HVAC license requirements by state
Whether you need an HVAC license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
29States with a state license
12Partly, or registration only
4Leave it to cities and counties
HVAC licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Certified Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor |
| Alaska | Yes | Mechanical contractor registration with a Mechanical Administrator license (Residential HVAC or Unlimited HVAC/sheet metal category) |
| Arizona | Yes | R-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (residential), C-39 (commercial) or CR-39 (dual) |
| Arkansas | Yes | HVACR Class A or Class B license |
| California | Yes | C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning |
| Colorado | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Connecticut | Yes | S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor (or a limited contractor license such as D-1) |
| Delaware | Yes | Master HVACR |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Master Mechanic (and a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor license for the business) |
| Florida | Yes | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor, Class A or Class B |
| Georgia | Yes | Conditioned Air Contractor, Class I (Restricted) or Class II (Unrestricted) |
| Hawaii | Yes | C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor |
| Idaho | Yes | HVAC Contractor |
| Illinois | No, local only | None at state level |
| Indiana | No, local only | None at state level |
| Iowa | Yes | Mechanical Contractor License (HVAC discipline) |
| Kansas | No, local only | None at state level |
| Kentucky | Yes | Master HVAC Contractor |
| Louisiana | Partly | Commercial license with Mechanical classification (Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work and Refrigeration subclassification) |
| Maine | Partly | Maine Fuel Board technician license (oil and solid fuel, or propane and natural gas) |
| Maryland | Yes | HVACR Master license |
| Massachusetts | Partly | Refrigeration Contractor license (with a Refrigeration Technician license for the hands on work) |
| Michigan | Yes | Mechanical Contractor license |
| Minnesota | Partly | Mechanical contractor bond (state filing, not a license) |
| Mississippi | Yes | Residential HVAC (home work) or a commercial Mechanical or HVAC classification (commercial jobs over $50,000) |
| Missouri | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Montana | Partly | Construction Contractor License (if you have employees) |
| Nebraska | Partly | Contractor Registration |
| Nevada | Yes | C-21 Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning |
| New Hampshire | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| New Jersey | Yes | Master HVACR Contractor |
| New Mexico | Yes | MM-3 HVAC (or MM-98 Mechanical) |
| New York | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| North Carolina | Yes | Heating Group No. 3 (H-3) Contractor |
| North Dakota | Partly | North Dakota Contractor License (Class A to D) |
| Ohio | Partly | HVAC Contractor (OCILB) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Mechanical Contractor license (HVAC/R Unlimited or HVAC/R Limited) |
| Oregon | Yes | CCB contractor license (residential or commercial specialty endorsement) |
| Pennsylvania | No, local only | None at state level |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Refrigeration Master or Pipefitter Master license (Class I or II) |
| South Carolina | Yes | Residential HVAC license (Residential Builders Commission), or Mechanical Contractor license for commercial work |
| South Dakota | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Tennessee | Partly | Contractor license, CMC-C (HVAC, refrigeration and gas piping) |
| Texas | Yes | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Contractor license, Class A or Class B |
| Utah | Yes | Contractor license, H100 HVAC Contractor |
| Vermont | Partly | Oil burner or gas technician certification, plus residential contractor registration for jobs of $10,000 or more |
| Virginia | Yes | Contractor license (Class A, B or C) with HVA classification, plus Master HVAC tradesman license |
| Washington | Partly | Contractor registration plus 06A HVAC/refrigeration specialty electrician certificate |
| West Virginia | Yes | HVAC Technician certification, plus an HVAC contractor license |
| Wisconsin | Partly | HVAC Contractor registration (business), with the optional HVAC Qualifier (person) |
| Wyoming | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
Other trades
LicensingPlumbing license by stateWater, drain and gas piping. Many states license plumbers through a state board, often in apprentice, journeyman and master steps.LicensingElectrical license by stateWiring, panels and service work. Many states license electricians at the state level, often with journeyman and master levels.LicensingRoofing license by stateRoof replacement and repair. Some states have a roofing license of their own, others fold it into the contractor license or leave it to cities.LicensingGeneral Contractor license by stateBuilding, remodeling and home improvement. The rules swing from a full state exam to a city permit desk.LicensingHandyman license by stateSmall repairs and odd jobs. Most states draw a dollar line, and above it you need a contractor license.