Texas HVAC License Requirements
Yes. Texas licenses HVAC technicians through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, ACR. It issues apprentice, journeyman and contractor credentials. Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
State HVAC license · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | ACR Technician Registration (age 16+) |
| Journeyman | Certified Technician (optional) |
| Master | No state license |
| Contractor | ACR Contractor Class A / Class B |
Requirements
| Journeyman experience | Contractor: 36 months + 12 months certified (or 48 months) |
| Exam | State exam |
| Minimum age | 16 (registration) |
| Fees | Certified tech application $50 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Continuing education | Contractor 8 hours/year |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, ACR |
Federal: EPA 608 certification
| Rule | Federal certification required to service or dispose of refrigerant equipment and to buy refrigerant |
Who: anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant (attaching gauges, adding or removing refrigerant). Types: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high- and very high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), Universal (all types). Expiry: credentials do not expire. Buying refrigerant: sellers may sell only to certified technicians or employers of one, with limited exceptions (e.g. small cans of MVAC refrigerant). EPA does not issue cards; approved certifying organizations do. Universal requires a proctored core exam.
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for TDLR) |
Technicians take the ACR Certified Technician exam.
- Source: tdlr.texas.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Licensed in another state or the military
| Military experience credit | Yes: active-duty and veterans may use military experience and training toward a similar license; exam still required; no fee |
| Military spouses | Expedited transfer of out-of-state license, no fee; spouses may work in Texas with an out-of-state license |
TDLR military program (Tex. Occ. Code ch. 55). Active-duty extras: 2 extra years to renew, no late fees. National Guard/reservists not called to active duty are not eligible (Occ. Code 55.001(6)).
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (no state agency) |
Programs register through the Office of Apprenticeship; use the Partner Finder for local sponsors.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026