# How to Get an HVAC License in Texas: TDLR Registration, Certification and Contractor Classes

Texas HVAC work is licensed statewide by TDLR's Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program. Helpers register as technicians ($20, age 16+). Certified technician status needs 24 months of supervised experience or a 2,000-hour approved program. An ACR contractor license needs 48 months of experience in the last 72, a PSI exam and liability insurance.

## Key takeaways

- Anyone assisting a licensed ACR contractor on maintenance or repair must at least hold a $20 technician registration.
- Certified technician: 24 months of supervised experience, or a TDLR-approved program of 2,000 hours, plus a PSI exam ($50 application).
- Contractor: 48 months of experience in the last 72 (or 36 in the last 48 after a year as a certified tech), a PSI exam and a $115 fee.
- Class B contractors are capped at 25 tons of cooling and 1.5 million BTU/hour of heating; Class A has no size limit.
- Contractors renew yearly for $65 with 8 hours of approved CE, one hour of it on Texas law and rules.

## Who licenses HVAC technicians and contractors in Texas?

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) does, through its [Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm). The program issues three credentials to people: a technician registration, a technician certification and a contractor license. Contractors "must have a TDLR license," and every ACR company must employ a licensed ACR contractor at each permanent location, per the [TDLR program page](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm). Because the license is statewide, a contractor licensed in El Paso can take work in Beaumont without a second state test.

Texas licensing sits on top of the federal rule, not instead of it. If you handle refrigerant, you also need [EPA Section 608 certification](https://www.epa.gov/section608), which TDLR doesn't issue. Our [EPA 608 guide](https://www.brix.so/certifications/epa-608) covers that test.

> **Last verified**
>
> Each requirement below links the TDLR page it came from, checked on 2026-10-24. TDLR changes fees and rules through rulemaking, so confirm on TDLR before you file.

## What are the Texas HVAC license types?

Think of it as three rungs. A registered technician is the entry rung for helpers. A certified technician has proven experience or training and passed an exam. The contractor license is what lets a business sell and perform air conditioning and refrigeration work.

**Texas ACR credentials: experience, exam, fees and CE (TDLR)**

| Credential | Experience or training | Exam | Application fee | Renewal (yearly) | Continuing education |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Registered Technician | None; must be 16+ and work under a licensed ACR contractor ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-apply.htm)) | None listed ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-apply.htm)) | $20 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-apply.htm)) | $20 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-renew.htm)) | See [TDLR CE page](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrce.htm) |
| Certified Technician | 24 months of supervised experience, or a TDLR-approved program of 2,000 hours of combined instruction and practice ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/certified-tech-apply.htm)) | Yes, PSI. Fee and format: see [PSI bulletin via TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm) | $50 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/certified-tech-apply.htm)) | $35 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-renew.htm)) | See [TDLR CE page](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrce.htm) |
| ACR Contractor, Class B | 48 months in the last 72 under a licensed contractor, or 12 months as a certified tech plus 36 months in the last 48 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | Yes, PSI. Fee and format: see [PSI bulletin via TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm) | $115 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | $65 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-renew.htm)) | 8 hours, 1 on Texas law and rules ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrce.htm)) |
| ACR Contractor, Class A | Same experience paths as Class B ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | Yes, PSI. Fee and format: see [PSI bulletin via TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm) | $115 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | $65 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-renew.htm)) | 8 hours, 1 on Texas law and rules ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrce.htm)) |

_Every credential is valid for one year from issue. Verified against TDLR on 2026-10-24. TDLR's CE page addresses contractor renewals; it doesn't state a CE rule for technicians, so check with TDLR before renewing a registration or certification._

## What's the difference between a Class A and Class B ACR contractor?

Equipment size. Class A "allows you to work on any size unit." Class B covers "cooling systems of 25 tons and under" and "heating systems of 1.5 million BTUs/hour and under" ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)). Most residential and light commercial shops live comfortably inside Class B. If you want rooftop units on big-box stores or chilled-water plants, you need Class A. You can hold both; TDLR issues one document with two license numbers, tied to the same business and address.

Each contractor license also carries one endorsement: Environmental Air Conditioning, Commercial Refrigeration, or Process Cooling or Heating. The refrigeration and process endorsements are limited to coolers, freezers, ice machines and equipment that controls temperature and humidity, and a license may have only one endorsement ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)). Pick the one that matches the work you'll actually sell.

