Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) · checked 2026-10-20
Texas HVAC License Requirements
Statewide air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licenses; each ACR company employs a licensed ACR contractor at every permanent location. Technicians hold a registration or certification. ACR Contractor, Class A: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1B · ACR Contractor, Class B 4 years
- 2A · ACR Contractor, Class A 4 years
License levels in Texas
The Texas path has 2 steps on this page: ACR Contractor, Class B and ACR Contractor, Class A. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B ACR Contractor, Class B | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Application $115 |
| A ACR Contractor, Class A | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Application $115 |
ACR Contractor, Class B (B)
At least 48 months of practical experience under a licensed contractor within the past 72 months, or a technician certification held 12 months plus 36 months of experience within the past 48 months. Scope: cooling systems of 25 tons and under, heating systems of 1.5 million BTU/hour and under. Source: TDLR, Apply for a Contractor License.
ACR Contractor, Class A (A)
The same 48 months of experience within 72 months (or certification plus 36 months); one endorsement per license: environmental air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, or process cooling or heating. Scope: units of any size. Source: TDLR, Apply for a Contractor License.
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: ACR Contractor, Class B and ACR Contractor, Class A. The source does not print a pass mark. All application requirements must be completed within one year of filing.
Fees, insurance and bond
- ACR Contractor, Class B: application $115.
- ACR Contractor, Class A: application $115.
Insurance: Commercial general liability. Class A: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products and completed operations. Class B: $100,000, $200,000 and $100,000.
Reciprocity
The Texas sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Texas compares
Among the 8 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top hvac credential, Texas ranks 5 of 8 from shortest (1 year) to longest (5 years). California and Florida set the same 4 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Florida · Ohio · Georgia · North Carolina. All states side by side: HVAC license requirements by state.
Other trades in Texas
- Electrician: Master Electrician: 6 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master Plumber: 6 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Texas trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the hvac license in Texas?
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Statewide air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licenses; each ACR company employs a licensed ACR contractor at every permanent location. Technicians hold a registration or certification.
How long does it take to qualify for the ACR Contractor, Class A in Texas?
4 years by this site's count. The same 48 months of experience within 72 months (or certification plus 36 months); one endorsement per license: environmental air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, or process cooling or heating.
Does Texas have hvac license reciprocity?
The Texas sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Texas hvac license fees?
ACR Contractor, Class B: application $115. ACR Contractor, Class A: application $115.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | 2026-10-20 |
| B requirements | TDLR, Apply for a Contractor License | 2026-10-20 |
| A requirements | TDLR, Apply for a Contractor License | 2026-10-20 |
| Law cited | TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor page (statute not read) | 2026-10-20 |
This page summarises what the Texas source said on 2026-10-20. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.