HVAC Technician / Contractor
HVAC licensing runs on two separate tracks, and mixing them up costs people jobs. The EPA 608 card — required federally anywhere you touch refrigerant — works the same way in all fifty states. The actual variable is the state license: most states require one — Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan among them, with Ohio licensing commercial work only — while nine, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, don't run one at all. Know which one an employer or a customer is actually asking about before you tell them you're covered.
Where can I take my hvac technician / contractor license?
Pick the state you're licensed in. You'll get the states that will consider that license — which is not the same as a free transfer.
FAQ
Does my EPA 608 card cover me to work in any state?
For refrigerant work, yes — the EPA 608 is a federal certification, and it's the same card everywhere; nothing in Texas, Florida, or any other state changes that requirement or stacks a second refrigerant test on top of it. What it doesn't cover is the state contractor license, which is a completely separate hurdle. Texas and Georgia actually recognize each other's HVAC contractor licenses — Texas accepts Georgia's Conditioned Air license, and Georgia accepts Texas's Class A exam — but that's one of the cleaner matches on this list. Ohio's list is longer: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, and West Virginia can all bring an exam-earned HVAC license in without retesting. Outside a match like those, assume you're starting the state license from zero.
HVAC Technician / Contractor rules in every state
Researched 2026-07-21 to 2026-07-24One entry per state, in alphabetical order. Each one covers who licenses the trade there, what it takes to qualify, and whether that state accepts a license earned somewhere else.
- Reciprocity — accepts some out-of-state licenses
- No reciprocity — licensed here, but no out-of-state license is accepted
- Nothing to reciprocate — no state license exists here
- Not established — we could not verify this state's position — treat it as an open question, not a no
- secondarydrawn from consistent secondary sources, not confirmed on the agency's own page
Alabama
State licenseCertification required for HVAC/refrigeration installation, service, or repair - no dollar threshold. $20,000 performance bond required (also for reciprocity applicants). Separate Heating & AC and Refrigeration Contractor exams.
Alabama has HVAC reciprocity with South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia - each with a different minimum license history requirement (SC needs 5 years held, TN needs 3, MS needs 1, LA and WV have no waiting period). Confirmed directly on Alabama's own official board page and cross-confirmed from South Carolina'S side.
Where it applies: HACR contractor certification, with state-specific waiting periods
What's actually required: Confirmed directly from HACR's own official reciprocity application page (hacr.Alabama.gov), quoted verbatim: 'You may apply by reciprocity if you hold a current and valid HVAC license with the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission for at least 5 years; Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors for at least 3 years; Mississippi Board of Contractors for at least 1 year; Louisiana or West Virginia where there are no waiting periods.' Cross-confirmed bidirectionally: South Carolina'S own official reciprocity agreement PDF with Alabama (already recorded's SC record) independently confirms this relationship.
- https://hacr.alabama.gov/new-license-application/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/hvac/alabama (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Alaska
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Alaska's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Arizona
State licenseSame business-license model: 4 years qualifying experience (advanced education can count for up to 2 years), trade exam + Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE) + bonding/insurance. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Arizona has no formal HVAC license reciprocity with any state. A case-by-case Out-of-State Waiver Request is the main alternative path; Arizona's Statutes & Rules exam, bonding, and insurance are always still required.
Why, and what applies instead: RESOLVED via the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' own official page (roc.az.gov, applying/reciprocity section), confirmed and echoed by a secondary source directly quoting it: 'Arizona does not operate a universal reciprocity system for contractor licenses.' There is no named bilateral reciprocity agreement for this trade. Two real alternative pathways exist agency-wide: (1) The NASCLA Accredited Examination Program - the NASCLA program'S coverage of the HVAC (C-39/C-79 family) classification specifically was not confirmed - do not assume it applies without checking roc.az.gov directly; (2) An Out-of-State Waiver Request - a case-by-case review where the Registrar may waive the AZ trade exam if the applicant's out-of-state exam is judged comparable. Neither is a named reciprocity list, so this is recorded as 'No' formal reciprocity with a clear description of the real alternative paths, per this project'S standing rule that a conditional case-by-case process is not the same claim as a named reciprocity agreement.
