Texas LP-Gas Exemption Card Renewal (RRC)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

Texas master and journeyman plumbers and Class A or B air conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) contractors can do the LP-gas (propane) work a Railroad Commission Category D license covers, without one, by registering for an exemption with the Commission's Alternative Fuels Safety (AFS) department. The exemption card is renewed every year: every registration expires at midnight on May 31, and the renewal fee is $20. Miss it and the exemption lapses: you stop all LP-gas work until it has been renewed, with the $20 fee plus a $20 late fee (unless active duty kept you from renewing: see Military service).

At a glance

Who can register: Individuals currently licensed as a master or journeyman plumber by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, or holding a Class A or B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors license from TDLR. The exemption replaces the Category D licensing and examination requirements, including insurance, training and continuing education. Anyone without the exemption or a Railroad Commission certification can't perform LP-gas activities
What it covers: Selling, servicing and installing LP-gas containers (not motor fuel containers); servicing, installing and repairing LP-gas piping and certain LP-gas appliances as defined by rule (not recreational vehicle appliances and systems, or motor fuel and recreational vehicle systems); and selling, servicing, installing and repairing LP-gas containers, systems and appliances in manufactured homes. The Commission treats it as equivalent to a Category D license
Renews every: 1 year: every registration expires at midnight on May 31 and must be renewed before then to stay in force
Renewal reminder: The Commission mails each current registrant a reminder letter around March 1 each year
Renewal fee: $20 a year. The rule says to pay it on or before May 31, and the Commission's FAQ says renewals processed after May 31 incur the $20 late fee (unless active duty kept you from renewing: see Military service), so pay and send your paperwork well before then. A first registration costs $50 (military service members, veterans and spouses can have it waived: see below)
Renew: Not online at this time, but you can pay the renewal fee online at the Commission's Alternative Fuels payment portal. Then email the payment receipt with your renewal letter or a copy of your exemption card to AFS_Card_Renewal@rrc.texas.gov: the Commission needs both to process the renewal
Your plumbing or ACR license: You must keep a valid master or journeyman plumber's license or Class A or B ACR contractor license to keep the exemption. You don't send a copy of it every year, as long as it remains in effect. If that license is surrendered, not renewed or revoked, you must stop the LP-gas work the exemption allows immediately
Continuing education: None for the exemption: it replaces the Category D training and continuing education requirements
Not renewed by May 31: The exemption lapses, and you must stop all LP-gas activities until it has been renewed. To renew a lapsed exemption, pay the $20 renewal fee plus a $20 late-filing fee ($40 in all; see Military service for active duty). Not renewing it results in the exemption's expiration
Expired for more than two years: You must complete all the requirements for a new exemption: Form 16B, copies of your current plumber's or ACR contractor license and your state-issued photo ID, and the $50 registration fee (or the military waiver: see Military service)
Military service: The Commission waives the first registration fee for military service members, veterans and spouses who first file Form 35 with their service records and a driver's license or state ID, and get its written approval. A service member who fails to renew on time because of active duty is exempt from any increased fee or penalty, and a military service member who holds a license gets two years of additional time for any other requirement related to its renewal
Only for you: The exemption is specific to the individual named on the card and can't be transferred: your employees can't work under it
Insurance: The Commission doesn't ask exempt registrants for proof of insurance, but you must comply with the insurance requirements set by TDLR and the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Every exemption card expires on the same day, May 31, whenever it was issued, so the renewal date never moves from year to year.

The Commission licenses only companies (sole proprietors included) and registers individuals for the exemption. A company needs a Category D LP-gas license if any of its employees do LP-gas work with a Commission LP-gas certification instead of an exempt registration.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) has a separate exempt registration (Form 1016B, a $30 first application fee), whose holders must work for a Category 2 or 3 licensee. This guide covers the LP-gas exemption.

How to renew

Watch for the Commission's reminder letter, mailed around March 1. Moved since last year? Email a copy of your card with your new address to training-exams@rrc.texas.gov so the letter finds you.
Make sure your plumbing or ACR contractor license is current: the exemption depends on it.
Pay the $20 renewal fee online at the Commission's Alternative Fuels payment portal well before May 31, and keep the receipt.
Email the receipt with your renewal letter or a copy of your exemption card to AFS_Card_Renewal@rrc.texas.gov.
Missed May 31? Stop all LP-gas work, pay $40 ($20 renewal plus the $20 late fee) and email the receipt the same way. If active duty kept you from renewing, there's no late fee: see Military service.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Around March 1Watch for the Commission's renewal reminder letter. No letter? Check the Commission has your current mailing address.
AprilCheck your plumbing or ACR contractor license is current, then pay the $20 renewal fee online and email the receipt with the letter or a copy of your card.
May 31Every exemption card expires at midnight. Not renewed, it lapses and you stop all LP-gas work.
June 1 onward (lapsed)No LP-gas work until it's renewed with the $20 renewal fee plus the $20 late fee, $40 in all (no late fee if active duty kept you from renewing). An exemption expired for more than two years means applying again as new.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your TSBPE plumbing license or TDLR ACR contractor license: the exemption only lasts while it's valid, and it renews on its own date
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When does a Texas LP-gas exemption card expire?

Every registration expires at midnight on May 31 and must be renewed before then to stay in force. The Commission mails each current registrant a reminder letter around March 1 each year.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas LP-gas exemption?

$20 a year. The rule says to pay it on or before May 31, and the Commission's FAQ says renewals processed after May 31 incur the $20 late fee. To renew a lapsed exemption, pay the $20 renewal fee plus a $20 late-filing fee ($40 in all), unless you missed it because of active military duty.

