Texas regulates HVAC work through TDLR's Air Conditioning & Refrigeration program. Here is the 2026 path: technician registration, Class A vs Class B contractor licenses, the experience and exam requirements, fees, and what it takes to run HVAC jobs legally.
Texas is one of the largest HVAC markets in the country, and the demand for licensed air conditioning and refrigeration work is enormous. If you want to run HVAC jobs legally in Texas, you need to understand how the state structures its licensing, because it splits the trade into two separate credentials: a technician registration for people doing the hands-on work, and a contractor license for the person legally responsible for the business.
This guide walks through the full 2026 path: technician registration, the Class A vs Class B contractor license, the experience and exam requirements, the fees, and what happens after you pass.
How HVAC licensing works in Texas
HVAC licensing in Texas is handled by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under its Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) program. TDLR issues two distinct credentials:
- ACR Technician registration, required for anyone who assists a licensed contractor with air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance or repair work. This is the entry point.
- ACR Contractor license, the credential that authorizes a person or company to contract for, perform, and take legal responsibility for HVAC work. This is the license that lets you run jobs and pull the work in your own name.
The practical reality: technicians do the field work under a licensed contractor, and the contractor is the legally responsible party for the company's HVAC work.
Class A vs Class B: which contractor license do you need?
Texas issues the ACR contractor license in two classes, and the difference comes down to the size of the equipment you are allowed to work on.
Class A lets you work on any size of heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment, with no tonnage or BTU limit. It is the license to hold if you want to take on large commercial systems.
Class B is limited to cooling systems of 25 tons and under and heating systems of 1.5 million BTUs per hour and under. It fits contractors focused on residential and smaller light-commercial work.
The application process and exam are the same structure for both; the class you choose determines the scope of work you can legally take.
Endorsements: which type of work
When you apply for the ACR contractor license, you also choose an endorsement for the type of work you will perform:
- Environmental air conditioning (comfort heating and cooling)
- Commercial refrigeration and process cooling or heating
You can hold one or both. Match the endorsement to the work you actually plan to do.
Experience requirements
To qualify for the ACR contractor license, you must document field experience:
- Four years of practical experience in air conditioning and refrigeration work, within the past six years, under the supervision of a licensed ACR contractor; or
- Three years of that experience if you hold a relevant certification.
The experience must be genuine, supervised field work that you can document. Many contractors start by registering as an ACR technician, building their hours, and then stepping up to the contractor license once they meet the requirement.
The exam
Once TDLR approves your application, you sit for the ACR contractor examination, administered by PSI. The exam covers the technical knowledge and Texas code and law required to operate as a licensed contractor.
As with all our state guides, this article explains the licensing process, not how to study for the test. Exam preparation is outside our scope; what matters here is knowing the steps and the structure so you can plan your path to licensure.
Fees and costs (2026)
Here are the current TDLR fees as of this guide's 2026 update:
- ACR Technician registration: $50
- ACR Contractor license application: $115
- PSI examination fee: paid to PSI when you schedule your exam
Beyond the government and testing fees, TDLR requires ACR contractors to carry liability insurance in the amount the department sets, and you will carry that premium as an ongoing cost. These figures are set by TDLR and PSI and are subject to change, always verify the current amounts and the exact insurance requirement directly with TDLR (the ACR program can be reached at 800-803-9202) before you apply.
Notice this list contains only government, testing, and third-party insurance costs. There is no official "HVAC license cost" that covers hiring help to get licensed or to hold a license for a company, that is a private business arrangement that varies by situation, covered at the end of this guide.
Step-by-step: getting your Texas HVAC license
- Register as an ACR technician (if you are not already licensed) and start building supervised field experience under a licensed contractor.
- Accumulate your hours, four years within the past six (or three with a qualifying certification).
- Choose your class and endorsement, Class A (any size) or Class B (≤25 tons / ≤1.5M BTU), plus environmental air conditioning and/or commercial refrigeration.
- File the ACR contractor application with TDLR and pay the $115 fee.
- Secure the required liability insurance.
- Pass the PSI contractor exam.
- Receive your license and begin contracting legally.
After you're licensed: renewal
Texas ACR licenses are renewed on a set cycle through TDLR, with continuing education required to keep the license active. Build the renewal and CE into your calendar so the license never lapses, an expired license means you cannot legally contract. For the bigger picture on staying compliant across states, see our contractor license renewal guide.
From HVAC license to running a contracting business
Getting your individual ACR contractor license is the first milestone. Turning it into a business that can legally bid and operate is the next one. In Texas, the company performing HVAC work needs a licensed ACR contractor standing behind it as the responsible party. If you expand into other trades or general construction, you will encounter additional Texas licensing, see our guides on the Texas electrician license, the Texas plumbing license, and the Texas general contractor license.
This is where many skilled HVAC techs hit a wall. Maybe you have the talent but not yet the four years of documented experience. Maybe you are launching a company and need a licensed, responsible party to hold the contractor license while you build your own qualifications. Maybe you are an out-of-state HVAC contractor expanding into Texas and need licensed authority on the ground.
The person who fills that role is a qualifying agent, a licensed individual who holds the required credential and serves as the documented, legally responsible party for a company's HVAC contracting. Done correctly, that is a real, full-time W-2 position with genuine oversight responsibility, not a license rented out and ignored. Start with what a qualifying agent is, then read our focused guide on the HVAC contractor qualifying agent.
If you need a qualifier to hold your Texas HVAC license, or you are an experienced, licensed HVAC contractor who wants to put your license to work, we can help. See how to hire a qualifying agent, learn about becoming a qualifying agent, or book a consultation to design the right structure. Because cost depends on your trade, license class, and how the engagement is built, we provide a private, custom quote rather than a public price.
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas require an HVAC license? Yes. Texas requires anyone performing air conditioning and refrigeration work to do so through a TDLR-licensed ACR contractor, and technicians who assist must be registered. Working without the proper credential is illegal.
What's the difference between Class A and Class B? Class A covers any size of equipment. Class B is limited to cooling systems of 25 tons and under and heating systems of 1.5 million BTUs per hour and under.
How long does it take to get a Texas HVAC license? The binding factor is experience: four years of supervised field work within the past six (or three with a qualifying certification). Once you have the hours, application review and scheduling the PSI exam typically takes a few weeks.
How much does a Texas HVAC license cost? The TDLR contractor application fee is $115 and technician registration is $50, plus the PSI exam fee and required liability insurance. These TDLR/PSI fees are subject to change, so verify before applying. If you mean the cost of a qualifying agent holding a license for your company, that varies by situation, request a custom quote.
Can I get an HVAC license in Texas without four years of experience? The requirement drops to three years if you hold a qualifying certification. If you still cannot meet it personally, a qualifying agent can hold the license so your company can operate legally, see how to get a contractor license without experience.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.