How to Verify an HVAC License in Texas (TDLR Lookup Guide)

By the Forney HVAC Pros Team | Updated April 2026

Forney HVAC Pros connects homeowners in Forney and Kaufman County with vetted, licensed HVAC contractors. We don't perform installations or sell equipment — our only job is helping you find someone you can trust.

 
Before any HVAC contractor touches your system in Texas, you have the right — and the ability — to verify that they are legally licensed to do the work. The process takes under two minutes, it is completely free, and it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself as a homeowner.

This guide walks you through exactly how to do it using the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's online lookup tool, what to look for in the results, and what to do if something doesn't check out.

 
Why Verifying a License Matters Before You Let Anyone Touch Your System

Texas law requires every HVAC contractor who installs, repairs, or maintains air conditioning, refrigeration, or heating systems to hold a valid license from TDLR — the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This is not optional, and it applies to every job, from a minor repair to a full system replacement.

When you hire an unlicensed contractor, several things can go wrong beyond just the quality of the work:

Your homeowner's insurance may deny a claim related to the HVAC system if unlicensed work was performed on it
Your equipment manufacturer's warranty may be voided if the system was installed or repaired by someone without the required credentials
You have no legal recourse through TDLR if the work is done incorrectly — complaints can only be filed against licensed contractors
The contractor may be operating without liability insurance, meaning any damage to your property or injury on your premises becomes your financial problem
In Forney and across Kaufman County, the rapid pace of growth has attracted contractors from across the DFW area and beyond — some legitimate, some not. Verifying a license takes two minutes and costs nothing. Dealing with the consequences of skipping that step can cost thousands.

 
What License Does an HVAC Contractor in Texas Actually Need?

Texas HVAC contractors are licensed under the ACR (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) program administered by TDLR. There are two license classes relevant to residential homeowners in Forney.

Class A License (TACLA)

A Class A license authorizes a contractor to work on HVAC systems of any size — residential, commercial, and industrial. On the TDLR lookup tool, this license will appear with the prefix TACLA followed by a five or six digit number.

Class B License (TACLB)

A Class B license covers residential and light commercial work on systems under 25 tons — which includes virtually every home in Forney. On the TDLR lookup tool, this license will appear with the prefix TACLB followed by a five or six digit number.

Which License Type Do You Need for Your Forney Home?

For any standard residential HVAC repair or replacement in Forney, a TACLB (Class B) license is sufficient. The typical home HVAC system runs between 2 and 5 tons — well within the Class B limit. A TACLA (Class A) license is also valid for residential work, as it covers everything a Class B covers and more.

What you should never see on a residential job is a contractor with no ACR license at all. If a contractor cannot provide either a TACLA or TACLB number, do not hire them.

To qualify for either license, Texas requires contractors to have at least 48 months of practical HVAC experience under a licensed contractor, pass a TDLR licensing exam, and carry active general liability insurance. Licensed contractors must also complete 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education annually to keep their license current.

 
How to Look Up an HVAC License on TDLR — Step by Step

Step 1: Go to the TDLR License Search Tool

Open a browser and navigate to the TDLR License Search tool at tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch. The page loads immediately — no account or login required.

Step 2: Search by Company Name or License Number

You have two options for searching:

Option A — Search by company name: Type the name of the HVAC company in the search bar exactly as it appears on their business card, invoice, or website. Use just one or two key words if the full name doesn't return results — for example, searching "Bolton" rather than "Bolton Heating and Air."

Option B — Search by license number: If the contractor gave you their license number directly (which you should always ask for), type it into the search bar. TACLA and TACLB numbers return results immediately.

Step 3: Read the Results — Here Is What Each Field Means

When a result comes back, here is what to look for:

License Type: Should read TACLA or TACLB. Anything else is not a valid HVAC contractor license.

License Status: Should read Active. If it reads Expired, Suspended, or Revoked, the contractor is not currently licensed to work. Do not hire them.

Expiration Date: Confirm the license has not expired. Texas ACR licenses renew annually — a license that expired last month is still an expired license.

Business Name: The name on the license should match the company you are hiring. If a contractor named "ABC Cooling" shows up under a license for "XYZ Services," ask for a specific explanation before proceeding. It may be a legitimate DBA (doing business as) situation, but verify it directly with TDLR before accepting the explanation.

License Holder Name: This is the individual responsible for the license. The technician who shows up at your door works under this person's license. Their name should match company records.

Step 4: Check for Enforcement Actions

After verifying the license is active, take one more step: check whether TDLR has taken any disciplinary action against this contractor. Go to TDLR's enforcement actions page and search the company name. Enforcement actions include fines, license suspensions, and formal complaints that were upheld — this is public record and tells you whether the contractor has had serious problems in the past.

A single minor violation from several years ago is different from multiple recent enforcement actions. Use this information in context, but do not skip the check.

What to Do If a Contractor Fails the Verification

If your search returns no results, an expired license, a suspended license, or a name mismatch that the contractor cannot clearly explain, do not proceed with hiring them. Here is what to do:

If no license is found: Ask the contractor directly for their TDLR license number and search again using that specific number. If they cannot provide one, or if that number returns no results, the contractor is unlicensed.

If the license is expired: Ask the contractor when they renewed and search again in a few days — renewals can take a short time to appear in the system. If their explanation doesn't hold up, walk away.

If the license is suspended or revoked: Do not hire this contractor. A suspension means TDLR took formal action against them. A revocation means their license was permanently removed. Neither is a minor administrative issue.

