# PermitPulled

> Independent statistics and plain-language guides on occupational licenses issued by the
> Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Not affiliated with TDLR.
> Individual license records are not published here: for one record use the official TDLR
> search, https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

Figures come from the public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026: 739,394 active licenses
across 82 license types, 526,540 renewals due in the following twelve months, about 43,878 a month,
and 206,186 licenses that lapsed in the previous two years without being renewed.
All compiled data is published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution to PermitPulled (https://permitpulled.com) is required.

Every page below has a plain-markdown mirror at the same path with a .md extension.

## Data
- [Texas license renewals by month, trade and county](https://permitpulled.com/reports/texas-license-renewals): the statewide picture. Markdown: /reports/texas-license-renewals.md
- [CSV download](https://permitpulled.com/downloads/texas-license-renewals.csv): the same figures, machine readable.
- [All 82 license types](https://permitpulled.com/licenses): every type TDLR issues, grouped by trade and listed A to Z, with counts.

## Guides
- [Every TDLR search explained](https://permitpulled.com/guides/how-to-search-tdlr-records): which TDLR search answers which question — licenses, boiler certificates, elevators, tow companies, penalties. Markdown: /guides/how-to-search-tdlr-records.md
- [Cosmetology license renewal](https://permitpulled.com/guides/cosmetology-license-renewal-texas): 4 CE hours every two years; 1 sanitation, 2 trade, 1 human trafficking; reduced tier after 15 years. Markdown: /guides/cosmetology-license-renewal-texas.md
- [Electrician license renewal](https://permitpulled.com/guides/electrician-license-renewal-texas): 4 hours every year; contractors and residential appliance installers exempt; apprentices may enroll in a registered program instead. Markdown: /guides/electrician-license-renewal-texas.md
- [A/C and refrigeration renewal](https://permitpulled.com/guides/hvac-license-renewal-texas): 8 hours a year for contractors including 1 hour of Texas law and rules. Markdown: /guides/hvac-license-renewal-texas.md
- [Barber license renewal](https://permitpulled.com/guides/barber-license-renewal-texas): 4 hours every two years under the rules restructured on 1 September 2025. Markdown: /guides/barber-license-renewal-texas.md

## Reference
- [Who licenses what in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/guides/who-licenses-what-in-texas): TDLR trades vs other agencies (TSBPE plumbers, TREC home inspectors, TDA pest control, State Fire Marshal fire alarm and sprinkler, DPS locksmiths and security, Railroad Commission LP-gas, TCEQ irrigators and backflow) and trades with no state license (general contractors, roofers, handymen). Markdown: /guides/who-licenses-what-in-texas.md
- [TDLR glossary](https://permitpulled.com/glossary): plain-English definitions of TDLR licensing terms, each linked to a guide. Markdown: /glossary.md
- Every license-type page (/trade/{slug}) carries a data-driven FAQ: active count, top county, peak expiry month, renewal cycle, CE and how to check a license.
- [Every TDLR license type at a glance](https://permitpulled.com/requirements): all 82 types with active counts, renewal cycle (every year or every two years, derived from the data) and the continuing education needed to renew, linked to TDLR's CE rules. Markdown: /requirements.md
- [What's new at TDLR](https://permitpulled.com/whats-new): dated summaries of TDLR rule changes and notices, each linked to the official source (2026 NEC adopted 1 September 2026; A/C rules on 2024 codes; solar retailer registration). RSS: /whats-new/feed.xml. Markdown: /whats-new.md
- [Every official TDLR link, sorted by task](https://permitpulled.com/links): license, boiler, elevator, tow company and penalty searches; renewal; continuing education; complaints; rules; data; and the other Texas boards (plumbers, engineers, architects). Markdown: /links.md

