Texas A/C contractor license renewal
Texas A/C contractor licenses renew every year, and the CE has to be done before the license expires. Here's what TDLR asks for and how to get it done early.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Quick facts
- License covered
TDLR A/C Contractor (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
- Renewal cycle
Every year
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
- Continuing education
8 hours each year from TDLR-approved providers, including 1 hour of Texas law and rules, completed before the license expires
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
- Renewal fee
$65. A late renewal costs 1.5 times the fee if expired 90 days or less (2 times after 90 days)
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
- Agency
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Fees as published by TDLR, checked Oct 23, 2026. Confirm at the source.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Who needs this license
Anyone who contracts for air conditioning, refrigeration or heating work in Texas needs a TDLR A/C contractor license. If you hold the license and offer services to the public, you renew it every year. TDLR lets some license holders waive the insurance requirement if they don't serve the public or work for another contractor, but a waived license can't be used to offer contracting services to the public.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
How renewal works
Check your expiry date. You can look it up free on License Radar or on TDLR's license search.
Finish 8 hours of approved CE, including 1 hour of Texas law and rules, before the license expires.
Start the renewal about 30 to 60 days before expiry, as TDLR suggests.
Submit the renewal with the $65 fee.
Keep your confirmation and note next year's date.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Continuing education
You need 8 hours of CE every year. One of those hours must cover Texas state law and rules for licensees. Only courses approved by TDLR count, so a course from an unapproved provider won't help your renewal. Finish the hours before the license expires. If you miss that, TDLR says you may still qualify for a late renewal if the courses were completed within the one-year period right before the renewal date.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Insurance and bonds
TDLR requires A/C contractors to carry insurance unless the requirement is waived (the waiver bars you from offering services to the public). Keep your certificate current and on file before you renew. See TDLR's insurance requirements, linked from the renewal page.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Common mistakes
- Leaving CE to the last week, then finding the course you wanted is full.
- Taking a course from a provider TDLR hasn't approved.
- Skipping the 1 hour of Texas law and rules.
- Assuming you can keep working while the renewal is late. TDLR says you may not do contracting work while expired.
- Renewing late, when the renewal costs 1.5 to 2 times the $65 fee.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
How CompliAct helps
We pull your expiry date from TDLR public records, remind you at 90, 60, 30 and 7 days, book your 8 hours with a TDLR-approved provider, prepare the renewal for your signature and submit it once you approve. The $65 state fee and the CE course fee are passed through at cost.
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)
Source: TDLR(opens in a new tab)