The law listed below is designed to protect consumers. Here is a link to the online posting of this law - Click Here
73.54. Residential Appliance Installation Contractors’ Responsibilities. (Effective January 1, 2010, 34 TexReg 9433)
(a) A residential appliance installation contractor shall:
(1) notify the department when a new residential appliance installer of record is assigned to the contractor and notify the department within thirty business days from the date that the residential appliance installer’s employment with the contractor ended;
(2) maintain employee records of all work performed on its behalf for a period of four years after completion of the work, and shall make those records available to the department at the contractor’s place of business during normal business hours for inspection and copying. If the contractor’s principal place of business is located out of the state of Texas, the department may require the contractor to make records available to the department at its offices in Austin, Texas or another location agreed upon by the department and the contractor.
(b) A person or contractor that performs or offers to perform residential appliance installation work shall:
(1) provide safe and proper installation and service, and assure the electro-mechanical integrity of all work and installations are to code;
(2) not misrepresent the need for services, services to be provided, or services that have been provided;
(3) not make a fraudulent promise or false statement to influence, persuade, or induce an individual or an entity to contract for services; and
(4) ensure that all of a residential appliance installation contractor’s non-exempt electrical work shall be performed by licensed individuals.
(c) A licensed residential appliance installation contractor shall display its name and license number on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business and used in the conduct of electrical work. Lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches in height. The license number shall be preceded by the letters “TICL”.
(d) All advertising by residential appliance installation contracting companies designed to solicit residential appliance installation business shall include the residential appliance installation contractor’s name and license number. This includes business cards on or after July 1, 2010. The following advertising does not require the license number:
(1) nationally placed television advertising, in which a statement indicating that license numbers are available upon request is used in lieu of the residential appliance installation contractor license number;
(2) telephone book listings that contain only the name, address, and telephone number;
(3) manufacturers’ and distributor’s telephone book trade ads identifying a residential appliance installation contractor;
(4) telephone solicitations, provided the solicitor states that the contractor complies with licensing requirements of the state. The residential appliance installation contractor’s number must be provided upon request;
(5) promotional items of nominal value such as ball caps, tee shirts, and other gifts; and
(6) signs located on the contractor’s permanent business location.
(e) The residential appliance installation contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number shall appear on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts from the contractor. The following information: “Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P. O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.license.state.tx.us/complaints” or ““Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P. O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.license.state.tx.us/complaints. TDLR regulation limited to electrical work only.” shall be listed on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts.
(f) A licensed residential appliance installation contractor and its designated residential appliance installer of record is responsible for supervision of all licensees performing work on behalf of the contractor to assure compliance with applicable statutes and rules and in particular, standards of conduct set out in this chapter.
(g) A residential appliance installation contractor shall not use a license that is not assigned to that contractor.
73.60. Standards of Conduct for Engaging in Electrical Work. (Effective January 1, 2010, 34 TexReg 9433)
(a) Competency. The licensee shall be knowledgeable of and adhere to the Act, the rules, applicable codes, and all procedures established by the department for licensees. It is the obligation of the licensee to exercise reasonable judgment and skill in the performance of all duties and work performed as a licensee.
(b) Integrity. A licensee shall be honest and trustworthy in the performance of all duties and work performed as a licensee, and shall avoid misrepresentation and deceit in any fashion, whether by acts of commission or omission. Acts or practices that constitute threats, coercion, or extortion are prohibited.
(c) Interest. The primary interest of the licensee is to ensure compliance with the Act, the rules, and all applicable codes. The licensee’s position, in this respect, should be clear to all parties concerned while in the performance of all duties and work performed as a licensee.
(d) Specific Rules of Conduct. A licensee shall not:
(1) participate, whether alone or in concert with others, in any plan, scheme, or arrangement attempting or having as its purpose the evasion of any provision of the Act, the rules, or the standards adopted by the commission;
(2) furnish inaccurate, deceitful, or misleading information to the department, a consumer, or other person while engaged in the business of electrical contracting, performing, or offering to perform non-exempt electrical work; or
(3) engage in any activity that constitutes dishonesty, misrepresentation, or fraud while performing as a licensee.