revoked, it will not appear in the standard search results.
• Fill in more fields to narrow results.Searching just a common last name like "Smith" will return hundreds of results. Add the city or license type to narrow it down.

How do I verify a plumber's license in Texas?

Plumbers in Texas are licensed separately through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), not through the TDLR. Go to tsbpe.texas.gov and click "License Verification" or "Find a License/Registration." You can search by name, license number, or other identifying information, and the full record includes license type, status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.

Plumbers are licensed separately through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Go to tsbpe.texas.gov and click "License Verification" or "Find a License/Registration" at the top of the page.

You can search by the plumber's name, license number, or other identifying information. Click on a result to see the full license details, including type, status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.

What do the different Texas contractor license types mean?

For electrical work, a Master Electrician is who should be running the job and pulling permits — a Journeyman can do the work but must work under a master. For HVAC, a Class A license covers any size system while Class B is limited to smaller residential equipment. For plumbing, make sure the person on your contract is a Responsible Master Plumber, which is the only license that allows operating a plumbing business.

Electrician licenses (TDLR)

• Master Electrician - can pull permits and supervise electrical work. This is who should be running the job.
• Journeyman Electrician - can perform electrical work but must work under a master electrician.
• Electrical Apprentice - in training. Should not be working unsupervised.

HVAC licenses (TDLR)

• Class A - can work on any size air conditioning or refrigeration system. This is what you want for most residential jobs.
• Class B - limited to smaller systems. Fine for window units and small residential systems, but not for larger installations.

Plumber licenses (TSBPE)

• Responsible Master Plumber - can own and operate a plumbing business. This is who should be on your contract.
• Master Plumber - highest skill level, can supervise others.
• Journeyman Plumber - fully licensed to perform plumbing work under supervision.
• Tradesman Plumber-Limited - can do limited plumbing tasks only.

What should I look for when I find a Texas contractor's license record?

Four things matter most: the license status should say "Active" (anything else means they should not be working), the expiration date should extend past your project completion, the license type should match the specific trade they are performing, and for TSBPE records you should check the disciplinary history for any complaints or enforcement actions on file.

When you pull up a contractor's license record, check these things:

• License status- should say "Active." Anything else means they should not be doing licensed work.
• Expiration date - make sure the license is not about to expire before your project would be finished.
• License type - confirm it matches the work they are doing. A journeyman working without a master on the job is a problem.
• Disciplinary actions - the TSBPE lets you view enforcement history. If there are complaints or violations, read them carefully.

What are the most common mistakes when searching for a Texas contractor's license?

The single most common mistake is searching the TDLR or TSBPE database for a trade that is only licensed at the city level — general contractors and roofers will not appear there regardless of their legitimacy. The second most common is searching by business name when the license is actually filed under the owner's personal name. Try both before concluding someone is unlicensed.

• Searching the wrong database. This is the most common mistake. If your contractor is a roofer or general contractor, they will not be in the TDLR or TSBPE database. That does not mean they are unlicensed. It means they are licensed at the city level instead.
• Searching for a business name when the license is under a personal name. Many sole proprietors register their license under their own name, not their business name. Try both.
• Assuming no results means no license. The TDLR active search only shows current, active licenses. An expired license will not appear.
• Not checking the right trade. Some contractors do multiple types of work. Make sure they are licensed for the specific trade they are performing at your home.
• Confusing a city registration with a state license. Having a city business permit is not the same as holding a state trade license. For electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work, you need the state license.

What should I do if I cannot find a Texas contractor in any database?

Start by searching with just the first few letters of the name and trying the contractor's personal name instead of the business name. For general contractors and roofers, call your city's building permits department directly. If the contractor claims to hold a state electrician, HVAC, or plumbing license but does not appear in TDLR or TSBPE, that is a serious red flag — any legitimate licensed professional should be able to give you their license number on the spot.

If your search returns no results, try these steps:

1. Search by just the first few letters of the name using the "begins with" option
2. Try the contractor's personal name instead of the business name
3. Ask the contractor directly for their license number
4. For general contractors and roofers, call your city's building permits department and ask if the contractor is registered
5. Check if the contractor is registered with the Better Business Bureau or has a Texas Secretary of State business filing

If the contractor claims to be a licensed electrician, HVAC tech, or plumber but does not appear in the state database, that is a serious red flag. These are state-required licenses. A legitimate professional should be able to give you their license number on the spot.

Why does it matter if a Texas contractor is properly licensed?

For electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work in Texas, hiring an unlicensed contractor means no surety bond to claim against if work is abandoned or defective, no TDLR or TSBPE oversight to help resolve the dispute, and permit problems that can surface when you sell the home or file an insurance claim. Working without a required license in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor — a contractor willing to break that law may cut other corners too.

Hiring an unlicensed contractor for work that requires a license in Texas means:

• No bond protection. Licensed contractors carry surety bonds. If they abandon the job or cause damage, you can file a claim. With an unlicensed contractor, you have nothing.
• No state oversight. The TDLR and TSBPE can investigate complaints and take enforcement action against licensed professionals. They cannot help you with unlicensed ones.
• Permit problems. Unlicensed contractors often skip permits entirely. That can create major issues when you try to sell your home or file an insurance claim.
• Safety risks. Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work done incorrectly can cause fires, gas leaks, or water damage. Licensing exists because these trades can be dangerous.
• Legal exposure. In Texas, hiring someone to do unlicensed electrical or plumbing work can leave you liable for injuries and code violations on your own property.

Working without a required license in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor. If a contractor is willing to break that law, ask yourself what other corners they might cut.

The bottom line

Texas makes contractor verification harder than most states because there is no single database for all contractors. But for the trades that matter most, the TDLR and TSBPE databases are free, public, and straightforward. Check them before you sign anything.

For electrical and HVAC work, search the TDLR License Search. For plumbing, search the TSBPE License Verification. For everything else, contact your city's permit office. It takes 10 minutes and could save you thousands.