The Notice of Intent to Review was published in the Texas Register on June 19, 2026 (51 TexReg 4017), as part of a combined notice with other rule chapters undergoing simultaneous review. The Department will determine whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these rules continue to exist by answering the following questions for each rule:

• Is it obsolete?
• Does it reflect current legal and policy considerations?
• Is it in alignment with the current procedures of the Department?

The Department encourages anyone interested in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration rules under Chapter 75 to review the Notice of Intent to Review and the current rules posted on the Texas Administrative Code website.

Comments may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website at https://ga.tdlr.texas.gov:1443/form/gcerules (select the appropriate rule chapter name for your comment).

Deadline to submit comments—July 20, 2026.

What are the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes:

• Remove outdated provisions related to the “certified technician (legacy)” designation, which is no longer authorized under current law;

• Clarify the eligibility requirements for taking the certified technician examination;

• Update references to Texas Education Agency rules that were recently reorganized; and

• Update the adopted codes from the 2021 editions to the 2024 editions of the International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, and Uniform Mechanical Code, effective September 1, 2026.

When and where can I review the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes will be published in the Proposed Rules section of the Texas Register on May 22, 2026. To locate these proposed rule changes on or after that date just follow these steps:

1. Click this link to the Texas Register.
2. Select html or pdf format for the “Current Issue” if the date shown is the date published, or under “Previous Issues” if more than a week has passed since publication. (The Texas Register is published each Friday.)
3. Scroll down and click on “Proposed Rules.”
4. Look for the heading “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” and click the subheading “Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.”

How and where can I submit comments and information on the proposed rule changes?

Comments and information on the proposed rule changes may be submitted online; by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Shamica Mason, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711.

Any information that is submitted must include an explanation of how and why the submitted information is specific to the proposed rule changes. Please do not submit copyrighted, confidential, or proprietary information.

The Department will accept comments and information on the proposed rule changes until June 22, 2026.

Spanish Language Summary

Articles in the July 2025 edition of On the Level include updates on:

• 2025 Legislative recap
• Test Format Change for Electricians
• Elimination of Architectural Barriers Forms
• Boiler Safety Maintenance Checklist

• Advisory Board Openings
• Legislative Update
• Program Updates
• Quiz Yourself

• Meet the New Executive Director
• Program Updates
• How To Find Disciplinary Actions
• Quiz Yourself

• Update From TDLR: Welcome Back, Brian Francis
• Program Spotlight: Elimination of Architectural Barriers
• Additional Elimination of Architectural Barriers Program Update
• Renewing A Code Enforcement Officer Registration

Importantly, HB 1859 also amended Section 1302.503 of the Occupations Code to specify that a person younger than 18 years of age who is acting (or offering to act) as a technician must at all times work under the direct supervision of a licensed ACR contractor or certified technician. This requires a registered technician under the age of 18 to be personally supervised at all times by a licensed ACR contractor or certified technician.

• Legislative Update
• Texas Accessibility Academy Update
• 2023 NEC Is Almost Here
• Legislation Creates Mold Advisory Board

The NEC is the industry standard for commercial, residential and industrial electrical safety in the United States and internationally.

TDLR is aware that an unknown number of copies purchased through online retailers are missing important pieces of information, which means that relying on these fraudulent books as a reference could result in unsafe installation, servicing or maintenance of electrical equipment or could result in incorrect answers on examinations covering the information in the code book.

TDLR has notified the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which publishes the NEC, about this issue.

Meanwhile, TDLR urges that Texans who need to purchase the 2023 NEC do so through the NFPA to ensure that they are buying an authorized version of the code.