| Alabama | yes | Heating & Air Conditioning Contractor, Commercial Refrigeration Contractor | Alabama HACR Board (no third-party exam provider is named in the cited Alabama HACR source pages; verify current exam delivery with the Board). | Examination fee is exactly $175.00 (non-refundable). Annual contractor certification fee is $220 for active status, or $110 for inactive status. | Active status requires a $20,000 performance bond. Inactive status has no bond requirement. | Annual renewal (by December 31 each year); renewal fee $220. | Reciprocal agreements exist with Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina (both RBC and CLB), Texas, West Virginia, and Louisiana. Out-of-state license must have been obtained by examination with a passing score of at least 70%. |
| Alaska | yes | Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal, Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping, Residential HVAC, Unlimited Refrigeration, Mechanical Systems Temperature Control | Mechanical Administrator exam administered by PSI Services, LLC (by category; minimum 70%). EPA Section 608 is separately required under federal law for refrigerant handling. | Mechanical Administrator fees total $350 ($150 application + $200 license). Mechanical Contractor Registration fees total $350 ($100 application + $250 registration). | Mechanical Contractor Registration requires a surety bond — the application instructions reference $5,000 while the bond form lists $10,000, so confirm the current amount with the Division — plus general liability insurance of at least $20,000 property damage, $50,000 injury/death to one person, and $100,000 injury/death to more than one person. | Biennial (Mechanical Contractor registrations expire Dec 31 of even years; Mechanical Administrator licenses expire Dec 31 of odd years). | Not detailed in the sources reviewed; confirm endorsement options with the Division. |
| Arizona | yes | R-39 Residential Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (incl. solar), C-39 Commercial Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, CR-39 Dual Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | Two exams: the Arizona Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE) via GMetrix ($61) and a trade-specific exam via PSI ($66), unless waived. | ROC fees by classification (excl. exam fees): R-39 total $720 ($80 application + $270 license + $370 recovery fund); C-39 $580 ($100 + $480); CR-39 $850 ($100 + $380 + $370). Exam fees: SRE $61 (GMetrix), trade $66 (PSI). | Surety bond by classification and gross volume: residential $4,250 (under $375,000) or $7,500 ($375,000+); commercial $2,500–$50,000; dual combines both. The ROC does not list a general-liability insurance requirement. | Two-year license term; renew per the ROC fee schedule. | The ROC offers exam-waiver options for qualifying applicants (see ROC waiver forms) rather than blanket reciprocity; an Arizona bond and application are still required. |
| Arkansas | yes | Class A Mechanical Contractor, Class B Mechanical Contractor, Class D Mechanical Contractor, Class E Mechanical Contractor, Class L Mechanical Contractor (Lifetime) | National examination agency (Board-approved; the 2022 HVAC/R rules describe a 'comprehensive examination created and proctored by a national examination agency or equivalent' — no specific provider is named in the cited source). | Annual license fees (HVAC/R Board rules, effective June 3, 2022): Class A $200, Class B $150, Class C $100, Class D $150, Class E $150; Class L (Lifetime) no charge; Registrant $25/yr. Examination fee: minimum $55 (written) / $100 (computerized) per exam. | General liability insurance required: minimum $250,000 for an individual licensee, or $250,000 per licensed employee under an employer-provided policy. Registrants and Class L (Lifetime) holders are exempt from the GL insurance requirement. Confirm any surety bond requirement with the Arkansas HVAC/R Board. | Annual renewal required. | None. The Arkansas HVAC/R Board has no reciprocal licensing agreements with any other state. |
| California | yes | C-20 — Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating & Air-Conditioning | CSLB computer-based Law & Business and C-20 trade exams | CSLB guide lists $450 application processing fee plus $200 initial license fee for a sole owner or $350 for a non-sole owner; one-classification totals are $650 sole owner or $800 non-sole owner before bonds, insurance, fingerprinting, and outside costs. | $25,000 contractor license bond. Active C-20 contractors must carry workers' compensation insurance or valid self-insurance whether or not they have employees. | Initial license is valid for 2 years; active licenses renew for 2 years. | No automatic transfer. CSLB has reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Louisiana, and Nevada; applicants may qualify for trade-exam waiver review but must still pass Law & Business and meet CSLB requirements. |
| Colorado | local-only | — | No | Set locally by the issuing municipality or county (e.g., Denver charges varying fees for mechanical contractor licensing). | Set locally; insurance and bonding requirements are defined by the municipality where you operate (e.g., Denver requires general liability and licensing bonds). | Set locally by the issuing municipality. | Colorado issues no statewide HVAC license, so there is no statewide license to transfer; you must meet the local requirements of each municipality where you work. |
