Texas HVAC license

1. Who needs a license

General contractors do not need a state license in Texas, but cities or counties may have their own rules. HVAC, electrical and plumbing work are state-licensed. (source: Office of the Texas Governor: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab))

• Local example: the City of Austin has its own contractor registration. (source: City of Austin contractor registration (opens in a new tab))

2. HVAC license classes

Good to know for HVAC work in Texas

• Endorsements: Environmental Air Conditioning, Commercial Refrigeration, Process Cooling or Heating. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
• License numbers look like TACL/A/000000/C (title/class/number/endorsement). (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
• Technicians who service equipment with refrigerant need federal EPA Section 608 certification. (source: EPA Section 608 technician certification (opens in a new tab), source: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F (opens in a new tab))

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

Experience: 4 years. For an ACR (HVAC) contractor license: 48 months supervised by a licensed ACR contractor in the last 72 months. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

• Or hold a technician certification for 12 months plus 36 months of experience in the last 48 months. A degree, engineering background or military training can substitute. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
• Electricians: journeyman 8,000 hours plus an exam; master 12,000 hours plus 2 years as a journeyman plus an exam. (source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))

1. Check if your trade is licensed HVAC and electrical are licensed by TDLR, plumbing by TSBPE. General contracting has no state license. (source: Office of the Texas Governor: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab), source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))
2. Get your experience For ACR: 48 months under a licensed ACR contractor in the last 72 months. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
3. Apply Apply to TDLR. The ACR application fee is $115. You must be 18 or older. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
4. Pass the exam Pass the exam within 1 year of applying. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))
5. File insurance After the exam, file a certificate of insurance at the amount for your class. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))

• ACR contractors must pass the exam within 1 year of applying. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

Bond

We're still verifying this, check the official board: TDLR website (opens in a new tab).

Insurance

• General liability: ACR Class A: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products and completed operations. Class B: $100,000 / $200,000 / $100,000. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

• Electrical contractors: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products and completed operations. (source: TDLR: Electrical contractor license (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 1 year. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: Texas Occupations Code chapter 1302 (opens in a new tab))

An ACR contractor license lasts 1 year. (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab), source: Texas Occupations Code chapter 1302 (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the TDLR website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search by name (Last, First) or by license type plus the 8-digit number, e.g. 00000123. (source: TDLR license search help (opens in a new tab))

You can search by: Person or company name, License number. (source: TDLR license search help (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

We're still verifying this, check the official board: TDLR website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• Someone doing non-exempt electrical work who is not licensed or not working through a licensed electrical contractor. (source: TDLR: Electricians at a glance (opens in a new tab))
• An HVAC contractor who cannot give you a TDLR ACR license number (format like TACL/A/000000/C). (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

How to file a complaint

• File a complaint about a TDLR licensee using the TDLR online complaint form. (source: TDLR complaint form (opens in a new tab))