Texas HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- 8 CE hours per renewal
- Initial cost
- ~$103 (one of the lowest in the US)
- License types
- ACR Technician → ACR Contractor (Class A unlimited / Class B ≤25 tons)
- Experience
- Varies by tier
- Exam
- State trade exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No formal reciprocity — verify with board
- Board
- Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR)
- Website
- www.tdlr.texas.gov
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- 6 CE hours per renewal
- Initial cost
- ~$240
- License types
- Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Plumber
- Experience
- 8,000 hours for journeyman
- Exam
- State plumbing exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No formal reciprocity — verify with board
- Board
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- Website
- tsbpe.texas.gov
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- CE required
- Initial cost
- ~$200
- License types
- Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Electrician
- Experience
- 8,000 hours for journeyman
- Exam
- NEC-based exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- Expanded electrician reciprocity with Alabama (March 2026) and Arkansas (January 2026)
- Board
- Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
- Website
- www.tdlr.texas.gov
Texas has no statewide general contractor license but does license HVAC (as ACR — Air Conditioning & Refrigeration), plumbing, and electrical trades at the state level. HVAC licensing is unusually inexpensive — roughly $103 to start, among the lowest in the country.
Texas expanded its electrician reciprocity program in 2026: Alabama (March 2026) and Arkansas (January 2026) were added to the list of states whose journeyman/master electrician licenses are recognized in Texas. Combined with the low HVAC fee, Texas is one of the most cost-effective states to enter for trade contractors.
TradesIQ tracks Texas license renewals, CE hours, bonds, and insurance certificates in one dashboard — with automated reminders before anything lapses.
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Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
Texas
Full Texas guide →- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- 8 CE hours per renewal
- Cost
- ~$103 (one of the lowest in the US)
- Board
- Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR)
- Website
- www.tdlr.texas.gov
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- 6 CE hours per renewal
- Cost
- ~$240
- Board
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- Website
- tsbpe.texas.gov
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- CE required
- Cost
- ~$200
- Board
- Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
- Website
- www.tdlr.texas.gov
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Texas HVAC license cost?
Does Texas have electrician reciprocity with other states?
Nearby states
New to renewals? Read our guide to contractor license renewal, or check a nearby state below.