Quick Answer
To renew your Texas ACR contractor license: (1) complete 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education, including at least 1 hour of Texas law and rules, (2) log in to TDLR Online Services and submit your renewal, and (3) pay the $65 fee. Contractor licenses renew every year. Registered and certified technicians have no CE requirement — they just pay their annual renewal ($20 registered, $35 certified).
Running late? You can still renew online up to 18 months past expiration — for contractors, $97.50 in the first 90 days and $130 after (late-fee table below) — and for a late renewal TDLR accepts CE completed within the year before your renewal date (16 TAC §75.25(c)).
Check your renewal date
Checks TDLR public records, updated daily — informational, not an official record or legal advice. Name searches also match "Last, First".
Provider #2273
Renewal at a Glance
CE Hours
8 per year (contractors)
Renewal Cycle
Every year
TDLR Fee
$65
CE Course
$22.95
How to Renew, Step by Step
- 01
Complete your 8 CE hours
Finish 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education before your license expires. At least 1 hour must cover Texas law and rules (Occupations Code Chapter 1302 and 16 TAC Chapter 75). Our 8-hour course covers Chapter 1302 and Chapter 75 in depth, plus professional ethics — we report your completion to TDLR within 24 hours.
- 02
Log in to TDLR Online Services
Go to tdlr.texas.gov and sign in with your ACR license number. Start 30–60 days before your expiration date so everything posts in time.
- 03
Submit your renewal
Select your ACR contractor license and click Renew. Your CE must be complete before your license expires.
- 04
Pay the $65 renewal fee
Pay online and you're done for another year. Late renewals cost $97.50 (expired 1–90 days) or $130 (expired more than 90 days).
Who Needs CE: Contractors Yes, Technicians No
Texas HVAC continuing education applies to licensed ACR contractors only — both Class A (any size unit) and Class B (cooling up to 25 tons, heating up to 1.5 million BTU/hr). If you hold the contractor license, you need 8 hours of TDLR-approved CE every year.
- Registered technicians: no CE — renew for $20/year
- Certified technicians: no CE — renew for $35/year
- EPA 608 certification: a separate federal credential — it never expires and has no TDLR CE connection
More detail: Texas HVAC CE requirements and Class A vs. Class B explained.
What the 8 Hours Must Cover
TDLR requires at least 1 of the 8 hours to cover Texas law and rules for ACR contractors (Occupations Code Chapter 1302 and 16 TAC Chapter 75). The remaining 7 hours can cover mechanical codes (IMC/UMC), safety practices, refrigerant handling and transitions, energy efficiency, and new HVAC technology.
One CE hour equals 50 minutes of instruction, and there is no final exam — just short in-lesson knowledge or attendance checks, depending on the approved course design. Complete the course and your certificate is issued immediately. Our 8-hour A/C + HVAC course satisfies the full requirement with a deep pass through Texas law and rules — Occupations Code Chapter 1302 and 16 TAC Chapter 75, including the mechanical codes they adopt — plus professional ethics.
When Is My Renewal Deadline?
ACR contractor licenses are valid for 1 year and expire on the anniversary of the issue date. All 8 CE hours must be finished before the expiration date. TDLR recommends starting the renewal 30–60 days early. You can check your expiration date free in the TDLR license search.
What If My License Already Expired?
You can still renew with a late fee — $97.50 if expired 90 days or less, $130 past 90 days — but you cannot legally perform ACR contracting work until the renewal processes. From 18 months to 3 years past expiration, renewal is still possible with TDLR executive director approval at 2× the fee. Once the license has been expired 3 years or more you cannot renew it — you would have to apply as a new applicant, so don't sit on it.
Late Renewal Fees
| Time After Expiration | Fee |
|---|---|
| Expired 1–90 days | $97.50 (1.5× the $65 fee) |
| Expired more than 90 days | $130 (2× the $65 fee) |
| Expired 18 months – 3 years | $130 (2× the $65 fee), with TDLR executive director approval |
| Expired 3 years or more | Cannot renew — must apply as a new applicant |
Important: Performing ACR work with an expired contractor license can draw TDLR administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.01How many CE hours do I need to renew my Texas HVAC license?
Licensed ACR contractors (Class A and Class B) need 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every year, including at least 1 hour of Texas law and rules. Registered and certified technicians have no CE requirement.
Q.02How much does it cost to renew a Texas HVAC contractor license?
The TDLR renewal fee is $65 per year, plus the cost of your 8-hour CE course. Late renewal costs $97.50 (expired 1–90 days) or $130 (expired more than 90 days).
Q.03Do HVAC technicians need continuing education in Texas?
No. Registered and certified ACR technicians have no CE requirement — they renew annually ($20 for registered, $35 for certified technicians). Only licensed ACR contractors complete the 8-hour CE requirement.
Q.04Does my EPA 608 certification count toward TDLR CE?
No — EPA Section 608 is a separate federal refrigerant-handling credential. It never expires and is independent of TDLR's annual 8-hour CE requirement for ACR contractors.
Q.05Can I complete my Texas HVAC CE online?
Yes. TDLR accepts online CE from approved providers. Our 8-hour course is 100% online and self-paced, and we report your completion to TDLR electronically within 24 hours.
Q.06Is there a test in the HVAC CE course?
There is no final exam. TDLR continuing education is completion-based — you work through the approved course and answer short in-lesson knowledge or attendance checks, depending on the approved course design. Finish the 8 hours and your certificate is issued immediately.
Related Resources
Last updated August 27, 2026