How to Fill Out Texas Railroad Commission LPG Form 1 (w/Examples) + FAQs

The Texas Railroad Commission LPG Form 1 is the Application for LPG License or License Renewal that every company performing regulated LP-gas (propane) activities in Texas must file with the Railroad Commission’s Alternative Fuels Safety Department before it can sell, install, service, transport, store, or repair propane. Without an active license tied to this form, your company cannot legally touch a single propane container in the state.

This form decides whether your business can open its doors, and a missing signature, an expired insurance certificate, or the wrong license category can stall your application for weeks. The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates thousands of LP-gas licensees across the state, and licenses must be renewed every single year or all jurisdictional activity must stop. Getting Form 1 right the first time keeps your crews working and your trucks rolling.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

  • 📋 What LPG Form 1 is, who must file it, and the LP-Gas Safety Rules that require it
  • 🖊️ How to fill out every box on both pages, line by line, with real sample entries
  • 💵 The exact license fees for all 18 categories and how to pay them
  • 📎 Which attachments and supporting forms you must include so your filing is not returned
  • ⚠️ The most common mistakes that delay or reject applications and how to dodge them

What LPG Form 1 Is and Who Must File It

LPG Form 1 is the master license application used by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) to license companies that work with liquefied petroleum gas, which most people call propane. The form is processed by the Alternative Fuels Safety (AFS) Department, the division inside the RRC that enforces propane safety. The current version is marked Rev. October 2021, so confirm that header before you start, because older versions ask for different attachments.

The authority for the form is 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 9, known as the LP-Gas Safety Rules, which the Commission rewrote effective July 18, 2022. In plain English, these rules say that no company may perform a regulated propane activity in Texas without an active license. The consequence of ignoring this rule is steep: operating without a license can bring administrative penalties and an order to shut down. For example, a new propane delivery startup that begins filling customer tanks before its license is approved is breaking state law from its very first delivery.

Any business that sells, transports, dispenses, stores, manufactures, installs, services, or repairs propane or propane containers must file this form. That includes sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. A common misconception is that only large propane suppliers need a license. In reality, even a one-person plumbing-adjacent contractor who sets propane lines may need a category of license, because the rule looks at the activity, not the size of the company.

The form works hand in hand with other RRC requirements. Your company must employ at least one company representative who holds an active management-level certification for each license category you request. The license itself is valid for one year and expires the last day of the month, one year from activation, which is why the same form doubles as a renewal application.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything below before you open the form, because a single missing item is the top reason applications get returned. The AFS Department will not process an incomplete or illegible filing.

  • Exact legal company name as registered with the Texas Secretary of State, because the RRC cross-checks it and a mismatch stops the filing.
  • Assumed name (dba) certificates filed with the county clerk and/or Secretary of State, because every dba you list must have a certificate on file or it will be rejected.
  • Certificate of Account Status from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, required for corporations, LPs, and LLCs, because it proves you are authorized to do business in Texas.
  • Texas Taxpayer ID and Charter Number, because these tie your filing to your state tax and registration records.
  • Names and addresses of all owners, partners, or officers, because the RRC must know who controls the company.
  • Company representative details, including the Social Security number and telephone number of each person who passed the management-level exam, because no license issues without a qualified representative.
  • Proof of insurance, normally an ACORD 25 certificate showing the coverage required by §9.26, because the RRC will not issue a license without it.
  • ASME and/or U.S. DOT certificates of authorization if you apply for Category A, A1, or A2, because container assembly and repair licenses require them.
  • 24-hour emergency contact phone number, required for all licensees engaging in LP-gas product activities, because the RRC must reach someone in a propane emergency at any hour.
  • The correct license fee for each category, because multiple categories require multiple fees and a short payment delays the whole application.

If any of these is missing, the practical result is the same: your application sits unprocessed, your license is not issued, and your company still cannot legally operate. Treat this checklist as your gatekeeper.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official LPG Form 1 lives on the Railroad Commission website as a fillable PDF you can download and type into directly. You can also reach it through the RRC Oil & Gas and Alternative Fuels forms library, where AFS forms are grouped together. Always pull a fresh copy rather than reusing an old saved file, because the Commission updates attachments and rule references.

