Plain-language guides to licensing, public bidding and getting paid in Texas, written from the statutes, rules and agency pages and linked to them.
Licensing
Texas has no statewide general contractor license, but HVAC, electrical and several other trades need a state license. Here is who licenses what, the experience and insurance rules, and where local registration still applies.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Public bidding
TxDOT lets most highway work at a two-day statewide letting in Austin every month. Here is how the three qualification levels work, how bidding capacity is set, and what subcontractors need instead.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Payment rights
The Legislature rewrote Texas lien law effective January 1, 2022. Here are the notice, filing and suit deadlines for private projects, and the payment bond notices that replace liens on public work.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Public bidding
State agencies must post procurements over $25,000 on the Electronic State Business Daily. Here is how to find them, why the $70 CMBL registration matters, and where HUB certification fits.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Guides are general information, not legal advice.