Texas HVAC license lookup: how to check and get a license
Texas HVAC license lookup: who issues HVAC contractor licenses (TDLR), how to check one online, the license types, and 8,909 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do HVAC contractors need a license in Texas?
| Who licenses them | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program |
|---|---|
| License types | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor - Class A, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor - Class B, Environmental Air Conditioning endorsement, Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling or Heating endorsement, Certified Technician, Registered Technician |
| When a license is required | Class B limited to cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating up to 1.5 million BTU/hr per unit; Class A unlimited |
ACR companies must employ a licensed ACR contractor and carry liability insurance (Class B minimum $100,000 per occurrence; Class A $300,000). Refrigerant work also requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.
How do you look up an HVAC contractor's license in Texas?
- Ask the HVAC contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Texas HVAC license lookup run by TDLR.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the HVAC contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact TDLR.
What HVAC licenses does Texas issue?
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor - Class A
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor - Class B
- Environmental Air Conditioning endorsement
- Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling or Heating endorsement
- Certified Technician
- Registered Technician
How do you get a HVAC license in Texas?
Licenses are issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official TDLR source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many HVAC contractors are there in Texas?
The Census Bureau counted 8,909 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Texas in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Harris County | 1,187 |
|---|---|
| Dallas County | 727 |
| Tarrant County | 631 |
| Bexar County | 523 |
| Travis County | 369 |
| Williamson County | 267 |
| Collin County | 264 |
| Montgomery County | 254 |
What do Texas homes mean for heating and cooling work?
The median home in Texas was built in 1990, 37% of households rent and 67% of homes are single-family houses. 34% of homes heat with utility gas and 61% with electricity.
How do you choose an HVAC contractor in Texas?
- Check the state or local mechanical or HVAC license, and ask whether the technicians hold EPA 608 certification for refrigerant work.
- For a new system, ask for a load calculation (often called Manual J) rather than a size picked from square footage.
- Ask which rebates and tax credits apply to heat pumps and high-efficiency equipment, and whether the contractor files the paperwork.
- Compare quotes on the same equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings (SEER2, HSPF2, AFUE).
- Ask what the labor warranty covers, separately from the manufacturer's parts warranty.
HVAC Contractors in other states
Sources: Texas licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.