HVAC Technician in Texas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.
Jobs (TX)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become an hvac technician in Texas
To become an HVAC Technician in Texas, individuals must register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as either a Registered Technician or a Certified Technician. A Certified Technician requires either 24 months of experience under a licensed contractor or completion of a 2,000-hour TDLR-approved training program, followed by passing an exam. All technicians must work under the supervision of a licensed Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor, and an EPA Section 608 Technician Certification is necessary for handling refrigerants. Texas offers reciprocity for contractor licenses with South Carolina and Georgia.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Texas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Texas requirements
| Licensing body | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent. |
| Experience | 4,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor Exam ($60) |
| Application fee | $115 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing education | 8.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | To work as an HVAC technician in Texas, you must be at least 18 years old. You can be a Registered Technician (minimum age 16, no experience/exam required, $20 fee) or a Certified Technician (minimum age 18, 2 years experience or 2000-hour approved training program, $50 fee, and exam). Both must work under a licensed contractor. A criminal background check is required for all applicants. To become a licensed contractor, you need 48 months (4 years) of experience under a licensed contractor within the past 72 months, or 12 months as a Certified Technician and 36 months of experience under a licensed contractor within the past 48 months. An EPA Section 608 Technician Certification is also required for those working with refrigerants. |
workspace_premium Texas license tiers
Texas offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Registered Technician | N/A |
| Certified Technician | 4,000 |
| Contractor | 8,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleTexas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+8.1%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk