In the sprawling and diverse state of Texas, climatic conditions range from scorching summers to chilly winters. So, the need for a well-functioning HVAC system can’t be overlooked. Tapping into this industry requires understanding the intricate web of licensing in the Lone Star State.
This comprehensive guide sheds light on the path to obtaining an HVAC license Texas.
Licensing holds immense importance for multiple reasons.
Let’s discover why do you need a HVAC license in Texas.
The state agency oversees various occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment. This protects the health and safety of Texans. Its activities guarantee that they are served by qualified professionals in a predictable environment with minimal government interference.
The primary responsibilities and roles of TDLR include:
Efficiency ratings are updated every six years to help consumers save money and install more energy-efficient systems. Property owners had to purchase units with the new rating or above. The minimum SEER rating for Texas in 2023 was changed from 14 to 15. Only equipment with SEER2 rating was to be installed by January 1, 2023.
Professionals in the industry are required to get various licenses that apply to their work in the Lone Star State. The permit defines the scope of work one can do legally and expertise.
Discover more about Class A and Class B HVAC licenses
This is the first option for those aspiring to join the HVAC profession in the Lone Star State.
The Class A license allows working on all types of HVAC unit sizes.
The license is best suited for HVAC techs interested in handling industrial and commercial systems. There’s a likelihood of earning an average salary of about $40,000
This is the second license anyone can obtain to work legally in the state.
A Class B license allows working on cooling systems less than 25 tons. Anyone with this license is restricted to handling heating systems not greater than 1.5 million BTUs /hours or below.
There are limitations to obtaining Class A and Class B HVAC licenses. A Class B license restricts you from handling less than 25 tons of cooling units and heating systems providing 1.4 BTUs /hour.
The requirements meet most residential units limiting the scope of work. Professionals with a Class A license can handle systems of any size allowing handling residential and commercial projects.
NATE certification is voluntary but it makes you stand out from other professionals. Certification is in four levels and requires years of experience and previous certifications. Each level covers different fundamental and specialty skills.
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) license is essential for professionals working with refrigerants. There are options for EPA certification including I, II, and III. These are transferable across states and without expiration.
Obtaining EPA and NATE offers numerous benefits for HVAC technicians in Texas including.
According to Payscale, the average hourly rate for an HVAC technician is $25, installation technician is $16, and service technician is $20. The average hourly rate for holding EPA certification is $23.68. Service technicians are likely to earn $32 and $22 for service technicians.
Professionals aspiring to get an HVAC license Texas should understand the licensing requirements.
According to the Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating, you need to be at least 18 years old to apply for an HVAC license. Additionally, you need to apply to take and pass an ACR exam approved by TDLR.
You must provide experience and verification.
It’s important that you provide proof of a 48-month professional work experience shadowing an expert. The experience should have been in the past 18 months and should have held a lower-level TDLR HVAC certification for at least a year.
Someone must fill out an experience verification form to prove that someone has the appropriate experience to obtain a license. This person may be the one who supervised your experience. The form includes areas to fill out details about employment and experience.
The verifying person should add their name, sign, and include a date. You have to submit the form together with your other details during the application process.
You must take an exam to obtain an appropriate HVAC license Texas. There are no continuing education requirements to take the exam. You may be subjected to other regulations if you have a criminal record.
TDLR administers the exam and you can apply online or in person. The body will inform you of the time and location when to take the exam. There’s a chance to retake the exam within 24 hours if you fail it the first time.
Here are essential Texas HVAC examination details
You need dedication, time, and a structured approach to pass the exam. Here are some valuable tips on how to become HVAC technician. .
Apart from understanding how to prepare appropriately for the exam, you also need resources for self-study. These include:
An exam for a Class A license involves 120 multiple-choice questions with a duration of four hours. A Class B exam includes 100 questions to be completed in three hours. You must score a minimum of 70 percent to pass both exams.
The exams cover specialized questions from general topics such as:
The licensing exam in Texas is administered by a third-party vendor, PSI with locations across the state. Those seeking to seek the exam must pay $115 and receive an email confirmation with scheduling details when to take the exam.
