Construction Work Regulated:

Air conditioning, fire alarm, plumbing, LP gas and refrigeration construction is regulated at the state level. Additionally, water well drillers and water well pump installers are also licensed by the state.

Highway construction projects require prequalification.

License Requirements

Highway Pre qualification:

• Contractors must submit financial statements for annual pre qualification. Bid limits are based on the working capitol reflected in the statements. The average processing time on applications is two weeks. There were 300 pre qualified contractors as of October 1994.

Fire Alarm:

• Applicants must pass from one to three examinations depending on the classification with a minimum score of 70%. Licensees must maintain liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 single limit and $300,000 aggregate total.


• Applications are processed on an average of ten days.

Fire Sprinkler System:

• Applicants must pass the NICET examination for level III and an agency examination with a minimum score of 70% or be currently registered in Texas as a professional engineer.

Plumbers:

• Applicants must pass a trade examination with a minimum score of 70% and provide documentation of six years of experience (four years apprentice and two years journeyman).

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration:

• Applicants must provide evidence of three years of experience within the past five years. The minimum passing score is 70%. General Liability and Products/Completed Operations insurance is required in minimum amounts of $100,000 for Class B licenses and $300,000 for Class A licenses. There were 10,300 contractor licensees as of October 1996.

LP Gas:

• Applicants must pass an exam. Exams are waived for those who have an air conditioning and refrigeration contractors license or a master plumber license. There were 1,500 Category D licensees in October 1996.

Other:

• Licensing requirements may exist at the local level for work not regulated by the state. A performance bond is required for public works contracts over $25,000.

Reciprocal Agreements

A/C and refrigeration reciprocity agreement is in effect with Georgia and South Carolina.

License Types

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration:

• Class A Unlimited (as to size of equipment)
• Class B Cooling equipment to 25 tons & heating equipment to 1.5 million BTUs
• Environmental air conditioning endorsement (heating, cooling & ventilation for human comfort)
• Commercial refrigeration endorsement/Process cooling or heating endorsement

Fire Alarm:

• Technician
• Residential Superintendent
• Residential Superintendent - single station
• Planning Superintendent
• Fire Sprinkler System Contractor

Plumbing:

• Journeyman
• Master

Fire Sprinkler:

• Fire Sprinkler System Contractor

LP Gas:

• Installer