While the climate in Delaware is moderate, there are enough hot days in the summer and cold days in the winter to create a constant demand for HVAC services. An HVAC technician in Delaware can expect to make an average salary of $45,500 per year, though salaries vary depending on experience and qualifications.
Inexperienced technicians work as an apprentice or journeymen under the supervision of a Master HVACR licensee. Master HVACR license holders generally earn higher salaries and have more employment opportunities. To advance to this level, you must learn how to get an HVAC license in Delaware.
Who Needs an HVAC License?
If you want to install, design, construct, service, maintain, repair, modify or alter equipment or products that include gas piping in air conditioning and heating, ventilation, refrigeration, or process heating or cooling systems, you need a license unless you qualify for an exemption:
- You are a journeyman, apprentice, mechanic, or other employee providing HVAC services while being supervised by a licensed employer or supervisor.
- You are doing HVAC work on a property that is used only for agricultural purposes and have filed an application for a permit with the appropriate inspection authority.
- You are a homeowner doing HVAC work on your own home and the home is not being sold or rented.
- You are doing work in compliance with the regulations regarding a business’s loss of license holder.
HVAC License Types in Delaware
The Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Examiners is responsible for ensuring that HVAC professionals in the state operate safely and do not engage in unfair business practices. The Board issues two types of HVACR licenses:
Master HVACR
A person with a Master HVACR license can provide all types of services involving heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration systems:
- Installation
- Design
- Construction
- Maintenance
- Repair
- Service
- Alteration
- Modification
Master HVACR Restricted
A person with a Master HVACR Restricted license can provide services in one specialty:
- Heating – Forced air systems, gas piping, and ventilation
- Heating – Gas piping and hydronic systems
- Refrigeration
- Commercial hood systems
- Gas piping
- Air conditioning
A person who wants to work in more than one specialty must apply for a Master HVACR license.
Delaware HVAC License Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the requirements to receive an HVACR license in Delaware:
- Pass a Board-approved HVACR exam
- Provide a Verification of Employment form completed by your supervisor or prove you have a license in good standing in a state with substantially similar standards
- Provide proof of certification for handling chlorofluorocarbons by an EPA approved testing organization
- Attest that you have not received any administrative penalties or have any outstanding complaints or disciplinary proceedings related to your past HVAC work
- Attest that you do not have alcohol or drug use issues that affect your work or criminal charges or convictions that disqualify you from obtaining a license
- Provide Certificates of Good Standing
- If applying by reciprocity, provide proof that the standards in the state you are licensed in are equivalent to the standards in Delaware
Work Experience Requirements
There are three paths to achieving the required work experience:
Reciprocity
You may substitute a current license in a substantially similar state for the work requirement:
- Connecticut
- Iowa
- Maryland
Applicants with licenses in states that are not substantially similar are subject to the work requirements:
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Florida
- District of Columbia
- Michigan
- Georgia
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
- Virginia
If you have a current license from any other state or U.S. territory, you must provide a copy of the regulations and laws from that jurisdiction for the Board to evaluate.
Journeyman’s Certificate
If you have a Journeyman’s Certificate from an approved apprenticeship program, you must have worked for a master HVACR licensee or equivalent in another state for at least two years after receiving your Certificate.
Apprenticeship Equivalency Exam
If you do not have a Journeyman’s Certificate, you must have worked as an HVACR technician under the supervision of a Master licensee for at least seven years and pass a series of Board-approved apprenticeship equivalency exams, called Bypass Exams. You must get approval from the Board to take the Bypass Exams. Once you pass the Bypass Exams, you are automatically approved to take the HVACR exam.
To schedule this exam, contact a Delaware apprenticeship school:
- Castle County – New Castle County VoTech (302) 683-3643
- Sussex County – Sussex Tech, Georgetown (302) 856-9035
- Kent County – PolyTech H.S. (302) 697-4545
You must pass the Apprenticeship By-Pass Exam with a score of at least 70% and have your results sent to the Board.
Insurance Requirements
There are no statewide requirements for HVACR license holders to carry specific insurance; however, you should check with local jurisdictions because regulations may vary.
If you employ one or more employees, you must have workers’ compensation insurance.
New Castle County has bonding requirements for some HVACR contractors.
HVACR contractors who are also licensed general contractors must meet the insurance requirements for a general contractor’s license in the state.
Use the tool below to request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners.
Delaware HVAC Licensing and Registration Fees
Application fees are due at the time of application.
- Master HVACR – $153
- Master Restricted HVACR – $153
You can pay for your fees with a credit or debit card on the Division of Professional Regulation Department of State site or delegate payment to a third party.
These fees are accurate as of the date of publication but could change. Visit the Board website for the most current fee information.