| Connecticut | yes | Unlimited Contractor (S-1), Unlimited Journeyperson (S-2), Limited Contractor (D-1), Limited Journeyperson (D-2) | PSI Exams. Contractor requires both the trade-specific exam and the Connecticut Business and Law exam. Journeyperson requires the trade-specific exam. | Contractor application fee is $150 (non-refundable). Journeyperson application fee is $90. Renewal fee: Contractor $150; Journeyperson $120. Examination fees are paid separately to PSI (the exact current amount is not stated in the cited DCP pages — confirm with PSI at psiexams.com). | The DCP does not require general liability insurance or a surety bond to obtain or renew an S-1/S-2/D-1/D-2 trade license. Liability insurance is commonly required by municipalities to pull permits and by clients, and workers' compensation is required under state law if you have employees. | Annual renewal (licenses expire on August 31st). | No blanket reciprocity. Out-of-state credentials are evaluated for equivalency on a case-by-case basis. |
| Delaware | yes | Master HVACR, Master HVACR Restricted | A passing score on a written, standardized examination is required for Master HVACR licensure. The 7-year experience path requires passing a Board-approved apprenticeship equivalency test. | Master HVACR (and Master HVACR Restricted) application fee: $173. A Commercial Hood System Examination fee of $50 is listed on the Board fee schedule; no general Master HVACR examination fee is published. | No insurance or bond requirement for Master HVACR licensure was identified in the official sources. | Licenses are renewable biennially. Continuing-education requirements take effect for the 2026 renewal. | Connecticut and Maryland are recognized as substantially similar (no proof of experience required). Other states are evaluated case-by-case and require proof of practicing a minimum of seven (7) years. |
| Florida | yes | Certified Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor, Certified Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor | Professional Testing, Inc. registers candidates; Pearson VUE administers computer-based Business & Finance and Trade Knowledge exams. | Exam: Professional Testing, Inc. charges an application/registration fee (current amount not in cited source — confirm at floridaexam.com); Pearson VUE charges the exam fee (current amount not in cited source — confirm at pearsonvue.com/fl/construction/). Renewal: biennial; current renewal fees are not in the cited DBPR pages — confirm on the current DBPR application or online checkout. | Public liability and property damage insurance in CILB rule amounts; workers' compensation coverage or exemption required within 30 days of license issuance. Confirm current insurance dollar amounts with DBPR/CILB. | Biennial; certified contractor licenses expire August 31 of even-numbered years. | Louisiana/North Carolina/Mississippi reciprocity list applies to General, Building, and Residential, not HVAC. HVAC applicants should review endorsement/substantially equivalent exam paths such as Arkansas Master HVACR, California Class A Air Conditioning, Iowa Master HVACR, and South Carolina Mechanical - Air Conditioning. |
| Georgia | yes | Conditioned Air Contractor — Class 1 (restricted), Conditioned Air Contractor — Class 2 (non-restricted) | Exam required for licensure by examination; the SOS how-to guide does not name the provider or passing score — confirm via the official board/exam bulletin. | $110 application fee for Class 1 or Class 2 licensure by examination (Georgia SOS). Other fees confirm with the board. | Not stated in the SOS how-to guide; confirm general liability / bond requirements with the board. | Renew by November 30 of odd-numbered years; late-renewal period December 1-31. | Not stated in the SOS how-to guide; confirm with the board. |
| Hawaii | yes | C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning Contractor, C-40 Refrigeration Contractor | PSI Services, LLC. Must pass both the trade exam (C-52 or C-40) and the Hawaii Contractor Business and Law exam. | Application fee $50 per application; examination fee $75 per part (Business & Law + Trade, two parts per classification); license fee $663 or $494 for entity/sole proprietor (depending on the license year applied for) and $438 or $334 for the RME (DCCA FAQ). Renewal fee $353 for entity/sole proprietor, $208 for RME (DCCA FAQ). On-time renewals for the 2026–2028 licensing period: $338 entity/sole proprietor active, $208 RME active, $160 inactive (DCCA board page). | No published minimum coverage amount: the DCCA board requires proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) at application and renewal but does not publish a specific minimum on its FAQ or board page (DCCA FAQ). Confirm current limits with the Contractors License Board. | Biennial renewal (every 2 years) expiring on September 30 of even-numbered years. Unrenewed licenses are forfeited. | We did not identify any automatic reciprocity agreements. Applicants with out-of-state licensed experience must still submit experience certificates and a project list. |
