Texas HVAC License Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Verify (2026)
Last updated: July 2026 · HVACListing.com Editorial
The short version:
In Texas, HVAC licensing is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) program. Every individual technician must hold an ACR Technician license (Class A or Class B). Every company must hold a separate ACR Contractor registration. Both can be verified in 60 seconds at license.tdlr.texas.gov.
Who Regulates HVAC Contractors in Texas?
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program
- Program website: tdlr.texas.gov/acr/
- License verification: license.tdlr.texas.gov
- Governing law: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302
- Phone: (512) 463-6599
- File a complaint: tdlr.texas.gov/complaints/
TDLR is the single state authority for HVAC licensing in Texas. No Texas municipality issues its own HVAC contractor license in place of the TDLR credential.
Texas ACR License Types at a Glance
| License Type | Who Holds It | Scope | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACR Technician — Class A | Individual technician | Unrestricted — any system size or type | 48 months field experience + approved exam + EPA 608 |
| ACR Technician — Class B | Individual technician | Systems ≤ 25 tons cooling / ≤ 1,500,000 BTU heating | 24 months field experience + approved exam + EPA 608 |
| ACR Contractor | Business entity | Required to employ or contract a licensed Responsible Person | Designated Class A or B Technician as Responsible Person |
| Apprentice Registration | Individual in training | Work under direct supervision only | None — must register within 90 days of starting |
The Technician license belongs to the individual. The Contractor license belongs to the company. A homeowner hiring an HVAC company should confirm that both are active — the company's Contractor registration and the individual technician's license.
ACR Technician License — Class A (Unrestricted)
A Class A license allows a technician to install, service, repair, or replace any HVAC or refrigeration system in Texas with no restriction on size, type, or application.
Requirements to earn a Class A license:
- Experience: 48 months (4 years) of verifiable, paid field experience. An associate degree in HVAC technology from an accredited program can substitute for up to 12 months of field time.
- EPA Section 608 Certification: Current EPA 608 certification is required.
- Approved examination: Pass a TDLR-approved ACR examination (providers include NATE, ESCO Institute, and ICC).
- Application and fee: Approximately $60–$70 for a 2-year license (verify current fees at tdlr.texas.gov/acr/).
ACR Technician License — Class B (Restricted)
A Class B license covers residential and light-commercial work — systems with a cooling capacity of 25 tons or less and a heating capacity of 1,500,000 BTU or less. For the vast majority of homeowners, a Class B technician can legally service everything in your house.
Requirements: 24 months (2 years) field experience + EPA 608 + TDLR-approved exam + application fee.
ACR Contractor Registration (Company License)
Any business entity that performs HVAC work for compensation in Texas must hold a TDLR ACR Contractor registration. To obtain it, the company must:
- Designate a Responsible Person — a current, active TDLR-licensed ACR Technician (Class A or B) who is legally responsible for the company's licensed HVAC work.
- Carry insurance — TDLR requires proof of commercial general liability insurance.
- Pay the registration fee — approximately $60 for a 2-year registration.
If the Responsible Person leaves the company, the Contractor registration is suspended until a new licensed Responsible Person is added. This is one reason to verify the Contractor registration, not just the individual technician's license.
Gas Line Work: A Separate License Requirement
HVAC contractors in Texas are not automatically licensed to run new gas lines. The TDLR ACR license covers HVAC equipment and final connections to gas appliances — it does not authorize running new gas supply piping or extending gas service.
For gas piping work beyond the final appliance connection, Texas requires:
- A TDLR Gas Plumber license, or
- A licensed plumber from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
If a contractor offers to run new gas lines and can't show a gas or plumbing license, that's a red flag.
How to Verify a Texas HVAC Contractor's License in 60 Seconds
- Go to license.tdlr.texas.gov — no account needed.
- Search for the individual technician — select "Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician." Confirm: Status Active, Class A or B, expiration in the future.
- Search for the company — select "Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor." Confirm: Status Active, Responsible Person on file.
- Ask the technician to show their EPA 608 card — TDLR doesn't display EPA 608 status in its portal.
- Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before work begins.
Continuing Education for Renewal
All TDLR ACR licenses renew on a 2-year cycle. To renew, technicians must complete 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education during each renewal period covering topics like Texas-specific HVAC code changes, refrigerant handling updates (especially with the R-410A phasedown and transition to R-454B/R-32), energy efficiency standards, and safety.
Texas City-by-City Permit Notes
The TDLR license satisfies the state licensing requirement everywhere in Texas, but individual cities also require mechanical permits for HVAC installations and replacements.
| City / Jurisdiction | Permit required? | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Houston (Harris County) | Yes | houstontx.gov/permits |
| Dallas | Yes | dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment |
| San Antonio | Yes | sanantonio.gov/DSD |
| Austin | Yes | austintexas.gov/department/development-services |
| Fort Worth | Yes | fortworthtexas.gov/departments/development-services |
Your HVAC contractor should pull the permit. If a contractor says "we don't need a permit for this" when replacing your system, that's almost certainly wrong. See our HVAC Permits guide.
