Permit Glossary
TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation)
Also known as: TDLR
The Texas state agency that licenses and regulates contractors in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, elevators, and dozens of other trades.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating a broad range of occupations and industries, including air conditioning and refrigeration contractors, electricians, plumbers, elevator mechanics, boiler operators, and more. TDLR administers licensing exams, maintains the state license registry, investigates complaints, and enforces continuing education requirements. For permits involving regulated trades in Texas, the contractor must hold a current TDLR or Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) license — which can be verified via TDLR's public license lookup.
Why it matters for contractors
Verifying that a contractor of record holds an active TDLR license is a quick due-diligence step before engaging them as a GC — and license status data can also be used to filter permit feeds for properly licensed projects.