Texas licensing laws

The bond is posted with the city or county that approves the plat, not a state agency. The local government (the obligee) sizes the security from the project engineer's estimate of the improvements still to be built (streets, curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, water and sewer), and the developer files the executed bond with the development or subdivision improvement agreement. Many Texas jurisdictions reduce the required amount as phases are inspected and accepted.

The bond stays in force until the local government inspects and accepts the improvements and releases the security; it is not renewed on a fixed license cycle.

There is no statewide contractor license bond to file in Texas. Texas has no statewide general contractor license; cities handle registration and some require local bonds. Contractors still encounter surety bonds at the project level (bid, performance, and payment bonds on public and many private jobs) and through city or county contractor licensing programs that require their own bonds.

With no statewide license bond, there is nothing to renew at the state level in Texas. Keep any local license or permit bonds and project bonds current under their own terms.

To obtain a debt collection license in Texas, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Texas Secretary of State, provide a surety bond of $10,000, pass background checks for all control persons, and meet net worth or financial requirements. The application review typically takes 30-90 days.

Debt collection licenses in Texas generally require annual renewal. Renewal generally involves submission of a renewal application, payment of renewal fees, updated surety bond confirmation, and any required annual reports. Late renewals may incur additional penalties.

No auctioneer bond filing applies in Texas. Complete the standard auctioneer license process with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

No bond means no bond renewal cycle in Texas. Keep the underlying auctioneer license current with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Apply for or renew your credit services organization registration with the Texas Secretary of State and file a $10,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond renews alongside the underlying credit services organization registration.

Mortgage companies generally apply through the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) for Texas mortgage licensing. Requirements include a completed MU1 form, surety bond, audited financial statements, business plan, background checks (FBI criminal and credit) for all control persons, and net worth requirements. Individual MLOs are generally required to complete pre-licensing education (20 hours minimum including 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of non-traditional lending, plus Texas-specific hours), pass the SAFE MLO test, and submit an MU4 form through NMLS.

Mortgage licenses in Texas are renewed annually through NMLS. Company renewals require updated financial statements, bond confirmation, and payment of renewal fees. MLOs are generally required to complete continuing education (8 hours minimum annually, including Texas-specific requirements) and pay renewal fees through NMLS. The renewal period typically runs November 1 through December 31.

Apply for or renew your motor vehicle dealer license with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and file a $50,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the motor vehicle dealer license term and renews on the same cycle (about every 2 years).

Apply for or renew your notary public commission with the Texas Secretary of State and file a $10,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the notary public commission term and renews on the same cycle (about every 4 years).

Start by confirming whether your organization falls inside Texas's registration net: Texas has no general charitable registration requirement; only specific categories register, including law enforcement, public safety, and veterans organizations and their solicitors. Organizations that do register file with Texas Office of the Attorney General / Texas Secretary of State, typically submitting the registration form, IRS determination letter, governing documents, financial statements or IRS Form 990, and officer information. Organizations outside the net keep documentation of the exemption basis on file.

Registered organizations renew on the state's cycle (generally annually) with updated financial reporting. Exempt or out-of-scope organizations should re-check their status whenever their fundraising model changes, especially before engaging a professional solicitor.

To obtain a money transmitter license in Texas, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Texas Department of Banking, provide a surety bond of $300,000, demonstrate minimum net worth of $300,000, provide audited financial statements, implement a comprehensive BSA/AML filings program, and pass background checks for all control persons. Many states now accept applications through NMLS. The application process typically takes 3-12 months depending on the state and complexity of the applicant's business model.

Money transmitter licenses in Texas generally require annual renewal. Renewal typically requires submission of audited financial statements, updated surety bond, quarterly or annual transaction reports, BSA/AML filing documentation, and payment of renewal fees. Some states require call report filings on a quarterly basis throughout the year.