Normally, people with Certified Technician qualifications are more capable than the ones with Registered Technician titles. You’re only allowed to call yourself a “certified technician” if you’ve been credited as such.
The certified technician or more basic registered technician qualifications are necessary to do HVAC or refrigeration-related tasks for licensed contractors.
However, even if an individual has received one of these qualifications, he/she is not permitted to work independently. The only way a technician can perform HVAC/refrigeration-related tasks is by working for a contractor.
What is HVAC certification?
HVAC certifications represent more than just base-level knowledge. Certifications denote a standard of knowledge that can complement your basic HVAC license. Often you need both license and certifications to offer HVAC-related services as a contractor. Once you’ve reached a certain level of expertise in your area of work, you’ll be awarded a certification to show your specialization. You can also receive certification based on any further training you might’ve received.
Qualifications
To be eligible for technician certification, you must have relevant working experience or go through the required training.
Practical Experience
If you’ve been supervised by a licensed contractor while completing air conditioning or refrigeration-related tasks for at least two years (24 months), you are eligible to receive technician certification on the grounds of practical experience.
You must verify your experience by filling out a form that is attached to the main application form. You may not fill in this form yourself. It must be filled in by a licensed contractor who was overseeing you throughout your work period.
Military Experience
Sometimes the experience requirement can be complemented by military experience.
If you follow this route, make sure your application contains files showing whether you performed air conditioning or refrigeration work while you were part of the military.
Your application must also contain Military Supplemental Application Form (PDF).
Training Program
Technician certification can also be obtained by successfully going through a department-approved certification program, which can give you practical and theoretical knowledge worth 2,000 study hours.
After finishing the training program, you provide the department with the related application files within four years (48 months).
You can receive HVAC and refrigeration-related instruction from any educational institute, but not all training will count towards satisfying the educational requirement. Before starting your training with a certain program, verify it is approved by TDLR.
Application and Fee
The first step towards obtaining a technician registration is submitting a Certified Technician Application Form (PDF) and covering the application cost of $50.
You can’t apply unless you’ve reached 18 years of age.
Registrations expire after one year from the day they’re issued.
Examination
After supplying TDLR with the required documents and an application, TDLR will grant you the right to participate in a licensing exam. Make sure you meet all the examination requirements.
Every step of the application process must be completed within one year of applying. That includes taking the exam and passing it.
Exemptions to Registration
Certain individuals and tools don’t need to meet the technician registration prerequisites.
Refer to the Exceptions to Technician Registration Requirements to learn more.
Upgrade to Contractor License
Once you’ve spent 12 months as a certified technician and accumulated 36 months of working experience in the HVAC and refrigeration field, you have the necessary credits to apply for a Contractor License. Once your application is accepted, you can proceed to take part in Air Conditioning and/or Refrigeration Contractor examination. It goes without saying, that the work experience you’ve accumulated as a certified technician must have been supervised by a licensed contractor.
Applicants with Criminal Convictions
If you have a felony or misdemeanor in your criminal history, have taken responsibility for a crime, or have gone through a no contest trial for any outlawed action, your application must contain a fully descriptive Criminal History Questionnaire (PDF).
The department will screen the criminal records of all applicants. Each type of conviction is treated differently. The nature of the conviction can have a significant impact on the outcome of your application. If you committed a crime a very long time ago, you might get a pass as well. It can take between one to six weeks to go through your criminal record, depending on its complexity.
An applicant can ask TDLR for a criminal record review before actually applying. TDLR will treat this check the same way as we’ve outlined below. The Criminal History Evaluation Letter can give you more insights into this procedure.
The Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions page can help you understand the reasoning behind TDLR’s decision to deny a license to a candidate with a criminal conviction. In some cases, TDLR will revoke an active license. The page describes TDLR’s reasons for doing so.