Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth requires a city of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type from the city for foundation repair, general contracting, and roofing. It costs $168.75 per year.
City contractor registration in Fort Worth
| Registration | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, and roofing |
| Fee | $168.75 per year |
| Renewal | Every year, $168.75. |
How to register
- Fill out the Contractor Registration Application and choose one contractor type.
- Attach a copy of a government-issued ID and any state trade license.
- Submit it through a Development Services service request and pay the fee.
- Renew every year. The registration expires one year after issue.
Anyone getting a permit under the building, mechanical, plumbing or electrical codes must hold a valid Fort Worth registration. A homeowner working on the single-family house they own and live in is exempt. Building contractors need only the application and a driver's license. Mechanical, master electrical and master plumbing registrations have no fee. Plumbing irrigator, sign, wrecking and moving registrations cost $168.75 a year. Parkway contractors pay $562.50 and post a bond. A change of registered official or master costs $60.
What each trade needs in Fort Worth
| Foundation repair | Easy · 3 | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type | $168.75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Easy · 3 | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type | $168.75 |
| Roofing | Easy · 3 | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type when a permit is need | $168.75 |
| Plumbing | Hard · 62 | Master Plumbing registration | Free |
| Electrical | Hard · 58 | Master Electrical registration | Free |
| HVAC | Hard · 52 | Mechanical registration | Free |
| Irrigation | Moderate · 31 | Plumbing Irrigator registration | $168.75 |
| Concrete flatwork | Easy · 24 | Parkway Contractor registration | $562.50 |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | No grading contractor registration found. A grading permit and drainage study are required | |
| Demolition | Not rated | Wrecking Contractor registration | $168.75 |
Tap a column to sort. Each trade opens its Texas comparison by city, and fees link to the official fee page, checked October 18, 2026. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and irrigation also need a Texas state license, which no city registration replaces.
Drainage and detention work and demolition are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type. |
|---|---|
| Engineer letter | Yes. The residential remodel checklist asks for engineered foundation plans and an engineered structural letter for a foundation repair permit. |
The residential remodel checklist requires engineered foundation plans and an engineered structural letter for a foundation repair permit.
Foundation repair needs a residential building permit with engineered foundation plans and an engineered structural letter.
- Fill out the Contractor Registration Application and choose one contractor type.
- Attach a copy of a government-issued ID and any state trade license.
- Submit it through a Development Services service request and pay the fee.
- Have a Texas Professional Engineer prepare the foundation plans and structural letter.
- Apply for the residential building permit with both documents.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration; City of Fort Worth, residential remodel checklist and packet.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type. |
|---|
Remodels and additions need a residential building permit pulled by a registered building contractor or an exempt homeowner.
- Fill out the Contractor Registration Application and choose one contractor type.
- Attach a copy of a government-issued ID and any state trade license.
- Submit it through a Development Services service request and pay the fee.
- Renew every year. The registration expires one year after issue.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration; City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration Application.
Roofing
| Local rule | City of Fort Worth Contractor Registration, Building contractor type when a permit is needed. |
|---|
Fort Worth's remodel checklist says shingle replacement only needs no permit. Replacing decking or sheathing with the shingles needs a building permit with a detailed scope of work, and changing the roof pitch needs construction plans and elevations.
Shingle-only replacement needs no permit; replacing decking or sheathing needs a building permit.
- If it does, register as a building contractor and apply for a building permit with a detailed scope of work.
- If the roof pitch changes, add construction plans and elevation drawings.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, residential remodel checklist and packet; City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Master Plumbing registration (no fee). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | The application marks master plumbing registration as insurance required. |
Requires a valid Texas Master Plumber license. The application lists master plumbing as no fee.
Submit the Contractor Registration Application with the license and insurance.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration; City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration Application.
Electrical
| Local rule | Master Electrical registration (no fee). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Requires a valid Texas electrical contractor or electrical sign contractor license. The application asks electricians for the state contractor license number.
- Hold a TDLR Electrical Contractor license and Master Electrician license.
- Submit the Contractor Registration Application with both license numbers.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration; City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration Application.
HVAC
| Local rule | Mechanical registration (no fee). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Requires a valid Texas air conditioning and refrigeration license with the proper endorsements.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration; City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration Application.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Plumbing Irrigator registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $168.75 per year |
Plumbing registration covers a Texas irrigator license when required by the State or the City Plumbing Code. The irrigator registration costs $168.75 a year.
Irrigation systems are permitted under the plumbing code and installed by a TCEQ-licensed irrigator registered with the City.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration; City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration Application.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| Local rule | Parkway Contractor registration (residential, commercial or utility). |
|---|---|
| Fee | $562.50 per year |
| Insurance | Certificate of liability insurance naming the City of Fort Worth as additional insured. Utility contractors also need $10 million umbrella coverage. |
| Bond | $10,000. Source |
Residential parkway contractors post an original $10,000 Parkway Contractors Bond with power of attorney. Commercial and utility parkway contractors post $25,000.
Sidewalks, drive approaches and other work in the parkway are done by a registered, bonded parkway contractor.
- Buy a $10,000 residential (or $25,000 commercial) Parkway Contractors Bond.
- Get a certificate of insurance naming the City as additional insured.
- Submit the registration application, bond, insurance and power of attorney.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| Local rule | No grading contractor registration found. A grading permit and drainage study are required for land disturbance of one acre or more. |
|---|
The Stormwater Development Services group reviews drainage studies and grading permits for any development disturbing one or more acres, against the City's stormwater criteria. Grading plans and the drainage study must be prepared by a professional engineer. A $50 administrative fee applies to the grading permit plus review fees.
Sites disturbing an acre or more need a grading permit and an engineer's drainage study.
- Hire a Texas Professional Engineer for the grading plan and drainage study.
- Submit the grading permit with the study and pay the $50 administrative fee and review fees.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, stormwater development review.
Demolition
| Local rule | Wrecking Contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $168.75 per year |
| Insurance | Liability insurance is required. The City page does not state a minimum amount. |
Moving or structure demolition registration needs one registered official per business, a valid driver's license and liability insurance.
Demolition is done by a registered wrecking contractor under a demolition permit.
Register as a Wrecking Contractor with ID and proof of liability insurance.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration.
Fort Worth does not publish a local license or registration rule for drainage and detention work. Ask the city's permit office before you bid that work.
Official sources and contacts
- City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration
- City of Fort Worth, Contractor Registration Application
- City of Fort Worth, residential remodel checklist and packet (May 27, 2026)
- City of Fort Worth, stormwater development review
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the city's permit office before you apply or bid.