Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B Contractor Book Package

Prepare for the Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B Contractor examination with a focused collection of Texas licensing references, current mechanical and fuel-gas codes, refrigeration technical material, workplace safety information, and air-distribution resources. This book package is designed for candidates pursuing the Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B contractor license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The Commercial Refrigeration endorsement covers the use of mechanical or absorption equipment to control temperature or humidity for the intended use of a specific space. Texas also recognizes process cooling or heating within the applicable refrigeration endorsement structure. A Class B license authorizes qualifying work on individual cooling systems with a capacity of not more than 25 tons and individual heating systems with an output of not more than 1.5 million Btu per hour.

The Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination covers a broad range of contractor-level HVACR subjects. Candidates should be prepared for questions involving refrigeration components, refrigeration principles, controls, piping, equipment requirements, HVACR systems and design, service, testing, safety, combustion air, and air distribution.

Texas also requires contractors to understand the laws and administrative rules that govern Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor licensing. This package therefore combines technical refrigeration materials with the Texas Occupations Code and Texas Administrative Code references that apply to licensed contractors.

Beginning September 1, 2026, Texas updated its adopted mechanical and fuel-gas codes from the 2021 editions to the 2024 editions. This package includes the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code, 2024 International Mechanical Code, and 2024 International Fuel Gas Code so candidates can prepare using the current Texas code framework.

The package also includes Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd Edition, which supports technical review of refrigeration cycles, system components, controls, installation, troubleshooting, service, and HVACR operation. A Ductulator is included to support air-distribution study involving airflow, duct sizing, velocity, and friction rate.

Because the examination covers multiple technical areas, candidates benefit from knowing which reference applies to each type of question. Mechanical-code questions may lead to the IMC or UMC, gas and combustion questions may require the IFGC, licensing questions require Texas law and rules, and refrigeration theory or service questions may require the technical textbook.

Exam Details

The Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination is one of the contractor endorsement examinations offered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and administered through PSI.

• Exam: Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B
• Licensing Agency: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Scored Questions: 100
• Passing Score: 70%
• Exam Type: Open book
• License Class: Class B
• Endorsement: Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling or Heating

The current Texas examination blueprint distributes the 100 scored questions across the following technical areas:

• Air Distribution: 5 questions
• Basic Refrigeration Components: 8 questions
• Combustion Air: 3 questions
• Controls: 11 questions
• Equipment Requirements: 10 questions
• HVACR Systems and Design: 17 questions
• Piping: 9 questions
• Refrigeration Principles: 8 questions
• Safety: 6 questions
• Service: 9 questions
• Testing: 5 questions

HVACR Systems and Design is the largest individual subject area with 17 questions. Controls is another major category with 11 questions, followed by Equipment Requirements with 10. Piping and Service each account for nine questions, while Basic Refrigeration Components and Refrigeration Principles each account for eight.

This distribution makes broad preparation important. A candidate who concentrates only on refrigeration theory may miss significant portions of the test involving controls, equipment requirements, system design, piping, troubleshooting, safety, and testing.

Open Book Test

The Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B Contractor examination is an open book test.

Candidates should prepare their approved references before the examination and become familiar with the organization of each book. Open-book testing provides access to reference materials, but candidates still need enough technical knowledge to determine which reference and section applies to a particular question.

Approved examination references may be prepared in accordance with current PSI rules. Candidates should organize permitted materials before the examination and become comfortable finding commonly tested subjects quickly.

Mechanical-code questions may require the Uniform Mechanical Code or International Mechanical Code. Fuel-gas and combustion-air questions may lead to the International Fuel Gas Code. Texas licensing questions require knowledge of Chapter 1302 of the Texas Occupations Code and Chapter 75 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Technical questions involving compressors, refrigeration cycles, system pressures, controls, refrigerant charging, troubleshooting, or commercial refrigeration equipment can also require knowledge developed through Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.

The current Texas code framework uses the 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, and 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code, effective September 1, 2026.

Licensing Steps

Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor licensing is administered through TDLR. Applicants must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements before taking the contractor examination and completing licensure.

1. Meet the minimum age requirement. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. Meet an approved experience pathway. The standard pathway requires at least 48 months of practical air-conditioning and refrigeration experience during the preceding 72 months.
3. Document qualifying practical experience. Experience must satisfy TDLR requirements and be properly verified as part of the contractor application.
4. Select Class B and the Commercial Refrigeration endorsement. The selected class and endorsement determine the examination and the scope of work authorized after licensure.
5. Submit the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor application. TDLR reviews applicant eligibility before examination authorization.
6. Receive examination eligibility. After TDLR approves eligibility, PSI provides instructions for registering and scheduling the applicable examination.
7. Prepare for the Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination. Study the current codes, technical references, Texas licensing law, and refrigeration subjects covered by the examination blueprint.
8. Take the required examination. Complete the PSI examination according to the applicable testing procedures.
9. Achieve the required passing score. The passing standard for the contractor examination is 70%.
10. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Follow TDLR procedures for any additional documents or requirements that apply before the license is issued.

