Home Repairs by State: Broken AC, Handymen, Checking Contractor Licenses and Filing Complaints (Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arizona)

This guide is based on official state statutes and licensing board pages (checked 2026-10-23). It is general information, not legal advice.

At a glance

The AC broke — what first?

Renters: tell your landlord or leasing office in writing first, keep a copy, and keep paying rent. In Texas, Property Code 92.052 says a landlord must make a diligent effort to repair a condition that "materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant" once the tenant gives notice and isn't behind on rent. The statute doesn't mention air conditioning by name. See our tenant rights guide for each state's steps.

Homeowners: call a licensed HVAC company and check the license number before the work starts (lookups below).

Stay safe while you wait: Ready.gov (FEMA) says not to rely on a fan as your main cooling and to find a cooling center if you have no air conditioning. The National Weather Service asks people to check on vulnerable friends and relatives, especially those without AC.

Which trades need a state license

• Texas. A/C, refrigeration and heating contractors need a TDLR license (Occupations Code 1302.251). Anyone doing non-exempt electrical work must be licensed and work through a licensed electrical contractor (1305.151). Plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (1301.351). We couldn't find a state general-contractor license, so ask your city about permits.
• Georgia. The Attorney General's consumer site says residential and general contractors must be licensed by the state, and plumbers, electricians and heating and air conditioning contractors are regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
• Alabama. Separate boards license HVAC, electrical, and plumbing and gas fitting. The Home Builders Licensure Board covers repair or remodeling of a home for someone else when the cost is over $10,000 (roofing over $2,500).
• Tennessee. A state contractor license is required before bidding when the project is $25,000 or more. Below that, the state tells consumers to ask the local building codes office whether a state or local license is needed for home improvement, electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. Bradley, Davidson, Haywood, Hamilton, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties require a Home Improvement license for remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999.
• Arizona. It is unlawful to work as a contractor without a Registrar of Contractors license unless an exemption applies (A.R.S. 32-1151).

Handymen — what's allowed

• Texas. Homeowners may do A/C work in a home they own as their home, plumbing in their homestead, and electrical work in a home they own and live in, if no city ordinance specifically regulates it. We found no exemption for a hired handyman doing A/C, electrical or plumbing work.
• Georgia. "Repair handymen are not required to be licensed by the state", and neither are roofers, painters or drywall contractors. Your city or county may still require a local license.
• Alabama. Not confirmed for the trades. The home builder license applies above $10,000.
• Tennessee. For jobs under $25,000, ask your local building codes office.
• Arizona. The "handyman exemption" (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(14)) covers casual or minor work under $1,000 in total (labor, materials and everything else). It doesn't apply if the job needs a building permit, if a bigger job is split into small contracts, or if the person advertises without the words "not a licensed contractor".

Checking a license

• Texas: TDLR Search Licenses (A/C, electricians) · TSBPE public license search (plumbers)
• Georgia: sos.ga.gov → "Licensing" → "Licensee Search" → "Building & Contractors"
• Alabama: HVAC · Electrical · Plumbing & gas · Home builders
• Tennessee: verify.tn.gov
• Arizona: Registrar of Contractors

Check that the name and license type match the job, and that the license is active.

Filing a complaint

• Texas: TDLR complaints (A/C, electrical) · TSBPE File a Complaint (plumbing)
• Georgia: home repair fraud goes to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division (404-651-8600 / 800-869-1123). Report unlicensed work with the Secretary of State form.
• Alabama: HVAC complaints within 24 months of the work (form). The electrical board gives the contractor 20 days to fix the problem, then can inspect (complaints). Plumbing has a consumer complaint page. The Home Builders recovery fund pays up to $30,000 per transaction, only after a court judgment.
• Tennessee: online complaint. The board can discipline a license but can't get refunds. The state notes that a contractor who takes money and doesn't perform within 90 days may face theft charges.
• Arizona: written complaint to the ROC within 2 years after the project is completed (A.R.S. 32-1162). The Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund pays up to $30,000 to owners who live in the home and were harmed by a licensed contractor (32-1132.01).

To get money back, see our small claims and scam reports guide.

Related

• Tenant rights: deposits, eviction, repairs
• Living in the U.S.
• Local shop jobs
• Salaries

Licensing rules, dollar limits and county lists change, and this article is not legal advice. Check with the licensing board and your city or county before you hire. Checked 2026-10-23.

Cite this article as: JOBnaru™ — https://jobnaru.com/en/news/home-repairs-ac-handyman-contractor-license-by-state