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If you want to start a career in the electrical, HVAC, or plumbing trades, you’ve come to the right place!

Above we offer you free information on where and how to get the education and training required for your career aspirations.

Below you’ll find a summary of what you need to know about the license requirements for that trade, along with links to complete guides that will help you get started!

Electrician Training and Licensing

The first step to becoming an electrician is to get the appropriate training from a program like one you’ll find through the info request forms on this page. Besides an education, you’ll most likely need a license to perform electrical work in your state.

Licensing requirements for electricians are different in every U.S. state. Often times electrician licensure is administered by a state agency, while in more populous states with larger cities, you may need to be licensed through the municipality. The types or classes of electrician licenses vary as well from apprentice to journeyman, to master electrician, but even the terminology can be different from one state to another.

Depending on your state, you may also need an electrical contracting license. This allows licensed individuals to administer work under contract with their company. In most cases, electricians must be bonded and insured before they can begin offering their services. Any electrician who hires employees to work under them will need workers’ compensation insurance in addition to their general liability insurance.

We have created comprehensive electrician license guides for each state that will help you know what license, training, experience, and insurance you must have to pursue a career as an electrical contractor.

Visit our directory of electrical contractor license requirements by state to see what your state’s requirements are.

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing

Seeking education and training in the HVAC industry is a great idea since HVAC contractors are in high demand throughout the United States. In order to pursue a career where you specialize in repairing, servicing, and installing heating and air conditioning units systems in homes or businesses, not only will you need to be trained, but you will need to be licensed according to your state’s requirements. 

HVAC licensing requirements vary from state to state, but there are some common themes that typically include:

• Providing proof of training 
• Supervised work experience for a specific period of time
• Workers’ compensation and liability insurance if you’re the business owner
• Applying for a license from the state’s licensing board
• Paying required fees
• Taking competency exams where required

Most states have a contractor licensing board that administers HVAC licenses. It’s likely that there will be different license levels such as an apprentice or a journeyman.

Besides heating and air, HVAC companies are often the ones customers call on to work on refrigeration equipment (the “-R” in HVAC-R). Refrigerants are federally regulated, so if you will be handling or working with them, you will need to obtain an EPA Section 608 Technical Certification. This requires passing an exam, submitting an application, and paying a fee. The certificate you’ll receive doesn’t expire.

Visit our directory of HVAC contractor license requirements by state to see what your state’s requirements are.

Plumber Training and Licensing

If you’re thinking about a plumbing career, then you’ll definitely need to know your state’s plumbing licensing requirements. There is a lot of crossover from state to state when it comes to plumbing licensure. For example, common requirements include:

• Attending and then providing proof of completion of an accredited plumbing training program
• Carrying liability insurance
• Maintaining required certificates
• Paying associated license fees
• Providing proof of workers’ compensation insurance (if you have employees)
• Purchasing surety bonds;
• Passing the state’s plumbing license exam (where applicable)

Similar to other trades, different licensing types vary by state but often include journeyman, master plumber, and apprenticeships.

To get started, see what your state’s requirements are in our directory of plumbing license requirements by state.