Texas TDLR License Lookup: Check Status, Expiration & Records
Need to verify a Texas electrician, HVAC contractor, cosmetologist, massage therapist, speech-language pathologist or licensed business? Start with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s official license database.
This guide explains how to find the correct record, understand active-license results, investigate disciplinary actions, check renewal options and avoid choosing the wrong Texas licensing agency.
VerificationLicense.org is an independent informational website, not TDLR or another Texas government agency. This page explains official public resources but does not issue licenses, conduct live background checks or provide an independent certification of a person’s licensing status.
Quick Answer: How Do You Check a Texas TDLR License?
Open the official TDLR License Data Search, choose the appropriate license type and search by license number, personal name or business name. Check that the matching record identifies the correct licensee and occupational category.
The general TDLR database is labeled “Active Licenses only.” It is useful for confirming active license records, but it is not a complete archive of expired, revoked or historical licenses.
When the search does not produce a match, first check spelling, license type and filters. A missing result does not automatically establish that the person has never been licensed. TDLR directs users whose licenses are not found to customer service.
Verify an Active License
Confirm the person or business, license class, number and current expiration information.
Review Enforcement Orders
Use the separate Administrative Orders Search to investigate qualifying public sanctions or penalties.
Confirm the Regulator
TDLR does not regulate every licensed occupation in Texas. Nurses, pharmacists and dentists use other agencies.
Check the specific license required for the work. A valid individual credential does not necessarily establish that a contracting business is licensed, and a business license does not automatically prove that each employee holds the required individual credential.
TDLR License Lookup Search Fields Explained
TDLR’s public search provides several filters. Begin with the license type and the most reliable identifying information you have. Add location information only when it improves the accuracy of the match.
| Search Field | Best Use | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| License Type | Identify the regulated profession or business category. | Select the correct category; similar occupational titles may have different licensing requirements. |
| License Number | Find a record when a valid identifier is available. | The general search specifies numeric-only input for this field. |
| Name or Business Name | Search when the license number is unknown. | Use the full legal or registered name if possible; compare other identifiers before selecting a result. |
| Expiration Date | Narrow records with a known expiration date. | The search specifies the mmddyyyy date format. |
| City | Differentiate people or businesses with similar names. | A licensee may use a registered city different from the location where services are performed. |
| County | Narrow a large group of matching records. | Remove this filter if you are uncertain where the licensee is registered. |
| ZIP Code | Check a known business or professional location. | An old ZIP code can exclude the correct record after a move. |
Best search strategy: Use a license number when available. Otherwise, search the full name and exact license type. If several results appear, add one location filter at a time instead of guessing which person is correct.
How to Verify a TDLR License Online: 7 Practical Steps
Use this process when screening a contractor, confirming employment credentials, reviewing a service provider or checking your own public license information.
Open the official Texas license verification directory
Go to TDLR Search / Verify Licenses or Projects. Select the search for individuals and businesses. Use the official domain rather than treating third-party directory listings as the licensing authority.
Choose the correct licensing category
Select the relevant profession or business license type. For example, an electrician, electrical contractor, apprentice electrician and HVAC contractor are not interchangeable credentials. The exact category matters.
Enter the license number or registered name
Use the official license number when possible. Otherwise, enter the individual’s name or business name. Add city, county or ZIP information only if needed to narrow the results.
Identify the correct person or business
Compare the name, licensing category, number and other identifying details available in the result. Similar names are common, especially in large metropolitan areas.
Check current status and expiration information
Confirm that the official active-license database contains the expected record and that its expiration information is appropriate for the date of verification. Do not rely only on an old license card or renewal receipt.
Check disciplinary orders when relevant
For hiring, compliance or significant service contracts, separately search TDLR’s administrative orders. A current license record and an enforcement-history check answer different questions.
Save dated verification evidence
Record the check date, official source, licensee name, license number, license class and expiration information. Keep a screenshot or printout if your employer, purchasing process or compliance policy requires documentation.
What Professions and Businesses Does TDLR License?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees numerous occupations and regulated industries. Some involve individuals, some involve businesses or establishments, and others concern inspections, registrations or regulated projects.
Electricians
TDLR licenses several electrician classes and electrical contractor businesses. The applicable requirements depend on the type of electrical work and the worker’s role.
Official electrician licensing informationAir Conditioning and Refrigeration
Verify the appropriate ACR contractor credential and review the applicable license class and endorsement requirements before hiring for regulated HVAC work.
Official ACR programBarbering and Cosmetology
Check the individual professional license and, where required, the establishment or school license. These represent separate responsibilities.
Official barbering and cosmetology programMassage Therapy
Look up massage therapists, establishments or schools according to the service involved. A valid practitioner license does not automatically replace an establishment license.
Official massage therapy programSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiology
TDLR licenses speech-language pathologists, audiologists and certain assistant or intern categories. Check the exact credential, including role-specific requirements.