- https://roc.az.gov/applying-for-a-license (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/hvac/arizona (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Arkansas
State licenseSimilar structure to plumbing - trade exam required for reciprocal applicants. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Arkansas's HVAC reciprocity is cross-confirmed with Alabama and Louisiana from those states' own records. Arkansas's own complete list wasn'T independently verified from its own page.
What's actually required: Cross-confirmed from other states' records rather than directly from Arkansas'S own page.
Note: Needs direct confirmation from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for a complete list.
- https://hacr.alabama.gov/new-license-application/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
California
State license4 years journeyman-level experience, trade exam + law & business exam, $25,000 bond. Federal EPA Section 608 certification additionally required for anyone handling refrigerants (federal law, all states).
California has formal contractor-license reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and North Carolina (trade exam waiver for qualifying classifications; California law & business exam still required).
What's actually required: Same CSLB program: Reciprocal Classifications List; 5 years active good-standing license; trade exam may be waived; law & business exam always required.
- https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Reciprocity/Reciprocity_Requirements.aspx (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
Colorado
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
Varies by municipality; typically a qualifying supervisor certificate + ICC-based exam locally.
Colorado has no statewide HVAC/mechanical license - it's regulated entirely locally. Denver explicitly does not reciprocate with any other jurisdiction; check the specific city or county where the work will be performed.
What applies instead: No state HVAC license exists, so no state reciprocity framework applies. Denver explicitly does not reciprocate licenses from any other jurisdiction.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-24: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources (caught in final full-dataset audit).
- https://www.contractortests.com/colorado-contractor-licenses-updated-requirements-guide/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://adaptdigitalsolutions.com/articles/colorado-contractor-license-requirements/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Connecticut
State licenseSimilar structure to electrical/plumbing - individual licensing via DCP. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Connecticut has no HVAC license reciprocity with any state, consistent with its electrical and plumbing programs.
Why, and what applies instead: Same DCP general policy applies: no reciprocity for state-licensed building trades, consistent with the confirmed electrical and plumbing findings.
Note: Inferred from DCP's general stated policy.
- https://contractorlicensinginc.com/national-contractor-licensing/connecticut-contractor-license/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Delaware
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Delaware's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass. Confirm directly with the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/electrician/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Florida
State licenseCertified Air Conditioning Contractor Class A (unlimited) or Class B (up to 25 tons cooling): trade + business & finance exams, 4 years qualifying experience, financial responsibility, insurance, background check. EPA 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Florida has no HVAC license reciprocity with any state. (Its reciprocity agreements with Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina cover general/building/residential contractors only.) Out-of-state HVAC contractors may apply for case-by-case endorsement; Florida's business & finance exam still applies.
Why, and what applies instead: Same corrected finding as plumbing: DBPR form CILB 32 (reciprocity) covers only General/Building/Residential contractor classifications from LA, MS, and NC. Air conditioning contractors are not covered. Path for out-of-state HVAC contractors is certification by endorsement (CILB 10) - case-by-case exam equivalency review. Florida business & finance exam still required.
- https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB32_Reciprocity.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
Georgia
State licenseConditioned Air Contractor (Restricted / Non-Restricted classes): board-approved application, PSI exam, 4+ hours continuing education per year. EPA 608 federally for refrigerant work.
Georgia has HVAC (conditioned air) reciprocity with South Carolina and Texas only. No other states qualify.
What's actually required: Georgia has conditioned-air reciprocity with South Carolina and Texas. Cross-confirmed: Texas TDLR's own ACR application names Georgia as its reciprocal state, matching from the other direction.
Note: SC/TX list is from an exam-prep provider quoting the board, cross-confirmed by Texas TDLR's official application. Confirm the current list with the GA CILB before launch.
- https://www.examprep.org/contractors-license/seminars/georgia/georgia-conditioned-air-contractor/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/forms/acr002%20contractor%20license%20application.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
Hawaii
State licenseStandard DCCA Contractors License Board process. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Hawaii has no HVAC license reciprocity with any state, consistent with its general DCCA licensing policy.
Why, and what applies instead: Consistent with the DCCA's general stated policy of no universal reciprocity across its licensing boards.
Note: Inferred from DCCA's general policy; not independently confirmed with an HVAC-specific quote.
- https://hawaiigovernmentauthority.com/hawaii-department-of-commerce-consumer-affairs.html (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Idaho
State licenseStatewide HVAC licensing exists (confirmed by DOPL's own list of regulated professions, which includes an 'HVAC Board' separate from Electrical and Plumbing). EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Idaho's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass. Confirm directly with DOPL'S HVAC Board before assuming it matches the electrical reciprocity list.
