Whenever Texas comes up, people visualize the Wild West, and apparently, they are right. Cowboys and tumbleweeds characterize the Lone Star State while professional licensing engagements are not as tight as in other states.
Consequently, a license is not a requirement in the handyman profession.
However, while you might not require a license to operate as a handyman in Texas, the state’s major cities have specific requirements if you want to run a handyman business or do extensive home repairs and renovations.
Let’s explore how to start a handyman business in Texas, and when you might need to acquire certifications in your endeavors.
Do You Need a License in Texas to Become a Handyman?
A license is not required to operate as a handyman in Texas, but specific jobs are an exception. Handyman contract jobs such as Plumbing and HVAC may need licensing, while others like simple repairs and aesthetic improvements may not.
Let’s see what you can and cannot do without licensing in Texas:
What You Can Do Without a License
Examples of handyman jobs you can comfortably do without a license include the following:
- Home siding repairs
- Interior and exterior home painting
- Window repairs, cleaning, and replacements
- Fence repairs
- Furniture building and installation
- Door screen and locks repairs
However, the above are just general guidelines; your city could be having stricter requirements that could cover some of the above. To avoid friction with the authorities, confirm with your local municipal authorities, and establish what tasks demand a license, contracting, and even handyman insurance.
Type of Work That Tends to Require a License
More complicated and extensive handyman jobs may demand licensing. You can access your license from the local municipality. Such types of jobs could include the following, <a href=”https://contractorquotes.us/texas-contractors-license/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>need a license</a> before making any repairs:
- Electrical works
- Plumbing
- HVAC works
- Elevator repairs
- Fire equipment installation
- Well Water Services
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Specialty License in Texas?
Acquiring specialty license costs differently in different cities across Texas.Let’s explore the pricing of license applications and renewals in the major cities in the state:
Dallas: The cost of a <a href=”http://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/buildinginspection/DCH%20documents/pdf/BI_GeneralContractor_RegistrationForm_10-16-2017.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>contractor registration</a> (and annual renewal) is $120.
San Antonio: If you’re doing non-structural work on a home (door replacements and outdoor swimming pool installation), you should register as a <a href=”https://docsonline.sanantonio.gov/FileUploads/dsd/HImpRegAppOct2009(6).pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Home Improvement Contractor</a>. The cost of registration and renewal is $150. Any work involving structural changes to a home requires a <a href=”https://docsonline.sanantonio.gov/FileUploads/dsd/ResBldCRApp2009(5).pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Home Builder Contractor</a> registration for an annual cost of $170.
Austin: For general contractors, a license is not a requirement in Austin. However, registration is required before you get your first permit. You can download the <a href=”http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Planning/Applications_Forms/General_Permit_Fax_Request.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>free permit form here</a>. Use the city’s official <a href=”https://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Development_Services/Fees/Residential_BPRandPermits_20181221.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Residential Building Plan Review and Permit Fees</a> schedule to learn more about the typical costs.
Houston: You do not need a contractor or general business license to operate in Houston. <a href=”https://edocs.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/planning/enforcement/residential_permitting_101.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Per</a>
<a href=”https://edocs.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/planning/enforcement/residential_permitting_101.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>the city</a>, permits are always pulled on a job-by-job basis. Permit fees are assessed based on the valuation of the property. For instance, for properties valued up to $150,000, the permit cost is $40.86 for the first $7,000 and $4.66 for every $1,000 in additional valuation. Review the <a href=”https://edocs.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/planning/enforcement/hpw_2019_permit_fee_schedule.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>full permit fee schedule</a> for more information.
How to Get a Handyman-Related License in Texas
You do not need a license to operate as a handyman in Lone Star State. However, for the sake of business expansion, you can get a license for other handyman-related fields. You do not want to be limited to doing simple repairs or small insignificant jobs. Remember how much a handyman can make is down to the scope of their expertise.
Before we start, here’s a quick disclaimer: As of mid-2019, the future of plumbing licenses in Texas is in flux. In May of 2019, the state legislature <a href=”https://www.texastribune.org/2019/05/28/texas-plumbers-future-laws-board-abolished/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>eliminated the state plumbing code</a> and made plans for a wind down of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. However, the governor later extended operation of the board <a href=”https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-takes-action-to-extend-texas-state-board-of-plumbing-examiners” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>through May 2021</a>. While the future of the plumbing licensure in Texas is uncertain, for the short term, you can rely on current <a href=”http://www.eplumbingcourses.com/plumbing-license/texas-plumbing-license/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>licensing requirements</a>.
Let’s explore the essentials of standard handyman-related licenses in Texas: Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.
Electricians and Plumbers
- Start as an Apprentice: Apprentices are less experienced starters. They are required only to have high school diplomas; college education is not needed. They are, however, required to register with the local municipality and be sponsored by an employer. As an apprentice, you work under an experienced professional electrician or plumber. You also pay an application fee of about $20.