To complete the fillable PDF, you need Adobe Reader 6.0 or higher installed on your computer, per the RRC’s fill-in forms instructions. You may also print the form and complete it by hand, but the very first instruction on the form warns that forms which are not legible will not be processed and will be returned if possible. Typing is the safer route.

You will rarely file Form 1 alone. Depending on your operations, you must attach companion forms such as LPG Form 1A (outlets), LPG Form 7 (transportation units), LPG Form 19 (transferred installations), LPG Form 505 (Category B or O testing), and the insurance forms (Acord 25 or LPG Forms 996B, 997B, 998B). Each companion form has its own download on the same forms library, so collect them before you submit.

A common misconception is that you can email a half-finished form and “add the rest later.” The AFS Department processes complete packages only. Build the full packet first, then file once.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out LPG Form 1 Line by Line

The form has two pages, plus a two-page instruction sheet. Page 1 captures who you are and what license you want. Page 2 asks operational questions, lists insurance, and holds the certification and signature. Work top to bottom and do not skip the checkboxes.

1. Filing Type: Vendor Change, New License, or License Renewal

The top of the form asks you to mark whether this is a Vendor change, New license, or License renewal, and to enter your License number if you have one. In plain English, you are telling the RRC why you are filing today.

To answer it, check exactly one box. Leave the License number blank if you are brand new, or write your existing number if you are renewing or making a change. Sunset Propane LLC, a startup, checks New license and leaves the number empty.

A nuance: if you are renewing, signing the form also certifies that no changes have occurred to ownership, business type, or insurance. If something did change, you cannot simply check renewal and move on. A common mistake is checking License renewal when the business entity actually changed from a sole proprietorship to an LLC, which can require a brand-new license under §9.22 and voids the shortcut. The misconception here is that renewal is always a formality; it is a sworn statement that nothing changed.

2. Applicant’s Company Name (Exact Legal Name)

This box asks for the exact legal name of the company. The RRC matches this name against Secretary of State records, so precision matters.

Type the full legal name and include any suffix such as Inc., LLC, or L.P. For example, Lone Star Propane Services, Inc. writes its name exactly as chartered, not as “Lone Star Propane.” All Texas business organizations must be formed under the Texas Business Organizations Code before the Commission may issue a license.

A nuance applies to sole proprietors using only their personal name: write the individual’s full legal name. The most common mistake is entering a marketing name or shortened version that does not match the charter, which triggers a name-mismatch hold and a returned application. The misconception is that “close enough” is fine; the RRC needs an exact match, not an approximation.

3. Doing Business As (dba) Names

The form provides spaces for any dba names, meaning assumed names you operate under. List every additional name under which you perform jurisdictional activities.

Enter each dba on its own line and attach the matching assumed name certificate. Lone Star Propane Services, Inc. operating retail stores as Lone Star Gas writes Lone Star Gas here and attaches that county or Secretary of State certificate. Corporations, LPs, and LLCs must file the certificate with both the Texas Secretary of State and each county with an office.

A nuance: assumed name certificates usually expire after about 10 years and must be renewed, so check the date before relying on an old one. The common mistake is listing a dba with no certificate on file, which causes rejection. The misconception is that a dba is just an informal nickname; legally, it requires a registered certificate.

4. Official Communications Contact and Addresses

This section asks for the Name of Contact Person, telephone and fax numbers, mailing address, physical address, city, county, state, ZIP code, and email. All official RRC communications go to this person at this address.

List a principal decision-maker, then fill both the mailing and physical address fields, even if they match. Maria Delgado, Operations Manager lists her direct phone, the corporate mailing address, and the warehouse physical address. This person may or may not be a company representative listed elsewhere.

A nuance: if your mailing address is a P.O. Box, still provide a real physical address, because the RRC needs a location, not just a box. The common mistake is leaving the email blank, which slows every future notice. The misconception is that the contact must be an owner; the RRC just wants a reliable point of contact.

5. 24-Hour Emergency Contact Phone Number

The form requires a 24-hour Emergency Contact Phone Number for all licensees engaging in LP-gas product activities. Propane is hazardous, so the RRC must reach someone any time of day.

