- Master: at least three years as a licensed journeyman, with at least 1,875 hours in the past year. Journeyman: at least four years as a licensed apprentice with 6,000 training hours under a licensed contractor.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- If a county or town requires an HVACR surety bond, proof of the state required insurance can satisfy it.
- Two year term. Licenses expire on October 1 of odd numbered years.
Do you need a state license in Maryland?
Maryland licenses HVAC work at the state level through the Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Some counties and towns have their own HVACR rules, such as a surety bond. State law lets a license holder meet a local bond rule with proof of the state required insurance.
Maryland license types for HVAC work
Maryland splits the work into 5 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 |
|---|---|
| Master | All areas of HVACR work; can contract work when insured |
| Master Restricted | One or more specific HVACR areas, such as forced air heating, hydronic heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration |
| Limited | Limited contractor license after two years as a journeyman |
| Journeyman | HVACR work under the direction of a master |
| Apprentice | Entry level, training under a licensed HVACR contractor |
Steps to get licensed in Maryland
- Get an apprentice license and train under a licensed HVACR contractor.
- Log four years and 6,000 hours, then pass the journeyman exam through PSI.
- Work three years as a licensed journeyman with at least 1,875 hours in the last year.
- Apply through PSI and pass the master or master restricted exam with 70 percent.
- Get $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage coverage and send the certificate to the board.
- Renew every two years by October 1 of odd numbered years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: at least three years as a licensed journeyman, with at least 1,875 hours in the past year. Journeyman: at least four years as a licensed apprentice with 6,000 training hours under a licensed contractor.
The license to apply for. HVACR Master license.
Maryland HVAC exams
Trade exam. Exam for each license level (master, master restricted, limited, journeyman), handled by PSI, the board's testing vendor. A score of 70 percent is needed to pass.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
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 Maryland
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 |
|---|---|
| Master license | $94.50 |
| Master Restricted license, per area | $31.50 |
| Limited license | $94.50 |
| Journeyman license | $25.00 |
| Apprentice license | $12.00 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Masters, master restricted and limited license holders must carry at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage insurance, and send proof to the board.
Bond. If a county or town requires an HVACR surety bond, proof of the state required insurance can satisfy it.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Two year term. Licenses expire on October 1 of odd numbered years.
Reciprocity. The board has reciprocal agreements with Delaware and Virginia.
Good to know in Maryland
- A license is required even if you are licensed in another state and have no office in Maryland.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerant.
- The board can fine up to $5,000 for each violation.
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 Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors 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.