Business License by State › Texas
Texas business license (2026)
No general state business license. The Texas Office of the Governor says: “A general business license is not required in Texas.”
- State page read October 21, 2026
- Quoted from the state
Texas at a glance
- State rule
- No general state business license
- Next step
- Check your city and county: local licenses are common even where the state has none.
- Forming an LLC
- $300 with the Texas Secretary of State
Mainstay Filing
Our rating: 4.9 out of 5
$199 / year, same at renewal
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Questions
Does Texas require a business license?
No general state business license. The Texas Office of the Governor says: “A general business license is not required in Texas.”
Who do I contact in Texas?
Texas Office of the Governor (page linked below), your city or county clerk, and the Texas Secretary of State for forming the company.
Is a Texas LLC the same as a license?
No. Forming the LLC is a filing with the Texas Secretary of State, which charges $300. A license, where one applies, is a separate step.
Sources
- Texas Office of the Governor (business license statement): gov.texas.gov/business/page/start-a-business, checked October 21, 2026
- Texas Secretary of State: www.sos.texas.gov/, checked October 20, 2026