Free tool — official TDLR search

Texas Contractor License Lookup

Texas does not issue a state general contractor license — but it absolutely licenses the trades. Electricians and HVAC contractors are licensed by TDLR, and plumbers by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Verify the trade license on the official TDLR search before work starts.

Good to know: Texas has no state-level general contractor license. A GC's state license won't show up in any state database because none exists — instead, verify the TDLR or plumbing board licenses of the trades on the job, and note that some Texas cities require local contractor registration.

The official lookup: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Search by license type, license number, name or business name, city, county, or ZIP code. This is the board's live database — the same record building departments and insurers check.

Open the official TDLR license search →

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

What the TDLR licenses

  • ✓ Electricians and electrical contractors (TDLR)
  • ✓ Air conditioning and refrigeration contractors (TDLR)
  • ✓ Plumbers are licensed separately by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)

How to verify a Texas contractor in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Get the license number

    Ask the contractor for it — in most states it must appear on their contracts, bids, and advertising. No number? The search also works by business or owner name.

  2. 2

    Search the TDLR database

    Open the official search above and look up the record by license type, license number, name or business name, city, county, or ZIP code.

  3. 3

    Read the record like an inspector

    Status must be active, the name must match your contract, the classification must cover your project, and the expiration date must be in the future. Check disciplinary actions before you sign.

Texas license lookup FAQs

Is a general contractor license required in Texas?

No — Texas does not license general contractors at the state level. Licensing applies to specific trades: electricians and air conditioning/refrigeration contractors through TDLR, and plumbers through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Some cities also require local registration, so check with the city where the work happens.

What does the TDLR license search show?

TDLR's Active License Search covers active licenses only and can be searched by license type, number, name, business, or location. It shows the license type and expiration date — if a license doesn't appear, it is not currently active with TDLR.

What if the contractor isn't in the board's database?

Either the license isn't active, the details were entered differently (try the owner's name, not just the business name), or the contractor isn't licensed. Ask the contractor for their license number and search by number — if it still doesn't appear, do not hire them for work that requires a license.

How often should I re-check a license?

Verify before you sign, and again before final payment on long projects. Licenses can be suspended mid-project, and a lapsed license can void insurance coverage and leave you outside the board's complaint process.

Working in Texas? You'll also need the permit office.

A license lets a contractor work — a permit lets the project start. Browse Texas permit portals for the official building department links, or look up a contractor in another state.

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Managing licenses for a whole crew or sub roster?

Permit Warden keeps every license, permit, and renewal date in one place and reminds you before anything expires — across every state you work in.

Start tracking licenses free