| Idaho | yes | HVAC Contractor, HVAC Journeyman, HVAC Apprentice, HVAC Specialty Journeyman | PSI Services. Candidates are required to take and pass the exam prior to submitting their application to DOPL. | New contractor license: a $35.00 processing fee plus a $225 license fee paid before the license is issued. Contractor renewal is $150. Journeyman license is $150, renewal is $75. Apprentice license and renewal is $10. Licenses have a 3-year term (Apprentice is annual). | Contractors must maintain a $2,000 surety bond filed with the HVAC Board. Refer to DOPL for active business registration and insurance requirements. | Triennial renewal (every 3 years) for Journeyman and Contractor licenses. Apprentice registrations are renewed annually. | No automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state credentials must be reviewed by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). |
| Illinois | local-only | — | No | Set locally by the issuing municipality; confirm with the local building/licensing department where you work. | Set locally; insurance and bonding requirements are defined by the municipality and by individual projects. | Set locally by the issuing municipality. | Illinois issues no statewide HVAC license, so there is no statewide license to transfer; you must meet the local requirements of each municipality where you work. |
| Indiana | local-only | — | No | Set locally. Indianapolis: new-license fee prorated by application date (specific dollar amounts not available on the cited indy.gov page; the page is JS-rendered and no archived version in scope published the schedule). Renewal = business license + license holder fee. Allen County: third-party testing facility sets the exam fee. Confirm current schedule with the issuing municipality. | Set locally. Indianapolis: general liability required (death/bodily injury + property damage minimums), workers' compensation if you have workers, plus a surety bond. Allen County: confirm with the Building Department. Specific dollar minimums on the cited indy.gov page are not extractable in scope; confirm current limits with the issuing municipality. | Set locally. Indianapolis: biennial, expiring December 31 of odd-numbered years. | No statewide license to transfer. Some municipalities (e.g., Indianapolis, Allen County) accept a license earned via a national exam such as ICC or Prometric; Allen County does not accept NASCLA, PSI, or ProV. |
| Iowa | yes | Master HVAC/Refrigeration (Individual License), Journeyperson HVAC/Refrigeration (Individual License), Mechanical Contractor + Contractor Registration (Business) | Kirkwood Community College (PMSB-approved provider for HVAC/Refrigeration Master and Journeyperson examinations). | Contractor fees prorated by cycle entry point: $66.75–$400 initial; $400 on-time renewal. Board exam approval: $35/exam. Paper app fee: $25. Exam fee paid to Kirkwood CC — confirm amount with Kirkwood. | $500,000 public liability insurance required. Surety bond: $5,000 in-state; $25,000 out-of-state (or IDOT prequalification letter). | 3-year licensing period. Current: July 1, 2023–June 30, 2026. Next: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029. Renewal opens May 1 of year three; deadline June 30. | Iowa Code includes reciprocal license provisions; specific reciprocal states — confirm current list with DIAL. |
| Kansas | local-only | — | No | Wichita/Sedgwick County MABCD contractor licensing fees apply. For example, a two-year mechanical contractor license with Wichita/Sedgwick County MABCD is $360. | Wichita/Sedgwick County MABCD requires contractors to maintain a minimum of $300,000 in general liability insurance. | Wichita/Sedgwick County MABCD contractor licenses operate on a two-year cycle expiring on December 31 of odd-numbered years; trade certificates are valid for two years. | Standardized competency exams are designated by K.S.A. 12-1541. MABCD states that it does not reciprocate with other jurisdictions. |
| Kentucky | yes | Master HVAC Contractor, Journeyman HVAC Mechanic | DHBC or its designee (currently Prov Testing Services). Exam requires a score of 70% or higher. Master exam includes business and law. | Per 815 KAR 8:010: Master application fee is $250 (renewal $250); Journeyman application fee is fifty (50) dollars (renewal fifty (50) dollars). Master examination fee is $150; Journeyman examination fee is fifty (50) dollars. | Per KRS 198B.668 (as referenced in 815 KAR 8:010): Master HVAC Contractors must maintain active general liability and property damage insurance to obtain and hold a license. The specific minimum dollar amounts in KRS 198B.668 are not currently retrievable from a reachable official source — confirm current minimums with the Kentucky DHBC before submission. | Annual renewal (expires in birth month). | Handled on a case-by-case basis. Out-of-state credentials are reviewed by the Division of HVAC to determine if requirements are equivalent; no automatic state lists. |
| Louisiana | yes | Mechanical Contractor (Major), Heat, A/C, Ventilation, Duct Work, & Refrigeration (Subclassification) | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). Must pass the Commercial Trade Exam (Mechanical or HVAC/Refrigeration subclassification) and the online Business and Law course/exam. | Commercial contractor application fee is $100 per classification. Varies depending on number of licenses. | General liability insurance required, minimum $100,000, with the LSLBC named as certificate holder, submitted during both application and renewal. Workers' compensation required if you have employees (no minimum amount). Inactive licensees are exempt from submitting insurance certificates. No surety bond is required. | Annual or biennial; determined by LSLBC upon initial licensing. | LSLBC maintains reciprocal examination agreements for the trade exam with specific states; the Louisiana Business and Law course is still mandatory. |
