TEXAS · hvac
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractor — Class A
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — A/C & Refrigeration Program →Scope of Work
A Class A ACR Contractor may contract for, design, install, service, and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems of any size and capacity. A Class B ACR Contractor is limited to systems of 25 tons or less cooling capacity and 1.5 million BTU per hour or less heating capacity. TDLR also issues an Environmental Air Conditioning endorsement and a Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling or Heating endorsement; the endorsement on the license defines the permitted work. Source: TDLR ACR Contracting At A Glance (https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/media/pdf/ACR%20at%20a%20Glance.pdf).
Experience and Training
48 months of practical experience in air-conditioning and refrigeration-related work in the past 72 months, supervised by a TDLR-licensed ACR Contractor, OR an ACR Technician Certification held for at least 12 months combined with 36 months of practical supervised experience in the past 48 months. Experience is documented on the TDLR Statement of Experience form and verified by the supervising contractor. Source: TDLR ACR Contractor Application (https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/contractor-apply.htm).
Military Crosswalk
TDLR credits verified military HVAC experience under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55. Relevant MOS examples include Army Utilities Equipment Repairer (91C), Navy Utilitiesman (UT), Air Force HVAC (3E1X1), and Marine HVAC Mechanic (1161). Applicants submit DD-214 and military training transcripts with the TDLR ACR application.
Exam
Administered by PSI Services. Core topics include Texas ACR law and rules (16 TAC Chapter 75), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), heat-load calculation, duct design, refrigeration cycles, controls, combustion and venting, and electrical basics relevant to HVAC. Federal EPA Section 608 refrigerant-handling certification is required for any technician who opens refrigerant circuits; EPA 608 is separate from the TDLR license and is issued by an EPA-approved certifying organization. Verify current exam and application fees in the PSI Texas ACR Candidate Information Bulletin.
Insurance
Class A contractors must carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate, with $300,000 property damage coverage. Insurance certificates are filed with TDLR on the ACR Contractor Insurance Certificate form. Class B insurance minimums are lower; verify current requirements at the TDLR ACR Contractor Apply page.
Reciprocity
Texas does not maintain a formal ACR reciprocity agreement with other states. Out-of-state ACR contractors apply through TDLR Out-of-State Applicants and may be required to pass the Texas exam and meet Texas insurance minimums. Source: TDLR ACR Out-of-State (https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrstate.htm).
Renewal and CE
1-year renewal cycle, $65 renewal fee (2026). 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education each renewal, including 1 hour on Texas law and rules. Renewal is completed through TDLR Online Services. Source: TDLR ACR CE (https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrce.htm).
Scope Limitations
The ACR license authorizes HVAC contracting and supervision. Electrical work beyond the incidental connection of HVAC equipment requires an Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician of record. Plumbing work beyond condensate drains and fuel-gas piping directly serving HVAC equipment requires a TSBPE plumbing license. Refrigerant handling is subject to EPA Section 608.