Does electrical work for a home have to be done by a licensed electrician in Texas?

In Texas, electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors are licensed by the state, and cities such as Leander require that all such contractors be state-licensed and registered before doing permitted work. Inside city limits you will usually also need an electrical permit and inspection. Rules in unincorporated areas are less uniform, so ask your county and your electric utility what they require before they will connect service. Homeowner exceptions exist for some trades in some situations; for example, TCEQ allows a homeowner to install a septic system for their own single-family home. Hiring licensed trades is the safest path for permits, insurance and resale.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

Sources

• LicensingCity of Leander, Texas
• Basics for Septic SystemsTexas Commission on Environmental Quality