The Texas TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License application is the official form that every person who installs, services, or repairs HVAC and refrigeration equipment for the public in Texas must file with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before legally operating as a contractor. Filing this form correctly is the difference between a clean license issuance in 14–21 business days and a rejected packet that costs you another exam window, another set of fees, and another month of lost revenue.
Roughly 18,000 active ACR contractors hold a Texas license at any given time, and TDLR rejects or returns nearly 1 in 4 applications on the first pass — almost always because of preventable mistakes in the Experience Verification, criminal history, or insurance proof sections, per TDLR program data. This guide walks you through every field, every endorsement, every fee, and every filing channel so your packet lands in the “approved” pile the first time.
- 📋 The exact line-by-line instructions for every box on the ACR Contractor License application
- 🧰 The full pre-filing checklist of documents, IDs, and proofs you must gather before opening the form
- 💵 Current fees, deadlines, and the penalty math behind late, lapsed, or unlicensed work under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302
- 🧪 How to pass the PSI exam, request experience credit, and choose the right endorsement (Environmental Air, Commercial Refrigeration, Process Cooling, or Combination)
- ⚠️ The 10 most common rejection triggers and exactly how to dodge them
What the TDLR ACR Contractor License Is and Who Must File It
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License is a state-issued credential, regulated under 16 TAC Chapter 75, that authorizes a named individual to contract with the public to install, service, maintain, or modify HVAC and refrigeration systems. The license is personal, not corporate. A company cannot hold the license. Instead, a licensed individual must serve as the company’s “responsible person” for every job site.
Texas issues two classes of contractor licenses through TDLR’s ACR program page. A Class A license allows work on units of any size or tonnage. A Class B license caps work at cooling systems of 25 tons or less and heating systems of 1.5 million BTU/hour or less. Choosing the wrong class triggers an automatic rejection.
Anyone who advertises, bids, contracts, or performs HVAC or refrigeration work for the public must hold this license, per Texas Occupations Code §1302.251. Working without it is a Class C misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class B misdemeanor for repeat offenses, with administrative penalties reaching $5,000 per violation per day under 16 TAC §75.90.
Employees of a licensed contractor do not need a contractor license, but they must hold a Technician Registration if they perform installation, service, or repair. The contractor license is the upgrade path for experienced technicians.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open every drawer, log into every portal, and pull every record before you click “Start Application.” Missing even one item drops your application into TDLR’s “pending deficiency” queue, which adds 10–30 days to processing.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport). TDLR cross-checks your name against the ID, and any spelling mismatch with your exam record triggers a hold.
- Social Security Number or ITIN. Required under Texas Family Code §231.302 for child support enforcement screening.
- Technician Registration number (if you hold one). This proves prior Texas experience and speeds verification.
- Experience Verification Affidavit, signed by a currently licensed ACR contractor confirming at least 48 months of practical experience in the prior 72 months (Class A) or 24 months for Class B. Without a notarized signature from a licensed contractor, the experience cannot be counted.
- PSI exam pass notification. You must pass the law/business exam and the trade exam in your endorsement category through PSI Exams before TDLR will issue the license.
- Certificate of Insurance showing at least $300,000 per occurrence general liability, $300,000 aggregate for property damage, and $300,000 bodily injury, naming TDLR as certificate holder, per 16 TAC §75.100. Missing the TDLR certificate-holder line is the #1 rejection trigger.
- Letter of Good Standing from your prior state licensing board, if you are applying through reciprocity or out-of-state experience credit.
- Criminal history documentation. If you have any conviction, deferred adjudication, or pending charge, gather court records, judgments, and proof of completed sentences.
- Application fee payment method. Credit card for online filing, or check/money order payable to “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” for paper.
- Business mailing address and physical address. A P.O. Box alone is not acceptable as the physical address.
If any item is missing, do not start the application. TDLR locks partially completed online applications after 30 days and will not refund the fee.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official paper application is Form ACR001 — Application for ACR Contractor License. Always download the version with the most recent revision date in the bottom-left corner; the current revision is dated March 2024. Using an expired version is grounds for automatic rejection because field numbering and disclosure language change between revisions.
To file online, log into TDLR’s Online Services portal. First-time users must create a username and link it to their existing technician registration record by matching the SSN/ITIN on file. The portal auto-populates name, address, and exam pass status, which eliminates 60% of the typing errors that paper filers make.
