By Tamika Brooks · Updated September 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Short answer
Chapter 75 of Title 16 of the Texas Administrative Code is the rulebook the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation uses to administer air conditioning and refrigeration contractor requirements: license classes, applications, advertising, inspections and penalties. TDLR reviewed and proposed changes in 2026. Exact wording, effective dates and fees must be checked on tdlr.texas.gov, because summaries go out of date quickly.
Chapter 75 of Title 16 of the Texas Administrative Code (16 TAC Chapter 75) is the set of rules the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) uses to implement the state’s air conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) law, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302. The statute sets the framework; Chapter 75 fills in the details. This is a plain-English overview, not legal advice. For exact text and effective dates, use tdlr.texas.gov and consult a Texas attorney.
What does Chapter 75 cover?
In general terms, the chapter addresses:
- Licensing: who needs a license, the license classes and endorsements, exams and experience requirements.
- Applications and renewals: documentation, fees, continuing education and deadlines.
- Responsibilities of license holders: supervising work, permits and standards.
- Advertising: the license number must appear in advertising, including websites and vehicles, with specific formats.
- Insurance and other requirements tied to the license.
- Inspections, complaints and enforcement: investigations and administrative penalties.
| Topic | Where to read more on this site |
|---|---|
| License classes | Class A vs Class B |
| Endorsements | Texas ACR endorsements explained |
| Getting a license | How to get a Class A license |
| Enforcement | TDLR inspections and complaints |
| Advertising | Advertising without a license |
What is the 2026 rulemaking about?
State agencies in Texas periodically review their rules and revise them through a public process: a proposal is published, the public can comment, the commission votes, and adopted rules take effect on a stated date. TDLR placed ACR rule changes and penalty-related items on its commission and advisory board agendas during 2026. We are not reproducing the details here, because proposed text can change between publication and adoption.
Areas that people in the industry have discussed in connection with rule reviews generally include:
- Clarifications to licensing and experience requirements.
- Penalty and sanction schedules.
- Alignment with newer mechanical and energy codes; see Texas 2024 mechanical codes.
- Housekeeping items in definitions and forms.
Treat this list as topics to look for, not as confirmed changes.
How can you check what is current?
- Open the ACR program page on tdlr.texas.gov and go to the laws and rules section.
- Read the current text of 16 TAC Chapter 75 in the Texas Administrative Code.
- Look at the Texas Register for proposed and adopted rule notices.
- Review the commission and advisory board meeting agendas and materials.
- Subscribe to TDLR email updates for ACR.
- Note the effective date on each rule, since older and newer versions both circulate online.
Who should care most?
- License holders and responsible managers, whose renewals, advertising and supervision duties fall under these rules.
- Business buyers and sellers, who need to know how ownership changes and holder changes interact with the rules; see buying an HVAC company in Texas.
- Technicians planning a career path, who should know which experience counts toward the next license; see how to become a chiller technician in Texas.
- Out-of-state companies exploring the market, who must understand that regulated work and advertising for it are governed by Texas rules.
How can a business keep up with rule changes?
Rulemaking is a process, not a single event, and the easiest mistake is relying on an old summary. A simple routine helps:
- Use the primary source. Check tdlr.texas.gov for current rule text and proposals rather than a secondary summary, including this one.
- Assign an owner. One person, often the license holder, should be responsible for tracking updates and telling the team.
- Read the notice period. Proposals typically allow public comment before adoption; the dates are published by the agency.
- Review internal documents after changes: job-site checklists, training notes and any written procedures.
- Look at related topics together. Code changes, covered in Texas 2024 mechanical codes, and advertising rules, covered in advertising HVAC services in Texas, often interact with Chapter 75.
- Plan for inspections. TDLR inspections and complaints describes what happens when the agency reviews a business.
If a change affects a purchase, hiring decision or contract, consult a Texas attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chapter 75 the same as the Occupations Code?
No. Chapter 1302 of the Occupations Code is the law passed by the legislature. Chapter 75 is the agency’s rule text that implements it. Both apply.
Did the 2026 rulemaking change license requirements?
Check the adopted rule text and effective dates on tdlr.texas.gov. Proposed changes are not always adopted as proposed, and we do not want to state specifics that may have changed.
Where do I find penalty amounts?
TDLR publishes its penalty and sanction information on its website. Because the schedule was on its agendas in 2026, confirm the current version there instead of relying on older articles.
SpecServis engineers in Ukraine are planning to enter the Central Texas market and want to learn from people who work under these rules every day. If you are a Class A license holder, a technician or a business owner, see our open positions or get in touch about partnership.