Let’s walk you through the application process to obtain an HVAC license Texas.
The application process to get an HVAC contractor license Texas takes four to six weeks. The process goes through the steps below.
You’re likely to get your license after three weeks. The TDLR may give you a temporary license for 21 days before getting the official one. This is possible after completing your application, passing the test, and paying the fees. You must pass the exam within a year after the date of application.
When you submit your license application to the TDLR, you should include an application fee. The HVAC certification cost Texas by the time of writing this article was $115. We advise you to keep checking the TDLR website for any change in the fee schedule.
Possession of proof of insurance certificate is mandatory to meet the requirements for your license class in Texas. The insurance certificate bears the name of the license holder and business name. Commercial general liability insurance is required throughout the duration of your license.
Here are the minimum HVAC insurance requirements in Texas
| Class A | Class B | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-occurrence of property damage and body injury | $300,000 | $100,000 |
| Aggregate property damage and body injury | $600,000 | $200,000 |
| Aggregate for products and completed operations | $300,000 | $1000,000 |
Here’s why you need insurance:
All licenses are valid for a year from the date of issue. You begin working on renewing your license 60 days before it expires. Completing the renewal process requires undergoing eight hours of continuing education.
Getting your license renewed requires completing a renewal application form. You also have to pay an HVAC license renewal Texas fee of $65. You can always call the TDLR helpline (800) 803-9202, to discover how long does it take to get HVAC certified in Texas.
Knowledge of how to get HVAC license in Texas is a pathway to various opportunities.
Here are some of the key benefits of becoming a licensed heating and cooling expert.
According to the BLS , Texas is the third state with the largest number of people employed in the HVAC industry at 30,670. New jobs are anticipated to be about 5,420 from 2018 to 2028. The state demands over 31,060 technicians because of the increase in construction.
HVAC professionals are in high demand to install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. Other reasons for the increase in demand include the movement of people into the state. Besides, the winters are colder than normal, and we need to maintain heating systems in summer.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly rate for a commercial HVAC job in the Lone Star State was $28.25 an hour by September 2023. The average hourly rate in the country was also $28.52 an hour.
An HVAC technician was earning an average of $23 hourly while the national average was at $27. Professionals in the state can expect to earn a competitive wage as per the national average. This suggests that the job market in the state offers fair compensation for professionals in the field.
Building strong customer relationships and a strong reputation in the industry depends on credibility and trust factors.
Achieving this involves the following:
Let’s see some challenges and considerations while getting an HVAC license Texas.
To obtain a Texas air conditioning license may be complex and challenging. It has some potential barriers that aspiring professionals may encounter. These may vary by type of license and applicant’s background.
Here are the likely barriers.
It’s of utmost importance for HVAC professionals to stay up-to-date with regulations and requirements from the TDLR.
The use of inaccurate National Electrical Code (NEC) books poses a significant risk when maintaining safety standards and compliance for HVAC technicians. NEC includes standards for the safe installation of electric wiring. It’s a regularly updated publication by the National Fire Protection Association.
The effects of using fraudulent NEC books are:
You can address the concerns resulting from the use of fraudulent NEC books through various strategies.
Here are some additional resources and training programs to boost your career.
Preparatory courses are special educational programs to help individuals learn about heating and cooling systems. The courses provide in-depth knowledge and training on how the systems work, their installation, and efficient operation.
The importance of preparatory courses for aspiring HVAC professionals include:
A HVAC certification Texas is a credential that allows an HVAC professional to handle various jobs. The certificate shows you completed training in relevant technical aspects of HVAC equipment.
Courses that lead to obtaining certification help one understand system design, maintenance, installation, and advancement.
Other benefits are:
In Texas, numerous training institutions offer various educational programs and courses for aspiring heating and cooling professionals. The bodies offer appropriate knowledge and skills to excel in the industry.
Some of their offerings are:
Understanding licensing requirements is a challenging yet rewarding journey for aspiring HVAC professionals in Texas. Acquiring the necessary education, work experience, and certification is essential to success. Streamlining operations with billing and invoicing software will help manage finances, track expenses, and create professional invoices.
