Do HVAC Contractors Need a License? Rules by State
Short answerRules differ by state, and some leave licensing to cities and counties. This page lists the 24 places where we read the rule on an official page, each with its source. A missing state means we couldn't verify it, not that no license is needed.
| State | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | The Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors certifies contractors who install, service or repair heating and cooling equipment. Active contractors must carry a $20,000 performance bond. | Source |
| California | Heating and air conditioning contractors are licensed by the Contractors State License Board under the C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor classification. | Source |
| Connecticut | People doing HVAC and heating work must have the appropriate Connecticut license, in addition to any home improvement registration. | Source |
| Delaware | The Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners must issue a license for any HVACR work in Delaware. | Source |
| District of Columbia | The DC Board of Industrial Trades licenses refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. DC is a single jurisdiction, so this is a District-level license. | Source |
| Georgia | Georgia has a State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors, a division of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. | Source |
| Indiana | Indiana has no statewide licensing requirement for HVAC technicians. Requirements are set locally and vary from county to county. | Source |
| Iowa | The Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board licenses and regulates those working in the hydronic, HVAC, refrigeration and sheet metal trades. | Source |
| Kentucky | Heating and air conditioning contractors in Kentucky must be licensed by the state's Division of HVAC. | Source |
| Louisiana | The State Licensing Board for Contractors lists mechanical projects exceeding $10,000, including labor and materials, under its commercial license. It does not settle smaller or residential jobs, so check with the board. | Source |
| Maryland | The Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors licenses HVACR contractors. | Source |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts says installers or providers of central heating and air conditioning do not need Home Improvement Contractor registration. That does not address any other license they may need. | Source |
| Michigan | Michigan's Bureau of Construction Codes licenses mechanical contractors. | Source |
| Mississippi | On a qualifying residential construction or improvement project, residential HVAC subcontractors need a state license regardless of their share of the job. Confirm smaller stand-alone jobs with the State Board of Contractors. | Source |
| New Jersey | The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs lists a state licensing board for HVACR (heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration). | Source |
| North Carolina | The State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors licenses HVAC contractors in North Carolina. | Source |
| Ohio | The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board issues state licenses to commercial contractors in HVAC, hydronics and refrigeration. Applicants must pass an exam, carry at least $500,000 in contractor liability coverage, and generally have 5 years as a tradesperson. The board says local building departments may require this license for residential work, so ask yours. | Source |
| Oklahoma | The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board licenses mechanical trades, and installation in a commercial building requires a Mechanical HVAC license. | Source |
| Oregon | Heating and air conditioning work is among the construction activities covered by the Construction Contractors Board license. | Source |
| Texas | Air conditioning and refrigeration work that is not exempt must be provided through a Texas licensed Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor, who must carry the required liability insurance. Mini-split units also require a licensed contractor. | Source |
| Virginia | HVAC workers are licensed through Virginia's Tradesmen Program, with residential, journeyman and master levels. | Source |
| Washington | HVAC is one of the regulated contractor specialties in Washington, and each specialty requires its own registration with the Department of Labor & Industries. | Source |
| West Virginia | Heating, ventilating and cooling contractor is one of the contractor license classes under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. The Division of Labor also keeps an HVAC technician search. | Source |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services issues HVAC Contractor and HVAC Qualifier credentials. | Source |
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General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.