| Maine | yes | Oil & Solid Fuel Technician (Apprentice / Journeyman / Master), Propane & Natural Gas Helper, Propane & Natural Gas Technician (with endorsements) | For Journeyman, Master, and Propane & Natural Gas Technician licensing paths, applicants must pass a Maine Fuel Board examination with a score of 70% or higher. Propane/natural gas technician applicants must first complete a Board-approved training program to sit for the exam. EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling. Confirm the current exam scheduling and application process directly with the Board or the exam administrator. | Per-license fees set by the Maine Fuel Board for 2-year terms plus a $21.00 criminal-background fee: Apprentice Oil Burner/Solid Fuel $40.00; Journeyman Oil Burner/Solid Fuel $100.00; Master Oil Burner/Solid Fuel $200.00; Propane & Natural Gas Helper $20.00; Propane & Natural Gas Technician $100.00. Late renewal fee is $50.00. | Statewide insurance or bonding requirements specific to individual Fuel Technician licensees were not identified in the reviewed Board rules; however, any business that services fuel-burning equipment must designate a licensed Master Technician for each fuel type it services. Verify all current insurance and bonding requirements with the Board and local municipalities before starting work. | Licenses renew biennially (a 2-year term based on the first licensure date). A $50.00 late fee applies after expiration; renewals more than 90 days late (or, for some tiers, more than 2 years late) face reinstatement penalties or treatment as a new applicant. | Automatic reciprocity or licensure-by-endorsement agreements for out-of-state fuel technicians were not identified in the reviewed Board rules. Applicants holding an out-of-state license should contact the Maine Fuel Board to request an evaluation of their credentials. |
| Maryland | yes | Apprentice, Journeyman (Restricted / Full), Master (Restricted / Full), Limited Contractor | PSI — pass at 70% BEFORE applying for a Journeyman, Journeyman Restricted, Master, or Master Restricted license. | Board fees (as of July 1, 2025): Master $94.50, Master Restricted $31.50/area, Limited $94.50, Journeyman $25, Journeyman Restricted $25/area, Apprentice $12. Exam fee paid separately to PSI. | Contracting applicants (Master, Master Restricted, Limited): $300,000 general liability, $100,000 property damage, or $400,000 combined single limit. Workers' compensation if you have employees. | Every 2 years (biennial). | Reciprocity with Delaware and Virginia — a current, good-standing license from those states may qualify for a Maryland license by endorsement, subject to Board review and a Maryland application. |
| Massachusetts | yes | Refrigeration Apprentice, Refrigeration Technician, Refrigeration Contractor | State Refrigeration exam (Division of Occupational Licensure / Bureau); OPSI mails a notice to appear after Bureau approval. Provider, content, and fee not specified in the sources reviewed. | Application: Apprentice $40, Technician $75, Contractor $150. Renewal: Apprentice $20, Journeyman/Technician $50, Master/Contractor $75. Exam fee set by the testing provider. | No general-liability or surety-bond minimum is set for the refrigeration license in the DOL sources reviewed; workers' compensation is required under state law if you have employees. | Renewed through the Division of Occupational Licensure; cycle frequency not confirmed in the sources reviewed. | A technician licensed in another jurisdiction may be considered for an equivalent Massachusetts license with the Bureau's majority approval, rather than broad automatic reciprocity. |
| Michigan | yes | HVAC equipment, Hydronic heating and cooling and process piping, Ductwork, Refrigeration, Limited / Unlimited heating service, Limited / Unlimited refrigeration and air conditioning service | PSI conducts the mechanical examinations. Approved applicants are contacted by PSI to schedule at one of five PSI testing centers; exam fees are paid to PSI at scheduling. An exam must be passed for each desired work classification. | Exam fees are paid to PSI at scheduling. Renewal is $300 (mechanical contractor license), with a $100 late fee if not renewed before expiration. Initial application/issuance fees: confirm on the current BCC application. | No state surety bond, general-liability, or workers' compensation requirement is established on the BCC pages reviewed; confirm any requirement against the BCC application and local/contractual rules. | Mechanical Contractor licenses renew every 3 years by August 31; not all licenses expire in the same year. | No blanket reciprocity is established on the BCC pages reviewed; confirm endorsement/out-of-state options with the BCC. |
| Minnesota | local-only | — | No | State mechanical bond filing fee is $100 (valid for two years); local licensing fees are set by individual cities or counties. | A state-mandated $25,000 Mechanical Contractor Bond must be filed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Local jurisdictions may require additional liability insurance. | State mechanical bond registration is biennial (every 2 years); local licenses are renewed on local cycles. | Minnesota issues no statewide individual HVAC license; you must meet the local licensing and competency requirements of each municipality where you work. |
| Mississippi | yes | HVAC Contractor | PSI (open book). Trade exam and Mississippi Business and Law exam both required. | Application fee: $400 commercial, $50 residential. License issuance, exam, and renewal fees — confirm current amounts with MSBOC. | General liability: $300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate (commercial); no minimum for residential. Surety bond may be required — confirm with MSBOC. | Annual (every one year). Late renewal accepted up to 180 days after expiration; after 180 days a new application is required. | HVAC-specific trade exam reciprocity confirmed with: Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee. Arkansas excludes HVAC; GA/NC not confirmed for HVAC. B&L exam always required. |
| Missouri | local-only | — | No | Set locally. Example: the City of St. Louis charges a $25 application fee per mechanical permit; other amounts vary by jurisdiction. | Set locally; insurance and bonding requirements are defined by the municipality and by individual projects. | Set locally by the issuing municipality. | Missouri issues no statewide HVAC license, so there is no statewide license to transfer; meet the local requirements of each municipality where you work. |
| Montana | no | — | No | The construction contractor license application fee is established by DLI rule; DLI states the cost to apply or renew did not change with the January 1, 2026 transition (the prior registration fee was capped at $70 for initial and $70 for renewal). Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC): $125, valid two years. Confirm current amounts on the DLI forms. | The construction contractor license requires proof of compliance with workers' compensation laws. A statewide surety bond or general liability insurance requirement for individual Construction Contractor licenses was not identified in the reviewed rules; however, general liability insurance and surety bonds can be submitted as optional business documentation for an ICEC. Confirm local permitting, insurance, and bond requirements with the municipal building department where work is performed. | Existing registrations converted to licenses on January 1, 2026 keep their same expiration date. ICEC is valid two years. Confirm current renewal cycles with DLI. | Automatic reciprocity agreements with other states for construction contractor credentials were not identified in the reviewed rules. Out-of-state contractors performing construction work in Montana must generally meet the state's licensing or ICEC requirements, subject to statutory exemptions under MCA 37-45-104. |
| Nebraska | local-only | — | No | State contractor registration fee is not to exceed $40. Refer to local jurisdictions for any local permit or registration fees. | State registration requires proof of workers' compensation insurance or a signed statement of exemption. Refer to local jurisdictions for any local insurance or bond requirements. | State contractor registration is renewed annually. Refer to local jurisdictions for any local renewal cycles. | No statewide reciprocity. Check with local municipal or county authorities. |
| Nevada | yes | C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor | PSI Licensure testing centers. Candidates must pass a trade exam (closed-book) and a Nevada Business and Law exam (open-book). | Application fee and license fee apply; confirm current amounts with the Nevada State Contractors Board. | Surety bond required; NSCB-determined amount ranges from $1,000 to $500,000. Cash bond option available with $200 biennial admin fee. Workers' compensation required if you have employees. | Biennial (every two years). | Licensure by endorsement available: AZ, LA, TN recognized as C-21 trade-exam equivalent (trade exam may be waived). FL eligible but NV trade exam still required. Nevada B&L exam required for all applicants regardless. |
| New Hampshire | no | domestic appliance technician, hearth system installation and service technician, fuel gas piping installer, fuel gas installation technician, fuel gas service technician | No | No fee for a general HVAC license (none exists). Fuel Gas Fitter fees (Saf-Mec 501, 2-year terms): initial fuel gas fitting license $190.00; fuel gas trainee registration $90.00; renewal $180.00; trainee renewal $80.00. Late renewal is $25.00 per month (trainees $10.00); reinstatement past 12 months is $350.00. | A statewide surety bond or general liability insurance requirement for individual Fuel Gas Fitter licensees was not identified in Saf-C 8000; however, RSA 153 requires business entities engaged in fuel gas fitting to provide proof of liability insurance prior to issuance and renewal of a business entity license. Verify all local permitting, insurance, and bond requirements with the municipal building department where work is performed. | Fuel Gas Fitter licenses are issued for 2-year terms. No renewal for general HVAC. | RSA 153 authorizes the Board to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states, but active mutual-recognition agreements with other states were not identified in the reviewed rules. Check with the OPLC for any recently established agreements. |
