# What's New at TDLR: Rule Changes and Licensing Updates (September 2026) > Source: PermitPulled, https://permitpulled.com/whats-new > Compiled from the public TDLR license file. Published under CC BY 4.0; attribution to PermitPulled required. > For an individual license record, use the official TDLR search: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/ [Texas license lookup]() / What's new at TDLR # What's new at TDLR Rule changes, new requirements and program notices from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, explained in a paragraph each. Every item is dated and links to the official TDLR source, which is the version that counts. Last checked 8 October 2026 · [RSS feed]() ### Coming up * **1 November 2026** : Residential solar retailers: the grace period on the contract disclosure and educational materials rules ends. Details ## September 2026 15 September 2026 · Electricians · Exam notice ### Electrician licensing exams now use the 2026 NEC PSI, which runs TDLR's electrician exams, updated its candidate bulletin on 15 September 2026 to reference all nine electrician exams to the 2026 National Electrical Code, in line with the state code adopted on 1 September. Candidates bring a soft-bound copy of the 2026 NEC. [Official TDLR source]() · [Journeyman exam guide]() 4 September 2026 · Dietitians · Proposed rules ### Changes proposed to the dietitians rules TDLR published proposed changes to the Dietitians program rules in 16 TAC chapter 116 and asked for public comments and for information on costs and benefits. Proposed rules can still change before the Commission adopts them. [Official TDLR source]() 1 September 2026 · Air Conditioning and Refrigeration · Exam notice ### A/C contractor exams switch to the 2024 codes From 1 September 2026, PSI's air conditioning and refrigeration exams reference the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code and Uniform Mechanical Code, matching the rule change TDLR adopted for the same date. [Official TDLR source]() · [HVAC contractor exam guide]() 1 September 2026 · Electricians · Rule adopted ### The 2026 National Electrical Code is now the Texas electrical code The Commission amended 16 TAC §73.100 to adopt the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code as the state electrical code, effective 1 September 2026, with a limited exception for ground-fault circuit interrupter requirements on certain outdoor outlets. The adoption was published in the Texas Register on 28 August 2026. [Official TDLR source]() · [Electrician license renewal]() 1 September 2026 · Air Conditioning and Refrigeration · Rule adopted ### A/C rules move to the 2024 building codes Rules in 16 TAC chapter 75 now adopt the 2024 editions of the International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code and Uniform Mechanical Code, replacing the 2021 editions. The same package removes obsolete provisions on the legacy certified technician designation and clarifies who may sit the certified technician exam. Effective 1 September 2026. [Official TDLR source]() · [A/C and refrigeration renewal]() 1 September 2026 · Driver Education and Safety · Law in force ### Driver education and driving safety courses must cover work zones Under SB 1366 from the 89th Legislature, driver education and driving safety courses completed on or after 1 September 2026 must include information about driving through construction and maintenance work zones. [Official TDLR source]() ## August 2026 31 August 2026 · All programs · Rule adopted ### TDLR's procedural rules updated for SB 2443 The Commission amended the procedural rules in 16 TAC chapter 60, which apply across TDLR programs, to implement SB 2443 from the 89th Legislature (2025). [Official TDLR source]() 31 August 2026 · Health programs · Rule adopted ### Rule changes for hearing instrument fitters, speech-language pathologists and podiatrists The Commission adopted amendments to the hearing instrument fitters and dispensers rules (chapter 112, implementing SB 904 and SB 2075), the speech-language pathology and audiology rules (chapter 111, implementing SB 904) and the podiatric medicine rules (chapter 130). [Official TDLR source]() 21 August 2026 · Residential Solar Retailers · Program notice ### Solar retailer registration opens, with a grace period on two rules Online applications for residential solar retailers and salespeople opened on 10 August 2026. TDLR is temporarily not enforcing the contract disclosure rule (16 TAC §71.41) and the educational materials rule (§71.43) until 1 November 2026, to give retailers time to adjust. [Official TDLR source]() ## June 2026 15 June 2026 · Boiler Safety · Fees ### Daily late fees for overdue boiler inspections TDLR began charging late inspection fees for boilers inspected after their certificate of operation expires: $25 a day for the first 30 days, $50 a day for days 31 to 60 and $100 a day from day 61. The fees can fall on the owner or operator and on the inspection agency. [Official TDLR source]() · [Boiler fees explained]() ## May 2026 1 May 2026 · All programs · Requirement ### Proof of lawful presence on applications and renewals TDLR now asks some applicants and license holders for proof of lawful presence in the United States, including for student licenses. Documents should be sent only when TDLR requests them. A renewal whose requested documents are not received expires on its normal date, and late renewal is available once they are provided. [Official TDLR source]() · [Cosmetology license renewal]() ## Follow changes at the source This page summarizes; TDLR decides. To get notices straight from the agency, use TDLR's own [email updates](), its [news page]() and the [open meetings]() calendar, where rule changes are discussed before they are adopted. Our [RSS feed]() carries the items on this page. * [Every license type: renewal cycle and CE hours]() * [Every official TDLR link]() * [Guides and articles]() Independent site, not affiliated with TDLR. Summaries are not legal advice; read the official source before acting.