Delaware HVAC License Education Requirements and Exam
There are no education requirements to obtain a master HVACR license; however, to meet the experience requirement by becoming an apprentice and then a journeyman, you must complete an apprenticeship program:
- 2,000 hours per year of supervised on-the-job training for four years
- 144 hours of classroom instruction at an approved school
Many employers prefer to hire applicants who have completed a degree or certificate program. There are many good online and in-person training programs to prepare you for a career in HVAC.
HVAC License Exam Details
You must apply and receive approval from the Board before you can register for the Master Exam. Exams are proctored through Prometric at several locations in Dover-Harrington and Newark three to four times per year. You must submit a registration form and examination fee to Prometric. Contact Prometric for specific locations, times, and fee information.
Passing the Exam
You must score 70% or better to pass the exam. It may take up to two weeks for the Board to receive your score. The Board will issue your license when it receives your passing score and verifies that you have met the other requirements.
Retaking the Exam
If you don’t pass the exam the first time, you can retake it up to two additional times within six months of the date the Board approved you. After six months, you must log in to your e-License Dashboard on the DELPROS website, click “APPLY FOR A NEW SERVICE REQUEST” and select the “Request for Re-Examination” option.
If you haven’t passed the exam after three attempts, you must wait one year from the date of your third exam and submit a new application to the Board to get approval to take the exam again.
HVAC Training Schools in Delaware
If you are interested in HVAC training in Delaware, there are a variety of programs available in the state:
- New Castle County Vo-Tech, Wilmington, DE, (302) 683-3643
- Sussex Tech, Georgetown, DE, (302) 856-9035
- PolyTech H.S., Woodside, DE, (302) 697-4545
- Delaware Tech, Dover, DE, (302) 857-1000
- Delaware Skills Center, New Castle, DE, (302) 654-5392
- Dawn Career Institute, Newark, DE, (302) 273-3560
Great HVAC training can be found for both in-person and online options. Use our tool below to find additional programs near you.
Delaware License Application
The Board no longer accepts paper applications for HVACR licenses. To apply, you must first create an account on the DELPROS site or log in to your existing account. The site requests your Social Security number. If you do not have an SSN, you may request an exemption.
Registration and Permitting Requirements
If you want to do any work that involves pipes, fixtures, or other equipment that transports water into or out of a building, you need both a Master HVACR license and a Master Plumber license.
Renewal Requirements
HVACR licenses expire on October 31 of even-numbered years. You should receive a renewal notice at the email address you have on record with the Board a few months before your license expires. The notice contains instructions about renewing your application on the DELPROS site. To renew your license, you must log in to your account, answer some questions and pay your renewal fee with a credit card. The Board sets renewal fees based on its cost of operations.
If your license expires, you can file a late renewal application up to one year after the date of expiration. You will be required to pay both the usual renewal fee and a late fee. If you do not renew within one year of expiration, you must reapply for a license as a new applicant. It is illegal to practice as an HVACR license holder while your license is expired.
Continuing Education Requirements
While Delaware law gives the Board the authority to institute continuing education requirements, there are none at the time of publication. Read the instructions with your renewal notice carefully for any changes to renewal fees or continuing education requirements.
HVAC Registered Contractor Requirements in Delaware
HVACR license holders are not required to also hold a general contractor license.
EPA Certification in Delaware
The Delaware Master HVACR license includes refrigeration. All applicants must pass an EPA-approved test to obtain Section 608 Technician Certification.
There are four types of certification and the test topics vary for each. The four types allow for the servicing (and when applicable, disposal) of certain types of equipment:
- Type I is for small appliances.
- Type II covers high or very high-pressure appliances other than motor vehicle air conditioning equipment and small appliances.
- Type III is for low-pressure appliances.
- Universal is for servicing any kind of equipment.
HVAC License Delaware FAQ
How Long Is My Delaware HVAC License Valid?
You must renew your license once every two years.
Can I Use My Delaware HVAC License in The Other States?
This depends on the laws and regulations in the state you want to work in. Some states may allow you to use your Delaware license or automatically qualify you for a license in the state; others may require you to complete the same application process as anyone else. Check with the licensing authority in any states you want to work in before you perform any HVAC work.
Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
There are a variety of ways you can contact a representative for assistance:
Online: www.dpr.delaware.gov
Phone: (302) 744-4500, Monday-Friday 8:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Fax: (302) 739-2711 – attach this fax cover sheet
Email: customerservice.dpr@delaware.gov
Mail:
Division of Professional Regulation
Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
Complaints: You can file complaints online.
Additional Information
Now that you know how to get an HVAC license in Delaware, you are ready to explore the world of opportunities your new license will open up for you. If you are interested in starting your own HVAC business or obtaining additional licenses and certifications in your field, visit General Contractor License Guide for more information.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become an HVAC-R technician in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Delaware, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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