For months, skilled HVAC professionals across Texas have faced excessive delays, poor communication, and inconsistent handling of licensing and experience verification through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Qualified applicants who have submitted W-2s, employment records, and required verification forms are being left in limbo for extended periods with little to no accountability from the agency.

Many applicants report waiting months for responses, being unable to reach supervisors, receiving conflicting information, or being told additional documentation is required even after proof of experience has already been accepted. In cases where former employers refuse to cooperate, workers are left trapped despite providing tax records and other legitimate evidence of employment.

These delays directly impact Texans’ ability to work, support their families, grow businesses, and address the growing demand for licensed skilled trades across the state. Small businesses lose opportunities, contractors lose income, and customers face longer wait times because qualified professionals are stuck navigating unnecessary bureaucracy.

We are calling on TDLR to improve transparency, establish enforceable processing timelines, create clear escalation procedures, and implement fair standards for accepting proof of experience when employers are uncooperative. Texans pursuing honest careers in the skilled trades deserve a licensing process that is efficient, accountable, and professional.