How to get an HVAC contractor license in Texas: the official requirements
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License (Class A or Class B) license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
In Texas, the statewide HVAC license is a contractor license, issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Contractors who install, repair or maintain air conditioning, refrigeration or heating systems must have a TDLR license. The Class A license covers any size unit; Class B covers cooling systems of 25 tons and under and heating systems of 1.5 million BTUs/hour and under. Apprentice or trainee registration: Anyone who assists a licensed contractor with air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance or repair work registers as a technician (at least 16 years old). Technicians work under the supervision of a licensed contractor; registrations last one year. Experience and training: At least 48 months of practical air conditioning and refrigeration work under a licensed contractor in the past 72 months, or 36 months in the past 48 months if you have held a technician certification for the past 12 months. Your supervisors document the experience on an Experience Verification Form. Licensing exam: The licensing exam, taken after TDLR approves your eligibility; the test depends on the license class and the endorsements you choose. Every step of the application, including passing the exam, must be completed within one year of filing the application. How to apply: Submit the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License Application with your experience verification form(s); you must be at least 18. After passing the exam, send TDLR a Certificate of Insurance and keep commercial general liability insurance while the license is active.
Texas HVAC contractor license requirements
| Requirement | Texas |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Contractors who install, repair or maintain air conditioning, refrigeration or heating systems must have a TDLR license. The Class A license covers any size unit; Class B covers cooling systems of 25 tons and under and heating systems of 1.5 million BTUs/hour and under. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Anyone who assists a licensed contractor with air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance or repair work registers as a technician (at least 16 years old). Technicians work under the supervision of a licensed contractor; registrations last one year. |
| Experience and training | At least 48 months of practical air conditioning and refrigeration work under a licensed contractor in the past 72 months, or 36 months in the past 48 months if you have held a technician certification for the past 12 months. Your supervisors document the experience on an Experience Verification Form. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. |
| Licensing exam | The licensing exam, taken after TDLR approves your eligibility; the test depends on the license class and the endorsements you choose. Every step of the application, including passing the exam, must be completed within one year of filing the application. |
| How to apply | Submit the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License Application with your experience verification form(s); you must be at least 18. After passing the exam, send TDLR a Certificate of Insurance and keep commercial general liability insurance while the license is active. |
| Background check | TDLR runs a criminal history background check on everyone who applies; applicants with a conviction also send a Criminal History Questionnaire. |
| State fees | Contractor license application: $115. Technician registration: $20, non-refundable. |
| License term | One year from the date of issue. |
| Continuing education | Eight hours of continuing education to renew a contractor license, including one hour on Texas law and rules, completed before the license expires. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Texas
- Register as an air conditioning and refrigeration technician so you can work under a licensed contractor.
- Build at least 48 months of supervised practical experience within the past 72 months (or 36 months within 48 with a 12-month technician certification).
- Have each supervisor complete an Experience Verification Form.
- Submit the contractor license application with the $115 fee.
- Once TDLR approves your eligibility, pass the licensing exam for your class and endorsement.
- Send TDLR a Certificate of Insurance after passing the exam.
- To renew, complete 8 hours of continuing education, including one hour on Texas law and rules.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become an HVAC technicianThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayHVAC technician salary in TexasWhat HVAC technicians earn.
Open →CareerHVAC technician career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumeHVAC technician resumeHow to present your experience and licenses.
Open →InterviewHVAC technician interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
Open →Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Apply for a Contractor License (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Apply for a Technician Registration (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examination Information, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Continuing Education Requirements for Licensees, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.