HVAC license requirements by state
What your state asks of a HVAC contractor before the first paid job. Pick a state below for the license and what it costs, the least insurance you must carry, whether you need a bond, when to charge sales tax, and the deadlines that protect your right to be paid.
HVAC in Arizona
- License you need
- R-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar (residential) Renew Every two years. You can choose to renew each year instead at half the two-year fee
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
HVAC in California
- License you need
- C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor Renew Every two years for an active license. An inactive license renews every four years
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
HVAC in Florida
- License you need
- Certified Air Conditioning Contractor, Class A Renew Biennial
- Insurance you must carry
- $100,000 plus $25,000 for property damage
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
HVAC in Georgia
- License you need
- Conditioned Air Contractor Class I (restricted) Renew Every two years, by November 30 of odd-numbered years (renewal window September to November, late renewal December 1 to 31)
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
- Credit score
- None. The board rules and the licensing law do not ask for a credit check, net worth, or a financial statement for a conditioned air license. or take a 14-hour course
HVAC in Michigan
- License you need
- Mechanical Contractor Renew Every 3 years, expires August 31
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
HVAC in North Carolina
- License you need
- Heating Group No. 3 Contractor, Class I Renew Annual. Every license expires December 31. Renew in January or pay $25 extra. After three years unrenewed you must retest
- Insurance you must carry
- No state minimum customers usually ask for $1,000,000
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
HVAC in Ohio
- License you need
- HVAC Contractor (state license, also called a master license) Renew Annual, or every three years if you choose the three-year option
- Insurance you must carry
- $500,000 liability, at least
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
HVAC in South Carolina
- License you need
- Mechanical Contractor, air conditioning (AC), heating (HT), packaged equipment and refrigeration classifications, Contractor's Licensing Board Renew Every two years. There is no common expiry date for everyone. Your own license carries its date, and the board renews in two-year blocks. The board's site was showing the 2026 to 2028 block open for renewal in September 2026
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
- Credit score
- None or take a 14-hour course
HVAC in Texas
- License you need
- ACR Contractor, Class A Renew Annual
- Insurance you must carry
- $300,000 for Class A; Class B is $100,000
- Workers' comp
- Your choice not required in this state
HVAC in Washington
- License you need
- Specialty Contractor Registration, HVAC/R classification Renew Every 2 years
- Insurance you must carry
- $200,000 plus $50,000 for property damage
- Workers' comp
- Required as soon as you hire anyone
A state appears here the day a person has checked every figure on its HVAC page. Not seeing yours yet? It is on the list.