Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Houston, Texas
Houston does not license or register general contractors. No local license or registration is needed for foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, drainage and detention work, and demolition.
What each trade needs in Houston
| Foundation repair | Easy · 0 | No contractor registration. A foundation repair permit is required. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Easy · 0 | None. Houston does not license or register general contractors. | |
| Roofing | Easy · 0 | No roofing contractor registration. A residential roofing permit is required. | |
| Plumbing | Hard · 62 | Master Plumber registration with the City of Houston | Free |
| Electrical | Hard or harder · 58+ | Electrical Contractor registration and Master Electrician registration | |
| HVAC | Hard or harder · 52+ | Registration of the state Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license | |
| Irrigation | Moderate or harder · 28+ | Landscape Irrigator registration with the City of Houston | $61.67 |
| Concrete flatwork | Not rated | Sidewalk, Driveway, Curb and Gutter Builders Bond | |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | No grading contractor registration. A fill and grade permit is required for excavation and | |
| Demolition | Easy · 0 | No demolition contractor registration. A residential demolition permit is required. | $94 |
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.
Concrete flatwork and drainage and detention work are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | No contractor registration. A foundation repair permit is required. |
|---|---|
| Engineer letter | Yes, for slab-on-grade repairs, and for block-and-base repairs beyond the City's engineered details. Those plans must be prepared by a Texas-licensed engineer. |
Houston does not register foundation contractors. For a slab-on-grade repair the City asks for foundation plans and details prepared by a Texas-licensed engineer showing the location, quantity and type of supports (piers or pressed piles). Block-and-base repairs that stay within the limits of the City's engineered details (4x8 or 4x6 beams) can use those details; larger ones need a Texas engineer's plans. Level-and-shim and minor beam work use the Repair Per Spec list. Properties in flood zones A, AO, AE, A1-30 or A99 also need floodplain paperwork.
Foundation repair needs a City permit with engineered plans for slab-on-grade houses and pre-construction and final inspections.
- Hire a Texas Professional Engineer to design the pier layout for a slab-on-grade house.
- Apply for the foundation repair permit with the engineer's plans, the project address and the owner's name.
- If the lot is in a mapped flood zone, add the sealed cost estimate or notarized contract and the appraisal the Floodplain Management Office asks for.
- Pay for the permit before work starts and keep it posted facing the street.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, foundation repair (HPWFMO1010); Houston residential permitting guide.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | None. Houston does not license or register general contractors. |
|---|
The building permit can be purchased by an owner, agent or contractor. The licensed trade contractors then buy their own trade permits.
Remodels and additions need a building permit, plus separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits bought by registered trade contractors.
- Set up an iPermits account with the Houston Permitting Center.
- Apply for the building permit and submit plans for review.
- Have your licensed and City-registered electrician, plumber and HVAC contractor pull their trade permits.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston residential permitting guide.
Roofing
| Local rule | No roofing contractor registration. A residential roofing permit is required. |
|---|
Residential reroof and roof overlay permits (HPWCODE1140) carry a $33.56 administrative fee plus the fee from the City fee schedule. Plan review and inspection are required and the permit is valid six months.
A reroof or overlay on a house needs a residential roofing permit and inspection.
- Pay the permit fee and the $33.56 administrative fee.
- Keep the permit on site and call for the final inspection.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, residential roofing permit (HPWCODE1140).
Plumbing
| Local rule | Master Plumber registration with the City of Houston. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | Proof of insurance is required at registration. |
The City says there is no fee for registering a Master Plumber license. Registration is renewed every year and first-time registrations are done in person.
Plumbing permits are bought by a TSBPE master plumber who is registered with the City.
- Hold a TSBPE Master Plumber license with the Responsible Master Plumber designation.
- Register in person at 1002 Washington Avenue with form CE 1390, ID and proof of insurance.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, Master Plumber registration (HPWCODE1165).
Electrical
| Local rule | Electrical Contractor registration and Master Electrician registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not published. Fee schedule |
Master Electricians, Electrical Contractors and Appliance Installers must register before working in Houston. Bring the state Master Electrician license, the state contractor license and a notarized form CE-1189. Registration is valid one year. The 2026 fee schedule does not itemize the registration fee; call Electrical Inspections at 832.394.8860.