| New Jersey | yes | Master HVACR Contractor | Board examination required, scheduled and passed after the Board approves your application. Provider, format, and passing score are not specified in the Board's general materials — confirm with the NJ HVACR Board. | Application fee $100; a separate licensing fee is assessed on approval; biennial renewal fee $160. Exam fees are paid to the testing provider. Confirm licensing and exam amounts with the Board. | A Master HVACR bond or general-liability minimum is not confirmed in the Board's accessible materials; confirm any requirement with the NJ HVACR Board. | Biennial (every 2 years); renewal fee $160. | Considered if the other state's standards are equal to or comparable with New Jersey's and that state reciprocates with NJ; submit an application with proof of the required education program, your out-of-state license, and proof the other state recognizes NJ licensees. |
| New Mexico | yes | MM-98 Mechanical (Includes HVAC), MM-3 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC), Journeyman Refrigeration (JR), Journeyman Sheet Metal (JSM) | Exams are administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID) or its designated exam administrator. Requires passing the approved qualifying examinations with a score of 75% or higher. | Licensing, application, and exam fees apply. Refer to the Construction Industries Division (CID) for the current fee schedule. | All active contractors must maintain a license bond of at least $10,000 underwritten by a corporate surety authorized in New Mexico. Workers' compensation insurance is required for contractors with employees. | Renewals are required periodically. Refer to the Construction Industries Division (CID) for current renewal requirements and cycles. | No direct reciprocity agreements for contractor licenses. Out-of-state license holders should contact the Construction Industries Division (CID) for verification of credentials. |
| New York | local-only | — | No | NYSDOL contractor registration $200 ($100 MWBE), valid 2 years. NYC Master Plumber (no HVAC-specific license): written exam $585, practical $530, license $200, renewal $150. | NYC Master Plumber: General Liability, Workers' Compensation, and Disability required (dollar minimums not confirmed). | NYSDOL registration: 2 calendar years. NYC Master Plumber license: 3-year term. | Varies by locality. |
| North Carolina | yes | Heating Group 1 (H1) — Class I / Class II, Heating Group 2 (H2), Heating Group 3 (H3) — Class I / Class II | Heating Group 1/2/3 contractor exam (4.0 hours) plus Business & Law (1.5 hours) unless exempt; after Board approval, applicants receive instructions for contacting the exam provider and scheduling, and must test within 90 days. | Current application/exam/license fees are listed in the Board's application packet. Late renewal in January adds a $25 processing amount (G.S. 87-22). | No general-liability minimum or surety bond is specified in the Board's licensing materials reviewed; confirm any requirement in the application packet. | Annual — licenses expire December 31; renewal continues in January with a $25 late processing amount (G.S. 87-22). | No license reciprocity agreements with any state. A technical-exam waiver agreement exists with South Carolina for plumbing/HVAC (the NC business-law exam is still required), and the Neighbor State License Recognition Act covers permanent NC residents licensed in GA, SC, TN, VA, or WV. |
| North Dakota | no | — | No | No statewide HVAC trade fee. State contractor license fees by class (Secretary of State): initial application $450 (Class A), $300 (Class B), $225 (Class C), $100 (Class D); annual renewal $90, $60, $45, $30 respectively. Local HVAC license fees, where required, are set by the city or county. | The state contractor license requires a certificate of liability insurance (no specific minimum is published on the Secretary of State contractor page) and, for employers with North Dakota employees, WSI workers' compensation coverage. | Annual — the state contractor license renews on or before March 1 each year (projects exceeding $50,000 are listed at renewal). | No reciprocity is published for the state contractor license; confirm out-of-state recognition for any local HVAC license with the issuing city or county. |
| Ohio | yes | — | Exam required (ORC 4740.06); administered via OCILB. Current testing vendor and fee not set in statute — confirm on the OCILB application. | Application/exam/license fees not set in ORC Chapter 4740; confirm on the current OCILB application. | ORC 4740.06 requires contractor liability insurance in an amount determined by the board's specialty section; exact minimum and any bond confirm with OCILB. | Annual — a license expires on the same date each year as the original (ORC 4740.06). | OCILB has reciprocity authority; specific reciprocal states VERIFY against OCILB. |
| Oklahoma | yes | Mechanical Contractor, Mechanical Journeyman, Mechanical Apprentice | PSI Exams. Contractor requires both the technical trade exam and the Business and Law exam. Journeyman requires the technical trade exam. | Mechanical Contractor: $300 initial license fee + $30 application fee (per OAC 158:50-9-2). Mechanical Journeyman: $50 initial license fee + $25 application fee. Renewal fees: Contractor $200; Journeyman $75 (per the Contractor or Journeyman Renewal Form). | Contractor requires a $5,000 corporate surety bond and a minimum of $50,000 commercial general liability insurance. | Renewed periodically per CIB rules. | No blanket reciprocity. Out-of-state credentials are evaluated for exam equivalency on a case-by-case basis; the Oklahoma Business and Law exam is always required. |
