Texas has no general license for maintenance technicians, and in-house maintenance staff are exempt from several trade licenses. Two credentials open more work: EPA 608 for refrigerants and TDLR's Maintenance Electrician license.
Facts from the official pages, checked October 27, 2026. Rules change: confirm on the linked page before you apply.
See the work
What maintenance technicians do all day, the training and the pay nationwide, in about 90 seconds.
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Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Tap CC on the player for captions. On CareerOneStop ↗
Needed to service equipment with refrigerant (air conditioners, coolers). A test from an EPA-approved organization; it doesn't expire.
Requirements and costs, from EPA
You need
“technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.” EPA ↗
Exam
“Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization.” EPA ↗
Keeps it
“Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.” EPA ↗
A Texas license for electrical maintenance work: 8,000 hours under a licensed electrician, then a state exam.
Good to know
“A maintenance person/electrician who does not engage in electrical work for the public and does not install electrical equipment in new construction is not required by the state to be licensed as an electrician.” TDLR ↗
“Maintenance personnel who are regularly employed by the owner, lessee, or management company of the property where the work is being performed are not required to become registered.” TDLR ↗
What maintenance technicians earn in Texas
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Where
Middle half (25th–75th)
Median
Houston
$18.55 – $29.07
$22.46
Dallas–Fort Worth
$19.24 – $29.30
$23.49
San Antonio
$18.11 – $27.41
$21.82
Austin
$20.05 – $28.77
$23.43
All of Texas
$18.11 – $28.45
$22.44
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Where
Middle half (25th–75th)
Median
Houston
$24.02 – $37.62
$30.38
Dallas–Fort Worth
$24.64 – $37.61
$30.47
San Antonio
$23.63 – $38.47
$29.21
Austin
$25.38 – $37.78
$30.13
All of Texas
$23.67 – $37.36
$29.78
An hour, for all workers in the occupation, not by license level. BLS: “Someone new to the field may expect wages near the 10th or 25th percentile, whereas those with more experience and education could expect wages near the 75th or 90th percentile.”
Ways to pay for maintenance technician training
Registered apprenticeships
U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission
An apprenticeship is a paid job with classes. Texas helps pay for the classes, but programs may still charge an application fee, tuition or books.
If you qualify, your local Workforce Solutions board can pay a school for an approved training program. Each board sets its own limit, and money depends on its budget.
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Requirements and costs, from TDLR
You need
“8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician or a Maintenance Electrician licensed in Texas” TDLR ↗
Can do
“perform electrical maintenance work while working under the general supervision of a Master Electrician” TDLR ↗
From CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Listed by schools and certifying organizations; we don't check them.
More certifications in this trade
Nationally recognized certifications that can help you get hired or move up. Optional unless an employer asks for one.
More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
More than two years of work experience required? Yes
Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
From CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Listed by schools and certifying organizations; we don't check them.
