Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License Type | Class A & Class B Contractor; Endorsements; Technician Registration/Certification |
Agency | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
Experience Required | 48 months supervised within 72 months; alternates apply |
Exam | Yes, via PSI, 70%+ required |
Renewal | Annually; 1-year cycle |
Continuing Education | 8 hours per year, TDLR-approved |
Fees | $115 application, $65 renewal, $74/$60 exam, see below for full itemization (as of May 22, 2026 – source) |
Official URL |
Who Needs a License in Texas?
Anyone who offers or performs installation, maintenance, repair, or design of air conditioning, refrigeration, process cooling, or process heating systems in Texas must hold a valid ACR contractor license. The law does not set any monetary threshold or exemption based on project value for requiring a license.
The statutory definition of ACR contracting includes all work related to environmental air conditioning (residential, commercial, or institutional), commercial refrigeration, or process cooling and heating systems. This applies to both new install and repair/service work. Companies must employ a licensed ACR contractor at any permanent office in Texas. If your business does not employ at least one, you may not charge fees, secure contracts, or enforce agreements for HVAC work.
Technicians assisting a licensed ACR contractor do not require a contractor license themselves, but must be registered or certified as a technician except in very narrow exceptions. Out-of-state qualified technicians temporarily aiding in disaster response can register quickly, but still may not independently contract. Detailed scope and exemptions appear in TDLR’s statutes, regulations, and on the ACR FAQ.
HVAC License Requirements in Texas: License Types
Texas offers several HVAC license options. The primary contractor licenses are Class A and Class B, each with specific capacity and endorsement rules. In addition, TDLR registers and certifies technicians who work under contractors. HVAC license requirements in Texas specify exactly what each license and endorsement allows.
Class A Contractor
The Class A license allows the holder to contract for and perform work on any size air conditioning or refrigeration equipment, with no capacity limitations. This is the most versatile and preferred license for contractors handling both residential and commercial jobs of any scale. HVAC license requirements in Texas for Class A allow broad capabilities.
Class B Contractor
The Class B license restricts work to cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating systems up to 1.5 million BTUs per hour (per unit). Contractors with only a Class B license cannot legally contract or supervise larger jobs. This tier is typically used by contractors focused on residential or smaller commercial projects.
Endorsements
Every Class A or B license is issued with one or more endorsements, which define the scope of permitted work:
Environmental Air Conditioning: Standard indoor comfort AC work.
Commercial Refrigeration: Commercial cooling units and cold storage.
Process Cooling or Heating: Specialized industrial and process units.
Combined ("C"): Multiple or all of above specialties on one license.
Endorsements can be added via a change form, $25 fee, and, sometimes, an additional exam.
Technician Registration and Certification
Technicians are not contractors but perform work under a licensee’s supervision. Technician registration is available with a simple application and no exam. Technician certification is for advanced assistants, requires an exam, and allows more independent tasks within the employing contractor’s business. Neither permits independent contracting.
How to Get Licensed in Texas
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Experience
To meet the HVAC license requirements in Texas, verify you are at least 18 years old and have the required experience: either 48 months of practical supervised experience within the last 72 months, or an approved combination of technician certification, formal education, apprenticeship, or military/government substitution as explained in TDLR’s application guide. Use the "Experience Verification Form" to document this.
Step 2: Submit Application and Pay Fee
Complete the online contractor application on the TDLR portal. Attach proof of experience, provide all requested personal data, and pay the $115 non‑refundable application fee (as of May 22, 2026 – see fee schedule).
Step 3: Criminal History Check
Complete the criminal history questionnaire. TDLR reviews your background and may take 1 to 6 weeks to approve depending on records. If you have questions about criminal history, you may request a “Criminal History Evaluation Letter” before applying.
Step 4: Pass the Exam
Once your application is approved, schedule the classification-specific HVAC contractor exam with PSI. The exam fee is $74 for Class A and $60 for Class B (as of May 22, 2026 – verify specifics at Comptroller report). Passing score is 70%.
Step 5: Provide Proof of Insurance
After passing the exam, submit proof of insurance: for Class A, it’s $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products/completed operations; for Class B, $100,000/$200,000/$100,000. Use TDLR’s approved insurance certificate form.
Step 6: Receive Your License
Once TDLR confirms all requirements, your license will be issued. You are then legally able to contract HVAC work in Texas for one year.
Step 7: Renew Annually and Complete CE
Maintain compliance by renewing on time and completing required eight hours of continuing education each year. Applications and most renewals can be completed online at the TDLR portal. Forms, guides, and detailed instructions are on the official application page.
Application Requirements
You must meet age, experience, insurance, and background standards to qualify for a Texas HVAC license. Each has specific documentation or legal criteria outlined in the official HVAC license requirements in Texas.
