General contractors do not require a license in Texas.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not have a license category for general contractors, since general contractors like homebuilders do not require a license. However, in order to perform other contractor jobs, such as HVAC or plumbing work, you will need a license. Regardless of the job and the licensing requirements, local permits must be obtained in all cases. The process for obtaining licenses for the specialized areas is fairly straightforward.
Instructions
HVAC Licensing
1. Decide which type of license you need. The state of Texas offers either a class A license, which allows you to work on any size equipment, or a class B license, which allows you to work on equipment up to 25 tons of cooling and 1.5 million Btu of heating.
2. Register to take the exam for the type of license you require. In order to qualify for either exam, you need to have three years of experience in the last five years. If you have a degree in either refrigeration, engineering, mechanical engineering or air conditioning engineering, you can substitute that education for up to two years of the required work experience.
3. Obtain the required insurance for your type of license once you have passed the license and pay the licensing fees. As of the type of publication, the license application fee is $50, the test fee is $90 and the license costs $115.
Plumbing Licensing
4. Contact the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to register for the test. You must pass the test before you can apply for a license. In order to qualify for the master plumber test, you must have held a journeyman license in Texas for at least a year.
5. Register for the test, which will cost $155 as of the time of publication. The test consists of two sections, both a written section and a hands-on section, so prepare accordingly.
6. Submit proof of your passing score on the master plumber exam to the state licensing board. The cost and length of your initial license depends on when the state issues your license.
Electrician Licensing
7. Determine which type of license you require. There are twelve different electrician license types, and the requirements and fees are different for each.
8. Meet the work experience requirement that applies to you and register for the appropriate exam. For example, if you are applying for a master electrician certification, you will need 12,000 hours of on the job experience working under a licensed master electrician and your exam will cost $78 as of the time of publication.
9. Submit your license application with the required fee and proof of a passed exam. The fee varies among different license types. For a master electrician, the fee is $50 as of the time of publication.
Tags: type license, master electrician, time publication, allows work, class license
