How to become an HVAC technician in Texas
Licensing details read from the official agency pages on November 11, 2026. Rules and fees change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
1. Texas licensing: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program
- Contractors who install, repair or maintain air conditioning, refrigeration or heating systems must hold a TDLR license, and ACR companies must employ an ACR contractor at each permanent location.
- Anyone who assists a licensed ACR contractor with maintenance or repair work must register as a technician (registered technician: at least 16 years old, $20 application fee, no experience or exam required, works under a licensed contractor's supervision) or hold the voluntary certified technician designation (at least 18, $50 fee, TDLR exam, plus either 24 months of supervised ACR work or an approved 2,000-hour training program).
- To apply for a contractor license, TDLR requires at least 18 years of age, a $115 application fee, a passing exam score, and either 48 months of supervised experience in the past 72 months or 12 months as a certified technician plus 36 months of experience in the past 48 months. TDLR lists exceptions, including for people with a degree, diploma or certification in air conditioning and refrigeration.
Official sources: TDLR: ACR technician registration · TDLR: technician certification · TDLR: contractor license.
2. Federal EPA Section 608 certification
In every state, 40 CFR 82.161 requires technicians who could reasonably be expected to violate the integrity of a refrigerant circuit to pass an EPA-approved exam. See our EPA 608 guide.
3. Training: 98 HVAC schools in Texas
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says HVAC programs at technical schools and community colleges generally last 6 months to 2 years, and apprenticeships usually last several years with paid on-the-job training (search apprenticeship.gov).
Texas schools in our directory with the most listed programs:
- Lindsey-Cooper Refrigeration School, Irving (Certificate; Certificate, less than 12 weeks)
- Austin Career Institute, Austin (Certificate; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Texas Tech University, Lubbock (Certificate, less than 12 weeks; Credential not specified)
- Blinn College District, Brenham (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Brazosport College, Lake Jackson (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Central Texas College, Killeen (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Dallas College, Dallas (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Del Mar College, Corpus Christi (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
See all 98 HVAC schools in Texas, including published program prices from $2,200 to $38,888.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an HVAC technician in Texas?
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program handles licensing. Contractors who install, repair or maintain air conditioning, refrigeration or heating systems must hold a TDLR license, and ACR companies must employ an ACR contractor at each permanent location. Anyone who assists a licensed ACR contractor with maintenance or repair work must register as a technician (registered technician: at least 16 years old, $20 application fee, no experience or exam required, works under a licensed contractor's supervision) or hold the voluntary certified technician designation (at least 18, $50 fee, TDLR exam, plus either 24 months of supervised ACR work or an approved 2,000-hour training program). To apply for a contractor license, TDLR requires at least 18 years of age, a $115 application fee, a passing exam score, and either 48 months of supervised experience in the past 72 months or 12 months as a certified technician plus 36 months of experience in the past 48 months. TDLR lists exceptions, including for people with a degree, diploma or certification in air conditioning and refrigeration. Federal EPA Section 608 certification applies in every state to anyone who handles refrigerants.
Where can I go to HVAC school in Texas?
We list 98 schools in Texas with HVAC programs, across 46 cities. Browse the full list on our Texas HVAC schools page.