Texas HVAC license exam prep

Reference codes you'll be tested on

The TDLR ACR exam is open-book. PSI's candidate information bulletin lists the published references you may bring into the exam room. Make sure your editions match what PSI currently allows.

• International Mechanical Code — ductwork, ventilation, exhaust, and equipment installation
• Uniform Mechanical Code — alternative mechanical reference used on the ACR exam
• International Fuel Gas Code — fuel-gas piping, venting, and combustion air
• National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) — branch circuits and disconnects for HVAC equipment
• Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1302 — the statute that creates the license and defines scope
• 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 75 — TDLR's ACR rules

Always confirm the current edition listed in PSI's most recent ACR Candidate Information Bulletin before you buy a book — TDLR adopts editions by rule and updates them on a defined cycle.

Five Texas-specific rules that trip people up

1. Licensure is statewide, but local amendments are real. TDLR issues the contractor license, but Texas cities adopt and amend the mechanical and fuel-gas codes locally. Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth each maintain published amendment lists you should check on the job — TDLR keeps a directory at the ACR Municipal Requirements page.
2. Class B has hard caps. Class B is limited to cooling equipment of 25 tons or less and heating equipment of 1.5 million BTU/hr or less. Exam questions test that you can identify when a job exceeds Class B and requires a Class A license.
3. You choose Environmental Air or Commercial Refrigeration. An ACR license is endorsed for either Environmental Air (comfort cooling and heating) or Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling and Heating. Wiring a walk-in cooler on an Environmental Air-only license is a common rules violation tested on the law portion.
4. Texas requires a Technician Registration for installers. Anyone performing ACR work for a contractor must be registered with TDLR as an ACR Technician (or be an apprentice working under direct supervision). Several exam questions key on who can legally install, service, or maintain equipment.
5. Boilers are a separate Texas regime. Texas regulates boilers under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 755, administered by TDLR. Steam and hot-water boilers above the statutory thresholds require a Boiler Certificate of Operation independent of the ACR license — a frequent law-portion question.

Statutory references: Texas Occupations Code §§1302; 16 TAC Chapter 65 (Boilers) and Chapter 75 (ACR).

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