The form is also available in person at the TDLR North Austin headquarters at 920 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701. Walk-in filers can request a free printed copy at the public counter. Spanish-language assistance is available by phone at 1-800-803-9202 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central.
A common misconception is that any HVAC trade school can issue the application packet. They cannot. Only TDLR’s official PDF or online portal produces a valid filing. Third-party “application services” routinely sell outdated forms that no longer match TDLR’s database fields.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the ACR Contractor License Application Line by Line
The application is organized into eight numbered sections. Complete them in order. Skipping ahead causes the online portal to lock fields, and on paper it produces inconsistencies that trigger a deficiency notice. Use black ink, all capital letters, and MM/DD/YYYY date format throughout.
Section 1 — License Type and Class
What it asks in plain English. This top block asks which license you want: Class A or Class B, and whether this is an original, reinstatement, or change-of-class application.
How to answer it. Check exactly one box for class and one box for application type. Do not check both Class A and Class B; the system reads it as undeclared and rejects the packet.
Specific example. Carlos Mendoza checks the box marked Class A and the box marked Original Application because he has 52 months of documented experience.
Nuance. If you previously held a Class B and now want Class A, check Change of License Type, not Original. A different fee schedule applies and the system will refund the duplicate original fee only if you flag it correctly.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers often check Class A while only having Class B–eligible experience. TDLR will deny the application, keep the fee, and require you to reapply under Class B.
Misconception. Many filers believe Class A is simply “better” and worth applying for regardless of experience. It is not. Class A requires verifiable Class A–level work history, and TDLR audits the experience affidavit against W-2s and project records.
Section 2 — Endorsement Selection
What it asks in plain English. Pick the type of work you intend to perform: Environmental Air (comfort cooling and heating), Commercial Refrigeration, Process Cooling and Heating, or Combination (all three).
How to answer it. Check one endorsement only, unless you select Combination, which automatically covers all three. Your trade exam result must match the endorsement you select.
Specific example. Jennifer Park checks Environmental Air because her Florida experience and PSI trade exam were both in residential and light-commercial comfort cooling.
Nuance. If you want Combination, you must pass all three trade exams through PSI before the application is approved. Partial passes do not qualify.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking Combination after passing only the Environmental Air exam triggers a “deficient endorsement” notice and a 30-day hold.
Misconception. Filers often think Process Cooling is the same as Commercial Refrigeration. It is not. Process Cooling covers manufacturing and industrial heat-transfer systems; Commercial Refrigeration covers food storage, retail coolers, and similar equipment.
Section 3 — Applicant Personal Information
What it asks in plain English. Your legal name, date of birth, SSN/ITIN, physical address, mailing address, phone, and email.
How to answer it. Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card and your PSI exam record. Use MM/DD/YYYY for the date of birth. Enter a 9-digit SSN with no dashes. Provide both a physical address (no P.O. Box) and a mailing address (P.O. Box acceptable).
Specific example. Marcus Reed enters his name as REED, MARCUS JAMES, date of birth 07/22/1989, physical address 4412 SUNSET RIDGE DR, HOUSTON, TX 77convoy, mailing address PO BOX 5512, HOUSTON, TX 77052.
Nuance. If you legally changed your name after passing the PSI exam, attach a certified copy of the name-change order or marriage certificate. Otherwise the names will not match and TDLR will reject the packet.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing a nickname (e.g., “Mike” instead of “Michael”) instead of the legal name on the SSA record causes the SSN cross-check to fail and the application to be held.
Misconception. Filers think a P.O. Box is enough. It is not. TDLR requires a physical address because inspectors may visit the business location.
Section 4 — Technician Registration Cross-Reference
What it asks in plain English. Your current TDLR Technician Registration number, if any.
How to answer it. Enter the 7-digit registration number printed on your wallet card. If you have never held a Texas technician registration, write NONE in the field — do not leave it blank.
Specific example. Carlos Mendoza enters TACLB 0192847 to link his 4 years of Texas technician experience to the application.
Nuance. Out-of-state applicants like Jennifer Park write NONE and then attach a Letter of Good Standing from their prior state board in Section 7.
Common mistake and consequence. Leaving the field blank rather than writing NONE causes the online portal to flag the application as incomplete and prevents submission.
Misconception. Some filers believe a registration is required to apply. It is not — you can qualify through documented out-of-state or unregistered experience, though the verification path is longer.
