Quick answer: HVAC contractors in Texas are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors. Search the contractor’s name or license number in the free TDLR License Search, choose the air conditioning and refrigeration program, and confirm the license is current. For a home system, look for the Environmental Air Conditioning endorsement.
A West Texas summer is a bad time to find out your AC installer was not licensed. A license check takes about five minutes and costs nothing. This guide shows you how to run the lookup, what Class A and Class B mean, what insurance the state requires, and what to do if something looks wrong.
In this guide
How to look up an HVAC license, step by step
Step 1: Ask for the license number
Ask the company for its TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license number and the name of the license holder. A licensed contractor should give it without hesitation. It is often printed on the estimate, the website or the truck.
Step 2: Open the TDLR License Search
Go to the TDLR License Search and pick Air Conditioning and Refrigeration as the license program. You can also start from TDLR’s Search / Verify Licenses page.
Step 3: Search by number first
The license number gives the most exact match. If you only have a name, search the name and compare the city and business details so you do not confuse two people with similar names.
Step 4: Check status, class and endorsement
Confirm the license is current, then check the class (A or B) and the endorsement. A home AC or furnace job should match the Environmental Air Conditioning endorsement.
Step 5: Look for violations
TDLR also lets you search for violations from its search page. A past violation does not always mean you should walk away, but it is worth asking the contractor about.
Reading the results
| What you see | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Active, expiration date in the future | The license is current. Confirm the class and endorsement fit your job. |
| Expired | Do not hire until it is renewed. Contractor licenses renew every year. |
| Technician registration or certification only | This person can work for a licensed contractor but cannot contract the job with you on their own. |
| Different endorsement than your job | A Commercial Refrigeration endorsement covers things like walk-in coolers, not your home’s central air. Ask before you sign. |
| No record found | Try the license number, then spelling variations. If nothing turns up, ask the company to explain before work starts. |
Class A vs Class B
TDLR issues contractor licenses in two classes, according to its contractor license page:
| Class | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Class A | Any size unit. |
| Class B | Cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating systems up to 1.5 million BTUs per hour. |
Home systems are far below those Class B limits, so a Class B license is enough for most residential jobs. Class A matters for large commercial buildings.
To qualify, an applicant generally needs at least 48 months of supervised experience under a licensed AC and refrigeration contractor within the past 72 months, or a technician certification held for 12 months plus 36 months of supervised experience. Applicants also pass a state exam.
Endorsements: which one fits your job
Each contractor license carries one endorsement:
- Environmental Air Conditioning: comfort heating and cooling for people, including temperature, humidity, ventilation and air circulation. This is the one for a home AC, heat pump or furnace.
- Commercial Refrigeration: equipment such as coolers, freezers and ice machines.
- Process Cooling or Heating: temperature and humidity control for production or equipment, not human comfort.
A company can hold more than one license if it works in more than one area. Make sure the one tied to your job has the right endorsement.
Contractors vs technicians
The person who shows up at your house may not be the license holder. TDLR also registers and certifies air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Technicians work for a licensed contractor. They cannot advertise or contract HVAC work with the public on their own.
That is why the company matters as much as the worker. You want a licensed contractor responsible for the job and a registered or certified technician doing the hands-on work.
Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA Section 608 certification. It is fair to ask about it on a repair that involves recharging or recovering refrigerant.
Insurance the state requires
TDLR requires commercial general liability insurance for contractor licenses. The minimums on its contractor page:
| Class | Per occurrence | Aggregate | Products and completed operations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | $300,000 | $600,000 | $300,000 |
| Class B | $100,000 | $200,000 | $100,000 |
Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance and check that the dates cover your job. Get the estimate, equipment warranty and labor warranty in writing.
License numbers on ads and trucks
State law requires electrical and air conditioning contractors to include license information in their advertising. TDLR has run stings where investigators answered newspaper and social media ads that left it off, and it filed dozens of enforcement cases against people offering unlicensed work. An ad, a website or a truck with no license number is a reason to ask questions.
City permits and inspections
TDLR licenses the contractor. Your city usually handles permits and inspections. Replacing a system, adding ductwork or changing a gas furnace often needs a mechanical permit. Rules vary, so call your city’s building or permit office and ask before work starts. The licensed contractor should pull the permit, not you.
If the project also touches plumbing, such as a gas line or water heater, see our guides on checking a plumber’s license and water heater replacement cost in Texas.
How to file a complaint
If a contractor is unlicensed, is working outside their license, or did work you believe breaks the rules, you can complain to TDLR. Use the File a Complaint link on the TDLR website. Include the contractor’s name, license number if you have it, your contract, receipts and photos. TDLR’s customer service line is (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
- They will not give a TDLR license number, or the number does not match their name.
- Their ads, website or truck show no license number.
- The license is a technician registration, but they want you to contract with them directly.
- They say a full system replacement never needs a permit, without checking with your city.
- They want cash only, or a large deposit before equipment is ordered.
- They cannot show a certificate of insurance.
Need heating or cooling help in West Texas? Send a free request with your city and what you need. It is free and there is no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an HVAC company is licensed in Texas?
Search the company’s license number or the license holder’s name in the free TDLR License Search and choose the air conditioning and refrigeration program. Confirm the license is current and has the Environmental Air Conditioning endorsement for home work.
Who licenses HVAC contractors in Texas?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The state calls them Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors.
What is the difference between a Class A and Class B HVAC license?
Class A covers any size unit. Class B covers cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating systems up to 1.5 million BTUs per hour, which includes most homes.
Can an HVAC technician work for me without a contractor?
No. Registered and certified technicians work for a licensed contractor. They cannot advertise or contract HVAC work with the public on their own.
Do Texas HVAC contractors need insurance?
Yes. TDLR requires general liability insurance. Class A minimums are $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate. Class B minimums are $100,000 per occurrence and $200,000 aggregate.
Does an AC replacement need a permit in Texas?
Often, yes, but permits are set by your city. Call your city’s building or permit office. The licensed contractor should pull the permit.
How do I report an unlicensed HVAC contractor?
File a complaint with TDLR through the File a Complaint link on its website, or call (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
Checking other pros?
See our guides to checking an electrician’s license, checking a plumber’s license and the Texas roofing license.
Agency rules, phone numbers and website features can change. Confirm current details on the TDLR website before you rely on them.