A Class B ACR contractor license authorizes air conditioning and refrigeration work within fixed size limits:
- Cooling: systems of 25 tons and under
- Heating: systems of 1.5 million BTU/hour and under
Those limits cover the vast majority of residential HVAC work and many light commercial jobs, which is why Class B is often sufficient for contractors focused on homes and small buildings. Working on a system that exceeds the caps with only a Class B license is a violation of Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302 and can bring TDLR disciplinary action, including fines and potential license revocation.
Nearly everything else matches Class A: 48 months of experience under a licensed contractor (within the past 72 months), a $115 application fee, the Class B contractor exam, a $65 annual renewal, and 8 hours of CE per year including the mandatory 1-hour Texas law-and-rules module. The one lighter requirement is insurance: Class B commercial general liability minimums are $100,000 per occurrence / $200,000 aggregate / $100,000 products and completed operations, versus $300,000 / $600,000 / $300,000 for Class A. Upgrading to Class A later means passing the Class A exam — the experience requirement is the same. See the side-by-side comparison for the full breakdown.
What it means for your renewal
Class B contractors carry the full 8-hour annual CE requirement — the scope cap does not reduce it. TDLR recommends starting the renewal process 30-60 days before your expiration date, which also keeps you clear of the $97.50–$130 late surcharges.
Our 8-hour online course satisfies the requirement for both classes — $22.95, no final exam, reported to TDLR within 24 hours.
Authority: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302