Texas license lookup / Exam guides / A/C contractor (HVAC)
The Texas air conditioning and refrigeration contractor exam
The exam you sit depends on the class and endorsement you apply for. All four contractor exams are open book, need 70%, and from 1 September 2026 reference the 2024 editions of the International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code and Uniform Mechanical Code.
Based on PSI's candidate bulletin dated 9 July 2026 · Reviewed 9 October 2026
The exam at a glance
| Exam | Questions | Time | To pass | Fee | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Air, Class A | 120 scored + 5 | 230 min + 10 | 70% | $74 | Open book |
| Environmental Air, Class B | 100 scored + 5 | 170 min + 10 | 70% | $60 | Open book |
| Commercial Refrigeration, Class A | 120 scored + 5 | 230 min + 10 | 70% | $74 | Open book |
| Commercial Refrigeration, Class B | 100 scored + 5 | 170 min + 10 | 70% | $60 | Open book |
"+ N" is extra time or questions for unscored items, which PSI includes to trial new questions. Exam fees are paid to PSI, separately from TDLR's license application fee.
What is on it: environmental Air, Class A (120 items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air distribution | 18 | 15% |
| Equipment requirements and design | 14 | 12% |
| Service | 12 | 10% |
| Testing | 12 | 10% |
| HVAC systems | 11 | 9% |
| Basic refrigeration components | 6 | 5% |
| Combustion air | 6 | 5% |
| Controls | 6 | 5% |
| Piping | 6 | 5% |
| Refrigeration principles | 6 | 5% |
| Safety | 6 | 5% |
| Texas laws and rules | 6 | 5% |
| Ventilation | 6 | 5% |
| Venting | 5 | 4% |
What is on it: commercial Refrigeration, Class A (120 items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HVACR systems and design | 20 | 17% |
| Controls | 14 | 12% |
| Equipment requirements | 12 | 10% |
| Piping | 11 | 9% |
| Service | 11 | 9% |
| Basic refrigeration components | 10 | 8% |
| Refrigeration principles | 10 | 8% |
| Safety | 7 | 6% |
| Air distribution | 6 | 5% |
| Testing | 6 | 5% |
| Texas laws and rules | 6 | 5% |
| Combustion air | 3 | 3% |
| Ventilation | 2 | 2% |
| Venting | 2 | 2% |
Class B covers the same ground
The Class B exams use the same topics as Class A with fewer questions: 100 instead of 120, in 170 minutes instead of 230. Air distribution is still the largest single topic on Environmental Air (15 questions), and HVACR systems and design on Commercial Refrigeration (17).
What to bring
The references listed for the Environmental Air exams are Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd edition, 2025), the code books, Texas business and law references, the ADI Duct Size Calculator, and ACCA Manuals D, J and S. The Commercial Refrigeration exams use the same textbook and codes but not the Manuals. Check the bulletin for the exact editions: from 1 September 2026 the codes are the 2024 IFGC, IMC and UMC.
Retakes
TDLR says a failed exam can be rescheduled with PSI within 24 to 48 hours, and retaken until the application expires one year after it was filed.
Scheduling and exam day
- Eligibility first. TDLR reviews your application, then PSI emails you that you are eligible and how to book. You cannot book before that.
- Booking. Online through your PSI account, or by phone; your name must match your government ID exactly.
- On the day. PSI's TDLR bulletins ask you to arrive 30 minutes early with one valid government photo ID; late arrivals are turned away and lose the fee.
- Cancelling. Cancel or reschedule at least two days ahead through PSI, or the fee is forfeited.
- Results. Scores are given at the test center. PSI gives failing candidates a diagnostic report by topic, which is the best study guide for a retake.
Before and after the exam
- How to get an HVAC license in Texas: hours, application and fees
- License statistics and renewal for this trade
- Renewal calculator for once you are licensed
- All exam guides and pass rates
For context: Texas has 19,105 active licenses of this type in the public TDLR file dated 20 September 2026.
Questions
Is the Texas HVAC contractor exam open book?
Yes. All four ACR contractor exams are open book, and candidates bring their own references.
How many questions are on the Texas ACR Class A exam?
120 scored questions plus 5 unscored, in 230 minutes plus 10. Class B has 100 scored questions in 170 minutes.
Which codes is the Texas ACR exam based on?
From 1 September 2026, the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, 2024 International Mechanical Code and 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code.
Sources
PSI Services, candidate information bulletin dated 9 July 2026. Exam fees, formats and outlines change when PSI reissues a bulletin: the bulletin sent with your eligibility notice is the one that applies to you.
Independent site, not affiliated with TDLR or PSI. We do not sell courses or practice tests.
Cite this page
PermitPulled (2026). The Texas air conditioning and refrigeration contractor exam. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/exams/acr-contractor-exam-texas
Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.