What applies instead: HVAC's specific reciprocity list was not confirmed in this research pass - do not assume it mirrors the electrical list, since Idaho'S electrical, plumbing, and HVAC programs are administered as separate bureaus/boards with their own rules.
Note: This trade needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://dopl.idaho.gov/ele/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Illinois
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
No statewide HVAC license; requirements set by municipalities.
Illinois has no statewide HVAC license - HVAC technicians are regulated locally where regulated at all; the federal EPA 608 certification is required for refrigerant work. There is no state reciprocity because there is no state license.
What applies instead: RESOLVED 2026-07-22: IDFPR's own complete alphabetical list of every profession/industry it regulates (idfpr.Illinois.gov/profs/proflist.html, current as of 2026) contains no entry for HVAC, heating, mechanical, air conditioning, or refrigeration contracting anywhere in its A-through-W listing. This is IDFPR'S own authoritative account of its own jurisdiction, not a third party's claim about it - as close to official proof of absence as this kind of negative claim can get. Illinois HVAC regulation is confirmed local-only.
- https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/proflist.html (official, accessed 2026-07-22)
- https://idfpr.illinois.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-22)
Indiana
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
Varies by municipality; Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other cities run their own HVAC contractor licensing.
Indiana has no statewide HVAC license - like electrical, licensing is entirely local. Plumbing is the only trade Indiana licenses at the state level.
What applies instead: No state license exists, so no state reciprocity framework applies.
- https://adaptdigitalsolutions.com/articles/indiana-contractor-license-requirements/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.gettradelicense.com/indiana (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Iowa
State licenseSimilar structure to plumbing. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Iowa's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass. Confirm directly with DIAL.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://dial.iowa.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Kansas
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
Varies by municipality.
Kansas has no statewide HVAC license - it's regulated locally. There is no state reciprocity because there is no state license.
What applies instead: No state license exists.
- https://contractorrequirements.com/electrician/kansas/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Kentucky
State licenseStatewide HVAC technician licensing via DHBC, similar structure to electrical/plumbing. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Kentucky's HVAC reciprocity with Ohio is cross-confirmed (Ohio'S own board accepts Kentucky licenses). Kentucky's complete list of which other states it accepts wasn'T independently verified from DHBC's own page.
What's actually required: Cross-confirmed only in the Ohio-to-Kentucky direction (Ohio's OCILB accepts exam-earned Kentucky HVAC licenses). Kentucky'S own complete accepted-state list for its HVAC Division was not independently confirmed from DHBC's own page.
Note: Only the Ohio direction is cross-confirmed; a full list needs direct confirmation from DHBC's HVAC Division.
Louisiana
State licenseMechanical Contractor license required for HVAC/refrigeration work valuing more than $10,000. No statewide journeyman license or apprentice registration. A mechanical contractor doing plumbing work over $10,000 must separately hold or employ someone with a Master Plumber license.
Louisiana's Mechanical/HVAC contractor license is recognized by Alabama and Ohio (confirmed in those states' own records). What Louisiana itself accepts from other states for its own HVAC licensing was not independently confirmed from LSLBC's own page.
Where it applies: Mechanical/HVAC classification - this dataset's own Alabama and Ohio records already independently confirm Louisiana as one of their accepted reciprocal states
What's actually required: Cross-confirmed via this dataset's own Alabama HVAC record (Alabama'S hacr board accepts Louisiana licenses with no waiting period) and Ohio's HVAC record (Ohio'S OCILB accepts an exam-earned Louisiana Mechanical license). Louisiana's own complete outbound acceptance list (which states LA itself accepts licenses from) was not independently confirmed from LSLBC'S own page - reciprocity is directional, so being accepted BY other states doesn't confirm what LA itself accepts.
Note: Only the inbound direction (other states accepting LA licenses) is confirmed. Louisiana's own outbound acceptance list needs direct confirmation from lslbc.gov.
- https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/hvac/louisiana (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://hacr.alabama.gov/new-license-application/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Maine
No license — state or localNo license exists for this trade at any level — state or local — in this state.
Confirmed directly from Maine's own official page: 'Maine does not license general contractors or HVAC contractors at the state level.'
