HVAC License Requirements By State: NEXT Insurance Guide

Colorado

Colorado does not require licensing for HVAC contractors, but it is possible to become certified. Local licensing may be required.

Required business insurance in Colorado:

• Colorado requires workers’ compensation if you have one or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Colorado’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage.

Learn more about HVAC license and insurance requirements in Colorado.

Connecticut

To work as an HVAC contractor, you’ll need a license issued by the Department of Consumer Protection. There are 21 different heating, piping and cooling license types available.

To qualify for a journeyman’s license, you will need to have completed a registered apprenticeship program or the equivalent. You will need to pass an exam and pay an application fee.

For a contractor license, you need to show you have two years of experience as a licensed journeyman. You need to pass a contractors exam, as well as a business and law exam. The license must be renewed annually.

Required business insurance in Connecticut:

• Connecticut requires workers’ compensation if you have one or more employees
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Connecticut’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage.

Delaware

Delaware requires HVAC contractors to hold a license. There are two license types that determine the type of work you are permitted to do. The Master HVACR Restricted license is able to provide work in one specialty area. To provide service in more than one specialty area, you must hold a Master HVACR license.

As part of your application, you must supply proof of a journeyman’s certificate and at least two years of experience under a master contractor. If you don’t have a journeyman’s certification, you must have at least seven years of work experience under a master contractor.

Required business insurance in Delaware:

• Delaware requires workers’ compensation if you have one or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Delaware’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage.

District of Columbia

To meet the District of Columbia’s HVAC license requirements, you will need to be licensed by the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades. To become licensed as a journeyman or master contractor, you will need to pay an application fee and pass the written exam. The license must be renewed every two years.

Required business insurance in Washington DC:

• DC requires workers’ compensation if you have one or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. DC’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage.

Florida

To work in Florida, you will need an HVAC license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

There are four types of HVAC license classifications: Class A and Class B certified contractors and Class A and Class B registered contractors.

• Class A license allows you to work on projects of all sizes.
• Class B license limits work to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU in one system.
• A certified license allows you to work anywhere in Florida.
• A registered license allows you to work in specific jurisdictions or counties. You must pass the local exam or licensing requirements to operate.

You might also opt for a certified or registered mechanical contractor license, which allows the same work on heating, refrigeration and air conditioning, but extends the work scope to boilers/pressure vessel systems, gasoline piping and more.

For all licenses, applicants must pass both a trade exam and a business and finances exam. Depending on the type of license you’re applying for, you may need to meet certain education and experience requirements.

Required business insurance in Florida:

• Florida requires workers’ compensation if you have four or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Florida’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $10,000 per person / $20,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage.

Learn more about HVAC license requirements in Florida.

Georgia

Georgia requires HVAC contractors to have a license from the Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors to work in the state. There are two categories of licenses: Class I, which is restricted, and Class II, which is unrestricted.

Class I applicants must have four years of experience, while Class II applicants must have five years of experience. In both licenses, education can be applied to experience requirements. Both licenses require passing an exam with a score of 70% or higher. A $10,000 cash or surety bond is required in the county where you are planning to work.

Required business insurance in Georgia:

• Georgia requires workers’ compensation if you have three or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Georgia’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage.

Learn more about HVAC license and insurance requirements in Georgia.

Hawaii

To work as an HVAC contractor in Hawaii, you must be licensed by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. While there is no license for HVAC technicians, you will have to get a specialty contractor license with specific classifications to perform HVACR work.

You will need to pass a business and law, as well as a trade exam. To qualify, you must have four years of experience out of the previous ten years in full-time supervisory work as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor in the specialty field you are applying to be licensed for.

You must show proof of workers’ compensation insurance and liability insurance ($100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for property damage).

Required business insurance in Hawaii:

• You must obtain general liability insurance of not less than $300,000 per occurrence.
• Hawaii requires workers’ compensation if you have one or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Hawaii’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage.

Idaho

The state of Idaho requires all people who work in the HVAC industry to be licensed, including apprentices, journeymen and contractors. There are two classes of HVAC contractor licenses — contractor and specialty contractor — and both are awarded by the Idaho Division of Building Safety.

For both contractor license types, to qualify to take the exam, you must show proof of at least 24 months of experience as an HVAC journeyman or HVAC specialty journeyman. A $2,000 compliance bond is required.

Required business insurance in Idaho:

• Idaho requires workers’ compensation if you have one or more employees.
• If you drive for work-related tasks, you may need commercial auto coverage. Idaho’s minimum motor vehicle requirements are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage.