By Priya Raman · Updated September 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Short answer
To get a Texas Class A ACR (HVAC/refrigeration) contractor license, an applicant generally needs experience in ACR work under a Texas contractor, usually described as 48 months within the previous 72, then passes the PSI exam, submits the application and fee, and files proof of liability insurance. Requirements, fees and exemptions change, so verify each item on the current TDLR page.
A Texas Class A HVAC/ACR contractor license is earned by documented experience, a passed exam, an application with fees, and proof of insurance. TDLR, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, issues the license to an individual. The commonly cited experience rule is 48 months of ACR work within the previous 72 months, but experience rules include exemptions and different routes, so read the current application page. This is general information, not legal advice.
What are the steps to a Class A ACR license?
| Step | What happens | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Build experience | Work in air conditioning and refrigeration under supervision of a Texas ACR contractor | Commonly cited as 48 months within the previous 72; verify |
| 2. Document it | TDLR requires proof of the experience, usually with employer or contractor verification | Keep records of employers, dates and duties |
| 3. Apply | Submit the TDLR ACR contractor application and fee online | Fees change; check the current schedule |
| 4. Pass the exam | The exam is administered by an outside testing vendor (PSI) | Open-book in part; pass rates are reported to be low |
| 5. Show insurance | File proof of liability insurance meeting TDLR minimums | Class A: $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, $300,000 products/completed operations |
| 6. Receive the license | The license is issued for one year | Renewal and continuing education apply |
How does the experience requirement work?
The experience must be in ACR work, and TDLR looks for supervised experience under a Texas contractor. TDLR’s exemptions page also says that completing a two-year associate degree, diploma or certification program focused mainly on air conditioning and refrigeration can substitute for part of the experience, reported as 12 months. Separately, TDLR describes a technician-certification path in which a person holds a TDLR technician certification for a set period before applying for a contractor license. These routes have different details, so choose the one that fits your history and read the instructions for it.
Records matter. Employer letters, pay records and project lists all help. Applicants who worked outside Texas should read the out-of-state applicant page.
What is the exam like?
The exam covers Texas ACR law and technical knowledge of systems and codes, with reference materials allowed. TDLR’s exam information lists the references. Pass rates are low for first-time candidates according to industry sources, so many applicants take a prep class. Study guides help, but use the official TDLR candidate information bulletin for the actual content outline. Mechanical code editions also change; see Texas 2024 mechanical codes: what changed, since exams may reference the adopted code.
What does it cost?
Fees listed by third-party sources include an application or license fee of about $115 and a separate exam fee paid to the testing vendor. Those figures may be out of date, so check the TDLR fee page. Other costs include exam prep, insurance premiums and, in many cases, continuing education.
What insurance is required?
TDLR sets minimum general liability insurance for contractor licenses. For Class A the published minimums are $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 general aggregate and $300,000 products and completed operations aggregate. A single policy can satisfy both Class A and Class B if it meets Class A minimums. The certificate must be filed with TDLR, and the insurer must notify TDLR of cancellation.
What happens after you get the license?
- Renewal. The license is valid for one year. Renewal needs continuing education and current insurance.
- Advertising. The license number must appear in advertising, including on a website, under TDLR rules (16 TAC Chapter 75).
- Responsibility. The holder is accountable for the work done under the license. Texas expects a real working relationship with the company, not a paper arrangement.
- Endorsements. Additional endorsements cover environmental air conditioning, commercial refrigeration and process cooling. See Texas ACR license types for the differences.
What are common mistakes?
- Starting to advertise ACR services before the license is issued.
- Assuming out-of-state experience or an out-of-state license will transfer automatically.
- Missing documentation for part of the 48 months.
- Buying a policy that does not meet Class A minimums.
- Relying on outdated blog posts instead of the TDLR application page.
How can you prepare while you accumulate experience?
The experience requirement can take years, so the time before you apply is best used deliberately.
- Document everything. Keep dated records of the type of work, the equipment and who supervised you, so your application matches your actual history. Confirm the current documentation rules at tdlr.texas.gov.
- Learn the code side. Contractors are expected to know the adopted mechanical codes; what changed in the 2024 Texas codes and the Austin and Dallas differences are good starting points.
- Know the rules you will operate under. The TDLR Chapter 75 rules update summarizes where to check current requirements.
- Plan the business side. If you expect to contract in your own name, read about insurance expectations and assumed names early.
- Understand the endorsements. Texas ACR endorsements can affect the work you are allowed to take on.
None of this replaces TDLR’s own instructions. Treat this article as orientation and verify every requirement with the agency.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to qualify for a Class A HVAC/ACR license?
The experience requirement alone is commonly cited as four years within a six-year window. Application review and exam scheduling add time.
Can a company get a Class A license?
No. The license is issued to a person. A company operates under a qualified license holder who is connected to it.
Is there a technician license before the contractor license?
TDLR has a technician certification program with its own requirements. For a chiller career path, see how to become a chiller technician in Texas.
We are planning to enter Central Texas and are looking for a TACLA Class A HVAC/ACR license holder who wants to build a team. See our open positions.