Section 5 — Experience Verification
What it asks in plain English. Proof that you have the required hands-on experience under a licensed contractor.
How to answer it. List every employer for the past 72 months, with job titles, start/end dates, supervisor name, supervisor license number, and total months. The current or most recent licensed supervisor must sign and notarize the Experience Verification Affidavit on page 4 of Form ACR001. Class A requires 48 months in the last 72; Class B requires 24 months.
Specific example. Carlos Mendoza lists Lone Star HVAC LLC, Service Technician II, 03/01/2022 – present, 51 months, supervised by Esteban Ruiz, TACLA 00012345, who notarizes the affidavit.
Nuance. Up to 24 months can be substituted with formal HVAC training from a Department of Education–recognized program, at a 2-for-1 ratio (24 classroom months = 12 work months).
Common mistake and consequence. Submitting an affidavit signed by a supervisor whose license is expired or whose license number is mistyped voids the experience. TDLR will deny the application and require resubmission with a corrected affidavit.
Misconception. Filers think any “HVAC boss” can sign. Only a currently TDLR-licensed Class A or Class B contractor (matching the class you are applying for) can verify experience.
Section 6 — Examination Information
What it asks in plain English. Confirmation that you passed the PSI law/business exam and the trade exam for your endorsement.
How to answer it. Enter the PSI candidate ID, exam date, and passing score for each exam. The online portal pulls this automatically; paper filers must attach the printed PSI score reports.
Specific example. Marcus Reed enters PSI candidate ID 7788123, law/business exam 04/02/2026, score 78, and Combination trade exam 04/02/2026, score 81.
Nuance. PSI passes are valid for one year. If you wait longer than 12 months to file, you must retake both exams. The $74 exam fee is non-refundable.
Common mistake and consequence. Filing after the 12-month exam validity window expires triggers an automatic denial and forfeiture of the application fee.
Misconception. Filers think a score report from a non-PSI provider (such as Prometric) is acceptable. It is not. TDLR only accepts PSI as of the current exam contract.
Section 7 — Insurance Information
What it asks in plain English. Proof that you carry the minimum required liability and property damage insurance.
How to answer it. Attach a Certificate of Insurance (ACORD 25 form) listing Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as the certificate holder at 920 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701, with limits of $300,000 each for property damage, bodily injury, and aggregate. Enter the insurer’s name, policy number, and effective dates in the application fields.
Specific example. Jennifer Park enters Travelers Indemnity Company, Policy #TX-COM-998877, Effective 05/15/2026 – 05/15/2027 and uploads her ACORD 25.
Nuance. A bond is not a substitute for insurance. Texas requires actual liability coverage, not a surety bond.
Common mistake and consequence. Failing to list TDLR as certificate holder, even when the policy limits are correct, voids the proof. TDLR will issue a deficiency notice and freeze the application for up to 60 days.
Misconception. Filers believe personal auto or homeowner coverage extends to HVAC business work. It does not. Commercial general liability is required.
Section 8 — Criminal History Disclosure and Affirmation
What it asks in plain English. Whether you have ever been convicted of, pled guilty to, or received deferred adjudication for any crime above a Class C misdemeanor.
How to answer it. Check Yes or No. If Yes, attach a written explanation, certified court records, and proof of sentence completion for each offense. Then sign and date the affirmation under penalty of perjury at the bottom of page 5.
Specific example. Marcus Reed checks No and signs MARCUS J. REED, 05/10/2026.
Nuance. TDLR evaluates criminal history under Occupations Code Chapter 53 and considers the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation. A conviction is not an automatic bar — but undisclosed convictions are.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking No when a deferred adjudication exists is treated as fraud on a government application and results in permanent denial and possible criminal referral.
