HVAC License Requirements By State | Find Out What You Need

HVAC contractors are in demand across the United States. If you are considering a career in installing, servicing, or repairing heating and air conditioning systems, you must know specific state-level requirements where you work. In general, these are similar for most states and may include:

Providing proof of training
A minimum length of supervised work experience
Proof of workers’ compensation and liability insurance
Submitting a completed application to the state licensing board
Paying any required fees
Taking competency exams

HVAC Licensing by State

Click the appropriate link below for more information about how to get an HVAC license in your state:

Alabama: Alabama has four categories of HVAC contractors: apprentice, HVAC contractor, reciprocal HVAC contractor, and refrigeration contractor. Apprentices must work under the supervision of a licensed contractor, while contractors with a refrigeration license may only work on equipment in spaces that are not designed for human occupation.

Alaska: There are two main categories of HVAC contractors in Alaska: Journeyman (entry-level) and Mechanical Administrators. A journeyman must work for a licensed HVAC contractor.

Arizona: Arizona has four levels of HVAC contractor: apprentice (entry-level position requiring supervision), journeyman (unlicensed, must work under a licensed contractor), contractor, and specialty contractor. Each one has three possible classifications: residential, commercial, and dual.

Arkansas: The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing offers six classifications of HVAC/R licenses. They vary in the type and scope of work that licensees may perform.

California: California HVAC technicians do not need a license to perform supervised HVAC work. A specialty contractor license requiring four years of field experience is necessary for unsupervised work.

Colorado: Colorado does not require HVAC licenses at the state level. Some municipalities may, so it is best to check with the local building and zoning office before beginning work.

Connecticut: There are two main categories of HVAC licenses in Connecticut: Journeyman (entry-level) and contractor. You must have at least two years of experience as a licensed journeyman before qualifying for the HVAC contractor exam.

Delaware: With few exceptions, you must have one of two licenses (Master HVACR or Master HVACR Restricted) issued by the Delaware licensing board to perform HVAC services in the state. Experience requirements to qualify for the exam range from two to seven years.

Florida: Florida’s DBPR offers two paths to becoming an approved HVAC technician: certification and registration. Certification allows you to work anywhere within the state while registration is valid within specific areas. Each is further restricted by the size of HVAC systems you can work on.

Georgia: You can choose from two types of HVAC contractor licenses in Georgia: class I (size restricted) and class II (unrestricted). In addition to the exam and experience requirements, you must also furnish character references to get licensed.

Hawaii: Contractors in Hawaii must have a C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning contractor license to perform HVAC work valued at over $1,000. You can add additional specialty areas to your license.

Idaho: Idaho offers three options for HVAC contractors: apprentice registration and journeyman and contractor licenses. You must have one before beginning work as an HVAC technician. You may also choose a specialty registration or license, limiting your work to a specific area of expertise.

Illinois: There are no statewide certifications for HVAC contractors in Illinois. However, you may need to register at the local level.

Indiana: Indiana does not issue statewide HVAC licenses, but you must obtain a local permit to work as an HVAC contractor in certain municipalities. Contact your local licensing board to determine local regulations and requirements.

Iowa: Iowa has several levels of licensing, starting at apprentice and working up to a Master HVAC Contractor. You must gain experience and pass an exam to move from one level to another.

Kansas: You do not need a state HVAC license in Kansas; however, some municipalities, including Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita, require either journeyman or contractor certification at the local level.

Kentucky: The Kentucky Department of Housing, Building & Construction offers three HVAC contractor licenses: apprentice, journeyman, and Master HVAC Contractor. You must pass an exam for the journeyman and contractor designations.

Louisiana: You may perform HVAC work in Louisiana with the appropriate sub classification of Building or Mechanical Contractor. Unlicensed HVAC technicians may perform minor HVAC work under the supervision of a licensed contractor.

Maine: Maine does not have a specific HVAC certification, but it does offer several levels (apprentice, journeyman, master) of Oil Burner and Fuel Technician licenses. To complete HVAC wiring projects, you may also need to obtain a Maine Electrical Contractor license.

Maryland: The Maryland Board of HVACR Contractors offers six classifications of HVAC licenses: apprentice, journeyman, journeyman restricted, limited, master restricted, and master.

Massachusetts: You do not need a license to perform HVAC work in Massachusetts; however, anyone handling large quantities of refrigerant must get a refrigeration technician license.

Michigan: HVAC technicians do not need a license in Michigan. HVAC contractors must obtain a mechanical contractor license with an appropriate specialty classification. Anyone servicing, installing, or repairing boilers must have a boiler installer or repairer license.