## Exam guides (with official TDLR pass rates)
- [Texas licensing exams: all guides and every pass rate](https://permitpulled.com/exams): 23 exams from PSI candidate bulletins, with TDLR fiscal-year-2025 pass rates (e.g. journeyman electrician NEC portion 24.5%, master calculations 19.1%, cosmetology written 49%, barber written 37%). Markdown: /exams.md
- [The Texas cosmetology operator exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/cosmetology-operator-exam-texas): 100 written questions in 120 minutes, then a 13-section practical. Half of written candidates fail. Markdown: /exams/cosmetology-operator-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas Class A barber exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/barber-exam-texas): 85 written questions in 90 minutes and an 11-section practical. Only 37% pass the written. Markdown: /exams/barber-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas esthetician exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/esthetician-exam-texas): 75 written questions in 105 minutes and an 8-section facial practical that 98% pass. Markdown: /exams/esthetician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas manicurist (nail technician) exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/manicurist-exam-texas): A written and a practical exam through PSI. 68% pass the written; 82% the practical. Markdown: /exams/manicurist-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas eyelash extension specialist exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/eyelash-extension-exam-texas): Written and practical through PSI. 60% pass the written; 97% the practical. Markdown: /exams/eyelash-extension-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas hair weaving specialist exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/hair-weaving-exam-texas): 40 written questions in 55 minutes and a braid-and-weft practical of 50 points. Markdown: /exams/hair-weaving-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas journeyman electrician exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/journeyman-electrician-exam-texas): Two timed portions on the 2026 NEC, open book, $78. About one in four passes. Markdown: /exams/journeyman-electrician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas master electrician exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/master-electrician-exam-texas): 75 code questions and 33 calculations on the 2026 NEC. Under one in four passes. Markdown: /exams/master-electrician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas residential wireman exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/residential-wireman-exam-texas): 80 questions in 4 hours on the 2026 NEC, open book, $64. 30% pass. Markdown: /exams/residential-wireman-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas maintenance electrician exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/maintenance-electrician-exam-texas): 60 questions in 3 hours on the 2026 NEC, open book, $64. Markdown: /exams/maintenance-electrician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas residential appliance installer exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/appliance-installer-exam-texas): 80 questions in 4 hours; pools, spas and fountains are the biggest topic. 36% pass. Markdown: /exams/appliance-installer-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas master and journeyman sign electrician exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/sign-electrician-exam-texas): 100 or 80 questions; electric signs and outline lighting are over a third of each. Markdown: /exams/sign-electrician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas journeyman industrial and journeyman lineman exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/journeyman-industrial-lineman-exam-texas): Industrial: 60 questions with an electrical safety section. Lineman: 40 questions in 2 hours. Markdown: /exams/journeyman-industrial-lineman-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas air conditioning and refrigeration contractor exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/acr-contractor-exam-texas): Class A: 120 questions in 230 minutes. Class B: 100 in 170. Open book, 2024 codes. Markdown: /exams/acr-contractor-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas A/C certified technician exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/certified-technician-exam-texas): 60 questions in 112 minutes, almost half on testing, diagnostics and service. Markdown: /exams/certified-technician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas auctioneer exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/auctioneer-exam-texas): 75 closed-book questions, a 75% pass mark and two tries per application. Markdown: /exams/auctioneer-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas property tax consultant exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/property-tax-consultant-exam-texas): PTC: 50 questions in 80 minutes. Senior: 100 in 125. Appraisal is over half of both. Markdown: /exams/property-tax-consultant-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas property tax professional exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/property-tax-professional-exams-texas): Four exams from 80 to 150 questions; the Class IV appraiser exam runs 5½ hours. Markdown: /exams/property-tax-professional-exams-texas.md
- [The Texas water well driller exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/water-well-driller-exam-texas): A general exam plus one per endorsement. Only 28% passed the water well exam. Markdown: /exams/water-well-driller-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas pump installer exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/pump-installer-exam-texas): A 60-question general pump exam plus a 30-question exam per endorsement. Markdown: /exams/pump-installer-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas massage therapist exam](https://permitpulled.com/exams/massage-therapist-exam-texas): 100 questions in 150 minutes, in English or Spanish. Swedish massage is 38%. Markdown: /exams/massage-therapist-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas motor fuel service technician exams](https://permitpulled.com/exams/motor-fuel-service-technician-exam-texas): 30 open-book questions in 60 minutes, for low-flow or high-flow fuel dispensers. Markdown: /exams/motor-fuel-service-technician-exam-texas.md
- [The Texas boiler examination](https://permitpulled.com/exams/boiler-inspector-exam-texas): A written exam on eight boiler topics. Fewer than half passed in 2025. Markdown: /exams/boiler-inspector-exam-texas.md