**Minimum commercial general liability insurance for Texas ACR contractors**

| Coverage | Class A | Class B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Per occurrence (property damage and bodily injury) | $300,000 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | $100,000 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) |
| Aggregate (property damage and bodily injury) | $600,000 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | $200,000 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) |
| Aggregate, products and completed operations | $300,000 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) | $100,000 ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)) |

_Coverage must stay in force the whole time the license is active, from an insurer authorized in Texas. One policy can cover both classes if it meets the Class A minimums._

## How do you get an HVAC contractor license in Texas, step by step?

1. **Register as a technician before you touch a unit** File online with TDLR and pay $20. You must be 16 and work under a licensed ACR contractor, and you can't advertise HVAC services on your own ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-apply.htm)).
2. **Decide whether to certify** Certification is optional for the contractor path but shortens it. With 24 months of supervised experience, or a 2,000-hour TDLR-approved program, apply for certification ($50) and take the PSI exam ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/certified-tech-apply.htm)). Program graduates must apply within 48 months of finishing.
3. **Build your contractor experience** You need 48 months of air conditioning and refrigeration work in the last 72, under a licensed contractor. Hold a certification for 12 months and the bar drops to 36 months in the last 48. Your supervisors fill in the Experience Verification Form; TDLR is explicit: "Do NOT complete this form yourself" ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)).
4. **Apply, pick your class and endorsement, and pay $115** You must be 18. TDLR reviews your experience and runs a criminal background check, which can take one to six weeks if your history needs review ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)).
5. **Pass the PSI exam within a year** After approval, PSI emails your eligibility notice. If you fail, you can schedule a retake with PSI 24–48 hours later and keep retaking until the application expires, one year after you filed ([TDLR exam page](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm)).
6. **File your insurance certificate and get licensed** Once you pass, send a Certificate of Insurance showing your name and business name and meeting your class minimums ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)). Then renew every year: $65 and 8 hours of CE ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-renew.htm)).

## What's on the Texas ACR exam?

PSI gives the exams. TDLR's exam page doesn't print the fee, the number of questions, the time limit, the passing score or whether references are allowed; all of that is in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin linked from the [TDLR exam page](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm). Download the bulletin for your exact credential before you study, because the content outline and allowed references differ between the technician and contractor exams.

## Do Texas cities require their own HVAC license?

Cities can't charge you an ACR registration fee. TDLR's FAQ cites Occupations Code §1302.304, which "prohibits any municipality from charging registration fees," while noting cities may still collect building permit fees ([TDLR FAQ](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrfaq.htm)). So budget for permits and inspections in each city you work, and call the building department before your first job there. We haven't verified individual city permit rules for this page.

## Can you transfer an HVAC license from another state to Texas?

Only two states have reciprocity: TDLR's FAQ says "Texas reciprocates with South Carolina and Georgia" ([TDLR FAQ](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrfaq.htm)). From anywhere else, file the regular $115 contractor application with a copy of your current license, how you earned it and how long you've held it. TDLR then decides which Texas requirements, possibly including the exam, you still have to meet ([TDLR out-of-state page](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrstate.htm)).

## What happens if your contractor license expires?

You must stop contracting the day it lapses. Renewing within 90 days costs 1.5 times the $65 fee; after 90 days and up to 18 months it's twice the fee; between 18 months and 3 years you also need executive director approval ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-renew.htm)). TDLR suggests starting your renewal 30–60 days early.

## Starting your own HVAC company in Texas

The contractor license is the legal part. The business part is phones, scheduling, pricing and getting paid while you're on a roof in August.

- **One licensed contractor per location:** each permanent office needs a licensed ACR contractor on staff ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm)).
- **Insurance:** carry the Class A or Class B minimums above for the whole license term ([TDLR](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm)).
- **Taxes:** Texas treats repair and new construction differently for sales tax, and LLCs file franchise tax reports. See [Texas contractor taxes and licensing](https://www.brix.so/taxes/texas).
- **Business setup:** entity, trucks, pricing and your first customers are in [how to start an HVAC business](https://www.brix.so/start/hvac).
- **Pricing:** our [HVAC trade guide](https://www.brix.so/for/hvac) covers service-call pricing, maintenance agreements and seasonal demand.

BRIX tracks licenses, insurance certificates and permits and flags renewals before they lapse, which matters when your TDLR license and CE come due every year. It also answers calls during a heat wave, books the job and sends the quote and invoice from one customer record.