Enter a phone number that a live person or answering service monitors around the clock. Lone Star Propane lists its dispatch line, (512) 555-0147, which is staffed 24/7. Do not use a number that goes to voicemail after hours.

A nuance: if you are a tiny operation, this can be a mobile number, but it must actually be answered. The common mistake is listing a closed office line, which fails the round-the-clock requirement and can flag your filing. The misconception is that this field is optional for small companies; it is required for all product-activity licensees.

6. Type of Business Entity

Check one box: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Corporation, or Limited Liability Company. This tells the RRC how your business is structured, which controls whether the license can transfer.

Mark the box that matches your formation documents. Sunset Propane LLC checks Limited Liability Company. Limited partnerships, registered LLPs, corporations, and LLCs must be registered with the Secretary of State.

A key nuance: sole proprietorship, partnership, and LLC licenses are non-transferable, while a corporation’s license can transfer through sale of the corporation if it stays active. If a sole proprietor dies, the license immediately expires and all activity must stop under §9.22. The common mistake is choosing the wrong entity type, which can later force a costly new-license filing. The misconception is that entity type is just paperwork; it directly affects whether your license survives an ownership change.

7. Secretary of State Registration Question

The form asks, Is the applicant registered with the Secretary of State and authorized to do business in Texas? Select YES or NO.

Answer truthfully based on your registration status. A formed Texas LLC like Sunset Propane LLC checks YES. A sole proprietor with no state registration may check NO, but should confirm whether registration is still required for any assumed names.

A nuance: foreign (out-of-state) corporations must register in Texas before a license issues, so a NO here can stop the application. The common mistake is checking YES when the entity is not actually active with the Secretary of State, which the RRC will catch. The misconception is that a federal EIN equals state registration; it does not.

8. Comptroller Tax Information

If the applicant is a corporation, limited partnership, or LLC, the form asks for the Texas Taxpayer ID, Charter Number, whether you are Subject to franchise tax, and requires a copy of the current Certificate of Account Status from the Comptroller. This proves you are approved to transact business.

Enter your 11-digit Taxpayer ID and Charter Number, check the franchise tax box, and attach the Certificate of Account Status. Lone Star Propane Services, Inc. enters its Taxpayer ID and attaches a current certificate showing active status.

A nuance: sole proprietors and general partnerships often skip this section because it applies to registered entities. The common mistake is attaching an expired or “Not in Good Standing” certificate, which blocks issuance. The misconception is that any tax document works; the RRC specifically wants the Certificate of Account Status.

9. Company Ownership (Owners, Partners, or Officers)

This section asks you to list the owner of a sole proprietorship, the partners of a partnership, or the officers of a corporation or LLC. Each name has Owner / Partner / Officer checkboxes, with room to attach more sheets.

List the correct people for your entity type and check the matching box. A corporation lists its officers, so Lone Star Propane Services, Inc. lists James Park, President and Maria Delgado, Vice President. Partnerships must identify all general and limited partners.

A nuance: if you have more people than lines, attach additional sheets rather than cramming names together. The common mistake is listing employees here instead of true owners or officers, which misstates who controls the company. The misconception is that only the majority owner needs listing; the RRC wants all owners, partners, or officers.

10. Type of License (Categories A through P)

The form lists license categories A, A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, and you may check one or more. Under LP-Gas Safety Rule §9.6, each category authorizes specific activities, from container manufacturing to retail dispensing to engine fuel.

Check every category that matches what your company will actually do. A propane retailer that sets tanks and delivers gas might need a Category E license, while a container repair shop needs Category A. Sunset Propane LLC, a new dealer that sells and installs systems, checks Category E.

A critical nuance: your company representative must be management-level qualified for every category you check, and each category carries its own fee. The common mistake is checking too many categories without qualified representatives or enough fees, which delays the entire application. The misconception is that one license covers all propane work; the RRC ties activities tightly to specific categories.

11. Company Representative(s)

The form asks for the Name, Social Security Number, and Telephone Number of each company representative. These are the people who passed the management-level exam and stand behind your license.