What Happens If Work Is Done Without a License?
For contractors: TDLR can issue civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for performing HVAC work without a license. Repeat violations can result in criminal referral.
For homeowners:
- Manufacturer warranty voided — most HVAC manufacturers require licensed installation to honor parts warranties.
- Insurance claim denied — homeowner's insurance may deny claims for damage related to unlicensed HVAC work.
- Permit/inspection problems at resale — home inspectors and real estate attorneys often flag unpermitted HVAC work.
- No legal recourse — contracts with unlicensed contractors are unenforceable in many Texas courts.
Texas HVAC License Requirements: Quick-Reference Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is HVAC licensing required in Texas? | Yes — Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302 |
| Who issues the license? | TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) |
| What license does a technician need? | ACR Technician — Class A (unrestricted) or Class B (≤ 25 tons) |
| What does the company need? | ACR Contractor registration with a licensed Responsible Person |
| Is EPA 608 required? | Yes — required for all ACR Technician applicants |
| Class A experience required? | 48 months (reduced by up to 12 with HVAC degree) |
| Class B experience required? | 24 months |
| License valid for? | 2 years |
| CE hours to renew? | 8 hours per 2-year cycle |
| Can HVAC contractor run gas lines? | Only with a separate gas plumber or plumbing license |
| Where to verify? | license.tdlr.texas.gov |
| How to file a complaint? | tdlr.texas.gov/complaints/ |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does every HVAC company in Texas need to be licensed?
- Yes. Any business entity that performs HVAC work for compensation in Texas must hold a TDLR ACR Contractor registration. The registration requires a licensed ACR Technician (Class A or B) to serve as the company's Responsible Person on file with TDLR. Verify a company's Contractor registration at license.tdlr.texas.gov.
- What's the difference between a Class A and Class B HVAC technician in Texas?
- A Class A license is unrestricted — the technician can work on any HVAC or refrigeration system regardless of size. A Class B license is limited to systems with a cooling capacity of 25 tons or less and a heating capacity of 1,500,000 BTU or less. For most homeowners, a Class B technician is fully qualified to handle residential HVAC work.
- Can a homeowner do their own HVAC work in Texas without a license?
- Texas law generally exempts homeowners performing work on their own primary residence from licensing requirements — but only if you're doing the work yourself. You cannot legally purchase or handle refrigerants without EPA Section 608 certification, regardless of homeowner status. For any refrigerant work, hire a licensed technician.
- Does my HVAC contractor need a separate license to work on my gas furnace?
- The TDLR ACR license covers the HVAC equipment itself, including the final connection of a gas appliance to its shutoff valve. Running a new gas supply line or extending existing gas piping requires a TDLR Gas Plumber license or a TSBPE plumbing license.
- How do I file a complaint against an unlicensed HVAC contractor in Texas?
- File complaints directly with TDLR at tdlr.texas.gov/complaints/ or by calling (512) 463-6599. TDLR investigates complaints against both licensed contractors and unlicensed operators.
- Is a TDLR ACR license enough to work in any Texas city, or do I need a city license too?
- The TDLR ACR license is the only contractor license required statewide. However, most cities require a mechanical permit for HVAC installations and replacements, and your contractor must pull that permit before work begins.
- What should I do if an HVAC contractor asks me to pull my own permit?
- This is a serious red flag. A licensed contractor should pull the permit — it's standard practice. When a contractor asks the homeowner to pull the permit, it often signals that the contractor is unlicensed or their license is in poor standing with TDLR. Decline and find a different contractor.
Related Guides
HVAC Licensing Requirements by State (50-State Hub)
Direct links to all 50 state licensing boards
How to Hire an HVAC Contractor
12-point vetting checklist before you sign
HVAC Permits: When You Need One
When permits are required and what unpermitted work costs you
HVAC Contractor Scams
10 common tactics and a red-flag checklist
HVAC Refrigerant Guide: R-22, R-410A, R-454B
The phasedown timeline and what it means for Texas homeowners
HVAC Cost Guide 2026
National price ranges for repair and replacement
Sources and editorial notes
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program (tdlr.texas.gov/acr/) · Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302 (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Act) · TDLR license verification: license.tdlr.texas.gov · Texas Administrative Code Title 16, Part 4, Chapter 75 · EPA Section 608 (epa.gov/section608) · HVACListing.com editorial research, July 2026. Licensing requirements and TDLR fee schedules are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with TDLR at tdlr.texas.gov/acr/ before hiring.
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