TexasOnline – Abusable Volatile Chemical (AVC)
Permit Program
Frequently Asked Questions

The TexasOnline system may be used to apply for new (initial) AVC Permits or to renew an existing AVC Permit.

You will need to have the business name and the physical and mailing addresses for that business. You will also need information on the ownership of the business and your Federal or Texas Tax ID number.

Any retailer holding an AVC Permit and whose permit is active and within 45 days of expiration is eligible to renew online. The Department sends out renewal notices to each permittee approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date of the permit.

You will need your Permit Number (located at the upper left corner of your AVC Permit), your Certificate number (located at the lower left corner of your AVC Permit), and your Federal or Texas Tax ID number.

Yes, the Texas Online service for new AVC Permit applications has special fields for parent company information. The new business will be issued an AVC Permit that will have the same expiration date as the other AVC-permitted facilities owned by the parent company.

The TexasOnline system will allow you to pay the filing fee for a new facility under a parent company as long as the parent company is willing to provide credit or debit card information or electronic check payment information to complete the online application process. Please note that the two-year fee payment of $59.00 will have to be paid through TexasOnline, regardless of the expiration date on the permit. The parent company will receive a fee credit of any overpayment (based on the common permit expiration date for all of the parent company’s AVC Permit facilities) for the new AVC Permit facility that can then be applied to future AVC Permits obtained by the parent company.

All AVC Permits issued by the agency are now two-year permits, with one exception: New facilities that are added under a parent company that has other AVC-permitted facilities will be given the same expiration date as the parent company’s other facilities. In other words, all AVC-permitted facilities owned by that parent company will have a common expiration date, so the new facility may be issued a permit that expires in less than two years.

Yes, the Texas Department of State Health Services has been authorized by the Texas Legislature and the Texas Online Authority to charge an additional fee to recover costs associated with development and maintenance of the Texas Online services. There is an additional fee of $4.00 per permit that will be added to the two-year AVC Permit fee of $55.00. Therefore, the total permit fee will be $59.00. This fee applies to all AVC permit holders, including parent companies, whether or not you choose to apply for a new or renewal permit online.

You may still apply for a new or renewal AVC Permit by submitting the appropriate completed AVC Permit application form (new or renewal) and a fee payment of $59.00. Businesses that are renewing their AVC Permits will pay the permit fee of $59.00 by submitting their check or money order for the fee along with the payment coupon that the agency mailed to them with their renewal notice. The permit fee of $59.00 applies to all, whether or not you choose to apply for your permit online.

The online application process is a simple process. If you are applying for a new (initial) AVC Permit, then you will need to click here. If you are applying for a renewal of an existing permit, then you will need to click here. The AVC Permit will be mailed to you within 10 business days once the program receives verification from the State Comptroller's Office that the online fee payment has cleared.

No, if you change the business name, change owners for the business, or change the address of the permitted business, you will need to apply for a new AVC Permit. However, you can still make this application via TexasOnline. You will also be required to pay a two-year permit fee of $59.00.

Yes, you can print the payment receipt after completing the online process. There is a printer friendly version of the renewal information available.

Payments can be made using major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX), debit cards, or ACH electronic check payment methods. Please note that both credit card and debit card information is entered in the same information fields on the TexasOnline payment screen.

To make a payment online you need a valid credit card or debit card number, billing name, billing address, and expiration date. For electronic check payments, a valid bank routing number and Savings/Checking account number are required.

Yes, you print the payment receipt after completing the online process.

No, the permit will not be issued until all application and fee payment requirements are met, and this process can take up to 10 business days. The printed payment receipt only verifies payment of your fee.

Yes, the system is available 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, except for routine maintenance down time.

Online Support is available through the TexasOnline Helpdesk at 1-877-452-9060, or by email at webhelp@texasonlinehelp.com.

If you have difficulties in logging in to the permit renewal screen or have any questions, please contact the Abusable Volatile Chemical Permit Program by telephone at (512) 834-6600, ext. 2440 or via email at AVC@dshs.state.tx.us.

The application will support IE version 4.0 and above and Netscape version 4.0 and above.

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Last Updated October 27, 2006