Enter each qualified representative’s full information. Sunset Propane LLC lists Robert Kim, who passed the Category E management exam, with his SSN and cell number. Every category except Category P (and certain licensed plumbers and HVAC contractors under §9.13) requires at least one management-level representative.

A nuance: the RRC recommends naming more than one representative, because if your only qualified employee leaves, all jurisdictional activity must immediately stop. The common mistake is listing someone who has not actually passed the management exam, which voids the qualification. The misconception is that an owner automatically qualifies; only passing the exam counts.

12. Operational Questions (Page 2)

Page 2 opens with six YES/NO questions about your operations, each tied to an attachment. They ask whether you have an outlet (attach LPG Form 1A), operate bobtails/transports/delivery units (attach LPG Form 7), operate transferred containers (attach LPG Form 19), apply for Category A/A1/A2 (attach ASME/DOT certificate), apply for Category B or O (attach LPG Form 505), and whether ownership or entity type changed.

Answer each honestly and attach the matching form when you check YES. Sunset Propane LLC, which runs a retail store, checks YES on the outlet question and attaches LPG Form 1A. An “outlet” is any site where regulated LP-gas activity happens, such as a store, storage yard, or filling station.

A nuance: transportation units never registered in Texas must include the Manufacturer’s Data Report, the U.S. DOT Certificate of Compliance, and the DOT hydrostatic or pneumatic test. The common mistake is checking YES but forgetting the attachment, which guarantees a returned filing. The misconception is that these questions are optional background; each YES triggers a mandatory document.

13. Insurance Verification

The form asks you to indicate which insurance forms you are submitting: Acord 25, another form adopted by the Texas Department of Insurance, or LPG Form 996B, 997B, or 998B. Under §9.26, licensees must show general liability, workers’ compensation, and motor vehicle coverage.

Check the box for the form you are filing and attach it. Lone Star Propane attaches an ACORD 25 showing all required coverage. Companies that qualify for statements in lieu of certain coverage submit 996B (no employees), 997B (no registered units), or 998B (no activities).

A nuance: renewal applicants must verify current policy info and submit a fresh form only if the policy on file expired. The common mistake is attaching an ACORD that omits one required coverage line, which holds the license. The misconception is that any proof of insurance works; the RRC requires the specific §9.26 coverages.

14. Certification and Signature (Page 2)

The bottom of Page 2 holds the Certification, the Name of Licensee, the signature line (BY), the Date, the Printed Name, and the Title. By signing, you swear under penalties in Texas Natural Resources Code §§91.143 and 113.232 that the form is true and complete and that you are authorized to bind the applicant.

Print the licensee name, sign, date, and add the signer’s printed name and title. Robert Kim signs as Member/Manager for Sunset Propane LLC and dates it 03/14/2026. The form allows electronic signatures and fax filing, treating both as originals.

A nuance: by signing a renewal, you also certify that ownership, entity type, and insurance have not changed. The common mistake is submitting the form unsigned, the single fastest way to get a filing rejected. The misconception is that a typed name in the body counts as a signature; the RRC needs the actual signature block completed.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three of the most common filing situations, each following one filer through the key parts of the form. Use them as a model for your own packet.

Scenario A: Robert Kim, new propane retailer forming Sunset Propane LLC

Form Section What Robert Enters
Filing type Checks New license, leaves License number blank
Company name Sunset Propane LLC
dba Sunset Gas (attaches assumed name certificate)
Business entity Checks Limited Liability Company
Secretary of State registered? YES
Comptroller info Enters Taxpayer ID and Charter Number, attaches Certificate of Account Status
Ownership Lists Robert Kim, Member
License category Checks Category E
Company representative Robert Kim, SSN, cell number
Outlet question YES, attaches LPG Form 1A
Insurance Checks Acord 25, attaches certificate
Signature Signs, dates 03/14/2026, Title Member/Manager

Scenario B: Lone Star Propane Services, Inc., renewing an existing license

Form Section What Lone Star Enters
Filing type Checks License renewal, enters existing license number
Company name Lone Star Propane Services, Inc.
dba Lone Star Gas (certificate already on file)
Business entity Checks Corporation
Secretary of State registered? YES
Comptroller info Attaches current Certificate of Account Status
Ownership Lists James Park, President and Maria Delgado, VP
License category Re-checks Category E
Ownership changed? Checks NO
Insurance Confirms policy current; no new ACORD needed
Signature Maria Delgado signs, dates, Title Vice President

