Texas Elevator Inspection Requirements

Who is responsible for elevator inspections in Texas?

The building owner is legally responsible for elevator inspection compliance in Texas. Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.019(a) places five duties directly on the owner, not on the contractor or the inspector, though commission rules let an owner designate an agent (§754.015(a)(14)).

1. Have the equipment inspected annually by a registered elevator inspector, unless it is removed from service under commission rules — §754.019(a)(1).
2. Obtain an inspection report covering all equipment in the building — §754.019(a)(2).
3. File each report and fees with TDLR within 30 calendar days of the inspection — §754.019(a)(3).
4. Display the certificate of compliance in a publicly visible area — §754.019(a)(4).
5. Maintain the equipment to the standards and codes adopted under commission rules — §754.019(a)(5).

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.019 (Duties of Owners)

How often must elevators be inspected in Texas?

Covered equipment must be inspected once in each 12-month period, to the applicable ASME or ASCE code — the statute's own definition of "annual inspection" (§754.011(4)) — and the commission may not require routine inspections more often (§754.015(b)(1)). Out-of-cycle reinspection is allowed only if the equipment was altered, poses a significant safety threat, or carries a violation that outlived a granted delay (§754.015(c)).

Inspection cadence

Every 12 months§754.011(4); §754.015(b)(1)

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.015 (Rules)

Who is allowed to perform the annual inspection?

Only an elevator inspector registered with TDLR may perform the annual inspection. Under §754.017(a), an inspector must be registered, certified as an inspector under commission rules, attend approved educational programs, meet continuing-education requirements, and pay the fees. TDLR identifies that certification as the Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) credential.

The inspector must also be independent: §754.017(d) bars inspecting equipment where the inspector or the inspector's employer has a financial or personal conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety.

Registered elevator inspector

An individual registered with TDLR under §754.017 to inspect equipment and witness code-required tests.

QEI

Qualified Elevator Inspector — the certification TDLR's program references; issued by ANSI-accredited bodies NAESA International and QEITF.

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.017 (Registered Elevator Inspectors)

Source: TDLR Elevator/Escalator FAQ — inspector registration and QEI certification

What must be filed with TDLR, and by what deadline?

The owner must file each inspection report, with all applicable fees, no later than the 30th calendar day after the inspection (§754.019(a)(3)). The clock runs from the inspection date — the inspector must issue the report to the owner within five calendar days (§754.016(b)). The filing must also include verification that cited deficiencies were remedied, proof of a bona fide contract to remedy them, or an application for delay or waiver (§754.019(b)).

Inspector issues report to owner

5 calendar days after inspection§754.016(b)

Owner files with TDLR

30 calendar days after inspection§754.019(a)(3)

Report filing fee

$20 per unitTDLR published fee schedule

Accident report to TDLR

24 hours§754.019(e)

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.019 (Duties of Owners)

Source: TDLR Elevator/Escalator FAQ — fee schedule

What is the certificate of compliance and where must it be displayed?

The certificate of compliance is the state-issued document evidencing that a building's equipment completed its annual inspection cycle; TDLR's executive director issues it after the report is filed (§754.016(c)). It must be displayed in a publicly visible area of the building, as defined by commission rule (§754.016(d), §754.019(a)(4)). Per TDLR, it is good for one year and must be applied for annually. One filing covers all equipment in a building and appurtenant structures, including parking facilities, under the same ownership (§754.016(a)).

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.016 (Inspection Reports and Certificates of Compliance)

Source: TDLR Elevator/Escalator FAQ — certificates of compliance

What standards must the equipment be maintained to?

Equipment must be maintained to the ASME and ASCE safety codes adopted by the commission under §754.014, which may not add requirements beyond ASME A17.1, ASME A17.3, ASME A18.1, and ASCE 21 (§754.014(b)). Each unit must meet the installation requirements of the code in effect on its installation date (§754.014(c)), and every unit must meet ASME A17.3's minimum safety standards regardless of age (§754.014(d)).

The executive director may delay compliance where noncompliance is not a significant safety threat — accumulated delays for one condition are generally capped at three years (§754.014(e)) — and may grant waivers for qualified historic buildings or structural constraints (§754.014(g)).

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.014 (Standards Adopted by Commission)

Which buildings are exempt from Texas elevator inspection requirements?

Chapter 754 exempts four categories of locations under §754.0111. Everything else with public equipment is covered — §754.014(a) reaches government buildings, hotels, apartment houses, churches, office buildings, shopping centers, and other commercial establishments.

Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code §754.0111 (Exemptions)