A Class A ACR contractor license is the highest air conditioning and refrigeration license TDLR issues. It carries no scope limits: a Class A contractor may work on cooling systems of any tonnage and heating systems of any BTU rating — large commercial HVAC, industrial refrigeration, high-capacity process cooling and heating, and every residential system.
To qualify, you need:
- 48 months of practical ACR experience under a licensed contractor within the past 72 months (certified technicians have a shorter path — 12+ months holding the certification plus 36 months of experience)
- A passing score on the TDLR Class A contractor exam
- A $115 application fee
- A Certificate of Insurance on file with TDLR before the license is issued
Once licensed, maintenance is annual: a $65 renewal fee, 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education (including 1 mandatory hour on Texas law and rules), and continuous commercial general liability coverage. Late renewal costs $97.50 within the first 90 days and $130 after that (with TDLR executive-director approval once expired 18 months to 3 years); a license expired 3 years or more means reapplying as a new applicant.
What it means for your renewal
The Class A scope is unlimited, but the renewal obligations match Class B — same $65 fee, same 8 CE hours — except for insurance: Class A minimums are $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate, versus $100,000 / $200,000 for Class B. Complete your CE before your expiration date: at renewal you attest the hours are done, and your approved provider reports the completion directly to TDLR.
Our TDLR-approved 8-hour online course covers the full requirement for $22.95 — no final exam, 180 days to complete, and your hours are reported to TDLR within 24 hours.
Authority: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302