| Oregon | yes | CCB Contractor Registration, BCD LMSC - HVAC/R Specialty License | Oregon CCB (for Business Practices/Law) and BCD (for trade exams, administered by PSI). | CCB contractor license is $400 for a two-year license; testing and course fees are separate. | CCB requires a surety bond (typically $15,000–$25,000 for residential contractors) and proof of general liability insurance. | CCB license is biennial (every 2 years). | Oregon CCB does not offer reciprocity for out-of-state HVAC contractors. BCD has limited journeyman trade reciprocity, but not for contractor licenses. |
| Pennsylvania | local-only | — | No | HICPA registration $100 every 2 years. Philadelphia L&I (no HVAC-specific license): Contractor $126, Sheet Metal Technician $189, Electrical Contractor $262. | HICPA: $50,000 personal injury + $50,000 property damage. Philadelphia Contractor/Electrical: GL $500k/occurrence, Auto $300k, Workers' Comp $100k/$100k/$500k. | HICPA: every 2 years. Philadelphia: Contractor & Electrical annual; Sheet Metal Technician every 3 years. | Varies by locality. |
| Rhode Island | yes | Refrigeration/AC Technician — Journeyperson (Class I & II), Pipefitter — Journeyperson (Class I & II), Master Refrigeration Contractor, Master Mechanical Contractor, Sheet Metal Worker, Apprentice | RI DLT trade-license examination, administered by classification. A passing score of 70% or greater is required, after which applicants are invoiced for the license fee. EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling. | A non-refundable $75.00 application processing fee applies to most classifications. License fees run for a 2-year term (MMA $480; other Master Class I/Contractor Master $240; Master Class II/Limited $96; Journeyperson Class I $72; Journeyperson Class II $60; Sheet Metal Journeyperson II $30). No separate exam fee amount is published. | Statewide insurance or bonding requirements for individual DLT mechanical-trade licensees were not identified in the reviewed rules; verify if separate registration or insurance is required with the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) for contracting businesses. | Mechanical trade licenses are structured on a two-year fee cycle. If a license is not renewed before two years have lapsed, the licensee is subject to re-examination (per 260-RICR-30-15-2). | Automatic reciprocity or licensure-by-endorsement agreements for out-of-state mechanical trade licensees were not identified in the reviewed rules; however, the DLT recognizes comparable out-of-state mechanical trade licenses to support exam eligibility. Out-of-state applicants must still pass the RI trade exam. |
| South Carolina | yes | Residential Specialty HVAC Contractor, Commercial Mechanical Contractor | PSI Exams. Candidates must pass both the specific HVAC technical trade exam and the South Carolina Business Management and Law Exam. | Residential Specialty HVAC Contractor (RBH) application fee is $100, license fee $220, renewal fee $220 (renewal late fee $50, reinstatement fee $480), per the SC Residential Builders Commission fee schedule. Commercial Mechanical Contractor license/renewal fees are not published on the cited LLR pages and must be confirmed with the SC Contractor's Licensing Board. | Required for licensing. Commercial requires a financial statement or surety bond based on bidding limits (Groups 1-5, with surety bond amounts scaled to the license group's net worth requirement). Residential Specialty requires a surety bond in an amount approved by the Commission when the total cost of materials and labor for an undertaking for an individual property owner exceeds five thousand dollars (S.C. Code §40-59-240(D)). | Biennial (every 2 years). Commercial mechanical contractor licenses expire on October 31 of odd-numbered years; residential specialty renewals occur in odd-numbered years. | Commercial Mechanical Contractor has reciprocal exam agreements with AL, GA, MS, NC, and OH. Residential Specialty HVAC (RBH) has technical exam waivers with AL, NC, and MS only. SC Business Management and Law exam is always required. |
| Tennessee | yes | Full Mechanical Contractor (CMC), Mechanical – HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor (CMC-C) | PSI Exams — a Tennessee Business & Law exam plus a trade-specific (CMC or CMC-C) exam are both required. | Non-refundable application fee $250; biennial renewal $200. Exam fees are paid to PSI. Confirm current amounts with the Board and PSI. | General liability insurance required, with the minimum scaled to the license's monetary limit: $100,000 (limits up to $500,000), $500,000 ($500,001–$1,500,000), or $1,000,000 (over $1,500,000/Unlimited). Workers' compensation required (owner/officer exemptions available). No mandatory state surety bond for the standard Contractor license — the monetary limit is set by a reviewed/audited financial statement (a $500,000 or $1,000,000 bond may be filed in lieu of the Guaranty Agreement). Home Improvement licenses require a $10,000 bond. | Every 2 years (biennial). | Trade-exam waiver agreements with several states (confirm the current list with the Board); the Tennessee Business & Law exam is always required. |
| Texas | yes | Registered A/C & Refrigeration Technician, Certified A/C & Refrigeration Technician, A/C & Refrigeration Contractor License | PSI, after TDLR approves exam eligibility | TDLR lists $20 registered technician application, $50 certified technician application, $115 contractor application, $20 registered technician renewal, $35 certified technician renewal, and $65 contractor renewal. | Contractors must maintain commercial general liability insurance. Class A: $300,000 occurrence / $600,000 aggregate / $300,000 products-completed operations. Class B: $100,000 occurrence / $200,000 aggregate / $100,000 products-completed operations. | 1 year from the date of issue for contractor licenses, technician registrations, and technician certifications. | TDLR lists special licensing agreements for South Carolina and Georgia air conditioning licenses; other out-of-state applicants submit credentials for TDLR review and may still need the Texas exam. |