State Requirements

The Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors program provides two contractor license classes: Class A and Class B. The license class determines the equipment capacity on which the contractor may perform authorized work.

A Class B Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling or Heating license authorizes qualifying refrigeration contracting involving a system, product, or individual piece of equipment with no more than 25 tons of cooling capacity or 1.5 million Btu per hour of heating output.

The Commercial Refrigeration endorsement applies to the use of mechanical or absorption equipment to control temperature or humidity in order to satisfy the intended use of a particular space. Process Cooling or Heating relates to control of temperature, humidity, or cleanliness for production requirements or proper operation of equipment.

The Class B license differs from Class A primarily in its capacity limitation. A Class A license permits work on equipment of any size within the authorized endorsement, while Class B remains subject to the applicable cooling and heating capacity limits.

The standard Texas experience pathway requires at least 48 months of practical air-conditioning and refrigeration experience during the preceding 72 months. Applicants must document qualifying experience according to TDLR requirements.

Texas also recognizes qualifying experience through certain alternate pathways. Applicants should use the pathway that applies to their individual experience and licensing history when completing the contractor application.

Passing the examination is one step in the licensing process. Applicants must complete all applicable TDLR requirements before performing work as a licensed Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor.

Reference Books

• Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License Law, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1302
  Covers the Texas statutory framework governing Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor licensing, license classes, endorsements, responsibilities, enforcement, and regulatory authority.
• Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License Rules, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 75
  Contains the administrative rules governing Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, including licensing requirements, contractor responsibilities, standards, and regulatory procedures.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1904
  Covers occupational injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting requirements and supports preparation for contractor safety and compliance subjects.
• Uniform Mechanical Code, 2024
  A current mechanical-code resource covering refrigeration, mechanical equipment, ventilation, duct systems, combustion air, piping, machinery spaces, and related mechanical requirements.
• International Mechanical Code, 2024
  Covers HVACR equipment, mechanical-system installation, commercial refrigeration, ventilation, exhaust systems, refrigeration machinery, piping, and related mechanical-code provisions.
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2024
  Addresses fuel-gas systems, gas piping, combustion air, fuel-burning appliances, pressure testing, shutoff requirements, venting, and related safety requirements.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd Edition
  A comprehensive technical reference covering refrigeration principles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, commercial refrigeration, controls, service, troubleshooting, electrical systems, and HVACR operation.
• Ductulator
  A practical air-distribution tool used to work with duct size, airflow, velocity, friction rate, and other duct-system relationships that support HVACR system design and troubleshooting.

Exam Room Approved Books

• Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License Law, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1302
  A Texas licensing-law reference used for contractor examination preparation and licensing requirements.
• Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License Rules, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 75
  The Texas administrative-rule reference governing Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1904
  The occupational injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting reference included with the contractor study materials.
• Uniform Mechanical Code, 2024
  The 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code reflects the current Texas mechanical-code framework effective September 1, 2026.
• International Mechanical Code, 2024
  The 2024 International Mechanical Code reflects the current mechanical requirements adopted within the Texas ACR regulatory framework.
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2024
  The 2024 International Fuel Gas Code provides current fuel-gas requirements applicable to contractor preparation.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd Edition
  A primary technical study reference for refrigeration principles, components, controls, service, system operation, and troubleshooting.

The Ductulator included with this package is a useful air-distribution and calculation tool. Candidates should follow the current PSI examination reference and materials rules when determining which specific calculation aids may be brought into the examination room.

Test Information and Study Materials

HVACR Systems and Design: With approximately 17 questions, this is the largest area of the Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination. Review complete refrigeration systems, equipment application, system configuration, operating conditions, load considerations, installation requirements, and commercial refrigeration design principles.

Controls: Approximately 11 questions focus on controls. Study thermostats, pressure controls, relays, contactors, solenoid valves, defrost controls, temperature controllers, safety controls, and electrical control sequences.

Equipment Requirements: Approximately 10 questions cover equipment requirements. Review proper installation, access, clearances, manufacturer requirements, machinery-space provisions, equipment ratings, and mechanical-code requirements.

Piping: Approximately nine questions involve piping. Study suction, discharge, and liquid lines, refrigerant piping practices, pressure considerations, oil return, insulation, piping support, fittings, valves, and installation procedures.

Service: Approximately nine questions cover service and troubleshooting. Review compressor problems, refrigerant charging, electrical diagnosis, airflow problems, system pressures, leak detection, evacuation, refrigerant recovery, and operating conditions.

Basic Refrigeration Components: Approximately eight questions test knowledge of compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, receivers, accumulators, filter-driers, sight glasses, and other common refrigeration components.

Refrigeration Principles: Approximately eight questions involve the refrigeration cycle and related physical principles. Review heat transfer, sensible heat, latent heat, saturation, pressure-temperature relationships, superheat, subcooling, compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.

Safety: Approximately six questions address safety. Study electrical hazards, refrigerant handling, high-pressure conditions, personal protective equipment, workplace procedures, and safe servicing practices.

