ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

(a) An applicant for a license under this subchapter must:

(1) be at least 18 years old; and

(2) have:

(A) at least 48 months of practical experience in air conditioning and refrigeration-related work under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor in the preceding 72 months; or

(B) held a technician certification issued under this chapter for the preceding 12 months and have at least 36 months of practical experience in air conditioning and refrigeration-related work under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor in the preceding 48 months.

(a-1) An applicant who has equivalent experience in another state or who held an equivalent license in another state may receive credit for the experience as determined by the executive director.

(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (a)(2), an applicant may satisfy a portion of the practical experience requirement as provided by Subsection (c).

(c) An applicant who obtains a degree or diploma or completes a certification program from an institution of higher education that holds a certificate of authority issued by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or an equivalent governing body in another state as approved by the executive director, may satisfy a portion of the practical experience requirement as follows:

(1) completing a four-year degree or diploma in air conditioning engineering or technology, refrigeration engineering or technology, or mechanical engineering is equivalent to 24 months of practical experience;

(2) completing a two-year associate's degree, a two-year diploma, or a two-year certification program primarily focused on air conditioning and refrigeration-related work is equivalent to 12 months of practical experience;

(3) completing a one-year certification program, or a program of at least two semesters, in air conditioning and refrigeration-related work is equivalent to six months of practical experience; and

(4) completing a program resulting in another applicable degree, diploma, or certification shall be equivalent to the amount of practical experience determined by the department under commission rule.

(d) Every 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in an apprenticeship program is equivalent to 12 months of practical experience under Subsection (a)(2).

(e) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (a)(2), each of the following qualifies as practical experience for purposes of satisfying the 48-month requirement:

(1) verified military service in which the person was trained in or performed air conditioning and refrigeration-related work as part of the person's military occupational specialty; and

(2) experience performing air conditioning and refrigeration-related work as described by Section 1302.055, 1302.056, or 1302.057 or while employed by a governmental entity.