Can I renew my LP-gas exemption card online?

Not online at this time, but you can pay the renewal fee online at the Commission's Alternative Fuels payment portal. Then email the payment receipt with your renewal letter or a copy of your exemption card to AFS_Card_Renewal@rrc.texas.gov: the Commission needs both to process the renewal.

Can my employees do LP-gas work under my exemption?

No. The exemption is specific to the individual named on the card and can't be transferred: your employees can't work under it.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Railroad Commission of Texas, Plumber and ACR Contractor Registration

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Texas guides

All Texas guides on one page

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Texas LP-Gas Exemption Card Renewal (RRC)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Who can register: Individuals currently licensed as a master or journeyman plumber by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, or holding a Class A or B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors license from TDLR. The exemption replaces the Category D licensing and examination requirements, including insurance, training and continuing education. Anyone without the exemption or a Railroad Commission certification can't perform LP-gas activities
What it covers: Selling, servicing and installing LP-gas containers (not motor fuel containers); servicing, installing and repairing LP-gas piping and certain LP-gas appliances as defined by rule (not recreational vehicle appliances and systems, or motor fuel and recreational vehicle systems); and selling, servicing, installing and repairing LP-gas containers, systems and appliances in manufactured homes. The Commission treats it as equivalent to a Category D license
Renews every: 1 year: every registration expires at midnight on May 31 and must be renewed before then to stay in force
Renewal reminder: The Commission mails each current registrant a reminder letter around March 1 each year
Renewal fee: $20 a year. The rule says to pay it on or before May 31, and the Commission's FAQ says renewals processed after May 31 incur the $20 late fee (unless active duty kept you from renewing: see Military service), so pay and send your paperwork well before then. A first registration costs $50 (military service members, veterans and spouses can have it waived: see below)
Renew: Not online at this time, but you can pay the renewal fee online at the Commission's Alternative Fuels payment portal. Then email the payment receipt with your renewal letter or a copy of your exemption card to AFS_Card_Renewal@rrc.texas.gov: the Commission needs both to process the renewal
Your plumbing or ACR license: You must keep a valid master or journeyman plumber's license or Class A or B ACR contractor license to keep the exemption. You don't send a copy of it every year, as long as it remains in effect. If that license is surrendered, not renewed or revoked, you must stop the LP-gas work the exemption allows immediately
Continuing education: None for the exemption: it replaces the Category D training and continuing education requirements
Not renewed by May 31: The exemption lapses, and you must stop all LP-gas activities until it has been renewed. To renew a lapsed exemption, pay the $20 renewal fee plus a $20 late-filing fee ($40 in all; see Military service for active duty). Not renewing it results in the exemption's expiration
Expired for more than two years: You must complete all the requirements for a new exemption: Form 16B, copies of your current plumber's or ACR contractor license and your state-issued photo ID, and the $50 registration fee (or the military waiver: see Military service)
Military service: The Commission waives the first registration fee for military service members, veterans and spouses who first file Form 35 with their service records and a driver's license or state ID, and get its written approval. A service member who fails to renew on time because of active duty is exempt from any increased fee or penalty, and a military service member who holds a license gets two years of additional time for any other requirement related to its renewal
Only for you: The exemption is specific to the individual named on the card and can't be transferred: your employees can't work under it
Insurance: The Commission doesn't ask exempt registrants for proof of insurance, but you must comply with the insurance requirements set by TDLR and the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Every exemption card expires on the same day, May 31, whenever it was issued, so the renewal date never moves from year to year.

How to renew

Watch for the Commission's reminder letter, mailed around March 1. Moved since last year? Email a copy of your card with your new address to training-exams@rrc.texas.gov so the letter finds you.
Make sure your plumbing or ACR contractor license is current: the exemption depends on it.
Pay the $20 renewal fee online at the Commission's Alternative Fuels payment portal well before May 31, and keep the receipt.
Email the receipt with your renewal letter or a copy of your exemption card to AFS_Card_Renewal@rrc.texas.gov.
Missed May 31? Stop all LP-gas work, pay $40 ($20 renewal plus the $20 late fee) and email the receipt the same way. If active duty kept you from renewing, there's no late fee: see Military service.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Around March 1Watch for the Commission's renewal reminder letter. No letter? Check the Commission has your current mailing address.
AprilCheck your plumbing or ACR contractor license is current, then pay the $20 renewal fee online and email the receipt with the letter or a copy of your card.
May 31Every exemption card expires at midnight. Not renewed, it lapses and you stop all LP-gas work.
June 1 onward (lapsed)No LP-gas work until it's renewed with the $20 renewal fee plus the $20 late fee, $40 in all (no late fee if active duty kept you from renewing). An exemption expired for more than two years means applying again as new.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your TSBPE plumbing license or TDLR ACR contractor license: the exemption only lasts while it's valid, and it renews on its own date
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When does a Texas LP-gas exemption card expire?

Every registration expires at midnight on May 31 and must be renewed before then to stay in force. The Commission mails each current registrant a reminder letter around March 1 each year.

How much does it cost to renew a Texas LP-gas exemption?

Can I renew my LP-gas exemption card online?

Can my employees do LP-gas work under my exemption?

No. The exemption is specific to the individual named on the card and can't be transferred: your employees can't work under it.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Railroad Commission of Texas, Plumber and ACR Contractor Registration

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Texas guides

All Texas guides on one page

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet