Career and Technology Education Program

Schools interested in becoming providers of career and technology education (CTE) courses for air conditioning and refrigeration students can begin applying.

HB 1391 (88^th Legislature, Regular Session) provides new pathways to licensure for high school or college students to earn certification or licensure starting at age 16 by participating in career and technology education that provides hands-on, practical training in the HVAC fields for:

• an HVAC registered technician certification

Students who participate in these TDLR-approved CTE programs in high school or community college will receive more than 80 percent of their instruction in real-life job training experience under a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor and these students will be job-ready at graduation.

Application and Fee

• ACR-EE-023-E — ACR CTE Program Application

Type of Education Program

Submit the type of education program that is being offered:

• Institution of Higher Education as defined by Section 61.003 Education Code; any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university or public state college.
• Private School as defined by Sectio 5.001, Education code; a school that: (A) offers a course of instruction for students in one or more grades from prekindergarten through grade 12; and (B) is not operated by a governmental entity.

Course Syllabus

Provide a course syllabus and a course outline demonstrating the length of the education program which must include each required topic and credit as demonstrated in Chapter 75.124.

Clearly demonstrate the scheduled hours and credits for the classroom instruction and practical experience in electrician-related work. At least 80% of the student’s practical experience must be spent outside of the classroom and working under the supervision of a TDLR licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor.

Provide a list of resources and reference for the course textbooks, and/or other materials used in the education program.

Transcript/Certificate of Completion

Provide a sample transcript which will be provided to each participant who completes the education program which must include the following items:

• Name of provider and approved education program
• Completion date and credits
• Printed name and signature of provider representative
• Full name of participant

Instructor Qualifications

A list must be provided of names and license numbers of all licensed participant instructors:

• Air conditioning and refrigeration contractors or
• Certified technicians whose certification was issued on or after 9/01/18

Air conditioning and refrigeration contractors and certified technicians (issued after 9/01/18) must hold a current, and valid Texas license.

CTE Programs

A career and technology education program must be designed to ensure that students obtain the essential knowledge and skills set out in the following cross-referenced rules of the Texas Education Agency. The minimum number of academic credits required for each course is also noted. Students enrolled in courses identified in paragraphs (2) and (3) below must be provided hands-on practical instruction, including interactive lab work, for at least 80 percent of total classroom time. A career and technology education program may not allow students to obtain credit by examination.

1. Principles of Construction; Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Part 2, Chapter 130, Subchapter B, §130.43; one credit.
2. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology I; Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Part 2, Chapter 130, Subchapter B, §130.59; one credit.
3. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology II; Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Part 2, Chapter 130, Subchapter B, §130.60; two credits. Instruction regarding sheet metal and fiberglass ductwork, described in §130.60(c)(14) and (15), is optional.
4. Practicum in Construction Technology and Extended Practicum in Construction Technology; Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Part 2, Chapter 130, Subchapter B, §130.64 and §130.69; three total credits.
   1. At least 80 percent of a student's time in a practicum must be spent outside of the classroom and working under the supervision of a department-licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor.
   2. A high school or institution of higher education offering a career and technology education program under this section must implement procedures allowing a student to earn course credit for work performed outside of the classroom under the supervision of a department-licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor.

A career and technology education program offered by an institution of higher education may not be more stringent than a program offered by a public high school.

The department will recognize an educational program offered by a private high school or institution of higher education as a "career and technology education program" for purposes of §75.120 if the department determines that the educational program substantially complies with the requirements.