Electrical permits are bought by a TDLR-licensed electrical contractor registered with the City.
- Hold a TDLR Electrical Contractor license and Master Electrician license.
- Submit form CE-1189 with copies of both state licenses.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, Electrical Contractor registration (HPWCODE1051); Houston Permitting Center, Master Electrician registration (HPWCODE1057).
HVAC
| Local rule | Registration of the state Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not published. Fee schedule |
| Insurance | Certificate of insurance showing the licensee's business affiliation, with the licensee named as insured or additional insured. |
Registration uses form CE-1307 with a copy of the TDLR license card and photo ID, is valid one year and is processed in about 24 hours. Staff issue a sales order for the registration fee, which the 2026 schedule does not itemize.
HVAC permits are bought by a TDLR Class A or B contractor registered with the City.
Email form CE-1307, the license card, ID and certificate of insurance.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, ACR contractor license registration (HPWCODE1012).
Irrigation
| Local rule | Landscape Irrigator registration with the City of Houston. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $61.67 per year |
The registration page lists a $61.67 fee for registering a Landscape Irrigator license. The 2026 fee schedule lists Irrigator License Registration at $32.52, and license fees are subject to the $33.56 administrative fee. Lawn irrigation permits must be obtained by a master plumber or licensed irrigator registered with the City and cost $1.95 per head for the first 200 heads and $1.30 per head after that (minimum $97.56) plus the $33.56 administrative fee.
A lawn irrigation system needs a plumbing permit bought by a registered irrigator or master plumber, with plan review and inspection.
Register it with the City in person with form CE 1390, ID and proof of insurance.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, Master Plumber and Landscape Irrigator registration; Houston Permitting Center, lawn irrigation system permit (HPWCODE1089); Houston 2026 licenses fee schedule.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| Local rule | Sidewalk, Driveway, Curb and Gutter Builders Bond. |
|---|---|
| Bond | $2,000. Source |
The sidewalk and driveway permit application (CE1023) asks for the Sidewalk, Driveway, Curb and Gutter bond number. The bond form is a $2,000 surety bond payable to the City of Houston. Driveway culverts wider than 40 feet need a plan and profile drawing by a Texas-licensed engineer.
Sidewalks, driveway approaches and curbs in the right of way need a sidewalk and driveway permit tied to a $2,000 builder's bond.
- Post the $2,000 Sidewalk, Driveway, Curb and Gutter Builders Bond on the City form.
- Fill out permit application CE1023 with the bond number.
- Build to the City sidewalk details and call for inspection.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston, Sidewalk, Driveway, Curb and Gutter Builders Bond form; Houston, Sidewalk Driveway Permit Application (CE1023).
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| Local rule | No grading contractor registration. A fill and grade permit is required for excavation and grading outside a building permit. |
|---|
The fill and grade permit (HPWCODE1144) goes through structural, stormwater and flood plan review, takes about 15 business days, and is valid six months. Fees follow the City fee schedule plus the $33.56 administrative fee. Detention and drainage design must be sealed by a Texas Professional Engineer.
Grading, fill and detention work needs a fill and grade permit with stormwater and floodplain review.
- Have a Texas Professional Engineer prepare the grading and drainage plans.
- Apply for the fill and grade permit and submit plans.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, fill and grade permit (HPWCODE1144).
Demolition
| Local rule | No demolition contractor registration. A residential demolition permit is required. |
|---|
The residential demolition permit costs $94.00 for the first story and $47.00 for each additional story plus the $33.56 administrative fee. A sewer disconnect permit with an approved inspection is required first. Commercial demolition uses HPWCODE1159.
Tearing down any house or residential building needs a demolition permit after the sewer is disconnected and inspected.
- Have a master plumber get the sewer disconnect permit and pass that inspection.
- Notify DSHS if the building is covered by the asbestos rules.
- Apply for the residential demolition permit and pay the fee.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Houston Permitting Center, residential demolition permit (HPWCODE1142); Houston Permitting Center, commercial demolition permit (HPWCODE1159).
Official sources and contacts
- Houston Permitting Center, residential permitting guide
- Houston Permitting Center, 2026 licenses, annual and miscellaneous fee schedule
- Houston Permitting Center, 2026 fee increase notice
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the city's permit office before you apply or bid.