Before you can begin working as an HVAC technician, you'll most likely need to get a license or certification from your state. Though many states require HVAC contractor licenses, these requirements can vary greatly by location. Check out our guide to state HVAC licensing requirements to get started.
Why You Need HVAC Contractors Insurance
Before getting licensed, it's also probable that you'll be required to show proof of insurance. It's critical to have protection before you ever take on a project for numerous reasons. Some of the most common coverages in HVAC contractors insurance are:
- Workers' compensation insurance: Protects your employees from expenses resulting from injury, illness, or death caused by their job activities or on the business premises.
- Commercial auto insurance: Protects against losses related to your company vehicles from lawsuits and other disasters.
- General liability insurance: Protects you from the cost of lawsuits by third parties for claims of bodily injury or property damage caused on your premises or by your business's operations.
- Commercial property insurance: Protects you from losses related to damage, theft, or destruction of your business's office space and contents or inventory caused by many disasters, including fire and theft.
- Contractors professional liability insurance: Protects you from the cost of professional errors that may have caused harm to others, resulting in a lawsuit filed against you.
An independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with the right HVAC contractors insurance so you can get licensed and start working in your state.
HVAC Contractors Licensing Requirements by State
| State | Required HVAC License or Certificate | Exam Required? | Reciprocity Agreement? | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | HVAC Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $150 Exam Fee |
| Alaska | Mechanical Administrator License | Yes | N/A | $150 Application Fee $200 License Fee |
| Arizona | HVAC/R Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $200 Application Fee $270-$580 License Fee |
| Arkansas | HVAC/R Contractor License | Yes | No | $150-$200 License Fee |
| California | C-20 Warm Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $450 Application Fee |
| Colorado | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Connecticut | HVAC Contractor License; 20 specialty license options | Yes | N/A | $80-$200 Application Fee |
| Delaware | Master HVAC/R Restricted License; or Master HVAC/R License | Yes | Yes | $163 Application Fee |
| Florida | Class A HVAC Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $215 Application Fee |
| Georgia | Class I HVAC Contractor License (restricted); or Class II (unrestricted) | Yes | Yes | $30 Application Fee |
| Hawaii | C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor license; specialty license options | Yes | N/A | $50 Application Fee |
| Idaho | HVAC Contractor License; Specialty HVAC Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $10-$35 Application Fee |
| Illinois | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indiana | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Iowa | HVAC Master-Level Technician License | Yes | Yes | $30-$180 License Fee |
| Kansas | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kentucky | Journeyman HVAC Mechanic License | Yes | Yes | $29-$75 License Fee |
| Louisiana | Commercial Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $280 Application Fee |
| Maine | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maryland | Master HVACR Contractor License; Master Restricted HAVCR Contractor License; Limited HVACR Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $23-$84 Application Fee |
| Massachusetts | Refrigeration Technician License; EPA Section 608 Certificate; Oil Burner Technician Certificate; Sheet Metal Workers License | Yes | N/A | $75 License Fee |
| Michigan | Mechanical Contractors License; 10 HVAC specialty license options | Yes | N/A | $300 License Fee |
| Minnesota | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missouri | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Montana | General Construction Contractor License required to hire employees | Yes | N/A | $70 Application Fee |
| Nebraska | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nevada | Class C Specialty Contractors License | Yes | N/A | $300 License Fee |
| New Hampshire | Mechanical Business License | Yes | N/A | $250 Application Fee |
| New Jersey | Master HVAC/R Contractors License | Yes | Yes | $100 Application Fee |
| New Mexico | HVAC Journeyman Certificate | Yes | N/A | $25 Application Fee |
| New York | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| North Carolina | Refrigeration Contractor License; or Heating and Cooling Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $75-$150 Application Fee |
| North Dakota | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ohio | Commercial Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $25 Application Fee |
| Oklahoma | Mechanical Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $75-$330 License Fee |
| Oregon | Residential Specialty Contractor License; Residential Limited Contractor License; Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 or Level 2 License | Yes | N/A | $325 License Fee |
| Pennsylvania | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rhode Island | Sheet Metal Master Contractor License (Class I or Class II); Pipefitter Master Contractor License (Class I or Class II); Master Mechanical License; or Contractor Master License | Yes | N/A | $75 Application Fee |
| South Carolina | Mechanical Contractor License; or Residential Specialty HVAC Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $135 License Fee |
| South Dakota | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tennessee | Full Mechanical Contractor License; or Mechanical HVAC/R Contractor License | Yes | No | $50 License Fee |
| Texas | Class A or Class B Contractors License | Yes | Yes | $115 Application Fee |
| Utah | HVAC Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $226 Application Fee |
| Vermont | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Virginia | Class A, B, or C Contractors License | Yes | Yes | $130 Application Fee |
| Washington | Journey Level Electrician License; or Specialty Electrician License | Yes | Yes | $254 Application Fee |
| West Virginia | HVAC Technician Certificate | Yes | Yes | $60-$75 Application Fee |
| Wisconsin | HVAC Qualifier License; or HVAC Contractor License | Yes | N/A | $175 License Fee |
| Wyoming | No state HVAC license required; local license may be required | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: This information is not intended to replace legal advice. You must consult your local agencies' requirements before seeking the proper licensing, insurance, and other requirements to start commercial work. Be aware that your state's regulations may change at any time.
Final Word on HVAC Contractors License Requirements by State
Note that even in states where an HVAC contractors license is not required to work, many of these still have local government requirements by city. Before accepting any HVAC projects, check in with your local requirements. Further, be sure to stay updated on your state's HVAC contractors license requirements, as they may change from year to year.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Get HVAC Contractors Insurance
Before you're licensed and ready to go, you'll likely need to get set up with the right HVAC contractors insurance. A local independent insurance agent can help you find all the coverage you need for every type of project. And down the road, your agent can help you file insurance claims or update your coverage as necessary.
Sources
https://fieldedge.com/blog/hvac-license-guide-for-every-state/
https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/hvac-license-requirements/
https://www.hvacschool.org/licensing-requirements/
