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Handyman License Requirements in San Antonio, TX

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Texas rules checked November 4, 2026 · San Antonio local rules checked November 12, 2026

No general business license, but San Antonio DSD requires Home Improvement Contractor registration ($150 per 2 years, FBI background check, liability $300k occurrence/$600k aggregate, City listed as certificate holder) before any permit for non-structural remodeling; structural/additions require Residential Building Contractor registration ($170/2 yrs).

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San Antonio requirements

No general business license, but San Antonio DSD requires Home Improvement Contractor registration ($150 per 2 years, FBI background check, liability $300k occurrence/$600k aggregate, City listed as certificate holder) before any permit for non-structural remodeling; structural/additions require Residential Building Contractor registration ($170/2 yrs).

Source link: sa.gov · sa.gov · checked November 12, 2026

Local business license

None found on official sources

"No general business license; DSD regulates contractors via registration."

Source: sa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

Required

  • Name: City of San Antonio DSD Home Improvement Contractor registration (and Residential Building Contractor registration for structural work)
  • Trigger: Anyone pulling permits in San Antonio: Home Improvement Contractor ($150/2 yrs, FBI background check, $300k/$600k liability) for non-structural remodeling, conversions, modernizations; Residential Building Contractor ($170/2 yrs, ICC residential cert, $500k/$1M liability) for structural alterations, additions, foundation repair, new homes.
"To receive a permit, you will need to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor ... Registration and renewal fee: $150 for two years"

Source: sa.gov · checked November 12, 2026

County: Bexar 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.

No statewide general license
Texas

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

  1. 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..
  2. Line up the San Antonio items listed on this page.
  3. 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.