37 of 51 jurisdictions require HVAC contractors to hold a license at the state or district level. EPA Section 608 certification is required nationwide under federal law. Select a jurisdiction below to view detailed requirements.
37
License Required
14
No State License
51
Jurisdictions Tracked
EPA 608
Federal Req.
All Jurisdictions
Browse License Requirements
All 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Click any one to see detailed licensing requirements, exam information, experience needed, and the application process.
Alabama
License Required
HVAC Licensing Requirements
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
License Types
HVAC Contractor License
Exam Required
Required for HVAC contractors performing installations and major repairs.
Experience: 4 years
Pass the Alabama HVAC contractor exam
Provide proof of general liability insurance
Submit a completed application to the State Licensing Board for General Contractors
Alabama requires HVAC contractors to be licensed. Journeyman-level technicians working under a licensed contractor do not need a separate state license.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
License Types
C-20 HVAC Contractor License
Exam Required
Required for contractors performing warm-air heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning work.
Experience: 4 years
Pass the C-20 trade exam and law/business exam
Demonstrate at least 4 years of journeyman-level experience
Post a contractor bond and provide proof of insurance
California requires a C-20 license for HVAC contractors. Technicians working under a licensed contractor do not need an individual state license. Local permits are required for most installations.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Colorado does not require a state HVAC license. Some local jurisdictions such as Denver and Colorado Springs require mechanical permits and may require contractor registration.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
License Types
Apprentice Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Entry registration for anyone learning the trade. Registered without an examination, and valid only while working under the direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyman mechanic.
Be at least 18 years old
Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent
Register with the Board of Industrial Trades and pay the application fee
Work only under the direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyman mechanic
Journeyman Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Exam Required
The working technician's license. Permits refrigeration and air conditioning work without direct supervision, but not the supervision of others or the pulling of permits in your own name.
Experience: 4 years
Complete a four-year registered apprenticeship totaling roughly 8,000 hours, or document equivalent verified trade experience
Pass the journeyman refrigeration and air conditioning examination
Hold EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants
Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Exam Required
The supervisory license, required to plan and direct installation, maintenance, alteration, and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning systems of any type.
Experience: 5 years
Document five years of verified experience on systems greater than 25 compressor horsepower, attested in writing by a licensed master mechanic
Hold EPA Section 608 certification
Pass the master refrigeration and air conditioning examination, administered by PSI
Basic Business License (mechanical contractor)
A business credential, not a trade credential. Required before a contracting business may operate or advertise HVAC services in the District, and held in addition to the individual trade license.
Obtain a Basic Business License from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Employ or be a licensed master mechanic for the trade work performed
Maintain the insurance and bonding the license category requires
The District licenses refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics individually across three tiers — apprentice, journeyman, and master — which is stricter than either neighboring state, where the license typically attaches to the contracting business rather than the technician. Practically, that means you register as an apprentice before you start, not after. The master tier is the one with a hard equipment threshold: five years of verified experience on systems above 25 compressor horsepower, signed off in writing by a licensed master mechanic, so time spent only on residential split systems may not qualify you even after five years. A contracting business needs a Basic Business License on top of the individual trade license. DLCP does not publish a continuing-education requirement for this trade; confirm current requirements with the Board of Industrial Trades before you renew.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
14 continuing education hours required per renewal period
License Types
Class A HVAC Contractor License
Exam Required
Unlimited scope for air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilation work.
Experience: 4 years
Pass the state trade knowledge and business exams
Demonstrate at least 4 years of experience
Provide proof of insurance and financial responsibility
Class B HVAC Contractor License
Exam Required
Limited to HVAC systems of 25 tons cooling or 500,000 BTU heating or less.
Experience: 3 years
Pass the state trade knowledge and business exams
Demonstrate at least 3 years of experience
Provide proof of insurance
Florida requires state HVAC contractor licensing with Class A (unlimited) and Class B (limited) tiers. Continuing education is required for each biennial renewal.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Illinois does not require a statewide HVAC license. However, Chicago and many other municipalities require local mechanical contractor licensing and permits.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Indiana does not require a statewide HVAC license. Local jurisdictions such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne may require contractor registration or permits.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
6 continuing education hours required per renewal period
License Types
Mechanical Contractor License
Exam Required
Required for HVAC contractors in Iowa.