If you believe a contractor is operating without a license, report them to TDLR by filing a complaint at tdlr.texas.gov/complaints. This protects other Forney homeowners from the same contractor.

 
Beyond the License: Two More Things to Verify

A valid TDLR license is the baseline. Two additional credentials are worth verifying before you hire.

General Liability Insurance

Texas HVAC contractors are required by TDLR to carry general liability insurance as a condition of holding their license. Minimum coverage is $200,000 aggregate for Class B licenses and $600,000 aggregate for Class A licenses.

Ask any contractor for a Certificate of Insurance before work begins. This is a one-page document your contractor can provide immediately — it lists their insurer, policy number, coverage amounts, and expiration date. Call the insurance company listed on the certificate to verify the policy is active before authorizing any work.

If a contractor tells you they are insured but cannot produce a certificate, or if they ask you to trust them on this, do not proceed.

EPA 608 Certification

Any technician who handles refrigerants — which applies to most AC repairs and all refrigerant recharges — is federally required to hold an EPA 608 certification. This is a separate credential from the TDLR license and is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

You can ask any technician to show you their EPA 608 card before they begin work. Legitimate technicians carry it. This certification confirms they are trained and legally authorized to handle refrigerants, which are regulated substances under federal law.

 
Common Excuses Contractors Give — and How to Respond

In the Forney and DFW area, homeowners who ask for license verification occasionally run into pushback. Here is how to handle the most common responses:

"I don't have my number with me right now." A licensed contractor knows their TDLR number. It is on every invoice, every permit application, and every proposal they write. Ask them to provide it via text before you schedule the visit.

"My license is under my boss's name." This may be true — technicians work under their employer's license. Ask for the company's TDLR license number, not the technician's personal license, and search the company name in the TDLR tool.

"We just moved to the area and are waiting on our Texas license." Texas law does not provide a grace period for unlicensed HVAC work. Politely decline and find a contractor who is already licensed.

"I've been doing this for 20 years — I don't need to prove anything." Experience does not substitute for a license. Thank them for their time and move on.

"Other customers never ask for this." That may be true. It does not change the requirement. Asking to verify a license is a completely normal and legitimate request — any contractor who treats it as an insult is telling you something about how they operate.

 
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a TDLR license for HVAC in Texas?

A TDLR license is an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Contractor License issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Texas law requires any contractor who installs, repairs, or maintains HVAC systems to hold this license. It comes in two classes: TACLA (Class A) for all work including large commercial systems, and TACLB (Class B) for residential and light commercial work under 25 tons. Homeowners can verify any contractor's license for free at tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch.

What is the difference between TACLA and TACLB?

TACLA is a Class A license that covers HVAC work on systems of any size, including large commercial and industrial systems. TACLB is a Class B license that covers residential and light commercial work on systems under 25 tons. For virtually all residential HVAC work in Forney, a TACLB license is sufficient. Both license types are valid for standard home repairs and replacements.

How do I look up an HVAC license in Texas?

Go to tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch and search by the company name or license number. The search is free and requires no login. Confirm that the license status is Active, the license type is TACLA or TACLB, the expiration date has not passed, and the business name on the license matches the company you are hiring.

Can an HVAC technician work without their own license in Texas?

Yes. Individual technicians in Texas are not required to hold their own ACR contractor license. They work under the license of their employing company. The company — not the individual technician — must hold the TDLR license. This is why you verify the company's license, not the technician's personal credentials, when hiring for residential work.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed HVAC contractor in Texas?

Hiring an unlicensed HVAC contractor in Texas creates several risks. Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to work performed by unlicensed contractors. Your equipment manufacturer's warranty may be voided. You have no recourse through TDLR if the work is done incorrectly, since TDLR can only act against licensed contractors. The contractor may also be operating without liability insurance, leaving you liable for any property damage or injuries that occur during the work.

How often do Texas HVAC contractors need to renew their license?

Texas ACR contractor licenses renew annually. To renew, contractors must complete 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education each year, including one hour specifically covering Texas law and rules. Always check the expiration date in the TDLR lookup tool — a license that expired recently is still an expired license, regardless of when the contractor expects to renew.

 
How Forney HVAC Pros Does This Work For You

Verifying a license, checking insurance, confirming EPA certification, and reviewing enforcement history is the right thing to do — but it takes time, especially when your AC has just failed on a 100°F July afternoon in Forney.

That is the problem Forney HVAC Pros was built to solve.

Every contractor in our network has been verified for active TDLR licensing, general liability insurance, and local reputation in Kaufman County before we refer them to a single homeowner. When you contact us, you skip the verification process entirely — we have already done it.

We also serve as your resource when you are not sure what you are looking at. If you have received a quote, run a license search, and something does not look right, call us. We can help you interpret what the TDLR results mean for your specific situation.

For more on protecting yourself during the hiring process, read our guide on red flags to watch for when getting a quote, and our full breakdown of finding a trustworthy HVAC contractor in Forney.

We don't do installations. We don't sell equipment. We have no financial interest in which contractor you choose. Our only interest is making sure you hire someone who is qualified, licensed, and honest.

Call or text us at (469) 898-3774, or use our contractor matching form to get connected with a verified Forney-area contractor today.

 
Forney HVAC Pros connects homeowners in Forney, Kaufman County, and surrounding areas with licensed, vetted local HVAC contractors. We are not an HVAC contractor — we're your local resource for finding one you can trust.