Sec. 1302.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Advisory board" means the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board.

(2) "Air conditioning and refrigeration contracting" means performing or offering to perform the design, installation, construction, repair, maintenance, service, or modification of equipment or a product in an environmental air conditioning system, a commercial refrigeration system, or a process cooling or heating system. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the term does not include the performance of or an offer to perform the installation, repair, replacement, or modification of a thermostat or other temperature control interface by a person licensed or registered under Chapter 1702.

(3) "Air conditioning and refrigeration contracting company" means a person who or business entity that engages in air conditioning and refrigeration contracting for the public.

(4) "Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor" means a person who engages in air conditioning and refrigeration contracting.

(5) "Air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance work" means all work, including repair work, required for the continued normal performance of an environmental air conditioning system, a process cooling or heating system, a commercial refrigeration system, or commercial refrigeration equipment. The term does not include:

(A) the total replacement of a system; or

(B) the installation or repair of a boiler or pressure vessel that must be installed in accordance with rules adopted by the commission under Chapter 755, Health and Safety Code.

(5-a) "Air conditioning and refrigeration technician" means a person who assists a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor in performing air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance work.

(5-b) "Apprenticeship program" means an air conditioning and refrigeration training program that is:

(A) recognized by the Texas Workforce Commission or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;

(B) registered with the United States Department of Labor; or

(C) a competency-based standardized craft training program that meets the standards of the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

(5-c) "Certification training program" means:

(A) a career and technology education program described by Section 1302.5037; or

(B) a program of education and training that is accepted or approved by the department and consists of at least 2,000 hours of a combination of:

(i) classroom instruction:

(a) at a secondary school;

(b) at an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or

(c) in an apprenticeship program accepted by the department; and

(ii) practical experience in air conditioning and refrigeration-related work under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor.

(5-d) "Certified technician" means an air conditioning and refrigeration technician who is certified by the department.

(6) "Commercial refrigeration" means the use of mechanical or absorption equipment to control temperature or humidity to satisfy the intended use of a specific space.

(7) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

(8) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 816, Sec. 2.012(1) and Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 14A.318(b).

(9) "Cooling capacity" means the nominal tonnage of compression equipment based on 40 degrees Fahrenheit suction temperature and 105 degrees Fahrenheit condensing temperature.

(10) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

(11) "Environmental air conditioning" means treating air to control temperature, humidity, cleanliness, ventilation, and circulation to meet human comfort requirements.

(11-a) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department.

(12) "Mechanical integrity" means the condition of a product, a system, or equipment installed in accordance with its intended purpose and according to:

(A) standards at least as strict as the standards provided by:

(i) the Uniform Mechanical Code; and

(ii) the International Mechanical Code;

(B) all other applicable codes; and

(C) the manufacturer's specifications.

(13) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 415, Sec. 3(1), eff. June 14, 2013.

(14) "Person" means an individual.

(15) "Process cooling or heating" includes controlling temperature, humidity, or cleanliness solely for production requirements or the proper operation of equipment.

(16) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 415, Sec. 3(1), eff. June 14, 2013.

(17) "Registered technician" means an air conditioning and refrigeration technician who is registered with the department.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 816, Sec. 2.001, 2.012(1), 26.028, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 14A.318(b), (c), (d), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1174 (H.B. 463), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1017 (H.B. 2643), Sec. 5, eff. June 17, 2011.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 415 (S.B. 383), Sec. 3(1), eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 997 (H.B. 2294), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 880 (H.B. 3029), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 321 (H.B. 1859), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.