Air Distribution: Approximately five questions involve air distribution. Review airflow, duct sizing, friction rate, velocity, static pressure, and basic supply and return concepts. The included Ductulator can support practice in this area.

Testing: Approximately five questions cover testing procedures. Review electrical measurements, pressure measurements, temperature measurements, superheat, subcooling, refrigerant testing, leak testing, and evaluation of refrigeration-system performance.

Combustion Air: Approximately three questions address combustion air. Review mechanical-code and fuel-gas requirements when fuel-burning equipment is involved in an installation.

Commercial Refrigeration Equipment: Become familiar with systems such as walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, reach-in equipment, condensing units, evaporators, ice-making equipment, and related commercial refrigeration applications.

Compressors: Review compressor types, operation, lubrication, electrical requirements, failure conditions, capacity, and the role of the compressor within the refrigeration cycle.

Metering Devices: Understand thermostatic expansion valves, fixed metering devices, and other refrigerant-flow controls. Review how metering affects evaporator operation, superheat, and system performance.

Defrost: Study applicable defrost methods, controls, timers, termination methods, and system behavior during and after a defrost cycle.

Superheat and Subcooling: Be comfortable with the concepts and their use when evaluating system operation and refrigerant charge.

Texas Laws and Rules: Review Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1302 and Texas Administrative Code Chapter 75 so technical preparation is supported by an understanding of the responsibilities and limitations associated with the contractor license.

Reference Navigation: Practice identifying the nature of the question before opening a book. A refrigeration-theory question may lead to Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, a mechanical installation question to the IMC or UMC, a combustion question to the IFGC, and a contractor-law question to Texas statutes or administrative rules.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B candidates organize multiple contractor references into a practical preparation strategy. The examination covers many different subjects, so structured study can help candidates devote attention to both heavily tested areas and smaller categories that still contribute to the overall score.

Trade-focused review can reinforce HVACR systems and design, controls, equipment requirements, piping, refrigeration components, refrigeration principles, service, testing, air distribution, safety, and combustion air.

Reference-navigation practice is especially useful for an open-book examination. Candidates can learn which book is most likely to contain the information needed for a question and practice moving efficiently between Texas regulations, mechanical codes, fuel-gas provisions, and refrigeration technical material.

Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning provides a foundation for technical subjects such as system operation, component function, controls, service, and troubleshooting. The mechanical and fuel-gas codes support questions involving installation requirements and code compliance.

The Texas licensing references help candidates understand the regulatory side of operating as a Class B Commercial Refrigeration Contractor, including license class limitations, endorsement scope, contractor responsibilities, and state requirements.

The Ductulator provides an additional preparation tool for air-distribution questions and can help reinforce relationships between airflow, duct dimensions, friction, and velocity.

The goal is to connect practical refrigeration experience with organized technical review, code navigation, system troubleshooting, safety knowledge, and Texas contractor requirements. This structured preparation supports exam readiness without guaranteeing a particular testing or licensing outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B exam open book?

Yes. The Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination is an open book test.

How many scored questions are on the examination?

The current Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination contains 100 scored questions.

What score is required to pass?

The current passing score is 70%.

Who administers the examination?

The Texas Commercial Refrigeration Class B examination is administered through PSI for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What does a Texas Class B license allow?

A Class B license allows qualifying work on individual cooling systems of no more than 25 tons and individual heating systems of no more than 1.5 million Btu per hour within the license holder's authorized endorsement.

What does the Commercial Refrigeration endorsement cover?

Commercial Refrigeration involves mechanical or absorption equipment used to control temperature or humidity to satisfy the intended use of a particular space.

What is Process Cooling or Heating?

Process Cooling or Heating involves control of temperature, humidity, or cleanliness for production requirements or the proper operation of equipment.

What code editions apply beginning September 1, 2026?

Texas updated its adopted mechanical and fuel-gas framework to the 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, and 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code.

Which subject has the most exam questions?

HVACR Systems and Design is the largest current category, with approximately 17 questions.

Are controls an important exam topic?

Yes. Controls account for approximately 11 questions and are one of the largest individual content areas.

Why is Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning important?

The book supports preparation for refrigeration cycles, components, controls, system design, service, troubleshooting, electrical concepts, and commercial refrigeration applications.

Why is the Ductulator included?

The Ductulator supports air-distribution study by helping candidates work with duct size, airflow, friction rate, and velocity relationships.

How much practical experience is required under the standard pathway?

The standard licensing pathway requires at least 48 months of qualifying practical air-conditioning and refrigeration experience during the preceding 72 months.

What should I focus on during final preparation?

Focus on HVACR systems and design, controls, equipment requirements, piping, service, refrigeration components, refrigeration principles, safety, testing, air distribution, current mechanical and fuel-gas codes, and Texas contractor laws and rules.

Current TDLR materials confirm the Commercial Refrigeration B examination, the 100-question topic blueprint, the Class B capacity limits, and the September 1, 2026 transition to the 2024 code editions. ([Texas Licensing and Regulation][1])