## Tools
- [TDLR license renewal calculator](https://permitpulled.com/renewal-calculator): days left, when to start CE, next expiration and a downloadable calendar reminder (.ics). Runs in the browser; stores nothing. Accepts ?type={license-slug}. Markdown: /renewal-calculator.md

## Boilers
- [Boiler inspection fees and late fees](https://permitpulled.com/blog/texas-boiler-inspection-fees): $70 certificate, $40/$70 inspections, daily late fees since 15 June 2026 ($25, $50, $100 per day). Markdown: /blog/texas-boiler-inspection-fees.md
- [Boiler inspection intervals](https://permitpulled.com/blog/texas-boiler-inspection-intervals): annual for power boilers, 2 years for heating boilers, 3 years for hot water supply; extensions up to 60 months. Markdown: /blog/texas-boiler-inspection-intervals.md
- [New boiler installation report](https://permitpulled.com/blog/new-boiler-installation-report-texas): BLR213N within 30 days, inspection before firing. Markdown: /blog/new-boiler-installation-report-texas.md
- [Temporary boiler operating permit](https://permitpulled.com/blog/texas-temporary-boiler-operating-permit): $50, BLR213N Part II. Markdown: /blog/texas-temporary-boiler-operating-permit.md
- [Boiler exemptions](https://permitpulled.com/blog/texas-boiler-exemptions): HSC 755.022, including residential heating boilers for up to four families. Markdown: /blog/texas-boiler-exemptions.md

## How to get licensed
- [How to get a license in Texas: all guides](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed): 20 step-by-step guides written from TDLR application pages. Markdown: /get-licensed.md
- [How to get a cosmetology license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/cosmetology-license-texas): 1,000 hours of school, a written exam at 900 hours, a practical at the end, and a $50 application fee. Markdown: /get-licensed/cosmetology-license-texas.md
- [How to get a nail technician license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/nail-technician-license-texas): In Texas a nail tech is a licensed manicurist: 600 hours, written and practical exams, $50. Markdown: /get-licensed/nail-technician-license-texas.md
- [How to get an esthetician license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/esthetician-license-texas): 750 hours, written and practical exams, $50, plus two combination licenses worth knowing about. Markdown: /get-licensed/esthetician-license-texas.md
- [How to get an eyelash extension license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/eyelash-extension-license-texas): 320 hours at a licensed school, then both a written and a practical exam. Markdown: /get-licensed/eyelash-extension-license-texas.md
- [How to get a hair weaving specialist license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/hair-weaving-license-texas): 300 hours, written and practical exams, and an 800-hour route if you add esthetics. Markdown: /get-licensed/hair-weaving-license-texas.md
- [How to get a barber license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/barber-license-texas): Class A Barber: 1,000 hours, a written exam from 900 hours, a practical at the end, $50. Markdown: /get-licensed/barber-license-texas.md
- [How to get a salon license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/salon-license-texas): Every salon, barbershop, nail or lash studio needs an establishment license: $78, or $70 for a mini-establishment. Markdown: /get-licensed/salon-license-texas.md
- [How to get an apprentice electrician license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/apprentice-electrician-license-texas): No experience, no exam, $20 online. The entry point for every electrical career in Texas. Markdown: /get-licensed/apprentice-electrician-license-texas.md
- [How to get a journeyman electrician license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/journeyman-electrician-license-texas): 8,000 supervised hours (exam from 7,000), a mailed application, $30 and an open-book NEC exam. Markdown: /get-licensed/journeyman-electrician-license-texas.md
- [How to get a master electrician license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/master-electrician-license-texas): Two years as a journeyman, 12,000 supervised hours, a $45 mailed application and the exam. Markdown: /get-licensed/master-electrician-license-texas.md
- [How to get a residential wireman license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/residential-wireman-license-texas): Half the hours of a journeyman, for homes and apartments up to four stories. $20 by mail. Markdown: /get-licensed/residential-wireman-license-texas.md
- [How to get a maintenance electrician license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/maintenance-electrician-license-texas): 8,000 hours under a master or maintenance electrician, for electrical maintenance work. $20. Markdown: /get-licensed/maintenance-electrician-license-texas.md
- [How to get an electrical contractor license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/electrical-contractor-license-texas): A master electrician on staff, $300,000 liability cover, workers' comp paperwork and $110. Markdown: /get-licensed/electrical-contractor-license-texas.md
- [How to get a residential appliance installer license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/appliance-installer-license-texas): No experience needed: a $30 mailed application and an exam, for appliance and pool electrical work. Markdown: /get-licensed/appliance-installer-license-texas.md
- [How to get an HVAC license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/hvac-license-texas): 48 months of supervised experience, Class A or B, an endorsement, insurance and $115. Markdown: /get-licensed/hvac-license-texas.md
- [How to become an A/C technician in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/ac-technician-certification-texas): Registered at 16 for $20 with no exam, or certified after 24 months and an exam. Markdown: /get-licensed/ac-technician-certification-texas.md
- [How to get a tow truck operator license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/tow-truck-license-texas): Three operator licenses, a certification for two of them, a driver's license and $100. Markdown: /get-licensed/tow-truck-license-texas.md
- [How to get an auctioneer license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/auctioneer-license-texas): 80 classroom hours at an approved auction school, an exam at 75%, and $100 including the recovery fund. Markdown: /get-licensed/auctioneer-license-texas.md
- [How to get a water well driller or pump installer license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/water-well-driller-license-texas): Two supervised years, a set number of qualifying wells or installs, an exam, and $430. Markdown: /get-licensed/water-well-driller-license-texas.md
- [How to become a property tax consultant in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/property-tax-consultant-license-texas): 40 hours of pre-license education, a Senior PTC sponsor, a 50-question exam and $50. Markdown: /get-licensed/property-tax-consultant-license-texas.md