Experience and Age
You must be at least 18 years old. The standard requirement is 48 months (four years) of ACR experience under the supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor within the last 72 months. There are alternative methods to satisfy this requirement:
A technician certification for 12 months plus 36 months supervised experience.
A 4-year degree in air conditioning, refrigeration, or mechanical engineering counts for 24 months experience.
A 2-year diploma/certification counts for 12 months; one year of coursework or two college semesters as 6 months.
2,000 hours as an ACR registered apprenticeship equal 12 months of experience.
Substantial experience in utility, industrial operations, licensed engineering, or verified military service substitutes for all 48 months if verified (see TDLR exemptions).
Bond and Insurance
Texas ACR contractors do not need a surety bond, but you must provide proof of liability insurance. For Class A: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products/completed operations. For Class B: $100,000/$200,000/$100,000. Certificates must come from your provider using TDLR’s template.
Background Check
All applicants must complete a criminal history questionnaire. Felony convictions do not automatically bar licensure but are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Processing takes one to six weeks. There is no fingerprint requirement for HVAC applicants as of this writing.
Federal EPA Certification
Your EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants is not part of the TDLR process but is required under federal law for certain work. Obtain and maintain this separately.
Exams
Yes, all primary contractor applicants must pass an exam after TDLR reviews your application. The exam is administered by PSI and is required for each classification or endorsement. This is a core part of the HVAC license requirements in Texas.
The exam covers HVAC trade knowledge; there is no separate business/law exam. Exam details (format, content outline, reference list) are available in the Candidate Information Bulletin. You must score at least 70% to pass. Exam fees are $74 for Class A Environmental or Commercial endorsements, and $60 for the equivalent Class B exams, as reported in 2026 state revenue filings.
If you do not pass, PSI will provide retake instructions (official retake policy is not published in board sources; verify via PSI bulletin linked above). Technician Certification also requires passing an appropriate exam, but Technician Registration does not.
Fees
Every fee rate below is verified from board publications and state registers. If an item is missing, verify at the official TDLR fee schedule page. These fees are an important part of the HVAC license requirements in Texas.
Contractor License Application: $115 (as of May 22, 2026 – fee schedule)
Renewal Fee: $65 (as of May 22, 2026 – fee schedule)
Exam Fee: $74 for Class A Environmental/Commercial, $60 for Class B (as of May 22, 2026 – Comptroller report)
Change of Class / Adding Endorsement / Duplicate License: $25 (as of May 22, 2026)
Technician Registration Application: $20
Technician Registration Renewal: $20
Technician Certification Application: $50
Technician Certification Renewal: $35
Duplicate Registration/Certificate for technicians: $15
Certification Training Program Application/Renewal: $90
LP-Gas AFS Exemption (ACR contractors): $50 registration, $20 renewal, $20 late penalty (per RRC)
All fees are non‑refundable and subject to change. Always check TDLR’s published fee listings for updates.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Your Texas HVAC contractor license is valid for one year from the date of issue. To renew, you must:
Complete eight hours of TDLR‑approved continuing education each renewal cycle. Courses must be taken from approved providers. At least one hour must cover ethics, Texas state law, or board rules related to HVAC.
Submit your renewal application online 30 to 60 days before the expiration date. Pay the $65 renewal fee.
Ensure your insurance certificate is up to date and uploaded if requested.
If you miss the renewal deadline, the following penalties apply: 1.5× the standard fee ($97.50) for licenses expired up to 90 days; 2× fee ($130) for those expired between 91 days and 18 months; and, for those expired 18 months or more but less than three years, 2× fee and executive director approval. If not renewed after three years, you must reapply as if new.
Lapsed licenses may not contract for work pending restoration. Continuing education hours must be delivered by board-approved providers, reported to TDLR within seven days, and course completion certificates issued within fifteen days by the provider (see full CE rules at CE Provider FAQ).
Reciprocity
Texas may grant license by reciprocity or exam waiver for out-of-state contractors if their home state’s ACR license is deemed “substantially equivalent” by TDLR rules. However, TDLR does not list specific states with agreements for ACR. You must consult TDLR’s Out-of-State Applicants FAQ for current policy. Third-party sources mention Arkansas, Georgia, and New Mexico as possible reciprocal states, but this claim does not appear in the official TDLR materials and should be verified directly.
Even with reciprocity, applicants must usually submit documentation, pay the application fee, and may need to prove experience or insurance, but can request exam waiver if equivalency is accepted. Technician Registration for disaster recovery out-of-state workers is available with limited rights and a $20 fee.
Official Links
For HVAC forms and guidance, see the application and renewal links above, and refer to the Candidate Bulletin for exam details.