Misconception. Filers believe sealed or expunged records can be answered “No.” Generally true for expunctions, but deferred adjudications must still be disclosed unless formally non-disclosed by court order.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Carlos Mendoza, Class A Environmental Air, Texas Technician Upgrade
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type and Class | Class A, Original Application |
| Endorsement | Environmental Air |
| Legal Name | MENDOZA, CARLOS ANTONIO |
| Date of Birth | 11/04/1991 |
| Technician Registration | TACLB 0192847 |
| Experience | 51 months at Lone Star HVAC LLC, supervised by Esteban Ruiz, TACLA 00012345 |
| PSI Exams | Law/Business 80, Environmental Air 84, both 03/18/2026 |
| Insurance | Nationwide, Policy TX-GL-554477, $300K/300K/300K |
| Criminal History | No |
| Fee Paid | $115 via credit card |
Scenario 2 — Jennifer Park, Out-of-State Class A Reciprocity Path
| Form Section | What Jennifer Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type and Class | Class A, Original Application |
| Endorsement | Environmental Air |
| Legal Name | PARK, JENNIFER LEE |
| Date of Birth | 02/19/1986 |
| Technician Registration | NONE |
| Experience | 60 months at Sunshine Cooling Inc., Tampa FL, Florida CAC1819911 verified |
| Out-of-State Letter | Florida DBPR Letter of Good Standing attached |
| PSI Exams | Law/Business 82, Environmental Air 79, both 04/10/2026 |
| Insurance | Travelers, Policy TX-COM-998877, $300K/300K/300K, TDLR as certificate holder |
| Fee Paid | $115 via credit card |
Scenario 3 — Marcus Reed, Class B Combination Endorsement
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type and Class | Class B, Original Application |
| Endorsement | Combination |
| Legal Name | REED, MARCUS JAMES |
| Date of Birth | 07/22/1989 |
| Physical Address | 4412 SUNSET RIDGE DR, HOUSTON, TX 77053 |
| Experience | 28 months at Bayou Refrigeration Services |
| PSI Exams | Law/Business 78, Env Air 81, Comm Refrig 80, Process 76 |
| Insurance | The Hartford, Policy TX-CGL-221199, $300K limits |
| Criminal History | No |
| Fee Paid | $75 via credit card |
How to File the Completed Form
You may file the ACR Contractor License application through four channels. Each channel has its own fee structure, processing time, and proof-of-filing standard.
Online filing through the TDLR Online Services portal is the fastest path. Fees: $115 for Class A, $75 for Class B, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. Expected processing time: 14–21 business days. Save the confirmation page and PDF receipt as your proof of filing.
Filing by mail is accepted at Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, PO Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711. Include a check or money order payable to “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.” Expected processing time: 30–45 business days. Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt; keep the green card as your proof of filing.
In-person filing is accepted at TDLR Headquarters, 920 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central. The counter accepts check, money order, or credit card. You receive a stamped, dated intake receipt — keep it.
Fax filing is not accepted for ACR Contractor License applications, despite being available for some other TDLR programs. Do not attempt to fax the packet.
What Happens After You File
Within 5 business days of filing, TDLR sends an acknowledgment email with your application reference number. Use that number in every future communication.
Within 14–21 business days for online filers (or 30–45 for paper), TDLR reviews your packet for completeness and runs the criminal history background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety. If a deficiency is found, you receive a written notice with 30 days to cure before the application is closed.
Once approved, TDLR issues a license number prefixed TACLA (Class A) or TACLB (Class B) and mails a wallet card and wall certificate within 7 business days. The license is valid for one year from issuance and must be renewed annually through the TDLR renewal portal for $115 (Class A) or $75 (Class B).
If denied, you have 30 days to request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings under 16 TAC §60.305.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Listing TDLR as additional insured instead of certificate holder. The policy will be rejected and the application held for up to 60 days.
- Using a P.O. Box for the physical address. TDLR will return the application as incomplete.
- Mismatched name between PSI record and SSA record. Triggers the SSN cross-check failure and a 30-day hold.
- Unsigned or un-notarized Experience Verification Affidavit. TDLR voids all listed experience and denies the application.
- Supervisor with an expired or wrong-class license. Experience cannot be counted, forcing a refile.
- Checking Combination without passing all three trade exams. Automatic deficiency notice and 30-day hold.
- Failing to disclose a deferred adjudication. Treated as fraud; results in permanent denial.
- Filing after the 12-month PSI exam validity window. Forfeits the $115 application fee and requires retaking both exams.
- Using an outdated form revision. Field numbering changes between revisions and the system rejects mismatched packets.
- Paying with a personal check from a closed account. Returned-check fee of $30 plus application denial.
- Skipping the technician registration field instead of writing NONE. Online portal blocks submission.
- Mailing the packet without certified tracking. If TDLR loses it, you have no proof of timely filing.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download the latest revision of Form ACR001 every time, because field numbers change.
- Do match your legal name across the SSA card, PSI record, and application exactly, because the SSN cross-check is automatic.
- Do list TDLR as the certificate holder on your ACORD 25, because that is the only way the proof counts.
- Do keep certified-mail receipts and online confirmation PDFs, because they are your only proof of timely filing.
- Do disclose every criminal matter above Class C, because nondisclosure is permanent grounds for denial.
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Do confirm your supervisor’s license status on the TDLR license search before they sign your affidavit, because expired supervisors void the experience.
-
Don’t check both Class A and Class B, because the system reads it as undeclared.
- Don’t assume a surety bond replaces liability insurance, because Texas requires actual coverage.
- Don’t use nicknames or middle-name swaps, because they break the SSA match.
- Don’t file paper without certified tracking, because lost packets are not refunded.
- Don’t skip the criminal history explanation attachment when checking Yes, because TDLR will treat the disclosure as incomplete.
- Don’t wait past the 12-month PSI window, because both exams expire together.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro of filing yourself: You save the $200–$500 application service fee, because TDLR does not require representation.
- Pro of filing yourself: You learn the regulatory framework, which helps at renewal and inspection.
- Pro of filing yourself: Online portal auto-populates exam and registration data, which removes most typing errors.
- Pro of filing yourself: You control the timeline and can cure deficiencies the same day.
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Pro of filing yourself: No third party touches your SSN or financial information, which lowers identity-theft risk.
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Con of filing yourself: Criminal history disclosures are nuanced and easy to misstate, which can cause permanent denial.
- Con of filing yourself: Insurance certificate language errors are common, which delay approval by 30–60 days.
- Con of filing yourself: Experience verification affidavits are technical, and one wrong license number voids the section.
- Con of filing yourself: Out-of-state reciprocity paths are document-heavy, and missing letters cause holds.
- Con of filing yourself: No professional reviews your packet for the 1-in-4 rejection triggers TDLR most often flags.
Class A vs. Class B at a Glance
| Feature | Class A | Class B |
|---|---|---|
| Tonnage / BTU cap | None | 25 tons / 1.5M BTU/hr |
| Required experience | 48 months in last 72 | 24 months in last 72 |
| Application fee | $115 | $75 |
| Renewal fee | $115/year | $75/year |
| Insurance minimum | $300K/300K/300K | $300K/300K/300K |
| Typical filer | Commercial contractor | Residential / light commercial |
FAQs
Do I need a Texas ACR Contractor License to do residential HVAC work for friends?
Yes. Any HVAC work performed for compensation for the public requires a license under Occupations Code §1302.251, regardless of whether the customer is a friend or family member.
Can a company hold the license instead of an individual?
No. Texas issues the license only to a named individual who serves as the company’s responsible person on every job site, per 16 TAC §75.25.
Do I write my SSN with dashes in Section 3?
No. Enter the 9 digits with no dashes, no spaces, and no parentheses, because the database parses unformatted numerics only.
Should I check Class A if I only have 30 months of experience?
No. Class A requires 48 months in the last 72; check Class B instead or risk denial and forfeiture of the fee.
Do I list TDLR as additional insured on my ACORD 25?
No. List TDLR as certificate holder at 920 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701 — not as additional insured — or the proof is rejected.
Can I leave the Technician Registration field blank if I never held one?
No. Write NONE in the field; a blank entry causes the online portal to flag the packet as incomplete and block submission.
Is a felony conviction an automatic bar to licensure?
No. TDLR evaluates each conviction under Occupations Code Chapter 53 based on nature, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; disclosure is required.
Can I substitute schooling for experience?
Yes. Up to 24 months of formal HVAC training counts at a 2-for-1 ratio toward the experience requirement, per 16 TAC §75.22.
Do my PSI exam scores expire?
Yes. Both the law/business and trade exams expire 12 months after passing, and the application must be filed within that window.
Can I file by fax?
No. TDLR does not accept fax filing for the ACR Contractor License application; use the online portal, mail, or in-person counter.
Is the application fee refundable if I withdraw?
No. Application fees are non-refundable once submitted, even if you withdraw before review begins.
Does a Texas license let me work in other states?
No. Each state licenses HVAC contractors separately, though some states offer reciprocity if you hold a Texas license in good standing.
How long does TDLR take to issue the license after approval?
Yes — within roughly 7 business days after approval, TDLR mails the wallet card and wall certificate to the mailing address on file.
Do I need a separate license for refrigeration if I have Environmental Air?
Yes. Environmental Air does not cover Commercial Refrigeration or Process Cooling; choose Combination if you need all three.
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