(a) Sections 1302.5036 and 1302.5037 of the Act provide a pathway to an air conditioning and refrigeration technician certification for persons who complete a career and technology education program. Pursuant to §1302.5037, the department is required to:(1) establish standards for the essential knowledge and skills of career and technology education programs offered in Texas public high schools; and(2) determine on a case-by-case basis whether educational programs offered by private high schools and institutions of higher education are similar to career and technology education programs offered in Texas public high schools.(b) A career and technology education program must be designed to ensure that students obtain the essential knowledge and skills set out in the following cross-referenced rules of the Texas Education Agency. The minimum number of academic credits required for each course is also noted. Students enrolled in courses identified in paragraphs (2) and (3) below must be provided hands-on practical instruction, including interactive lab work, for at least 80 percent of total classroom time. A career and technology education program may not allow students to obtain credit by examination.(1) Principles of Construction; Texas Administrative Code