Scenario C: Hill Country Tank Repair, applying for Category A container repair

Form Section What Hill Country Enters
Filing type Checks New license
Company name Hill Country Tank Repair, Inc.
Business entity Checks Corporation
Secretary of State registered? YES
Ownership Lists corporate officers
License category Checks Category A
Company representative Names officer with Category A management certification
Category A/A1/A2 question YES, attaches ASME and U.S. DOT certificates
Transferred containers? YES, attaches LPG Form 19
Insurance Checks Acord 25, attaches certificate
Signature Officer signs, dates, adds printed name and title

How to File the Completed Form

The Railroad Commission accepts LPG Form 1 by mail and by fax, and the form expressly authorizes fax filing as an original. Choose the channel that lets you submit a complete, signed packet with payment.

  • By mail: Send the completed form, all attachments, and your fee to Railroad Commission of Texas, Alternative Fuels Safety Department, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711-2967. Pay by check or money order made out to the RRC, and keep a copy of the full packet and proof of mailing.
  • By fax: Fax the signed form and attachments to (512) 463-7292. The certification language treats a faxed copy as an original for all purposes, so keep your fax confirmation as proof of filing.
  • By phone for questions: Call AFS at (800) 64-CLEAR to confirm requirements before you send.
  • Online payment: Renewal and certification fees can be paid through the RRC Online Payment Portal, but note that paying online alone does not complete the filing; you must still submit the form and attachments.

License fees depend on category, and you can confirm current amounts on the LPG License Categories and Fees page. For example, a new Category A license is $1,000 ( $600 renewal), Category E is $750 new ( $300 renewal), and Category D is $100 new ( $70 renewal). Multiple categories require multiple fees, so total them before you send payment.

Processing time varies with completeness and volume, so file early. Keep your stamped copy, fax confirmation, or mailing receipt as your proof of filing until your license certificate arrives.

What Happens After You File

After the AFS Department receives a complete, signed packet with the correct fee, staff review your entity registration, representative qualifications, insurance, and attachments. If everything checks out, the Commission issues a license certificate showing your company information, license categories, license number, and expiration date.

If something is missing or illegible, the form’s own instructions warn the filing will not be processed and will be returned if possible. That means your clock resets and you cannot operate until you cure the defect and refile. A new company that submitted an unsigned form, for example, gets the packet back and must start the review over.

Once issued, your license is valid for one year and expires the last day of the month one year from activation. Even if you renew late, the expiration date does not move, so renewing late shortens your effective coverage. Mark your renewal date and file Form 1 again before it lapses to avoid any gap in your authority to operate.

Your permanent license number stays with the company as long as you keep renewing, and your individual representatives must keep their certifications active, which renew annually by May 31 for a $35 LPG fee, with a $20 late fee after the deadline.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each error below has stopped real filings. Read them before you submit.

  • Submitting an illegible form. The RRC returns unreadable forms unprocessed, costing you weeks.
  • Using a company name that does not match the Secretary of State. A name mismatch triggers a hold and a returned application.
  • Listing a dba with no assumed name certificate. Without the certificate on file, the dba is rejected.
  • Leaving the form unsigned. An unsigned certification is invalid and the packet bounces back.
  • Checking too many license categories. Each category needs a qualified representative and its own fee, or the filing stalls.
  • Naming a representative who has not passed the management exam. The qualification fails and no license issues.
  • Forgetting the 24-hour emergency phone number. This required field can flag your product-activity application.
  • Checking YES on an operational question but omitting the attachment. A missing LPG Form 1A, 7, 19, or 505 guarantees a return.
  • Attaching an expired or “Not in Good Standing” Certificate of Account Status. The RRC will not issue a license on it.
  • Submitting incomplete insurance proof. An ACORD missing a §9.26 coverage line holds the license.
  • Underpaying the fee. A short payment for multiple categories delays the whole application.
  • Treating a renewal as automatic when the entity changed. A changed entity may require a brand-new license under §9.22.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

  • Do type the form so it is fully legible, because illegible filings are returned.
  • Do use your exact legal name, because the RRC matches it against state records.
  • Do attach every triggered companion form, because each YES answer requires its document.
  • Do confirm your representative passed the management exam, because every category needs one.
  • Do total all category fees before paying, because multiple categories mean multiple fees.
  • Do keep proof of filing, because you need it until your license certificate arrives.

