HVAC schools in Texas

98 schools in Texas report HVAC and refrigeration maintenance programs in the data sources on our methodology page, offering 175 programs across 46 cities, most of them in Houston, Dallas, Austin. By school type: 30 public, 12 private for-profit, 4 private nonprofit.

HVAC program types in Texas

• 40 Certificate
• 37 Certificate, less than 12 weeks
• 30 Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years
• 27 Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year
• 27 Associate's degree
• 13 Credential not specified
• 1 Degree

Award levels follow the U.S. Department of Education's categories. Many schools offer more than one.

How much does HVAC school cost in Texas?

49 programs in Texas publish a program-level price in our data, ranging from $2,200 to $38,888 (median $18,995). These are published tuition and fees, usually before books, tools and exam fees.

For the 26 public schools where federal data gives a school-wide in-state tuition figure (2023-24), tuition and required fees ranged from $1,770 to $6,350 per academic year (median $4,056). That covers all programs at the school, not only HVAC.

Prices come from federal and state data for the year shown on each school page. They change, and tools, books and certification exams can cost extra. See our HVAC school cost guide for how we calculate this.

HVAC licensing and certification in Texas

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 (read November 11, 2026): TDLR: ACR technician registration · TDLR: technician certification · TDLR: contractor license. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you apply.

How to become an HVAC technician in Texas

HVAC schools by city in Texas

• HVAC schools in Houston (21)
• HVAC schools in Dallas (9)
• HVAC schools in Austin (7)
• HVAC schools in Irving (7)
• HVAC schools in San Antonio (5)
• HVAC schools in El Paso (3)
• HVAC schools in Arlington (2)
• HVAC schools in Brownsville (2)
• HVAC schools in Corpus Christi (2)
• HVAC schools in Killeen (2)
• HVAC schools in McAllen (2)
• HVAC schools in Pasadena (2)

All 98 HVAC schools in Texas

Frequently asked questions about HVAC school in Texas

General career data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Federal certification rule: 40 CFR 82.161. Browse all states.