Texas SLP License Verification GuideTowing and Vehicle Storage
TDLR has specialized searches for tow companies, operators and vehicle storage facilities. These industry records may require a different lookup from the general license database.
TDLR industry search directoryOther TDLR-Regulated Programs
TDLR’s programs also include athletic trainers, behavior analysts, dietitians, hearing instrument fitters, midwives, mold assessors and remediators, podiatry, orthotics and prosthetics, code enforcement officers, water well drillers, property tax professionals and various other regulated activities.
Visit the official TDLR list of regulated programs to determine whether TDLR is responsible for the occupation in question.
Texas does not have a single statewide TDLR general-contractor license that applies to every general construction business. Trade-specific credentials and local permitting or registration requirements may still apply. Verify the actual work being performed rather than looking only for a generic contractor license.
Individual TDLR License vs Business License: What Should You Verify?
Checking the wrong kind of credential can create a false sense of security. Many projects involve both a licensed business and workers who hold separate individual credentials or operate under applicable supervision rules.
| License or Record Type | What It Covers | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Individual License | A specific person’s regulated professional role. | Identity, credential class, active status, expiration and applicable scope or supervision limits. |
| Business or Contractor License | A regulated business entity offering particular services. | Correct legal business name, required license category and current authority to perform the contracted work. |
| Establishment License | A licensed shop, salon, facility or other establishment where required. | Appropriate premises-related license and its relationship to the individual service provider. |
| School License or Approval | An educational or training operation under an applicable TDLR program. | Institution approval or licensing rather than relying only on a teacher’s credential. |
Ask which business will perform the work and who is responsible for the electrical installation. Check the contractor business’s appropriate license and the individual credentials required for the work. A person holding an electrician credential does not automatically establish that a separate business is properly licensed for electrical contracting.
TDLR License Status: Active, Expired, Pending and Not Found
The general public license search is designed for active records. Interpret a search result in light of that limitation, and do not confuse a license application’s progress with an issued or renewed license.
| Status or Situation | What It Means | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Matching Active License | The public active-license search returns a matching record. | Confirm the licensee, license type and expiration information; investigate any relevant scope restrictions separately. |
| No Active Match | The selected search parameters did not produce a matching active record. | Correct the spelling, number or category, remove filters and contact TDLR if necessary. |
| Expired License | A license may no longer authorize regulated practice. | Check the specific program’s expired-license and late-renewal requirements before performing regulated work. |
| Renewal Submitted | A renewal application or payment has been submitted, but the public record may not yet reflect renewal. | Keep the submission receipt and confirm actual license status through official channels. |
| Application Pending | A prospective licensee may have submitted an application without receiving an issued license. | Do not treat application paperwork as proof of licensure. |
| Disciplinary Order Found | A public order may document a sanction, penalty or other enforcement outcome. | Read the full order and confirm the correct person or company, program, date and disposition. |
Can You Work While a TDLR License Is Expired?
Do not assume that submitting a renewal permits continued practice. Whether work may continue depends on the particular program’s rules and the license’s actual status. Some occupations expressly prohibit practice with an expired license.
If the situation affects an upcoming job or employment start date, request clarification from the relevant TDLR program before representing the credential as current.
TDLR License Renewal: Fees, Deadlines and Documents
Texas TDLR renewal requirements depend on the licensed profession. There is no single renewal fee, continuing-education requirement or grace period for every TDLR license type.
Prepare the Right Information
- Exact license number and class.
- Current legal name or business name.
- Mailing and contact information.
- Expiration date.
- Required continuing education or training.
- Any program-specific supporting documents.
- Applicable renewal fee and payment method.
Confirm the Renewal Result
- Save your transaction confirmation.
- Review notices requesting additional materials.
- Confirm required education or other conditions are satisfied.
- Allow for applicable processing.
- Recheck the public license record.
- Confirm the new expiration date when available.
Why Renewal Fees and Continuing Education Differ
TDLR manages many licensing programs under different statutes and rules. A residential wireman, massage therapist, cosmetologist, speech-language pathologist and ACR contractor may face different renewal cycles, course requirements and fees.
Use the relevant program page to confirm the current fee and requirements rather than relying on a charge quoted for another occupation.
What If a TDLR License Has Already Expired?
Some programs offer late-renewal procedures. The available period, additional charges, required documentation and circumstances requiring a new application depend on the specific license type.
First identify the credential and expiration date. Then review the official program’s renewal instructions. If the public search no longer shows the license, ask TDLR how to establish eligibility for renewal or reinstatement.
A renewal notice, completed continuing education course or payment receipt should not be treated as authorization to perform regulated work unless the applicable law and official license status support it.
How to Search TDLR Disciplinary Actions and Administrative Orders
An active license lookup does not provide a complete disciplinary-history review. TDLR maintains a separate Administrative Orders Search for specified enforcement actions.
Administrative Orders
Search qualifying public orders by licensing program, license number, name, company name or location.
Search TDLR Administrative OrdersOpen Records Requests
Older orders or other agency records may require a formal request. Confidential information can be withheld under applicable law.
Contact TDLR About RecordsComplaints and Enforcement
Report potential violations or suspected unlicensed activity using the department’s official complaint procedures.
TDLR Complaint InformationHow Far Back Does the TDLR Administrative Orders Search Go?
TDLR states that the searchable database includes qualifying orders issued during the current fiscal year and the two most recent prior fiscal years.
Texas fiscal years begin September 1 and end August 31. For example, in October 2026, the current fiscal year is FY2027. The regular database’s stated coverage period is therefore FY2027, FY2026 and FY2025, subject to the system’s contents and updates.
For older orders not included in that search, TDLR directs users to request the documents from its Records Center.
What Can an Administrative Order Tell You?
The database covers orders issued by the TDLR Commission or Executive Director assessing a sanction, administrative penalty or both for violations of the program’s laws or rules.
An order should be read in context. Match the correct person or company, examine the dates and licensing program, and review the complete disposition before making a hiring or compliance decision.
Because the regular administrative orders database has a limited fiscal-year window, an empty result does not prove that no older enforcement order exists. A complaint alone also does not establish wrongdoing.
How to Report Suspected Unlicensed Activity
Start with TDLR’s complaint and enforcement resources. Explain which person or business was involved, the work offered or performed, the location, relevant dates and why you believe a licensing requirement may have been violated.
Useful supporting material may include contracts, invoices, license-number claims, advertisements, photographs and relevant correspondence. Submit only information relevant to the complaint and use secure official channels for sensitive records.
TDLR determines whether the complaint falls within its jurisdiction and whether further action is appropriate. If the issue concerns another licensing board or a local permitting requirement, a different agency may be responsible.
Special TDLR Searches: New License IDs, Projects, Facilities and Certificates
TDLR’s verification directory covers more than the general license database. Certain industries use specialized tools designed for projects, equipment, facilities or course certificates.
| Record Needed | Official Search | Why It Is Different |
|---|---|---|
| Individual or business license | TDLR License Data Search | The primary system for public active-license records. |
| Previous vs new license identifier | New License ID Search | Matches previous and replacement license numbers for affected categories. |
| Architectural barriers project | TABS Project Search | Searches regulated project-registration records rather than occupational credentials. |
| Elevator or related equipment | TDLR Equipment Search Directory | Provides access to equipment and inspection-related databases. |
| Tow company or vehicle storage facility | Specialized Industry Search | Regulated operations may have specific business or facility records. |
| Driving safety or driver education certificate | Certificate Validation Directory | Validates qualifying course certificates rather than occupational licenses. |
How Does the New License ID Search Work?
TDLR’s New License ID Search allows users to select an individual, establishment or school. For applicable categories, users can search by a previous license number or a new license number.
The tool specifically notes that if a license type is not included in the dropdown, its license number is not changing under that system.
Use this search when a current license identifier appears different from older correspondence or printed documents. It should not replace the general active-status check.
TDLR vs Other Texas Licensing Agencies
Many Texas license searches fail because the user begins with the wrong regulator. TDLR licenses a wide range of occupations, but it is not responsible for all professional or occupational credentials.
| Profession | Correct Regulator | Verification Route |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician, HVAC Contractor, Barber, Cosmetologist | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | TDLR License Data Search |
| Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | Texas SLP Verification Guide |
| Registered Nurse, LVN or APRN | Texas Board of Nursing | Texas Nursing License Verification Guide |
| Pharmacist or Pharmacy | Texas State Board of Pharmacy | Use the pharmacy board’s official public records. |
| Dentist or Dental Hygienist | Texas State Board of Dental Examiners | Use the dental board’s official license lookup. |
| Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant | Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners | Use the licensing board’s official public verification system. |
| Texas Driver License | Texas Department of Public Safety | Use the DPS licensing services, not TDLR’s occupational lookup. |
TDLR License Not Found? Solve Common Search Problems
When a license does not appear, the most useful next step is to identify why the search may have failed. Repeating the same broad name search often produces no better information.
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| No result for the name | Different legal name, spelling or license category. | Try the full legal name and correct licensing category. Remove optional location filters. |
| License number returns nothing | Input-format issue, incorrect identifier or changed number. | Check numeric-only input and use New License ID Search when applicable. |
| Business appears under another name | Trade name differs from the registered entity name. | Request the legal business name and actual license number. |
| Expired license is missing | The general database is limited to active licenses. | Contact TDLR or follow program-specific records and renewal guidance. |
| Renewal paid but old information remains | Processing or a required item may be outstanding. | Retain the receipt, review agency notices and ask TDLR about the status. |
| No administrative order result | The order may be outside the current searchable fiscal-year window. | Consider an older-record request when a historical check is needed. |
| Profession is unavailable | Another Texas agency regulates the occupation. | Identify the responsible board or department before searching again. |
If you cannot find a claimed active license after checking the number, name and license type, call TDLR customer service at 800-803-9202 within Texas or 512-463-6599. Explain the license category and the exact problem shown by the search.
Practical License Verification Checklist for Texas Consumers and Employers
Information Worth Saving
- Official agency and database used.
- Date the license was checked.
- Full licensee or business name.
- License number and category.
- Current public status and expiration.
- Relevant location or identity details.
- Disciplinary-order review when appropriate.
- Copy or screenshot of the official result.
Evidence That Is Not Enough by Itself
- A contractor website claiming “licensed.”
- An old photograph of a license.
- A credential held by a different person.
- A license in an unrelated profession.
- An application or renewal payment receipt.
- A review-site or business-directory listing.
- An out-of-state license without confirmed Texas authority.
Additional Checks for Major Projects
For substantial home-improvement or commercial work, verify the relevant license, obtain a written contract and clarify who will perform and supervise the project. Where appropriate, confirm insurance independently and check city or county permitting requirements.
Licensing, insurance, business registration and building permits answer different questions. One does not automatically establish compliance with all the others.
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Contact Details
TDLR serves Texas statewide. Whether a licensee is located in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso or a smaller Texas community, the main TDLR verification system is the starting point for applicable regulated occupations.
| Contact Item | TDLR Information |
|---|---|
| Agency Name | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation |
| Main Office | 920 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711 |
| Toll-Free Telephone in Texas | 800-803-9202 |
| Other Telephone | 512-463-6599 |
| Relay Texas TDD | 800-735-2989 |
| Telephone Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding holidays |
| In-Person Service | Confirm current lobby availability on the official TDLR contact page before visiting. |
Official Texas TDLR License Lookup and Records Resources
Use these official government resources for the actual verification, project search, license management or enforcement action. Each serves a specific purpose.
Search active licensed individuals and businesses using license number, name, license type and location filters.
Open LookupChoose the correct database for licensees, equipment, projects, facilities or certificates.
Open DirectoryCheck changed license identifiers for affected individuals, establishments and schools.
Search IDsSearch qualifying orders assessing sanctions or administrative penalties in the covered fiscal years.
Search OrdersFind the programs currently regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
View ProgramsReview official complaint procedures and available enforcement information.
Complaint OptionsFind program-specific links for contact changes, duplicate credentials and other licensing tasks.
Manage LicenseAsk about missing records, renewal problems, application questions or official status clarification.
Contact TDLRTexas TDLR License Lookup: 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I look up a TDLR license in Texas?
Open the official TDLR License Data Search at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/. Select the correct license category and search by license number, personal name or business name. Compare the matching record’s name, license type and expiration information.
2. Is the Texas TDLR license lookup free?
The official public active-license search is available online without a fee displayed for a basic search. Separate licensing services, renewals or formal record requests may involve program-specific charges.
3. Can I search TDLR licenses by name instead of license number?
Yes. The TDLR search includes a field for a person’s name or business name, along with license type and optional city, county and ZIP code filters. Use additional identifiers when several people have similar names.
4. Why is my TDLR license not showing in the search?
The main search covers active licenses only. Missing results may also be caused by the wrong licensing category, spelling, number or location filters. Correct your search first, then contact TDLR if the record remains missing.
5. How do I verify a Texas electrician or electrical contractor license?
Use the official TDLR License Data Search and choose the appropriate electrician or electrical-contractor category. Check the individual’s license and any required contractor business license separately, then confirm that the license class matches the proposed work.
6. How can I check TDLR disciplinary actions?
Use the official TDLR Administrative Orders Search at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cimsfo/. The regular database includes qualifying orders from the current fiscal year and two most recent prior fiscal years. Older orders may require a records request.
7. Can an expired TDLR license be renewed?
Some TDLR programs permit late renewal under specific conditions, but deadlines, additional requirements and fees vary by occupation. Review the official program instructions and do not assume an expired credential permits continued regulated practice.
8. Does TDLR regulate every professional license in Texas?
No. TDLR regulates many occupations, including electricians, HVAC contractors, cosmetologists and speech-language pathologists. Nurses, pharmacists, dentists and several other professions use different Texas licensing authorities.
9. How can I find a previous TDLR license number or new license ID?
Use TDLR’s New License ID Search at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseIdSearch for affected license categories. The system supports previous and new identifiers for qualifying individuals, establishments and schools.
10. How do I contact TDLR about a license record?
Call 800-803-9202 within Texas or 512-463-6599. TDLR lists telephone hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711.