HVAC Contractor (Residential)

HVAC contractors contract with clients to install, service or repair heating and air conditioning systems in residences and commercial establishments. In most states, only contractors require licenses, not those who work for them. In some states, licensing requirements differ based on the setting. Those with a residential license may work only on residential properties, while those with a commercial license may work on commercial properties. Other states require the same license regardless of the setting, and this report records that license in both settings. Many states have contract minimums before the contractor’s license applies. See Appendix B for details.

Thirty-five states license HVAC contractors working on residential properties. On average, states require almost three years (1,055 days) of education and experience, $397 in fees, and about two exams. All in all, 30 states require at least one exam (Rhode Island requires four). These requirements rank as the eighth most burdensome.

Burden Rank	State	States Licensed	Fees	Estimated Calendar Days Lost	Education	Experience	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	Rhode Island	35	$660.00	2,920	-	8 years	4	0	18
2	Iowa	35	$890.00	2,190	-	6 years	2	12	18
3	Idaho	35	$395.00	2,190	-	6 years	2	0	18
4	Maryland	35	$405.00	2,190	-	6 years	2	0	0
5	Delaware	35	$109.00	2,190	-	6 years	1	0	0
6	Virginia	35	$720.00	1,826	8 clock hours	5 years	2	0	18
7	New Jersey	35	$331.00	1,825	-	5 years	2	0	18
8	D C	35	$45.00	1,825	-	5 years	1	0	0
9	Nevada	35	$1,078.25	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
10	California	35	$579.00	1,460	-	4 years	3	0	18
11	Kentucky	35	$505.83	1,460	-	4 years	3	0	18
12	Connecticut	35	$465.00	1,460	-	4 years	3	0	18
13	Hawaii	35	$615.00	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
13	Oklahoma	35	$615.00	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
15	Florida	35	$364.00	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
16	New Mexico	35	$317.76	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
17	Georgia	35	$297.00	1,463	16 clock hours	4 years	1	0	18
18	Texas	35	$195.00	1,460	-	4 years	1	0	18
19	Michigan	35	$400.00	1,095	-	3 years	1	0	0
20	Arizona	35	$956.00	730	-	2 years	2	0	18
21	Utah	35	$549.00	733	20 clock hours	2 years	2	0	0
22	Arkansas	35	$255.00	730	-	2 years	1	0	18
23	North Carolina	35	$260.00	730	-	2 years	2	0	0
24	Alaska	35	$450.00	730	-	2 years	1	0	0
25	South Carolina	35	$280.00	365	-	1 years	2	0	0
26	Mississippi	35	$290.00	67	-	3 jobs, contractors	2	0	0
27	Oregon	35	$410.00	3	16 clock hours	-	1	0	18
28	Louisiana	35	$460.00	0	-	-	2	0	0
29	Tennessee	35	$360.00	0	-	-	2	0	0
30	West Virginia	35	$174.00	0	-	-	2	0	0
31	North Dakota	35	$125.00	0	-	-	0	0	18
32	Wisconsin	35	$175.00	0	-	-	0	0	0
33	Washington	35	$113.40	0	-	-	0	0	0
34	Pennsylvania	35	$50.00	0	-	-	0	0	0
35	Nebraska	35	$0.00	0	-	-	0	0	0