Texas updates HVAC exam codes — what owners of small service shops must do before September 2026

What to do about it

This week, you should pull your tech roster, confirm who holds TDLR ACR Technician Certification and when it was issued, and schedule any technicians lacking required experience or certification into an expedited study and testing plan before September 1, 2026.

A question for you

Which of your techs already hold TDLR ACR Technician Certification and how many months of supervised experience do they each have?

What changed and why it matters

Texas is aligning its HVAC technician examinations with the 2024 International Mechanical Code and the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code effective September 1, 2026. That change updates the technical baseline tested on Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) licensing exams administered by PSI Services LLC under contract with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). For a small HVAC, plumbing, electrical or appliance-repair business, that timing creates a clear deadline for training, exam scheduling and license maintenance.

Key licensing facts that affect your crew

• License classes and limits. TDLR issues contractor licenses under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302. Class A licenses have no equipment-size limit; Class B covers cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating up to 1.5 million BTU per hour. That distinction drives which jobs your techs can legally undertake.
• Eligibility and experience requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and provide a Social Security number; Texas residency is not required. Generally the application requires 48 months of supervised practical air-conditioning and refrigeration experience within the previous 72 months. If a tech held a TDLR ACR Technician Certification for at least 12 months, the experience requirement drops to 36 months within the previous 48 months.
• Exams and logistics. PSI administers the Texas ACR examinations. The page lists a $74 Class A exam fee and a $60 Class B exam fee, with a required passing score of 70 percent. Retakes are permitted only while the original application stays valid for up to one year, and applicants may need to reschedule through PSI within 24 to 48 hours for short-notice slots.
• Background checks and bonding. TDLR performs criminal-history checks and may deny licensure for directly related convictions. The cited sources do not require a license surety bond, though job-specific bonding could still be necessary on projects or contracts.

Practical actions to take now (for a 3–10 person crew)

1. Map current credentials and experience. Create a simple spreadsheet listing each tech, their DOB (or age), whether they hold the TDLR ACR Technician Certification and the certification issue date, and documented months of supervised ACR experience within the time windows stated. The reduced experience pathway depends on having had the technician certification for at least 12 months.
2. Audit training materials versus the 2024 codes. Order or update study materials that reflect the 2024 International Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, and schedule group review or paid study time. The code change affects exam content and practical decision-making on the job, so techs who test after Sept. 1 should use the updated references.
3. Block exam slots and preserve applications. Because exam retakes are permitted only while an application remains valid, ensure techs submit applications and schedule exams with enough time to retake if needed—especially those near the experience cutoffs. Confirm PSI’s current scheduling policies on rescheduling windows and seat availability.
4. Document criminal-history and bonding needs. If any tech has a criminal history, review TDLR policies on directly related convictions and consult legal or HR counsel as needed. Check the bonding requirements for specific projects you pursue.

Risks and unknowns to verify

The published page lists implementation dates and exam fees, but you should confirm any procedural updates directly with TDLR and PSI, especially around exam scheduling windows, exact application validity timing and whether there are transitional provisions for technicians who test before Sept. 1, 2026. Also confirm whether additional local jurisdictions in Texas impose supplementary requirements.

Taking these steps now protects your ability to bid on larger jobs (Class A capability) and prevents last-minute certification gaps that can delay work. Start by inventorying credentials and booking study time this week so your crew can meet the new code-based testing standard before or after the September changeover.