A Texas HVAC contractor license (TACLA) means the company has been vetted by the state — they've passed exams, carry insurance, and meet ongoing education requirements. It's the single most important thing to verify before letting anyone touch your HVAC system, and I'm surprised how many DFW homeowners don't check. I'm Mariafernanda Jacobo, and I hold Frosty's HVAC license TACLA126718E through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). My husband and co-owner Omar Jacobo is our lead technician, EPA 608 Universal certified #2396328. Here's why that matters for your home and your wallet.
Last summer we got a call from a homeowner in Grapevine who had paid a "guy off Facebook Marketplace" $6,500 cash for a new AC install. Four months later the compressor died, the manufacturer denied the warranty claim (no licensed install on file), and the City of Grapevine had no permit on record. We quoted $11,200 to properly install a new system — this time permitted, inspected, and warrantied. That homeowner paid $17,700 total for what should have cost $11,200 the first time. Read more about Omar's and my credentials on our about page.
What Is a TACLA License and What Does It Require?
TACLA stands for Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License, Class A. It's the state-level license required to operate an HVAC contracting business in Texas. Getting and keeping this license requires:
- Passing the TACLA exam — covers mechanical codes, refrigeration theory, electrical safety, and Texas-specific regulations
- Proof of insurance — general liability and workers' compensation
- Designated responsible person — at least one person at the company must hold the license and be responsible for all work performed
- Continuing education — regular training to maintain the license
- Background check — criminal history review by TDLR
At Frosty's HVAC, I (Mariafernanda Jacobo) am the designated TACLA license holder. This means I'm personally responsible for the quality and safety of every installation and repair our team performs. It's not just a piece of paper — it's legal accountability.
How Do You Verify a Texas HVAC License?
You can verify any HVAC contractor's license in under 2 minutes on the TDLR license search page. Enter the company name or license number, and you'll see:
- License status (active, expired, or revoked)
- License holder name
- Expiration date
- Any enforcement actions or complaints
Verify ours: Search for TACLA126718E or "Frosty's HVAC" on the TDLR site. You'll see our license is active, in good standing, and has zero enforcement actions.
I recommend checking the license of any HVAC company before hiring them. According to TDLR, they receive hundreds of complaints annually about unlicensed HVAC work in Texas. The consequences fall on the homeowner — not the unlicensed worker who disappears.
Related: Thank You DFW: A Message from the Frosty's HVAC Family.
What Happens If You Hire an Unlicensed HVAC Contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed HVAC contractor puts you at risk in three specific ways:
1. Voided manufacturer warranties. Every major manufacturer — Goodman, Carrier, Trane — requires installation by a licensed contractor to maintain equipment warranty coverage. If an unlicensed person installs your $12,000 Carrier system and the compressor fails in year 3, Carrier can deny the warranty claim. You're stuck paying $3,500-$5,000 out of pocket for a compressor that should have been covered.
2. No code compliance. Licensed contractors are required to pull permits and schedule inspections through the local building department. This ensures the installation meets the International Mechanical Code and Texas-specific requirements. Unlicensed work is unpermitted by definition — and if you ever sell your home, unpermitted HVAC work can kill the deal or reduce your sale price.
3. No legal recourse. If a licensed contractor does bad work, you can file a complaint with TDLR, which can investigate, fine, or revoke their license. If an unlicensed worker does bad work, your only option is small claims court — good luck collecting from someone who was operating illegally in the first place.
What Other Certifications Should Your HVAC Tech Have?
Beyond the company-level TACLA license, individual technicians should have:
EPA 608 Universal Certification — Required by the EPA for anyone handling refrigerants. There are four types (I, II, III, Universal), and Universal covers all equipment types. Our lead technician Omar Jacobo holds EPA 608 Universal Certification #2396328. Without this certification, a technician legally cannot recover, recycle, or handle refrigerant — which means they can't do most AC repairs.
NATE Certification — The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification is voluntary but demonstrates advanced knowledge. It's the industry's most respected technician certification.
Manufacturer training — Goodman, Carrier, and Trane all offer factory training programs for proper installation procedures specific to their equipment. Factory-trained techs are less likely to make installation errors that cause premature failures.
Related: How to Read an HVAC Quote (Don't Get Ripped Off in DFW).
How Does Licensing Affect the Price You Pay?
Licensed contractors generally charge more than unlicensed operators — and that price difference is entirely justified. Here's why:
| Cost Factor | Licensed Contractor | Unlicensed Operator | |-------------|-------------------|-------------------| | Insurance | Carries GL + WC | Usually none | | Permits | Pulls and pays for permits | Skips permits | | Inspections | Schedules city inspection | None | | Warranty | Maintains manufacturer warranty | Voids warranty | | Continuing education | Required annually | None | | Accountability | TDLR oversight | None |
When you see an "HVAC guy" on Craigslist or Nextdoor offering to install a system for $4,000, ask yourself: where's the $4,000 savings coming from? It's coming from skipped insurance, skipped permits, skipped inspections, and voided warranties. That $4,000 savings can cost you $10,000+ when something goes wrong.
Our systems range from $8,000-$20,000+ — and that includes the permit, inspection, insurance, Frosty Thermostat, and full manufacturer warranty backing. Check our AC Replacement Cost Calculator for exact pricing.
What Should You Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Company?
Before hiring any HVAC company in DFW, ask these 5 questions:
- "What's your TACLA license number?" — Verify it on TDLR's website.
- "Are your techs EPA 608 certified?" — They should be, for any work involving refrigerant.
- "Will you pull a permit?" — The answer should be yes for any installation or major modification.
- "Do you carry insurance?" — Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation.
- "Is your pricing flat-rate or hourly?" — Flat-rate (like ours) means no surprises. Hourly means the slower the tech works, the more you pay.
At Frosty's, we answer all five confidently: TACLA126718E, EPA 608 Universal certified, yes we pull permits, fully insured, and flat-rate pricing on every job. That's how it should be.
Call (469) 254-0548 or request service online.
We serve homeowners in Farmers Branch, Coppell, Irving, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Grapevine. 99 Google reviews at 4.9 stars, family-owned since 2018.
Save on every service: Join Frosty Club — Basic ($99/yr) saves 10%, Premium ($300/yr) saves 15% with $500 credit and 2 free tune-ups.
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- Thank You DFW: A Message from the Frosty's HVAC Family
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Written by Mariafernanda Jacobo, TDLR License TACLA126718E holder and co-owner of Frosty's HVAC LLC. Family-owned since 2018, 99 Google reviews at 4.9 stars. Serving DFW homeowners with flat-rate pricing and no surprises.
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