If you are a registered or certified HVAC technician in Texas, you do not need continuing education to renew your license. This page explains exactly who is exempt from CE, what technician renewal involves, and how to plan your career path toward a contractor license if that is your goal.
ACR Technician CE — At a Glance
CE Hours
0
hours
Renewal Cycle
Every year (annual)
Renewal Fee
$20 registered / $35 certified
CE Requirement
None
Texas HVAC Technicians Do NOT Need CE
Under the Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License Law (Occupations Code Chapter 1302), continuing education is required only for licensed ACR contractors — Class A and Class B. Registered technicians and certified technicians are exempt from all CE requirements.
To renew your technician registration or certification, you simply pay the annual renewal fee ($20 registered, $35 certified) through TDLR Online Services. No coursework, no exams, no CE hours.
Registered Technician vs. Certified Technician
TDLR issues two technician designations under the ACR program:
- Registered Technician — Entry-level designation. You work under the direct supervision of a licensed ACR contractor. No experience prerequisites are required beyond the application and $20 fee.
- Certified Technician — Advanced designation. You must be at least 18, pass the certified technician exam, and qualify through either 24 months of supervised practical ACR experience or completion of a TDLR-approved 2,000-hour certification program (apply within 48 months of finishing it). Application fee is $50.
Neither designation requires continuing education for renewal. Both renew annually — $20 for registered, $35 for certified technicians.
Technician Renewal Fees
Technician renewal is straightforward and affordable:
- Annual renewal: $20 registered / $35 certified
- Late renewal (1-90 days): 1.5x the fee — $30 registered / $52.50 certified
- Late renewal (91 days-18 months): 2x the fee — $40 registered / $70 certified
- Late renewal (18 months-3 years): $40 registered / $70 certified, with TDLR executive director approval (a written request by mail)
An expired technician registration means you cannot legally perform ACR work until you renew. Once expired 3 years or more, you cannot renew — you must reapply as a new applicant.
Path from Technician to Contractor License
While technicians do not need CE, many plan to advance to a contractor license — which does require 8 hours of CE annually. Here is how to qualify:
Standard path:
- Accumulate 48 months of practical ACR experience under a licensed contractor within the past 72 months
- Pass the TDLR contractor exam (Class A or Class B)
Certified technician path:
- Hold your certified technician designation for 12 or more months
- Accumulate 36 months of practical experience under a licensed contractor within the past 48 months
- Pass the TDLR contractor exam (Class A or Class B)
The new contractor application fee is $115. Once licensed as a contractor, you will need to complete 8 hours of CE annually and maintain commercial general liability insurance ($300,000/$600,000 minimum for Class A; $100,000/$200,000 for Class B).
When You Become a Contractor, We Are Here to Help
Once you earn your ACR contractor license, you will need 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every year. Our online course satisfies the full requirement with a deep pass through the ACR Contractor License Law (Chapter 1302), the TDLR administrative rules (16 TAC Chapter 75) — including the mechanical codes they adopt — and professional ethics.
The course is self-paced, mobile-friendly, has no final exam, and provides an instant certificate upon completion. Visit our ACR Contractor CE page to learn more or enroll when you are ready.
Late Renewal Fees
| Time After Expiration | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1–90 days expired | $30 registered / $52.50 certified |
| 91 days–18 months expired | $40 registered / $70 certified |
| 18 months–3 years expired | $40 registered / $70 certified — executive director approval required |
| 3 years or more expired | Must reapply as new applicant |
Important: Practicing with an expired license can result in fines of $1,000–$5,000 per violation. Complete your CE before your license expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.01Do Texas HVAC technicians need continuing education?
No. Registered ACR technicians and certified ACR technicians are exempt from continuing education requirements. Only Class A and Class B ACR contractors must complete 8 hours of CE annually.
Q.02How do I renew my Texas HVAC technician registration?
Log in to TDLR Online Services at tdlr.texas.gov and pay the annual renewal fee — $20 for registered, $35 for certified technicians. No CE coursework is required.
Q.03What is the difference between a registered and certified HVAC technician?
A registered technician is an entry-level designation — you work under a licensed contractor with no experience prerequisites. A certified technician is at least 18, has passed the certified technician exam, and qualified through either 24 months of supervised ACR experience or a TDLR-approved 2,000-hour certification program (applying within 48 months of completing it). Neither designation requires CE for renewal.
Q.04How do I upgrade from HVAC technician to contractor in Texas?
You need 48 months of practical ACR experience under a licensed contractor (within the past 72 months) and must pass the TDLR contractor exam. Certified technicians have a shorter path: 12+ months as a certified technician plus 36 months of experience (within the past 48 months).
Q.05Do contractors need CE even though technicians do not?
Yes. Class A and Class B ACR contractors must complete 8 hours of CE annually. This is separate from the technician renewal, which requires no CE.
Q.06Is EPA 608 certification the same as a TDLR technician registration?
No. EPA Section 608 is a separate federal certification for refrigerant handling. It does not expire and does not substitute for your TDLR technician registration. Most HVAC professionals hold both credentials.
Q.07What happens if my technician registration expires?
You cannot legally perform ACR work with an expired registration. Late renewal within 1-90 days costs $30 for registered / $52.50 for certified technicians, and from 91 days to 18 months it is $40 / $70; from 18 months to 3 years the fee stays $40 / $70 but renewal requires TDLR executive director approval (a written request by mail). Once expired 3 years or more, you must reapply as a new applicant.
Q.08How much does it cost to become an ACR contractor in Texas?
The new contractor application fee is $115. Once licensed, the annual renewal is $65 plus the cost of an 8-hour CE course. You must also maintain commercial general liability insurance with minimums of $300,000/$600,000 for Class A or $100,000/$200,000 for Class B.