SPEC SHEET · TX · HVAC
Texas HVAC technician license requirements
The answer
Texas regulates HVAC statewide through TDLR. Technicians register for $20 (no experience needed) and work under a licensed contractor; the ACR Contractor license requires 48 months of practical experience in the last 72 months plus a PSI exam.Your paths to the license
Register as a technician and build experience
Register as an ACR Technician ($20, no experience required) and work under a licensed contractor. After 48 months of practical experience within the last 72 months, you qualify for the contractor exam ($115 application).
Certified Technician route
Either 24 months of supervised ACR work OR a TDLR-approved 2,000-hour program (combined instruction + practical) earns the Certified Technician credential ($50 + exam). Holding it 12 months cuts the contractor experience requirement to 36 months in the past 48.
Apply on documented experience
With 48 documented months (within the last 72) under a licensed ACR contractor — verified on Experience Verification Forms completed by your supervisors, never by you — apply for the contractor license ($115) and pass the PSI exam within one year.
Licensed in another state
Texas has no ACR reciprocity agreements. Out-of-state experience counts if documented under supervision equivalent to a licensed contractor — you still apply and pass the Texas exam.
License levels in Texas
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Technician | Register with TDLR ($20); work under a licensed ACR contractor. No experience or exam. | $20 |
| Certified Technician | 24 months supervised experience OR a 2,000-hour approved certification program; $50 application. | $50 |
| ACR Contractor (Class A or B) | 48 months practical experience in the past 72 months + exam; $115 application. Class A = any size unit; Class B = cooling ≤25 tons, heating ≤1.5M BTU/hr. | $115 |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Technician registration | $20 |
| Certified Technician application | $50 |
| Contractor application (Class A or B) | $115 |
The exam
| Provider | PSI |
| Fees | Exam fee set by PSI — see the Candidate Information Bulletin |
| Notes | Pass within one year of application; failed exams can be rescheduled with PSI within 24–48 hours. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No formal ACR reciprocity agreements. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Contractor licenses are valid 1 year; renewal requires 8 hours of continuing education including 1 hour of Texas law and rules.
Federal layer: Federal EPA Section 608 certification is separately required for anyone who handles refrigerants — it does not replace Texas licensing.
Watch out: Exam fees are charged by PSI, not TDLR. · Contractor license requires insurance; coverage depends on class and endorsement.
Official sources for this page
Texas HVAC technician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed HVAC technician in Texas?
The shortest published route requires 2,000 hours of supervised experience. Texas regulates HVAC statewide through TDLR. Technicians register for $20 (no experience needed) and work under a licensed contractor; the ACR Contractor license requires 48 months of practical experience in the last 72 months plus a PSI exam.
What does the Texas HVAC technician license cost?
Published fees: Technician registration $20 · Certified Technician application $50 · Contractor application (Class A or B) $115. Exam-vendor fees may be extra — see the sources below.
Does Texas have HVAC technician license reciprocity?
No formal ACR reciprocity agreements.
How often does the license renew and how much continuing education is required?
Contractor licenses are valid 1 year; renewal requires 8 hours of continuing education including 1 hour of Texas law and rules.
Get your personal route
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