Contractor License from Texas to District of Columbia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades ↗
A contractor license transfers from Texas to District of Columbia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades, verify your Texas license, and meet District of Columbia's endorsement requirements. DC is a NASCLA-electrical participating jurisdiction and accepts the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination in lieu of a DC-specific electrician trade exam (exam portability). General contractors/construction managers are NOT competency-examined - they register through a DC Basic Business License.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
District of Columbia does not have a trade agreement covering Texas for the selected trade, so this move runs on District of Columbia's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether District of Columbia accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check District of Columbia's NERA status.
What changes, Texas → District of Columbia
| Texas (current) | District of Columbia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $30–$115 (Fees differ by agency and trade: TDLR journeyman electrician $30 and master electrician $45; TSBPE reciprocal license verification $40 non-refundable, plus the IdentoGO fingerprint fee; TDLR ACR out-of-state application $115. There is no state general-contractor license fee because Texas does not license general contractors.) | DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time) |
| Processing time | No single figure applies. TSBPE states a reciprocal plumbing license arrives by US mail within 30 days of the completed online application and payment; TDLR publishes no processing time for electrician or ACR reciprocity. | Not verified |
| Licensing authority | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (electricians, air conditioning and refrigeration) and Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (plumbers); no state general-contractor license | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — District of Columbia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades.
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- General contractor/construction manager operates under a DC Basic Business License (bond required); no competency exam and no trade reciprocity for general contracting.
- Trade licenses (electrician, plumber/gasfitter, refrigeration and A/C) are issued by the DC Board of Industrial Trades.
- Electricians may transfer the NASCLA electrical exam result to DC.
- Pay the fees (DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time)) and allow Not verified.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does District of Columbia accept a Texas contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Texas to District of Columbia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades, verify your Texas license, and meet District of Columbia's endorsement requirements. DC is a NASCLA-electrical participating jurisdiction and accepts the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination in lieu of a DC-specific electrician trade exam (exam portability). General contractors/construction managers are NOT competency-examined - they register through a DC Basic Business License.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
District of Columbia's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Texas-to-District of Columbia move cost and how long does it take?
DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time); processing Not verified.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether District of Columbia is one on the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- NASCLA - States/jurisdictions accepting the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination (District of Columbia listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TDLR — Transfer Your Out-of-State Electrician License to Texas (master and journeyman reciprocal states; $45/$30 fees; hour requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TDLR — Licensing Reciprocity for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Georgia and South Carolina license-to-class mapping) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TDLR — Out of State Applicants, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration ($115 fee; insurance minimums; exam may still be required) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TSBPE — Reciprocal License Verification Request (Louisiana and Arkansas only; $40 fee; IdentoGO fingerprints; per-state conditions) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TSBPE — Reciprocal License Agreement with Louisiana (~30 days by mail) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]