- Be a Journeyman: With an experience of 8000 hours, you qualify to obtain a journeyman license. However, you will be required to have a GED, high school diploma, and take and pass an official examination.Plumber Journeyman prospect must also complete<a href=”https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>48 hours of approved course training</a>.
- Be a Master Electrician or Plumber: Having been a journeyman for a minimum of one year, you now qualify to take a master plumber examination. To take a master electrician exam, however, you need to have been a journeyman for a minimum of two years <a href= “https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elecfaq.htm#licensing” rel= “nofollow” target=” _blank”>12,000 certified hours</a> of experience working under a Master or Master Sign Electrician.
You can get the state’s electrician licensing <a href=”https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elecforms.htm#elecforms” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>here</a>. The cost to take both <a href=”https://candidate.psiexams.com/bulletin/display_bulletin.jsp?ro=yes&actionname=83&bulletinid=350&bulletinurl=.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>portions of the master exam</a> is $78. Plumbing licensure forms and applications for the state of Texas are available <a href=”https://tsbpe.texas.gov/applications-forms/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>here</a>, and the cost to <a href=”https://tsbpe.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MasterPlumberExamApp-August-2017.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>take the master exam</a> is $175.
To operate as an HVAC service provider or a handyman in Lone Star State, you need to know this:
HVAC requirements come into two sections; exam and licensing. To be <a href=”https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>eligible for licensure</a>, you must:
- Have air-conditioning and refrigeration work experience under a licensed contractor. The experience should be at least 48 hours and taken in the last 72 months, OR
- A 12 months old technician certification with at least 36 months air-conditioning and refrigeration work practical experience under a licensed contractor. The practical experienced should also have been gained in the last 48 months.
However, you might be exempted from the above requirements if you have a mechanical engineering degree, an HVAC degree or certificate, or have military training in refrigeration works or air-conditioning.
After submitting your application for a license, the state board will then provide you with information about the official examination. HVAC licenses come into classes with different examinations. With class A license, you can work on units of any size while class B limits you to heating systems of a maximum of 1.5 million BTUs/hour and cooling systems of under 25tons.
The exam’s pass mark is<a href=”https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>70% or above</a>. Class A exams cost $74, and Class B exams cost $60.
How to Use Your Texas Handyman License to Get a Job
With the right handyman tools, there are lots of job opportunities and trade careers in Lone Star State, whether you have a license or not. Austin for instance posts their job opportunities on their<a href=”https://www.austincityjobs.org/postings/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=electrician&query_v0_posted_at_date=&commit=Search” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>official website</a>. You can leverage your relationship with former mentors to get job openings if you pass through an apprentice program.
Building a good reputation on Yelp and Angie’s list, on the other hand, is the perfect way for an unlicensed handyman to find new work in new locations.
Is My Out-of-State License Valid in Texas?
You might not require your out-of-state license to operate in Texas, but having an image copy in your handyman blogs could come in handy to help you advertise your business and win new clients. In careers that demand taking exams to earn licensing, your out-of-state will not count.
Plumbing: Texas considers reciprocity on a <a href=”https://www.contractor-licensing.com/texas/plumbing-license.html” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>case-by-case basis for plumbers</a> with an out-of-state license. You can use your Texas plumbing license in other states, but you should consult your new state’s plumbing board.
Electrical: Texas has Master Electrician <a href= “https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec.htm” rel= “nofollow” target=” _blank”>reciprocity</a> with North Carolina and Louisiana, and Journeyman Electrician reciprocity with Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
HVAC: Texas has <a href=”https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrfaq.htm#state1″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>reciprocity</a> with Georgia and South Carolina.
How Often Do I Need to Renew My Handyman License in Texas?
Trade license renewals for most businesses in Texas are done annually. These are done through the state’s Department of Licensing and Registration. You can access renewal forms for AC professionals and electricians on <a href=”https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/services.htm#apply” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>their website</a>. You can also get your plumbing license renewal through the State’s Board of Plumbing Examiners <a href=”https://tsbpe.texas.gov/applyrenew-online/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>online</a> as well. Moreover, if you lose your license, you can <a href=”https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/DuplicateLicense” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>order a duplicate</a>.
After you have successfully acquired your license, running the business may require some help. While you focus on the hard practical aspect of your business, there are lots of dependable handyman apps such as Housecall Pro can help you with other tasks such as scheduling and invoicing.
Are you an amateur handyman seeking to bag your business license or an experienced veteran looking to expand your business entity? Learn how Housecall Pro’s all-in-one Handyman software can help your endeavor. Remember, a successful handyman business is more than a catchy handyman slogan.
