- None stated. Homeowners working on their own single family home are exempt.
- Must be at least 21 with five years in the HVACR business before applying. At least four of those years must be in a US Department of Labor approved apprenticeship or training program (HVACR, steamfitter, pipefitter or sheet metal). An accredited HVACR school program can count for two of the four years, and some degrees can substitute.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A $3,000 surety bond, renewed each year.
- Every two years. Five hours of continuing education per two year cycle, not required for the first renewal.
Do you need a state license in New Jersey?
New Jersey licenses HVAC work at the state level through the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs). Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
None stated. Homeowners working on their own single family home are exempt.
Work also needs local construction permits from the municipality.
The New Jersey license for this work
There is one license to aim for here.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Master HVACR Contractor | Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contracting |
Steps to get licensed in New Jersey
- Build five years of HVACR experience, with at least four in an approved apprenticeship or training program.
- Apply to the State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors to sit for the Master HVACR exam.
- Pass the board exam.
- Get general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence and a $3,000 surety bond.
- Receive your license and pull permits through each municipality.
- Renew every two years and complete the required continuing education.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Must be at least 21 with five years in the HVACR business before applying. At least four of those years must be in a US Department of Labor approved apprenticeship or training program (HVACR, steamfitter, pipefitter or sheet metal). An accredited HVACR school program can count for two of the four years, and some degrees can substitute.
The license to apply for. Master HVACR Contractor.
New Jersey HVAC exams
Trade exam. Yes. Applicants must pass the board licensing exam. Check with the board for the current format and provider.
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 New Jersey
The board lists 2 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 |
|---|---|
| License renewal fee, per two year period | $160 |
| Reinstatement fee for a lapsed license | $150 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence for combined bodily injury and property damage.
Bond. A $3,000 surety bond, renewed each year.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years. Five hours of continuing education per two year cycle, not required for the first renewal.
Reciprocity. The board may license contractors from other states without the exam when that state offers New Jersey equal reciprocity and has comparable standards. The board has listed many states that do not qualify, including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and New Mexico.
Good to know in New Jersey
- The license is held by a bona fide representative of the business: the owner, a partner, an LLC manager or a corporate officer.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for refrigerant handling.
- Licensed electrical contractors and master plumbers can keep working within the scope of their own license.
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 New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs) and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
- NJ Legislature, HVACR Contracting Business Act (P.L.2007, c.211)
- NJ Legislature, P.L.2018, c.99 (Master HVACR training requirements)
- NJ HVACR Board, license reinstatement application (fees, bond, insurance, continuing education)
- NJ HVACR Board, reciprocity alert
- NJ HVACR Board, bona fide representative registration form
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Hiring Home Improvement Contractors (consumer brief, rev. 01/13/25)
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.