No statewide general contractor license
Texas does not license or test general contractors at the state level. Anyone can call themselves a remodeler. Cities and counties fill some of the gap with contractor registration, insurance requirements and permits, and those rules vary from place to place.
That makes the licensed trades on your job more important, not less.
Plumbing: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Plumbers in Texas are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Licenses come in levels, such as apprentice registrations, tradesman, journeyman and master. Connecting a walk-in tub's drain and supply, installing a mixing valve, or moving a drain line is plumbing work. The board's website offers a public license lookup. Ask whoever will do your plumbing for their license number and check it.
Electrical: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Electricians are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). If your tub has air jets, water jets, a heated seat or an in-line heater, it will usually need dedicated GFCI-protected circuits. That work belongs to a licensed electrician, and TDLR also has a public lookup.
Permits: set by your city or county
Permits are local. A few patterns hold across most Texas cities:
- Like-for-like fixture swaps may not need a permit in some cities.
- Moving drain or supply lines, adding circuits, or opening walls usually does.
- Plumbing permits are often pulled by a licensed plumber. Houston, for example, requires plumbing permits to be purchased by a registered master plumber, with a limited homeowner exception.
- Unincorporated county areas often have fewer building rules than cities, but utility districts and deed restrictions can still apply, and licensed trades are still required for plumbing and electrical work.
Before work starts, ask the installer which permits they expect for your address and who will pull them. Then call your city's building or development services office if you want to confirm.
Questions to ask any installer
- Who will do the plumbing, and what is their TSBPE license number?
- Who will do the electrical work, and what is their TDLR license number?
- Which permits do you expect for my address, and who pulls them?
- Do you carry liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- What do the manufacturer's warranty and your labor coverage include, in writing?
- How will you handle damage found behind the old tub?
A good installer answers these without hesitation. We expect you to ask us too.
Why this matters for older adults
Unlicensed work can mean a door that leaks, a drain that backs up, or wiring near water that isn't protected. For someone who relies on the tub every day, those are safety issues, not just inconveniences. It can also cause trouble with insurance claims or a home sale later.
Supply-only buyers
If you buy a tub supply-only, your contractor is responsible for permits and licensed trades. Share the manufacturer's install guide with them before the tub ships, and confirm the drain side matches your plumbing. Our phone tech support can help your installer with product questions.
How to look up a license
Both agencies have online search tools. For a plumber, search the TSBPE license lookup by name or license number and confirm the license is active and at the right level for the work. For an electrician, use TDLR's license search. If someone cannot give you a number, that tells you something.
Red flags
- Cash-only pricing with no written scope
- Pressure to sign today for a "special"
- Reluctance to pull permits
- No proof of insurance
Common questions
Does Texas require a general contractor license?
No. Texas has no statewide general contractor license, though cities may require registration and permits.
Who licenses plumbers in Texas?
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), which offers a public license lookup.
Who licenses electricians in Texas?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which also has a public lookup.
Do I need a permit to install a walk-in tub in Texas?
It depends on your city or county and the scope. Moving plumbing, adding circuits or opening walls usually requires permits. Ask the installer and your local building office.
Sources
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Electricians
- Houston Permitting Center: Repairs after the winter storm
Agencies update their rules and amounts. Confirm with the linked source before you rely on a figure.