Don’t:

  • Don’t operate before your license is issued, because doing so violates the LP-Gas Safety Rules.
  • Don’t leave the email or emergency phone blank, because both slow or flag your filing.
  • Don’t list employees as officers, because the RRC wants true owners, partners, or officers.
  • Don’t reuse an old saved PDF, because attachments and rule references change.
  • Don’t sign a renewal if anything changed, because your signature certifies nothing changed.
  • Don’t forget to renew before the expiration date, because the date never moves even if you renew late.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Many small propane companies file Form 1 themselves, while larger or first-time applicants use a compliance service or attorney. Here is how the two paths compare.

Filing on Your Own Filing With Professional Help
Saves money, because you avoid service fees Costs more, because you pay for expertise
Builds your own knowledge of the rules Saves time, because the pro knows the packet
Full control over timing and content Lower error risk, because pros catch missing attachments
Direct contact with AFS staff Helpful for complex multi-category filings
Fine for a single straightforward category Useful when entity or ownership questions are tricky

Pros of filing on your own: you save fees, you learn the rules firsthand, you control the timeline, you deal directly with AFS, and it works well for a simple single-category license.

Cons of filing on your own: you risk missing an attachment, you may misjudge the right category, you bear the delay if it is returned, you must track insurance and Comptroller documents yourself, and complex filings get harder.

Pros of professional help: lower error risk, faster assembly, expert category selection, guidance on entity changes, and peace of mind for first-timers.

Cons of professional help: added cost, less hands-on learning, reliance on a third party, and possible scheduling delays on their end.

FAQs

Is LPG Form 1 the same form for both new licenses and renewals?

Yes. The single form has checkboxes at the top for New license, License renewal, and Vendor change, so you use the same document for all three purposes.

Do I have to be licensed before I start selling propane in Texas?

Yes. No company may perform regulated LP-gas activities without an active license, and operating before issuance violates the LP-Gas Safety Rules and can bring penalties.

Do I write my dba in the company name box or the dba box?

No. Put your exact legal name in the company name box and any assumed names in the separate dba lines, attaching each assumed name certificate.

Do sole proprietors need to complete the Comptroller tax section?

No. That section applies to corporations, limited partnerships, and LLCs, which must attach a current Certificate of Account Status; sole proprietors generally skip it.

Do I list employees in the company ownership section?

No. List only the owner, partners, or officers there; the RRC wants the people who control the company, not staff.

Is the 24-hour emergency phone number really required?

Yes. It is required for all licensees engaging in LP-gas product activities, and it must reach a live contact at any hour.

Do I need a separate fee for each license category I check?

Yes. Multiple categories require multiple fees, so add every category’s fee together before sending payment.

Does my company representative need to pass an exam?

Yes. Each category (except Category P and certain licensed plumbers and HVAC contractors) needs at least one employee who passed the management-level examination.

Can I file LPG Form 1 by fax?

Yes. The form authorizes fax filing to (512) 463-7292, and a faxed copy is treated as an original for all purposes.

Does an electronic signature count on this form?

Yes. The form states an electronic signature is considered an original and has the same force and effect as a handwritten one.

Will the RRC return my form if it is hard to read?

Yes. The instructions say illegible forms will not be processed and will be returned if possible, so type the form.

Do I need to attach anything if I check YES on the outlet question?

Yes. You must attach LPG Form 1A listing all outlets, and each outlet must designate a qualified operations supervisor.

Does my license stay valid forever once issued?

No. A license is valid for one year and expires the last day of the month one year from activation, so you must renew annually.

If my business changed from a sole proprietorship to an LLC, can I just renew?

No. An ownership or entity-type change may require a brand-new license under §9.22, so review the rule before treating it as a renewal.