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How to get an HVAC license in Texas

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Texas. Taken from official TX pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Texas licenses ACR contractors (Class A/B) and technicians (registered or certified). Certified technician is the exam-based worker card; contractors pull permits and run jobs.)
  • Certified ACR Technician: You must be 18+. Either finish a TDLR-approved certification training program in the last 48 months, or show 24 months of ACR work under a licensed contractor (military specialty counts). Then pass the competency exam.
  • Exam: see below, via TDLR competency exam
  • Code edition: TDLR competency exam after your application is approved. Finish the whole application — including the exam — within one year of filing.

Requirements by license

Certified ACR Technician

ExperienceYou must be 18+. Either finish a TDLR-approved certification training program in the last 48 months, or show 24 months of ACR work under a licensed contractor (military specialty counts). Then pass the competency exam.Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of
ExamTDLR competency exam. Required for certified technician. Registered technicians skip the exam. After you apply, TDLR tells you when you can test.Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of
Fees
  • Certified technician application: $50
  • Certified technician renewal (annual): $35
  • Registered technician application: $20
  • Registered technician renewal: $20
Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of · Renewal fees also on tdlr.texas.gov
RenewalEvery 1 year. Card is good for one year from issue. Start renewing 30–60 days early. Late windows add 1½× or 2× fees; after 18 months you need executive-director approval.Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of
CE to renewTechnicians do not have a CE requirement on the TDLR technician renewal page. Contractors do (see contractor license below).Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of

ACR Contractor (Class A or B)

ExperienceBe 18+. Usual path: 48 months of practical ACR work under a licensed contractor in the last 72 months. Or: hold a Texas certified technician card for the past 12 months plus 36 months of supervised ACR work in the last 48 months. School, engineering, military, or industrial process work can open exceptions — check TDLR.Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of
ExamTDLR competency exam. After TDLR approves your file, you take the exam for your class and endorsement. Class A covers any size unit; Class B caps cooling at 25 tons and heating at 1.5 million BTU/hour.Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of
Fees
  • Contractor application: $115
  • Contractor renewal (annual): $65
Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of · Renewal: tdlr.texas.gov Liability insurance required after you pass (Class A $300k/$600k; Class B $100k/$200k per occurrence/aggregate).
RenewalEvery 1 year. Renew before your card expires. Finish 8 hours of approved CE first — including 1 hour of Texas law and rules.Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of
CE to renew8 hours per year
  • 1 hour Texas ACR law and rules
  • 7 hours board-approved ACR coursework
CE must be done before the license expires. Same course twice does not count. Use a TDLR-approved provider.
Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of

License types in Texas

  • Registered ACR technician
  • Certified ACR technician
  • ACR contractor Class A
  • ACR contractor Class B
  • Endorsements: environmental air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; process cooling or heating
Source: tdlr.texas.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Texas does not publish a simple out-of-state swap for ACR contractor. You still apply through TDLR and meet the experience or exception rules. Ask customer service if you already hold another state’s card.Not confirmedSource: tdlr.texas.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

  • Exact out-of-state endorsement or reciprocity steps for ACR contractor (not spelled out on the apply page).
    Ask: TDLR ACR · (512) 463-6599 (contact source, as of )

FAQ

Does Texas license HVAC techs statewide?

Yes. TDLR registers or certifies ACR technicians, and separately licenses Class A/B ACR contractors.

What’s the usual contractor path?

About 48 months under a licensed ACR contractor (or certified tech + 36 months), $115 application, then the TDLR exam and insurance.

Already licensed? See Texas HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.