Experience: 2 years
Pass the state mechanical contractor exam
Provide proof of bonding and insurance
Iowa licenses mechanical contractors through the Division of Labor. Expect the state exam, proof of experience (typically ~2 years), bonding, and insurance. Cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids may add local mechanical permits on top of the state credential.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Kansas does not require a statewide HVAC license. Some cities such as Wichita and Kansas City require local mechanical permits and contractor registration.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
License Types
Mechanical Contractor License
Exam Required
Required for HVAC contracting work over $50,000.
Experience: 4 years
Pass the state trade and business exams
Provide proof of financial responsibility and insurance
Demonstrate relevant trade experience
Louisiana requires licensing for mechanical contractors on projects over $50,000. Local jurisdictions may require additional licensing for smaller projects.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Maine has no statewide HVAC technician license, but oil burner and solid-fuel technicians must hold state licenses through the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Municipalities still issue mechanical permits. EPA Section 608 remains mandatory for any refrigerant work.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
15 continuing education hours required per renewal period
License Types
Refrigeration Technician License
Exam Required
Required for technicians working on refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Experience: 3 years
Complete an approved apprenticeship or equivalent training (typically 3 years)
Pass the Massachusetts refrigeration technician exam
Maintain EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant handling
Massachusetts requires a refrigeration technician license for HVAC work that involves refrigerant systems. Sheet metal and ductwork often fall under separate trade licenses. Plan on ~3 years of documented experience or an approved apprenticeship, 15 hours of continuing education to renew, and EPA 608 before you handle refrigerants.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Missouri does not require a statewide HVAC license. Many cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield require local mechanical contractor licenses and permits.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
New Hampshire does not require a statewide HVAC license. Gas fitters must be licensed. Local jurisdictions may require permits for mechanical installations.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
8 continuing education hours required per renewal period
License Types
Journeyman Mechanical License (MM98)
Exam Required
Required for HVAC technicians performing installations and service work.
Experience: 4 years
Complete an approved apprenticeship or document ~4 years of mechanical experience
Pass the New Mexico journeyman mechanical (MM98) exam
Hold current EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant work
Mechanical Contractor License (GB98)
Exam Required
Required to operate an HVAC contracting business.
Experience: 6 years
Hold a valid journeyman mechanical license (MM98)
Document additional experience toward the ~6-year contractor path
Pass the state contractor exam
Provide proof of bonding and insurance
New Mexico is one of the stricter states: technicians need a journeyman mechanical license (MM98), and running a business requires the GB98 contractor license. Expect roughly 4 years toward journeyman and about 6 toward contractor, plus 8 hours of continuing education to renew. Apply through the Construction Industries Division and keep EPA 608 current.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
New York does not require a statewide HVAC license. New York City requires a Refrigerating System Operating Engineer license and an HVAC contractor license. Other municipalities may have their own requirements.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Ohio does not require a statewide HVAC license. Local jurisdictions including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati require mechanical contractor licenses and permits.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Pennsylvania does not require a statewide HVAC license. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and many other municipalities require local mechanical contractor licenses and permits.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
8 continuing education hours required per renewal period
License Types
HVAC Technician Registration
Required for all HVAC technicians performing installations or service work.
Experience: 0 years
Register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Complete required training hours
HVAC Contractor License (Class A or Class B)
Exam Required
Required for HVAC contractors. Class A is unlimited; Class B is limited to systems of 25 tons or less.
Experience: 4 years
Pass the state HVAC contractor exam
Demonstrate at least 48 months of practical experience
Provide proof of insurance
Texas requires all HVAC technicians to register with TDLR. Contractors must hold a Class A (unlimited) or Class B (25 tons or less) license. Continuing education is required for renewal.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Vermont does not require a statewide HVAC license. Plumbers and electricians must be licensed, but HVAC technicians are not separately regulated at the state level.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
8 continuing education hours required per renewal period
License Types
HVAC Specialty Electrician License (06A)
Exam Required
Required for technicians who perform electrical work as part of HVAC installations.
Experience: 2 years
Complete required training hours
Pass the state 06A specialty exam
General Contractor Registration
Required for all HVAC contractors operating in Washington.
Experience: 0 years
Register with the Department of Labor and Industries
Provide proof of bonding and insurance
Washington requires HVAC technicians who perform electrical connections to hold an 06A specialty electrician license. All contractors must register with L&I.
EPA 608 RequiredApprenticeship AvailableContinuing Ed Required
Wisconsin does not require a statewide HVAC license. HVAC contractors must register with DSPS and obtain credentials for certain types of work. Local jurisdictions may require mechanical permits.