Contractor License from Texas to District of Columbia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no District of Columbia license to transfer into: District of Columbia issues no general contractor license and requires only a state registration. Obtain a DC Basic Business License rather than applying for reciprocity.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
There is nothing at state level to transfer your Texas license into: District of Columbia issues no general contractor license and requires only a registration. Obtain a DC Basic Business License and work from its rules; your Texas credentials and experience may help there, but no state agreement applies to general contracting.
What changes, Texas → District of Columbia
| Texas (current) | District of Columbia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | General contractor fee: none at state level — general contractor licensing is local, so the city or county sets any fee | Registration fee not on file — check with the state office that handles the registration |
| Processing time | None at state level — set by the local authority | Not on file — check with the state office that handles the registration |
| Licensing authority | General contracting: licensed locally (city or county); trade licenses: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (electricians, air conditioning and refrigeration) and Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (plumbers); no state general-contractor license | Registration: no office named in the data; trade licenses: 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
- Obtain a DC Basic Business License: District of Columbia issues no general contractor license, so there is no license to transfer by reciprocity.
- Check with the state office that handles the registration for its current requirements and fee before you start work — rules change.
- General contractor/construction manager operates under a DC Basic Business License (bond required); no competency exam and no trade reciprocity for general contracting.
- Electrical work is licensed statewide in District of Columbia and handled separately: use the checker with your trade selected.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does District of Columbia accept a Texas contractor license?
There is no District of Columbia license to transfer into: District of Columbia issues no general contractor license and requires only a state registration. Obtain a DC Basic Business License rather than applying for reciprocity.
What applies in District of Columbia without a state general contractor license?
A DC Basic Business License — there is no state general contractor license or exam to transfer into. Trade licenses District of Columbia does issue are a separate question for the checker.
What fees apply in District of Columbia, and how long does processing take?
Registration fee not on file — check with the state office that handles the registration. Registration processing: not on file — check with the state office that handles the registration.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Not for general contracting: District of Columbia issues no state general contractor license, so there is no state GC exam for NASCLA to replace. District of Columbia's board does accept a NASCLA accredited exam for a trade license it issues (verified 2026-07-21).
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 the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]