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What does an "active" TDLR license mean?
An active TDLR license means the contractor is currently authorized to do the regulated work. Here's what active, expired, and revoked each mean — and how to check a Texas contractor's status in seconds.
Updated
When you look up a Texas HVAC or electrical contractor, the single most important word in the result is the status. An active TDLR license means the holder is currently authorized to do the regulated work. Expired or revoked means they're not. Here's what each status means and how to check it.
The short version
- Active — current and valid. The contractor is authorized to do the work right now.
- Expired — the license lapsed (usually a missed annual renewal). Not currently authorized until reinstated.
- Revoked / suspended — TDLR took disciplinary action. Not authorized.
Search any name or license number and the status is the first thing we show, in plain English.
What "active" actually requires
A Texas contractor license isn't permanent — it has to be renewed every year, which requires continuing education. So "active" means the holder has:
- A validly issued license of the right type, and
- Kept it current (renewed, CE completed), and
- Not had it suspended or revoked by TDLR.
The license number stays the same year to year — what changes is the status and the expiration date. That's why you should check the current status, not assume a license you saw last year is still good. See how often a Texas HVAC license expires.
Why a status can change between your quote and your job
Two things catch homeowners off guard:
- A quote goes stale. If you got an estimate months ago, the license could have lapsed since. Re-check before work begins.
- A license lapses mid-project. On a long job spanning the renewal date, an un-renewed contractor is suddenly operating outside their authority.
This is exactly why we refresh our records nightly — a status that was accurate last month may not be accurate today.
How to search for an active license
You have two free options, both pulling from the same TDLR source:
- licensed-tx — search by name or license number. We show the status (active / expired), license type, and expiration, refreshed nightly, with a link back to the official record. Browse by trade: HVAC contractors, master electricians, electrical contractors.
- TDLR directly — the state's license verification search.
Beyond the status: the disciplinary record
A license can be active and the contractor can still have a disciplinary history — a past penalty or reprimand that didn't cost them the license. On licensed-tx, the contractor's profile shows any TDLR disciplinary actions on record, so "active" tells you they're authorized, and the record tells you the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What does an active TDLR license mean?
The license is current and valid, and the holder is authorized to perform the regulated work right now. It's been issued, renewed, and not suspended or revoked.
What's the difference between active and expired?
Active = current and authorized. Expired = the license lapsed (usually a missed annual renewal) and the holder isn't currently authorized until they reinstate it.
Can an expired Texas license be reactivated?
Usually yes — expired licenses can typically be renewed/reinstated. But until that happens, treat an expired status as "not currently licensed."
How current is the "active" status on licensed-tx?
We pull the TDLR dataset every night, so the status reflects the most recent sync. Each record links back to the official state source. See coverage.
Can a license be active but still have problems?
Yes. A contractor can hold an active license and still have a disciplinary action on record (a past penalty, for example). Check both the status and the disciplinary history.
Every license fact on licensed-tx is published from the TDLR All Licenses dataset and refreshed nightly. We don't edit the underlying records — we make them readable and link back to the source.