Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Houston, TX

Complete permit and license guide for starting a electrical contractor in Houston, Harris County, Texas.

Verified 2026-08-27 6 stops $800–$2,200 est. 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Texas

3 stops

  1. Texas Master Electrician License

    Required to qualify an electrical contracting business in Texas. Issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Applicants must have held a Journeyman Electrician license for at least two years and have 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed Master Electrician, then pass the Master Electrician exam (administered by PSI). The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The Master Electrician must be employed by the electrical contractor to qualify the contractor's TECL.

    Official government source

    $45 application fee; $45 annual renewal (TDLR); exam fee paid to PSI (see PSI Candidate Information Bulletin - needs_review)4–8 weeks

  2. Texas Electrical Contractor License (TECL)

    The business entity must hold a Texas Electrical Contractor License (TECL) from TDLR. Required to legally contract for electrical work in Texas.

    Official government source

    $110 application fee; $110 renewal (TDLR)2–4 weeks

  3. Texas Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

    LLCs and corporations must register with the Texas Secretary of State.

    Official government source

    $300 (LLC filing fee)3–5 business days (online filing)

City of Houston / Harris County

2 stops

  1. City of Houston Electrical Contractor Registration

    Electrical contractors must register with the Houston Permitting Center's Electrical Inspections section before performing electrical work in Houston. Registration requires a copy of the Texas Master Electrician license, the Texas Electrical Contractor License (TECL), and notarized form CE-1189. Registration is valid one year and must be renewed. This is a registration of state licenses, not a separate city license.

    Official government source

    No fee listed on the official registration page; confirm with Electrical Inspections1–3 weeks

  2. Harris County DBA / Business Registration

    Businesses operating under a trade name must file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Harris County Clerk.

    Official government source

    $24 (notarized; plus $0.50 per additional owner) or $25 + $1 witnessing fee if not notarized1–3 days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $800–$2,200 · 6–10 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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