Texas HVAC Technician License: Requirements, Cost & Timeline
Texas requires a state license for this trade. Here is every step, fee and hour it takes — and what it pays once you are licensed.
Do you need a license?
Yes. The credential is the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certified Technician, issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Program. Working without it is a violation in Texas and can carry fines or a stop-work order, so the sequence below matters: training first, then the exam, then the application.
How many people pass
About 32% of candidates pass on a given attempt, based on the board's own published statistics. Plan for a retake: it costs money and weeks.
Steps to get licensed
- Meet the experience requirement, or complete a TDLR-approved certification program of 2,000 hours of combined instruction and practical experience.
- Submit the Certified Technician application with the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Pass the PSI-administered ACR technician licensing exam within one year of filing.
- Work only under the supervision of a licensed ACR contractor (technicians may not advertise ACR services).
- Renew the certification annually ($35) to keep working.
What it costs
The figures below are what the state charges. Training is separate and quotes vary by provider — a community-college programme and a private trade school can differ by thousands for the same licence.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $50 |
| Renewal fee | $35 |
| Total state fees | $50 |
The exam fee is set by the testing vendor, not the state, and is not included above.
Full cost breakdown for Texas →
How long it takes
The state requires 2,000 hours of training or supervised work before you can sit the exam. At 40 hours a week that is about 11.5 months of full-time work — most people take longer because they train part-time while earning.
Keeping it valid
The licence renews every year and the renewal fee is $35. Out-of-state or municipal ACR contractor license holders may apply using existing qualifications; TDLR has licensing reciprocity agreements with South Carolina and Georgia. Technicians must still meet Texas certification requirements.
What it pays in Texas
Median annual wage for HVAC Technician in Texas: $54,640 ($26.27/hour), across 31,910 jobs. That is the midpoint — half of people in this trade earn more, half less.
Pay detail for Texas, and how it compares →
Other states
| State | State fees | Time | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $650 | — | $70,050 |
| Florida | $535 | — | $52,220 |
Common questions
Do you need a license to be a HVAC Technician in Texas?
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certified Technician. Yes — issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Program.
How much does a HVAC Technician license cost in Texas?
$50 in state fees. Exam retakes cost extra.
How long does it take to get a HVAC Technician license in Texas?
About 11.5 months of full-time work: the state requires 2,000 hours of training or supervised experience before the exam.
What does a HVAC Technician make in Texas?
The median is $54,640 a year ($26.27 an hour) statewide, per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Sources
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/certified-tech-apply.htm“Applicants may become qualified for technician certification by completing a department-approved certification program consisting of 2,000 hours of combined instruction and practical experience.”
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/certified-tech-apply.htm“To apply for a new technician registration, submit a completed Certified Technician Application Form (PDF) along with the non-refundable application fee of $50.”
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-renew.htm“An air conditioning and refrigeration "registered technician" or "certification technician" designation is valid for a period of 1 year from the date of issue.”
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/technician-renew.htm“Registered technician | $20 | Certified technician | $35”
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrExamStats2025.htm“Certified ACR Technician | 39 | 83 | 122 | 31.97%”
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrexam.htm“Upon confirmation, you will receive an eligibility email notice from PSI.”
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acrstate.htm“If you hold an air conditioning license in South Carolina or Georgia, please see the licensing reciprocity page for information on licensing agreements between these states.”