| Utah | yes | H100 HVAC Contractor | DOPL Exam Services. Requires passing the Utah Business and Law exam and the H100 HVAC Trade exam. | Contractor renewal fee is $128 (renewed in odd-numbered years); the initial contractor application fee was not located on the cited DOPL apply or licensing pages and must be confirmed with DOPL or the current online application form before submission. Exam fees are paid separately to ProV. | General liability insurance required as a condition of licensure: minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate (effective April 20, 2026 per R156-55a), with DOPL listed as the certificate holder — DOPL will not issue or renew without it. The prior minimums of one hundred thousand dollars per occurrence and three hundred thousand dollars aggregate (in effect before April 20, 2026) are documented for historical reference in the R156-55a rulemaking record; verify the pre-2026 figures against the DOPL rule archive if a citation is required for a pre-2026 application. Workers' compensation required if you have employees. No surety bond is required for the H100 license. | Biennial renewal (renewed in odd-numbered years). | No formal reciprocity agreements. Offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state license holders in good standing; must demonstrate equivalence and might still need the Utah Business and Law exam. |
| Virginia | yes | HVAC Tradesman — Journeyman / Master / Residential, Contractor — Class A / B / C (HVA specialty) | PSI, after DPOR approval. Tradesman exam fees paid to PSI: Journeyman $100, Master $125. | Tradesman exam fees (PSI): Journeyman $100, Master $125. Tradesman and contractor application/renewal fees include a Contractor Recovery Fund assessment — confirm current amounts with DPOR. | Contractor net-worth requirement: Class A $45,000, Class B $15,000 (a surety bond may be submitted in lieu); Class C has none. Confirm the bond amount with DPOR. | Tradesman and contractor licenses are on a two-year term; the CE requirement is fulfilled before the license expiration date per 18VAC50-22 (and the DPOR Tradesmen FAQ). | Virginia maintains specific reciprocity / exam-waiver agreements (e.g., North Carolina; an Ohio Business & Law / Virginia law exam waiver) rather than blanket recognition of any out-of-state license. Confirm current agreements with DPOR. |
| Washington | yes | Contractor registration (specialty or general), 06A HVAC/Refrigeration electrical specialty license | 06A electrical specialty exam, administered by a third-party testing company after L&I approval. | Contractor registration is $141.10 for two years (renewal $141.10). 06A application/exam/issuance fees: confirm with L&I. | Surety bond $15,000 (specialty) or $30,000 (general), effective July 1, 2024; general liability $200,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. | Contractor registration renews every 2 years; the 06A electrical specialty license renews every 3 years. | Washington does not offer broad reciprocity for contractor registration or the 06A specialty; out-of-state applicants must meet Washington's experience and examination requirements. |
| West Virginia | yes | Contractor (HVAC/Mechanical) | Prov Exams (contractor license Business & Law and HVAC/Mechanical trade exams). Technician certification exam provider — confirm with the WV Division of Labor. | HVAC Technician certification: $75 initial / $75 renewal. Residential Technician: $50/$50. Technician in Training: $25/$25. Late renewal fee: $25. Duplicate: $10. Contractor-level fees — confirm with the Division of Labor. | No universal contractor license bond. Under WV Code §21-5-14 a wage bond (about 115% of four weeks' payroll) must be filed with the Division of Labor by certain employers — generally new commercial-construction contractors that employ WV workers and are not building single-family homes; employers with $100,000+ in available assets may be exempt. Confirm any general liability insurance requirement and wage-bond applicability with the Division. Technician certification: no bond. | HVAC Contractor license renewed annually. Confirm the HVAC Technician certification renewal cycle with the WV Division of Labor. | Contractor license reciprocity with AL, OH, TN and NASCLA acceptance. No technician certification reciprocity. Confirm current details with the WV Division of Labor. |
| Wisconsin | yes | HVAC Contractor registration (business), HVAC Qualifier certification (individual) | HVAC Qualifier examination required, administered by the DSPS's third-party testing provider (confirm via LicensE). Provider not specified in the sources reviewed. | Per Table SPS 305.02: HVAC Contractor $15 application + $160 credential; HVAC Qualifier $15 application + $25 exam + $60 credential. Renewal: $160 (Contractor) / $60 (Qualifier). | Not a condition of DSPS registration itself; workers' compensation is required once you have employees, and local permits may require proof of insurance/bonding. | Every 4 years (credential term). | Not established in the DSPS sources reviewed; confirm any endorsement option with the DSPS. |