HVAC Contractor Permit Requirements in Houston, TX

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)

   $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

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

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

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

   4–8 weeks

1. City of Houston — Mechanical Contractor Registration and Permit

   HVAC contractors working in Houston must hold a Texas (TDLR) ACR contractor license and register it with the Houston Permitting Center's Mechanical Inspections section before pulling mechanical permits. Mechanical permits are required per installation/replacement project; fees follow the city's mechanical permit fee schedule.

   Official government source

   Registration: confirm with Mechanical Inspections (no official fee pinned); per-project mechanical permit fees vary by job value/scope·2–4 weeks

   Registration: confirm with Mechanical Inspections (no official fee pinned); per-project mechanical permit fees vary by job value/scope

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Houston Permits Center
• Texas TDLR — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

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