Who licenses what in Texas: TDLR, the other boards, and trades with no state license

The short version

• Electricians, A/C and refrigeration, cosmetology, barbers, tow trucks, boilers, elevators, water well drillers, mold, massage, auctioneers: TDLR. All TDLR license types.
• Plumbers: the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, a separate agency.
• Home inspectors and real estate agents: the Texas Real Estate Commission.
• General contractors, remodelers, roofers, handymen, painters: no statewide license.

Trades licensed by TDLR

TDLR runs more than 40 licensing programs. The ones that matter most for building and home services:

The full list of programs, from athletic trainers to weather modification, is on our TDLR links page. One exception inside TDLR's own territory: elevators within Houston city limits are regulated by the City of Houston.

Trades licensed by other Texas agencies

These are the ones people most often look for at TDLR and do not find.

Some work falls under two agencies at once. An A/C contractor who works on propane appliances, for example, holds a TDLR license and also deals with the Railroad Commission, which has its own registration for plumbers and A/C contractors doing LP-gas work.

Trades with no state license

Texas does not issue a statewide license for general contractors, remodelers, roofers, handymen, painters, drywall, flooring or fencing contractors, landscapers (irrigation is the exception) or auto mechanics. Anyone can call themselves one.

That does not mean nothing applies:

• The licensed parts of the job still need licensed people. A remodel that touches wiring, plumbing or A/C needs a licensed electrician, plumber or A/C contractor for that work, whoever runs the project.
• Cities set their own rules. Many Texas cities require contractor registration and building permits. Check with the city's permitting office where the work happens.
• Insurance and bonds are a business choice, not a license. Ask for proof of liability insurance before hiring someone in an unlicensed trade.

Questions

Does TDLR license plumbers?

No. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners does, and it has its own license search.

Do general contractors need a license in Texas?

Not from the state. Cities may require registration and permits, and the electrical, plumbing and A/C work on the job still needs licensed trades.

Who licenses home inspectors in Texas?

The Texas Real Estate Commission.

Who licenses pest control in Texas?

The Texas Department of Agriculture, through its structural pest control program.

Sources

TDLR program list: tdlr.texas.gov. Other agencies: the links in the table above, each to the agency's own site. Houston elevators: TDLR elevators at a glance (PDF).

Reviewed 9 October 2026. Independent site, not affiliated with TDLR or any agency listed. Agencies and programs change: confirm with the agency before relying on this for a hiring or licensing decision.