Overview
- TDLR’s verification rule took effect on January 26, 2026, and now applies to both new licenses and renewals before credentials are issued.
- The requirement spans dozens of regulated occupations, including electricians, plumbers, barbers and cosmetologists, massage therapists, midwives, HVAC technicians, and more.
- To prove lawful presence, applicants must submit either one qualifying ID or immigration document or a two-document combination such as a state ID plus a U.S. birth record, with eligibility preserved for qualified aliens and certain nonimmigrants under federal definitions.
- Applicants without a Social Security number must file a specific no‑SSN declaration and provide supporting documentation, and only clear digital copies or images are accepted.
- Applications remain pending until verification is completed and can be denied for insufficient proof, as civil-rights groups warn the policy could create new barriers for immigrant workers.