## Articles
- [How to check a Texas boiler certificate of operation](https://permitpulled.com/blog/texas-boiler-certificate-of-operation-lookup): Boiler Data Search field by field, the TX boiler number, 12/24/36-month inspection cycles, missing certificates. Markdown: /blog/texas-boiler-certificate-of-operation-lookup.md
- [Who can inspect a boiler in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/blog/who-can-inspect-a-boiler-in-texas): authorized inspection agencies for insured boilers, TDLR deputy inspectors for uninsured ones, and the license counts. Markdown: /blog/who-can-inspect-a-boiler-in-texas.md
- [How to look up an elevator inspection in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/blog/texas-elevator-inspection-lookup): annual third-party inspection, 30-day filing, one-year certificate of compliance; Houston is regulated by the city, not TDLR. Markdown: /blog/texas-elevator-inspection-lookup.md
- [How to check a tow company license in Texas](https://permitpulled.com/blog/check-texas-tow-company-license): tow companies and storage facilities are in a separate search from operators; consumer rights when towed; tow hearing before the 14th day. Markdown: /blog/check-texas-tow-company-license.md
- [How to search TDLR penalties and disciplinary actions](https://permitpulled.com/blog/tdlr-penalties-and-disciplinary-actions-search): the administrative orders search covers the current and two previous fiscal years; older orders by written request. Markdown: /blog/tdlr-penalties-and-disciplinary-actions-search.md
- [What happens when a Texas license expires](https://permitpulled.com/blog/what-happens-when-a-texas-license-expires): late renewal stages, the point where renewal is no longer possible, and the scale of lapsed licenses. Markdown: /blog/what-happens-when-a-texas-license-expires.md

## About the source
- [Method](https://permitpulled.com/method): what is counted, what is excluded, refresh frequency and known limits. Markdown: /method.md
- [About](https://permitpulled.com/about): who runs the site and how it is funded. Markdown: /about.md