Exceptions to Technician Registration Requirements
Please note that any person who meets the exemptions set forth below is still required to seek municipal approval for any required permits, inspections, or other approvals.
Homeowners
The registration requirements do not apply to a person who engages in air conditioning and refrigeration contracting in a building owned solely by the person as the person's home.
New Construction
Technician registration is not required for persons who install air conditioning systems in new construction under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor.
The licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor is responsible for the design and installation of the system. The licensed contractor may subcontract the installation of a complete new system in new construction to workers who are not registered technicians, provided that the installation is completed under the contractor’s supervision.
Building or Property Maintenance Personnel
Maintenance personnel who are regularly employed by the owner, lessee, or management company of the property where the work is being performed are not required to become registered.
Regulated Utilities
The registration requirements do not apply to a person who engages in air conditioning and refrigeration contracting and is regularly employed by a regulated electric or gas utility.
Licensed Engineers
Persons who are licensed engineers under Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1001 are not required to seek registration.
Industrial Operation Personnel
Registration is not required for persons who are employed by an industrial operation, including a chemical plant, petrochemical plant, refinery, natural gas plant, or natural gas treating plant, and who perform process cooling or heating work for the operation.
Equipment Exemptions
The registration requirements do not apply to a person who engages in air conditioning and refrigeration contracting on the following equipment:
- Portable or self-contained ductless air conditioning products with a cooling capacity of three tons or less
- Portable or self-contained heating products that do not require the forced movement of air outside the heating unit
- Environmental air conditioning equipment that is intended for temporary use and is not fixed in place
- Residential refrigerators, freezers, or ice machines
Motor Vehicles
The registration requirements do not apply to a person who engages in or employs a person who engages in air conditioning services only on a motor vehicle or an MVAC-like appliance as defined by 40 C.F.R. Section 82.152.
Vent Hoods
Person who install, repair, or remove a vent hood of the type commonly used in residential or commercial kitchens are not required to obtain registration.
Manufactured Homes
The registration requirements do not apply to a person or entity licensed as a manufacturer, retailer, rebuilder, or installer under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1201 and engaged exclusively in air conditioning and refrigeration contracting for manufactured homes.
The installation of air conditioning components at the site where the home will be occupied must performed by a person licensed as an air conditioning and refrigeration contractor.
Technology Integration
The registration requirements do not apply to a person licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 or Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6002, who sells, designs, or offers to sell or design a product or technology, including a burglar alarm or fire alarm, that is integrated with an air conditioning or refrigeration system.
The sale, design, or offer must not include the installation of any part of an air conditioning or refrigeration system by that person.