STATE REFERENCE · HVAC LICENSING & CONTRACTS · 51 JURISDICTIONS
HVAC license requirements, state by state.
Every US state and the District of Columbia on one page: the regulator, HVAC license required, the cited statute or rule, how far each row was verified, and what you still need to confirm. Free, dated, and sourced — no email wall.
Download the full table (CSV) · one file per state under /states/data/ · CC BY 4.0, attribute Vertical OS and link to the state page.
| State | State license | Experience & exam | Bond / insurance | Reciprocity | Renewal & CE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | 3,000 hrs or school; exam | $20,000 bond | Yes: 8 listed boards | Annual; 4 hrs CE |
| Alaska | Partial | Resid.: 2 of 4 yrs + exam | $10,000 bond + liability ins. | None listed by state | Cycle n/s; 8 hrs CE |
| Arizona | Partial | 4 yrs exp; exam if required | $1,000-$7,500 bond (resid.) | Check board | Biennial; CE not stated |
| Arkansas | Yes | 2 yrs exp + exam | $250,000 liability ins. | None published | Annual; 8 hrs CE/code cycle |
| California | Partial | 4 yrs exp + exams | $25,000 bond | Yes: AZ, LA, MS, NV, NC | Every 2 yrs; no CE listed |
| Colorado | No, local only | Not stated | Not stated | None published | None at state level |
| Connecticut | Yes | 2 yrs journeyman or equiv.; exam | Not stated | None named by state | Annual; no CE published |
| Delaware | Yes | 2 yrs after cert, or 7 yrs; exam | Not stated | Yes: CT, IA, MD | Biennial; 5 hrs CE |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Master: 5 yrs + exam | $5,000 bond | None published | Biennial, Sep 30; no CE listed |
| Florida | Yes | 4 yrs or college+exp; exam | $100,000 liab. + $25,000 prop. | Endorsement: AR, CA, IA, SC | Biennial; 14 hrs CE |
| Georgia | Yes | Class I 4 yrs, II 5 yrs; exam | Not stated for licensure | Check board | Biennial; 4 hrs CE/yr |
| Hawaii | Partial | 4 yrs supervisory + exams | BI $100,000/$300,000; PD $50,000 | None | Biennial, Sep 30; no CE listed |
| Idaho | Yes | Exam; experience not stated | $2,000 bond | None | Check board; no CE required |
| Illinois | No, local only | Not stated | Liab. ins. $100,000/$300,000 | None at state level | None at state level |
| Indiana | No, local only | Not stated (set locally) | None statewide; set locally | Not stated | None statewide; set locally |
| Iowa | Yes | Master: 2 yrs journey-lvl + exam | $500,000 liability + $5,000 bond | None published (HVAC) | 3-yr term; CE required |
| Kansas | No, local only | Local: journeyman 2 yrs field | Not stated | Interstate: none published | Local; 12 hrs CE biennially |
| Kentucky | Yes | 2 yrs journeyman + exam | $500,000 GL + $300,000 prop. dmg | No list published | Annual; 6 hrs CE |
| Louisiana | Partial | No experience req. stated; exam | Not stated (commercial) | No state list; exam credit | Elect term; no CE (commercial) |
| Maine | Partial | No HVAC license class | Not stated | N/A (no HVAC license) | No HVAC license to renew |
| Maryland | Yes | Master: 3 yrs + exam | $300,000 GL + $100,000 prop. dmg | Yes: DE, VA | 2-yr term; no CE required |
| Massachusetts | Partial | Check board | Not stated | Check board | Refrig.: biennial; check board |
| Michigan | Yes | 3 yrs or 6,000 hrs; exam | Not stated | None published | Every 3 yrs; no CE listed |
| Minnesota | Partial | None stated | $25,000 bond | None published | Bond valid 2 yrs; no CE listed |
| Mississippi | Partial | Exams; experience not stated | Comm. GL $300,000/$600,000 | Exam waivers vary by state | Annual; 2 hrs CE (resid.) |
| Missouri | No, local only | None at state level | Not stated | None published | None at state level |
| Montana | Partial | None stated | Not stated | Not stated | Term not stated; no CE |
| Nebraska | No, local only | None stated | Not stated | None published | Annual reg.; no CE listed |
| Nevada | Yes | 4 yrs experience + exams | Bond $1,000-$500,000 by Board | Endorsement w/ listed states | Every 2 yrs; no CE listed |
| New Hampshire | Partial | Gas installer: 1,000 hrs; exam | Liability ins. req'd; no amount | None published | Biennial; 6 hrs CE |
| New Jersey | Yes | 5 yrs in HVACR + exam | $3,000 bond | None listed; board discretion | Biennial; CE up to 5 credits |
| New Mexico | Yes | 4 yrs experience + exams | $10,000 bond | None published | 2-yr term; no CE for MM |
