Kansas typically experiences average seasonal temperatures, but HVAC professionals are in the highest demand during the winter months. HVAC systems are becoming increasingly more complex, and more specialties are surfacing as a result. HVAC professionals often specialize in more than one classification in the industry and seek licensing as a general contractor to start their own business. If you are wondering how to get an HVAC license in Kansas, this guide includes information on requirements, training programs, applicable links, and other necessary certifications.
Who Needs an HVAC License?
Kansas does not require HVAC licensing on the state level, but certain municipalities, including Wichita, Kansas City, and Topeka, require HVAC licenses or certification to work as an HVAC professional. All HVAC professionals must have EPA certification.
HVAC License Types in Kansas
HVAC contractors have two licensing options within most cities:
- HVAC Journeyman
- HVAC Master Level Technician
To know the licensing requirements in your area, you must check with the local licensing agency.
Kansas HVAC License Requirements
The requirements for each type of license are:
- An HVAC Journeyman license requires two years of applicable work experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or licensed master level HVAC technician. You must also pass the applicable exam. One or two years of education may replace the required experience.
- An HVAC Master Level Technician license requires two or more years of work experience as a journeyman or four years of experience working in the field, and you must pass the applicable exam.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Insurance Requirements
Most municipalities in Kansas require licensed HVAC contractors to carry a minimum of $500,000 in general liability insurance. Contractors with a business and employees must have workers’ compensation coverage, and commercial property insurance is recommended.
Use the tool below to request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners.
Kansas HVAC Licensing and Registration Fees
HVAC licensing and registration fees vary by city and county. For example:
- A Master, Journeyman, or Apprentice Application in Topeka costs $103, $53, and $33 respectively.
- An Application for Master or Journeyman Trade Certificate in Wichita costs $35.
These fees are accurate as of February 2022 but are subject to change.
Kansas HVAC License Education Requirements and Exam
Since there is no state-level HVAC license requirement, there is also no state-level education or exam requirement. However, there are several accredited training programs listed below, and you can use your education credits to replace required work experience in most cities. Exam requirements are mandated at the city and county levels.
HVAC License Exam Details
In Kansas, the most commonly taken exams related to the HVAC profession are the Standard Journeyman Mechanical exam and the Standard Master Mechanical exam. The Standard Journeyman Mechanical exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and has a three-hour time limit. It is open book and costs $110. The Standard Master Mechanical exam has 100 multiple-choice questions and a four-hour time limit. It is open book and costs $110 as well. For more information on exam requirements and details, you must contact your local licensing agency.
HVAC Training Schools in Kansas
The following schools offer HVAC training in Kansas:
- Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS (913) 469-8500
- Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City, KS (913) 334-1100
- Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan, KS (785) 587-2800
- Salina Area Technical College, Salina, KS (785) 309-3128
- Seward County Community College, Liberal, KS, (620) 624-1951
- Washburn Institute of Technology, Topeka, KS (785) 670-2200
- Wichita State University Tech, Wichita, KS (316) 677-9400
Great HVAC training can be found both in-person and online. Use our tool below to find additional programs near you.
Kansas License Application
Journeyman and master licenses are issued by local agencies. Therefore, you must visit your local building and construction department for application information. Three major cities and the relevant agencies are:
- Wichita: Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department
- Topeka: City of Topeka Development Services
- Kansas City: Unified Government of Wyandotte County
Be sure to review the application requirements specific to your county, as the requirements may differ from region to region.
Registration and Permitting Requirements
Registration and permitting requirements vary depending on the city or county. However, general contractors with HVAC training and licensing must check with their local building agency for information on building permit requirements.
HVAC Registered Contractor Requirements in Kansas
HVAC Master Level technicians must have a proven 12 hours of continuing education every two years for renewal.
NATE Certification in Kansas
The North American Technician Excellence organization offers four certifications for HVAC professionals:
- The standard NATE certification is for technicians with two or more years of experience. It offers core and specialty exams.
- The Ready-to-Work Certificate requires an entry-level exam online.
- The HVAC Support Technician Certificate requires one exam and is for professionals that have worked in the field for 6-12 months.
- The Low-GWP Refrigerants Certificate requires one exam and validates a technician’s knowledge of the global warming impact of refrigerant use.
The NATE certification is the highest level an HVAC professional can achieve through the organization. It is optional, but it signifies additional knowledge in the HVAC field and usually leads to a higher salary.
EPA Certification in Kansas
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act mandates that all licensed HVAC professionals in the U.S. obtain EPA certification to work with refrigerants. There are four types of EPA certification:
- Type I allows technicians to perform work on small appliances with the capacity for no more than five pounds of refrigerant.
- Type II allows technicians to perform work on high-pressure appliances.
- Type III allows technicians to perform work on low-pressure appliances.
- Universal certification allows technicians to perform the work of all three aforementioned types.
Each type has a specific exam, but all technicians must pass the Core section of the exam, which covers:
- Environmental impacts: ozone destruction, atmospheric effects of the types of refrigerants, the role of CFCs and HCFCs in ozone depletion, and presence of chlorine in CFC and HCFC refrigerants
- Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol: venting prohibition at servicing, disposal, and on substitute refrigerants
- Section 608 regulations: definition and identification of high and low-pressure refrigerants, system-dependent vs self-contained recycling equipment, sales restrictions, and Clean Air Act prohibition on venting
- Substitute refrigerants and oils: fractionation problem and incompatibility of substitutes with many lubricants used with CFC and HCFC refrigerants
- Refrigeration: refrigerant states, gauges, and leak detection
- The Three R’s: recover, recycle, reclaim
- Dehydration evacuation
- Safety: Risks of exposure to refrigerants, proper personal protective equipment, and other associated risks
- Shipping standards
By now you should have a thorough understanding of how to get an HVAC license in Kansas. The most important step is to check with your local agency for information on the requirements in the municipality where you plan to work. In most cases, many of the requirements for one city or county transfer over to another.
HVAC License Kansas FAQ
How Long Is My Kansas HVAC License Valid?
Renewal requirements are mandated at a municipal level in Kansas.
Can I Use My Kansas HVAC License in the Other States?
No, since Kansas does not require licensing, the state has no reciprocity agreements with other states.
Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
For more information, contact your local licensing agency.
What Is the Average Salary of an HVAC Professional in Kansas?
The average salary varies depending on licensing level and locality, but the average salary of an HVAC mechanic in Kansas is $41,544 according to salary.com.
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 Kansas, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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