- Four years in the trade, with at least one year as a foreman, or a mix of college credit and experience. A four year construction related degree counts as three years when paired with one year of experience. Class C holders have a separate upgrade route.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Every two years, with 14 hours of continuing education covering workers compensation, business practices, workplace safety, and laws and rules.
Do you need a state license in Florida?
Florida licenses HVAC work at the state level through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Certified licenses work anywhere in Florida. Registered licenses only work in the local areas where you hold a local competency card.
Florida license types for HVAC work
Florida splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Class A Air Conditioning (CA) | Heating and cooling systems of any size |
| Class B Air Conditioning (CA) | Systems up to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating in any one system |
| Class C Air Conditioning | Service of existing systems only, no new licenses since 1988 |
| Mechanical (CM) | All HVAC work plus wider piping such as gas lines and fuel systems |
Steps to get licensed in Florida
- Build four years of trade experience, including one year as a foreman, or use a degree and experience mix.
- Register with Professional Testing Inc and pass the Business and Finance and trade exams.
- Get a credit report, fingerprints, liability insurance and workers compensation coverage or exemption.
- Apply to DBPR for certification and pay the $145 or $245 fee depending on the date.
- Qualify your business on the application if you work under a company name.
- Renew every two years with 14 hours of continuing education and the renewal fee.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Four years in the trade, with at least one year as a foreman, or a mix of college credit and experience. A four year construction related degree counts as three years when paired with one year of experience. Class C holders have a separate upgrade route.
The license to apply for. Certified Air Conditioning Contractor, Class A or Class B.
Florida HVAC exams
Trade exam. Yes. A trade knowledge exam, registered through Professional Testing Inc (PTI). You need at least 70 percent to pass.
Business and law exam. Yes. A Business and Finance exam, scheduled at Pearson VUE after registering with Professional Testing Inc. Passing score is 70 percent.
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
What it costs in Florida
The board lists 5 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial certification, May 1 of an even year to Aug 31 of an odd year | $245 |
| Initial certification, Sept 1 of an odd year to Apr 30 of an even year | $145 |
| Exam registration with Professional Testing Inc, all parts (card) | $215 |
| Business and Finance exam seat fee to Pearson VUE | $80 |
| Renewal fee, every two years | $205, plus $50 per qualified business |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General liability of at least $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage, plus workers compensation or an exemption.
Bond. The board's pages do not list one.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years, with 14 hours of continuing education covering workers compensation, business practices, workplace safety, and laws and rules.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Florida
- Applicants submit a credit report. A FICO score below 660 means taking a 14 hour financial responsibility course.
- Electronic fingerprints are required.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for refrigerant work.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for HVAC repair near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.