Handyman License Requirements in Austin, TX
Register with DSD Building and Trade Contractor Services (austintexas.gov/development-services/contractor-registration; AB+C Portal account; 512-978-4000) before any building or trade permit.
Austin requirements
Register with DSD Building and Trade Contractor Services (austintexas.gov/development-services/contractor-registration; AB+C Portal account; 512-978-4000) before any building or trade permit.
Source link: austintexas.gov · austintexas.gov · austintexas.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
None found on official sources
"No general business license found; page claim consistent."
Source: austintexas.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Required
- Name: City of Austin Contractor Registration (Building and Trade Contractor Services, DSD) + AB+C Portal account
- Trigger: Required before obtaining any Building or Trade Permit in Austin; applies to general contractors, trade contractors and homeowners acting as contractors
"General contractors, trade contractors, and homeowners acting as contractors must register with BTCS before obtaining a Building or Trade Permit."
Source: austintexas.gov · checked November 2, 2026
County: Travis County
The Texas rule
Regulator: None for general/handyman work. Trades: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) - Electricians and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration programs; Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) - plumbing. LLC formation: Texas Secretary of State.
Not applicable. No state dollar threshold for general/handyman work. Electrical work has no dollar exemption: TDLR states anyone who performs electrical work in Texas must be licensed. TDLR's listed exemptions include a homeowner doing electrical work on a dwelling they own and live in, and work on low-voltage circuits (class 1, 2 or 3 remote control, signaling or power-limited circuits, fire alarm, optical fiber or communications circuits).
What counts toward it: other: not applicable - no state general/handyman license exists, so there is no dollar threshold
"Anyone who performs electrical work in the state of Texas must be licensed."
Source: tdlr.texas.gov · tdlr.texas.gov · checked November 4, 2026
State registration
No state registration for handyman/general contractors. Electricians are licensed by TDLR; plumbers by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). TSBPE fees: journeyman plumber $40 exam application plus $40 for the license; master plumber $75 initial license, $75 renewal. TDLR electrician fees: journeyman $30 application, master $45 application; electrician licenses are valid one year and renew annually (journeyman renewal $30).
Source: tdlr.texas.gov · tdlr.texas.gov · tdlr.texas.gov · checked November 4, 2026
Forming an LLC in Texas
State filing fee: $300.
Source: sos.state.tx.us · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the Texas rule and confirm with None for general/handyman work. Trades: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) - Electricians and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration programs; Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) - plumbing. LLC formation: Texas Secretary of State..
- Line up the Austin items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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