Texas

No. Texas does not have a statewide general contractor license. There is no state agency that issues or verifies a general contractor license for residential construction or remodeling. Instead, contractor requirements in Texas are set at the local level — cities and counties determine what credentials, registrations, or permits apply. This means your first check should always be with the building or permits department in your specific city or county, not a state agency.

Start with three checks: verify the business is registered with the Texas Secretary of State at sos.state.tx.us, confirm the contractor has pulled permits on past projects through your local building department, and verify general liability and workers' compensation insurance directly with the insurer. Ask for references on recently completed jobs in your area. For specialty trade work, verify the relevant state trade license through TDLR (tdlr.texas.gov) or the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

Yes. Texas licenses several specialty trades at the state level even though general contractors are not licensed. Electricians and electrical contractors are licensed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — verify at tdlr.texas.gov. Air conditioning and refrigeration contractors are also licensed through TDLR. Plumbers are licensed through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) — verify at tsbpe.texas.gov. Always verify trade licenses separately from the general contractor's credentials.

Many do — but requirements vary significantly. San Antonio requires a city contractor license for most trades. Austin requires contractors to be registered to pull permits. Dallas and Houston have their own registration and permit requirements. For unincorporated areas, the county or local permit authority sets the rules. Always contact your local building department directly — search '[your city] building permits contractor requirements' or start at Texas.gov to find your municipality.

Always require general liability insurance and verify it directly with the insurer. Workers' compensation is where Texas is unique: Texas is the only state where private employers can legally opt out of the workers' comp system. A contractor without workers' comp coverage is called a 'non-subscriber' — if a worker is injured on your property, you could be exposed to significant liability. Always ask whether the contractor carries workers' comp and get written confirmation, not just a verbal assurance.

Texas does not have a single statewide home improvement contract statute for all projects, but several protections apply. Any contract signed at your home (not at a contractor's place of business) triggers the Texas Home Solicitation Sales Act, giving you a 3-business-day right to cancel. Texas Property Code Chapter 53 governs mechanics liens and requires contractors to provide notice of lien rights on projects over certain thresholds. For any project over $500, always use a written contract specifying scope, price, payment schedule, and start/completion dates.

Texas homeowners can pursue claims under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Chapter 17. The DTPA allows you to recover your actual damages, and if the contractor acted knowingly, up to three times your economic damages plus attorney fees. File a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at texasattorneygeneral.gov. For disputes under $20,000 ($10,000 in justice courts), small claims court is an option. Specialty trade violations can also be reported to TDLR or TSBPE.