College Station TX electrical permit rules
College Station's building department requires electrical permits for circuit additions, panel upgrades, service capacity changes, and new wiring. Apply via cstx.gov. TDLR TECL-licensed electricians (tdlr.texas.gov) must perform permitted electrical work. Texas has no state GC license requirement. Call (979) 764-3570.
Texas has no state GC license requirement — any contractor can manage residential projects. TSBPE-licensed plumbers and TDLR TECL-licensed electricians are required for permitted trade work. DFW sits on Blackland Prairie expansive clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, causing slab movement. All DFW homes are slab-on-grade — no basements. Oncor is the TDU (Transmission and Distribution Utility) in ERCOT's deregulated market for most of the DFW metro; homeowners choose their retail electricity provider. Atmos Energy serves natural gas.
College Station Utilities (CSU) is a MUNICIPAL electric utility — College Station is NOT in ERCOT's deregulated market. CSU serves both electricity and water for the city. Contact CSU at (979) 764-3660 for service coordination, not Oncor. This is an important distinction: most DFW-area solar and electrical contractors assume Oncor/ERCOT, which does not apply here.
In ERCOT's deregulated market, the Oncor TDU owns the delivery infrastructure — poles, wires, meters. For service-entrance work, capacity upgrades, or solar interconnection, Oncor (1-888-313-4747 / oncor.com) is the correct contact regardless of which retail provider bills you. Start Oncor contact the same day as the city permit application. Atmos Energy handles natural gas separately (1-888-286-6700).
Panel capacity is an increasingly relevant issue across DFW as EV chargers and heat pumps get added. Many DFW suburban homes were built with 150–200A panels, but homes built before 2000 may have 100A service. A TECL electrician should assess panel capacity before adding high-draw circuits.
Three College Station electrical scenarios
| Factor | What it means for your project |
|---|---|
| TDLR TECL electrician | tdlr.texas.gov. Required for all permit work. |
| Oncor TDU (ERCOT) | Service infrastructure utility. 1-888-313-4747. Retail provider is separate. |
| Atmos Energy gas | 1-888-286-6700. Separate from electric. |
| Panel capacity | Homes pre-2000: may have 100A. EV + HP loads require panel capacity check. |
| Portal | Apply via cstx.gov. Call (979) 764-3570. |
Phone: (979) 764-3570 | cstx.gov
TX Plumber license (TSBPE): tsbpe.texas.gov
TX Electrician license (TDLR TECL): tdlr.texas.gov
Oncor Electric (TDU): 1-888-313-4747 | oncor.com
Atmos Energy (gas): 1-888-286-6700 | atmosenergy.com
Common questions about College Station electrical work permits
What electrician license is required in College Station TX?
TDLR TECL (Electrical Contractor) license through Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Verify at tdlr.texas.gov. Apply for permits via cstx.gov.
How does ERCOT deregulation affect electrical work in College Station?
Oncor is the TDU (Transmission and Distribution Utility) that owns the delivery infrastructure in most of the DFW metro. For service-entrance work and capacity upgrades, contact Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 regardless of your retail electricity provider. Your retail provider handles billing; Oncor handles the physical service.
Information based on College Station official sources and applicable state/local building codes as of April 2026. Codes and fees change — verify current requirements before starting work. For a project-specific report, use our permit research tool.