HVAC Contractor Permit Requirements in El Paso, TX

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hvac contractor in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas.

Verified 2026-08-27 4 stops $600–$2,000 est. 6–12 weeks to obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

2 stops

  1. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification

    Federal law requires all HVAC technicians who purchase or handle refrigerants to be certified under EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Certification is available in Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), and Universal categories. Certification is obtained through an EPA-approved testing organization such as ESCO Institute or NATE.

    Official government source

    $20–$60 (exam fee)1–2 weeks (exam scheduling)

  2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Texas

1 stop

  1. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License

    Texas requires HVAC contracting businesses to operate under an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Contractor License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR); ACR companies must employ a licensed ACR contractor at each permanent office. Licenses are Class A (any size unit, TACLA) or Class B (cooling up to 25 tons / heating up to 1.5M BTU/hr, TACLB), with endorsements for environmental air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, and process cooling/heating. Applicants must pass the state exam (administered by PSI) and carry liability insurance: Class A - $300,000 per occurrence/$600,000 aggregate; Class B - $100,000 per occurrence/$200,000 aggregate. Application fee is $115.

    Official government source

    $115 license application fee (TDLR); exam fee paid to PSI (see PSI Candidate Information Bulletin - needs_review)4–8 weeks

City of El Paso / El Paso County

1 stop

  1. City of El Paso — Mechanical Contractor Registration and Permit

    HVAC contractors must register annually with the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (Contractor Registration, Mechanical category; One Stop Shop, 811 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX 79901, (915) 212-0104) and obtain a mechanical permit for each installation or replacement project. A state TDLR ACR contractor license is required.

    Official government source

    Registration and per-project mechanical permit fees vary - confirm with the One Stop Shop1–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $600–$2,000 · 6–12 weeks to obtain all licenses

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