| New York | No, local only | None at state level | None at state level | None published | None at state level |
| North Carolina | Yes | 2 yrs (4,000 hrs) + exams | None found | None (SC tech-exam waiver) | Annual (Dec.); no CE |
| North Dakota | Partial | None stated | Liability ins. req'd; no min. | Not stated | Annual, Mar 1; no CE listed |
| Ohio | Partial | 5 yrs as tradesperson + exam | $500,000 liability ins. | Yes: WV, KY, SC, LA, TN | Annual; 10 hrs CE |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Journeyman 3 yrs; exam | $5,000 bond + $50,000 GL | Agreements only; none named | Annual; 6 hrs CE per 36 mo. |
| Oregon | Partial | 16 hrs pre-license course + exam | Spec.: $20,000 bond, $300,000 ins | Not stated | 2-yr term; CE 8 hrs (resid.) |
| Pennsylvania | Partial | None stated | $50,000 injury + $50,000 prop. | Not stated | Biennial; no CE listed |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Master I: 1 yr journey. + exam | Not stated (DLT license) | None published | Biennial (birthday); no CE |
| South Carolina | Partial | Resid.: 1 yr + exams | Resid.: $10,000 bond over $5,000 | Exam waivers w/ listed states | Biennial (odd yrs); no CE |
| South Dakota | No, local only | None at state level | None at state level | None at state level | None at state level |
| Tennessee | Partial | Trade exam; years not stated | GL ins. scaled to limit; $100,000+ | None; exam waivers only | Check board; no CE (CMC-C) |
| Texas | Yes | 48 mos. supervised + exam | Class A GL $300,000/$600,000 | Yes: SC, GA | Annual; 8 hrs CE |
| Utah | Yes | 2 yrs HVAC experience + exam | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 GL | None; license by endorsement | Biennial; 6 hrs CE |
| Vermont | Partial | Type-S: training + 1 yr; exam | Contractor reg.: $1,000,000 ins. | Electrical: NH, ME residents | Type-S: 3 yrs, 8 hrs CE |
| Virginia | Yes | Master: 9 yrs or 1 yr journeyman | A/B: net worth or $50,000 bond | Yes: MD (tradesman license) | Check board; 3 hrs CE |
| Washington | Yes | None stated | $15,000 bond + liab. ins. | Not stated | 2 yrs; no CE listed |
| West Virginia | Yes | Tech.: 2,000 hrs + exam | No GL minimum located | None named; endorsement allowed | Annual; no CE listed |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Registration: no exam | Not stated | None HVAC-specific | Every 4 yrs; no CE |
| Wyoming | No, local only | None at state level | Not stated | None (no state HVAC license) | No state HVAC license |
What the verification column means.
Each row was researched against the state's own published sources and graded honestly. Verified — cited — 37 states; Partially verified — some rules cited — 14 states. A row marked as not fully verified is a pointer to the right regulator and the right rule, not a conclusion; every state page carries a "what to confirm" section that says exactly which question is still open.
Start with the licensing authority link — it is the primary source. The license-required and home-improvement-contract rows decide what you can sign and sell, so read both against the cited statute before changing a contract or a service area. The verification status says how much of the row was read at the source.
This page lists what your state publishes about licensing an HVAC or mechanical contractor and contracting with homeowners: who issues the license, whether one is required statewide, the classes and qualifications, insurance or bond minimums, reciprocity with other states, renewal and continuing education, and the state's home-improvement contract statute if it has one.
It is built for owners of residential HVAC companies, especially those hiring across a state line or opening a second territory. Every entry is a snapshot of what the cited source published on the verification date; it is a research starting point, not legal advice.
Snapshot date. Rows were last verified 2026-10-20. Laws change; the date is on every page so you can judge freshness for yourself.
Not legal advice. Every row is a dated snapshot of published sources; licensing rules and contract statutes change, and cities and counties add their own permit and license requirements. Confirm every entry with the named authority and your own counsel before relying on it.
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