HVAC contractor license cost in Texas
In Texas, HVAC contractor licensing costs include a $115 TDLR application, PSI exam fees of $74 (Class A) or $60 (Class B) per endorsement, required liability insurance at fixed minimums, and a $65 annual renewal with 8 hours of CE. All figures are from TDLR and PSI.
The HVAC contractor license cost in Texas includes a $115 TDLR application, PSI exam fees of $74 (Class A) or $60 (Class B) per endorsement, a $65 annual renewal, and required liability insurance (Class A: $300,000/$600,000/$300,000; Class B: $100,000/$200,000/$100,000). See forms and rule cites below.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-09
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (ACR) Contractors Program. Program homepage |
| Application fee | $115, paid to TDLR with the ACR Contractor Application (Form ACR‑LIC‑002). TDLR Apply page • ACR‑LIC‑002 (PDF) |
| Exam fee | Paid to PSI after TDLR approval: Class A Environmental Air – $74; Class A Commercial Refrigeration – $74; Class B Environmental Air – $60; Class B Commercial Refrigeration – $60 (per exam/attempt). TDLR exam info • PSI Candidate Bulletin |
| Experience | EITHER 48 months practical ACR experience in the past 72 months under a licensed ACR contractor OR 36 months with the prior 12 months as a TDLR-certified technician; document on TDLR Experience Verification form. TDLR Apply page |
| Minimum age | 18 to apply for contractor license. TDLR Apply page |
| Insurance/bond | Commercial general liability required to work for the public. Class A: $300,000 per occurrence; $600,000 aggregate; $300,000 products/completed ops. Class B: $100,000; $200,000; $100,000. Submit Certificate of Insurance (ACR‑LIC‑009). TDLR Apply page • Form packet with ACR‑LIC‑009 |
| Renewal | $65 annually; 8 hours of CE each year. Late renewal surcharges apply after expiration thresholds. TDLR Renew page • Fees rule: 16 TAC §75.80 |
| Statutory authority | Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1302 (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors). Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1302 |
How to calculate your HVAC contractor license cost in Texas
- Confirm eligibility and class/endorsement. Choose Class A (no capacity limit) or Class B (≤25 tons/≤1.5M BTU) and your endorsement(s): Environmental Air, Commercial Refrigeration, or Process Cooling/Heating. TDLR Apply page
- Budget core fees. Plan $115 for the TDLR application and $60–$74 per PSI exam you need (each endorsement is a separate exam for your class). TDLR exam info • PSI Bulletin
- Account for insurance. Before TDLR issues your license, submit a Certificate of Insurance meeting the Class A or B minimums listed above. Premiums vary by risk but the limits are fixed by rule. Insurance requirements
- Include continuing costs. Renew annually for $65 and complete 8 CE hours each year. If you later upgrade from Class B to Class A or add an endorsement, include a $25 change fee plus the PSI exam. TDLR Renew page
- Document experience. Gather supervisor-signed experience verification proving 48/72 or 36/48 months as allowed, to avoid processing delays and retest costs. Experience criteria
Texas HVAC contractor license cost: what you’ll actually pay
Most candidates pursuing a Class A Environmental Air license sit for one PSI exam at $74 after paying the $115 TDLR application. If they also add Commercial Refrigeration, that’s another $74 exam. Insurance is required before TDLR issues the license, with the Class A minimums shown above. Annual ownership cost (excluding premiums) is typically the $65 renewal and 8 CE hours. Official fee pages linked: application, exam / PSI amounts, and renewal.
Who sets HVAC contractor fees and rules in Texas?
TDLR and the Texas Commission of Licensing & Regulation set rules in 16 TAC Chapter 75 (including fees at §75.80), under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302. See the 2026 rule adoption notice and fee rule text: Aug. 28, 2026 Texas Register and 16 TAC §75.80.
Breakdown by license class and endorsement
Class A Environmental Air (no size limit)
Costs: $115 TDLR application; $74 PSI exam; required Class A insurance minimums; $65 annual renewal and 8 CE hours. Scope and eligibility are detailed on the TDLR Apply page and PSI’s Candidate Bulletin.
Class A Commercial Refrigeration
Same core costs, with a $74 PSI exam for the refrigeration endorsement. If you add this to Environmental Air, budget for two exams. PSI Bulletin.
Class B Environmental Air or Commercial Refrigeration
Application is still $115, but PSI exams are $60 each. Insurance minimums are lower (Class B table above). Renewal is $65 yearly with 8 hours CE. TDLR Apply • TDLR Renew.
Steps to get a Texas HVAC contractor license and manage costs
- Choose class and endorsement(s) based on the work you’ll perform and price the corresponding PSI exam(s). Classes/endorsements • Exam fees
- Document experience using TDLR’s Experience Verification form to meet 48/72 or 36/48 month pathways. Experience requirements
- Submit the $115 application (ACR‑LIC‑002) to TDLR and wait for eligibility approval. Apply • Form
- Schedule and pass the PSI exam(s); fees are paid per attempt. Exam info • PSI Bulletin
- Provide the Certificate of Insurance meeting the Class A/B minimums (ACR‑LIC‑009) so TDLR can issue the license. Insurance minimums • Certificate template
- Renew each year: $65 renewal and 8 hours CE; plan for upgrade/add‑endorsement costs ($25 change fee + PSI). Renewal
Related Texas trade licensing costs to compare
If you’re building a multi-trade operation, see our detailed guide to broader trade scopes and typical fee stacks in Texas trades contractor licensing. Expanding into vertical-transport work? Review insurance and endorsement nuances in our Texas elevator installation and repair licensing guide for budget planning parallels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost to get a Texas HVAC contractor license?
Plan $115 for the TDLR application, $60–$74 per PSI exam (per endorsement, per attempt), and the premium for required liability insurance. After issuance, renew annually for $65 and complete 8 CE hours. Sources: TDLR Apply, PSI Bulletin, TDLR Renew.
Do I pay the exam fee to TDLR or PSI?
To PSI. TDLR collects the $115 application, then—after eligibility—PSI collects the exam fee: $74 for each Class A exam and $60 for each Class B exam. TDLR exam info • PSI Bulletin.
How much liability insurance do I need for a Texas HVAC license?
Class A requires $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, and $300,000 for products/completed ops; Class B requires $100,000, $200,000, and $100,000 respectively. Proof (Certificate of Insurance) is required before license issuance. TDLR insurance minimums.
How often do I renew, and what does renewal cost?
Annually. The renewal fee is $65 and contractors must complete 8 hours of approved CE each year; late renewal multipliers apply after expiration thresholds. TDLR Renew page • 16 TAC §75.80.
Where do the rules and fees come from?
They’re set by the Texas Commission of Licensing & Regulation under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302 and adopted in 16 TAC Chapter 75; fee figures are at §75.80. Recent updates were published August 28, 2026. Statute • 2026 rule adoption • Fee rule.
Need a step-by-step, cost-first plan for your Texas HVAC license? License Navigator can streamline your path, track fees and deadlines, and keep you renewal-ready year after year.
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.