Minnesota: Minnesota HVAC contractors do not need a license. HVAC businesses must provide proof of a $25,000 mechanical contractor bond to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Mississippi: Mississippi requires a commercial HVAC license for all commercial projects valued at over $50,000. There is no statewide residential HVAC license, but some municipalities may require a local license or registration.

Missouri: Missouri does not provide a statewide HVAC contractor license; however, state statutes require larger municipalities to issue them locally. Most cities offer three levels of HVAC licenses: apprentice, journeyman, and contractor.

Montana: There are no HVAC licenses in Montana. Instead, HVAC technicians must get a general contractor license or work under the supervision of a licensed general contractor.

Nebraska: Nebraska does not offer state-issued HVAC contractor licenses, but some cities have their own. For example, in Omaha, you must obtain one of three Air Control and Distribution licenses to perform HVAC work.

Nevada: Anyone performing work on or installing HVAC systems in Nevada must get a specialty C-21 Contractor license from the State Contractor’s Board. Certain cities also impose their own licensing regulations, so it is best to check with the local licensing board.

New Hampshire: There are no HVAC licenses in New Hampshire; however, two contractor licenses may apply: fuel service technician and oil heater technician.

New Jersey: You must get a master HVACR license from the state board to service, repair, or install heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration equipment in New Jersey. Licensees must also maintain established amounts of insurance coverage.

New Mexico: New Mexico offers four classifications of journeyman certifications for HVAC technicians, including refrigeration, gas fitters, natural gas fitters, and boiler operator. There are also four sub-classifications of HVAC contractor licenses: Natural Gas Fitting Contractor; Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Contractor; Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping Contractor; and Mechanical Contractor.

New York: New York does not have statewide HVAC contractor licensing. Several major cities, including New York City, Syracuse, and Buffalo, do require a license or registration for HVAC technicians.

North Carolina: North Carolina offers two main options for HVAC professionals: a technician certification and a contractor license. Technicians must work under the supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor.

North Dakota: You must obtain an appropriate specialty contractor license if you perform projects valued at over $4,000 in North Dakota. There are four classifications (A-D) based on the allowed project size.

Ohio: HVAC contractor licenses are required for commercial projects in Ohio, but not for residential ones. The Ohio Construction Licensing Board provides oversight.

Oklahoma: HVAC professionals have three license options in Oklahoma: mechanical apprentice, journeyman, and contractor. A license is required to install, repair, or service HVAC equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Oregon: Oregon offers two classes of license for aspiring HVAC technicians: Limited Energy Technician Class A and Class B. These cover communications, signaling, and specialized control systems.

Pennsylvania: HVAC licensing in Pennsylvania is handled at the local level. You may need to register or obtain certification to perform HVAC work in cities like Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Altoona, and Scranton.

Rhode Island: Several categories of Mechanical Trades licenses may be appropriate for HVAC contractors in Rhode Island.

South Carolina: HVAC technicians in South Carolina do not need a license. If you want to enter into contracts with customers or work unsupervised, you must get either a Residential Specialty HVAC or Mechanical Contractor license from the state.

South Dakota: South Dakota does not require HVAC professionals to be licensed at the state level; however, several smaller cities have license requirements.

Tennessee: Tennessee offers two HVAC licenses: Full Mechanical Contractor and Mechanical – HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor. These are required to work on projects valued at over $25,000. In addition, municipalities may require licenses for smaller projects.

Texas: Texas has three options for HVAC professionals. Registered and certified technicians must work under supervision while a licensed HVAC contractor allows you to run an HVAC business and perform unsupervised work.

Utah: Utah offers one classification of HVAC Contractor license through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

Vermont: Vermont does not offer an HVAC contractor license. You can choose to obtain an electrical specialist license or one of several fuel-specific licenses for working with gas or oil heating systems.

Virginia: Virginia has three levels of HVAC licenses: journeyman, master, and contractor. Each one builds on the experience gained through the preceding level.

Washington: Washington required an electrical contractor license for HVAC professionals. These are available at the trainee and journey levels.

West Virginia: There are three certifications for HVAC technicians in West Virginia: technician in training, residential technician, and licensed HVAC technician. If you perform residential work valued at over $5,000 or commercial HVAC work valued at over $25,000, you must get a full contractor license with an HVAC classification.

Wisconsin: HVAC licensing in Wisconsin is handled at the local level. You can choose to get a statewide HVAC Qualifier Certification that satisfies local requirements.

Wyoming: Individual cities and towns handle HVAC contractor licensing in Wyoming.

District of Columbia: There are three levels of HVAC contractor licenses in Washington DC: Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, and Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Limited. The license you obtain determines the size and type of equipment you can service.