Texas HVAC contractors need 8 hours of continuing education every year — but only courses from TDLR-approved providers count. Taking the wrong course wastes money and can leave your license at risk. Here’s how to make sure what you’re buying satisfies your renewal requirement.
The Basic Rule
Only courses from TDLR-approved CE providers count toward your Texas ACR license renewal. A course does not qualify just because it covers HVAC topics, comes from a well-known organization, or is approved in another state. TDLR maintains the official list of approved providers, and your course must be on it.
What the 8 Hours Must Include
Two of the 8 hours are mandatory topics — you cannot substitute elective content for them:
| Topic | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC Laws and Rules | 1 hour | Required — covers TDLR regulations, license rules, disciplinary procedures |
| HVAC Codes | 1 hour | Required — covers applicable mechanical codes |
| Approved elective content | 6 hours | Any TDLR-approved HVAC topic |
Most providers bundle the 2 mandatory hours with 6 elective hours into a single 8-hour renewal package. If you buy a course that only covers elective topics, you may still be missing the required Laws & Rules and Codes hours. Always verify before purchasing.
What Elective Topics Count
The 6 elective hours can cover a wide range of HVAC subjects, as long as the provider is TDLR-approved. Common approved elective topics include:
- Heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems
- Refrigerant handling and EPA 608 refreshers
- Energy efficiency and load calculations
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation
- Combustion safety and carbon monoxide
- Controls, thermostats, and building automation
- HVAC troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Ductwork design and air distribution
If a provider offers a course on any of these topics and is on TDLR’s approved list, it counts toward your 6 elective hours.
What Does NOT Count
These are common misunderstandings about what satisfies the Texas ACR CE requirement:
Manufacturer training — A Carrier, Trane, or Lennox product training session does not count toward TDLR CE, even if it covers technical HVAC content, unless it is specifically offered by a TDLR-approved provider as an approved CE course.
EPA 608 certification courses — Studying for or taking the EPA Section 608 exam does not count as TDLR CE, even though refrigerant handling is a required topic in HVAC. These are separate regulatory programs.
Out-of-state CE — Courses approved by another state’s licensing board do not satisfy Texas TDLR requirements, even if the content is identical.
General trade courses from non-approved platforms — Online platforms like LinkedIn Learning, YouTube-based training, or non-approved e-learning providers do not count, regardless of content quality.
CE hours beyond 8 — TDLR requires exactly 8 hours per renewal year. Completing 12 or 16 hours does not give you credit toward future years — excess hours do not roll over.
How to Verify a Course Is Approved
Before purchasing, do two things:
1. Confirm the provider is on TDLR’s approved list. Every approved ACR CE provider has a TDLR approval number. Verify the provider appears in the TDLR provider database before buying.
2. Confirm the course covers ACR licenses specifically. Some providers are approved for multiple trade types. Make sure the course you’re purchasing is specifically approved for ACR license holders, not just for contractors in general or for a different trade.
Online vs. In-Person: Does Format Matter?
No — TDLR treats both formats equally. The vast majority of Texas ACR CE courses are offered online and self-paced, meaning you can complete them at any time from any device without scheduling around a class.
In-person and live webinar options exist but cost more and require advance scheduling. The CE credit awarded is identical regardless of format.
Does the Course Require a Test?
Most TDLR-approved HVAC CE courses do not require any exam or proctoring. You complete the material, your provider records your completion, and they report to TDLR. Some providers include optional comprehension quizzes as learning tools — these are not required for CE credit.
Price Range for Approved Courses
Online 8-hour renewal packages from approved providers typically range from $15 to $59. There is no quality difference from TDLR’s perspective between a lower-cost and higher-cost course — both satisfy the same renewal requirement as long as the provider is approved and the mandatory topics are included.
When comparing providers, focus on:
- Whether mandatory topics are included (Laws & Rules + Codes) — don’t assume, verify
- Reporting speed — how quickly they submit your completion to TDLR
- Certificate delivery — whether they email you proof of completion for your records
Browse and compare all TDLR-approved Texas HVAC CE providers →