- [Compliance and permit tracking](https://www.brix.so/#use-cases): Tracks licenses, safety documents and permits and flags renewals before they lapse.
- [AI receptionist](https://www.brix.so/features/ai-receptionist): Answers every call 24/7, qualifies the caller, books the job and texts back anyone it misses.
- [Quotes and estimates](https://www.brix.so/features/quotes-estimates): Builds accurate quotes on site and follows up on every open estimate.
- [Invoicing and payments](https://www.brix.so/features/invoicing-payments): Turns finished jobs into invoices and politely chases unpaid ones until the money is in your account.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you need a license to do HVAC work in Texas?

Yes. Contractors need a TDLR ACR contractor license, and anyone assisting a licensed contractor with air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance or repair must at least register as a technician. TDLR lists some exemptions on its technician registration exceptions page.

### How long does it take to get an HVAC contractor license in Texas?

TDLR requires 48 months of practical experience within the last 72 months under a licensed contractor. If you've held a technician certification for 12 months, you need 36 months of experience in the last 48 instead. You then have one year from filing to pass the PSI exam.

### How much does a Texas HVAC license cost?

TDLR's application fees are $20 for a registered technician, $50 for a certified technician and $115 for an ACR contractor. Yearly renewals are $20, $35 and $65. PSI's exam fees are separate and listed in its Candidate Information Bulletin.

### What is the difference between Class A and Class B in Texas?

A Class A ACR contractor can work on any size unit. Class B is limited to cooling systems of 25 tons and under and heating systems of 1.5 million BTU per hour and under. Class B also has lower insurance minimums: $100,000 per occurrence versus $300,000.

### How many CE hours do Texas ACR contractors need?

Eight hours of TDLR-approved continuing education per yearly renewal, including at least one hour on Texas law and rules. Courses must be finished before the license expires, and repeating the same course doesn't earn extra hours.

### Does Texas accept HVAC licenses from other states?

TDLR has reciprocity only with South Carolina and Georgia. Applicants licensed elsewhere file the standard contractor application with proof of their current license, and TDLR decides which Texas requirements, possibly including the exam, still apply.

### Is EPA 608 certification the same as a Texas HVAC license?

No. EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement for handling refrigerant, and TDLR doesn't issue it. A Texas technician or contractor who works with refrigerant typically needs both the TDLR credential and EPA 608 certification.

## Related

- [HVAC License Requirements by State: Technician Rules, Contractor Classes and Size Limits](https://www.brix.so/licensing/hvac)
- [Texas Contractor Taxes and Licensing: Labor, Materials, Franchise Tax and Licenses](https://www.brix.so/taxes/texas)
- [How to Start an HVAC Business in 2026 (Costs, Licenses and First Customers)](https://www.brix.so/start/hvac)
- [HVAC Software That Answers the Phone, Books the Tech and Keeps the Books](https://www.brix.so/for/hvac)
- [EPA 608 Certification: Who Needs It and How to Get It](https://www.brix.so/certifications/epa-608)
- [Free EPA 608 Core Practice Test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/core)
- [How to Get an Electrician License in Texas: Every TDLR Tier, Hours and Fee](https://www.brix.so/licensing/electrician/texas)
- [How to Get a Plumbing License in Texas: Apprentice to Responsible Master Plumber](https://www.brix.so/licensing/plumbing/texas)
- [HVAC Answering Service That Triages, Books and Pages Your On-Call Tech](https://www.brix.so/for/hvac/ai-receptionist)
- [BTU Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/btu-calculator)

## Change log

- 2026-10-24: Page published. Credentials, fees, experience, insurance, CE, reciprocity and late-renewal rules verified against TDLR.

## Sources

- [TDLR — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — ACR contractor license application](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — ACR contractor license renewal](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-renew.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — Technician registration application](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-apply.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — Technician certification application](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/certified-tech-apply.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — Technician renewal](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-renew.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — ACR exam information (PSI)](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — ACR continuing education](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrce.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — ACR FAQ (reciprocity, city fees)](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrfaq.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [TDLR — ACR out-of-state applicants](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrstate.htm) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [EPA — Section 608 technician certification](https://www.epa.gov/section608) (checked 2026-10-24)

Last verified against [Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (ACR program)](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm) on 2026-10-24.

Talk to BRIX: call or text (518) 588-1122, email eeharris2004@gmail.com, or book a 15-minute call at https://cal.com/ethanharris/15min.

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Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/licensing/hvac/texas