Maine has no state-level HVAC contractor license, confirmed directly on the state's own official page - only oil/solid fuel technicians are separately licensed via the Maine Fuel Board. There is no reciprocity because there is no general state HVAC license.
- https://contractorlicenserequirements.com/maine/electrician-license-requirements/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Maryland
State licenseSix license levels including Master Unlimited, Master Restricted (by category: air conditioning, heating, hydronic, refrigeration, etc.), Journeyman, Journeyman Restricted, and Limited. 3 years apprentice/journeyman experience + 1,875 hours + exam for most levels.
Maryland has HVACR reciprocity with Virginia and Delaware - confirmed on the state's own official pages and cross-confirmed against Virginia'S own reciprocity list. The out-of-state license must be equivalent to Maryland's and meet at-least-as-strict requirements.
What's actually required: Confirmed via official labor.Maryland.gov FAQ and reciprocity pages: reciprocal licensing requires the applicant's out-of-state license to be active/good-standing, equivalent to Maryland'S, and earned under requirements at least as strict as Maryland's (including years of experience). Cross-confirmed bidirectionally against this dataset'S own Virginia HVAC record, which independently lists Maryland as its one reciprocal state.
- https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/hvac/maryland (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/hvacr/hvacrrecip.shtml (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://labor.md.gov/license/hvacr/hvacrlicfaqs.shtml (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Massachusetts
State licenseA Refrigeration Technician license is required only for refrigerant-containing systems of 10 tons or greater capacity - smaller residential HVAC work may not require this specific license, though other applicable trade licenses (gas fitting, electrical) still apply. This is a notably different structure from the single 'HVAC contractor' license model used in most states researched.
Massachusetts has no reciprocity agreements for its refrigeration technician license - out-of-state licensees must still meet Massachusetts' full requirements. Note that Massachusetts splits HVAC-related work across four different boards (refrigeration, gas fitting, sheet metal, electrical) rather than issuing one HVAC contractor license.
Why, and what applies instead: Two independent secondary sources (NEXT Insurance, FieldPulse) consistently state Massachusetts has no reciprocity agreements for refrigeration licenses; applicants with an out-of-state license must still fulfill the same experience/education requirements as everyone else. No official mass.gov page with this exact statement was located.
Note: No official mass.gov page confirming 'no reciprocity' for refrigeration was located; based on two consistent secondary sources.
- https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/hvac-license-in-massachusetts/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.fieldpulse.com/resources/blog/hvac-license-reciprocity-by-state (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://contractorrequirements.com/hvac/massachusetts/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Michigan
State licenseStatewide Mechanical Contractor license: at least 3 years experience per work classification (e.g., hydronic, HVAC equipment, refrigeration) + exam. EPA 608 federally for refrigerant work.
Michigan has no HVAC/mechanical license reciprocity with any state. Out-of-state contractors must qualify for and pass the Michigan exam.
Why, and what applies instead: Michigan does not have reciprocity agreements with any state for LARA/BCC contractor trades.
Note: Same basis as plumbing row - confirm mechanical-specific page wording with LARA before launch.
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
- https://www.gettradelicense.com/michigan (secondary, accessed 2026-07-21)
Minnesota
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
Business-level: $25,000 Mechanical Contractor Bond with DLI. Individual-level: local Comp Card in Minneapolis or St. Paul (the two cities' cards are mutually recognized). EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Minnesota has no state-level individual HVAC technician license - Minneapolis and St. Paul each issue their own local competency cards (which the two cities mutually recognize). Businesses need a state Mechanical Contractor Bond. No interstate reciprocity applies because there's no state individual credential.
What applies instead: No state-level individual HVAC license exists to reciprocate. Minneapolis and St. Paul recognize each other's local comp cards, but that'S an intra-Minnesota city arrangement, not interstate reciprocity.
- https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/hvac/minnesota (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Mississippi
State license — commercial work onlyThis license covers commercial work only. Residential work is licensed separately, at the local level, if at all.
Similar structure to electrical/plumbing. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Mississippi's HVAC contractor reciprocity is confirmed with Alabama, South Carolina (residential only), and Tennessee, directly from MSBOC'S own official page.
What's actually required: Confirmed directly from MSBOC's own page: Alabama General Contractors Board can waive HVAC specifically even though it excludes mechanical/plumbing more broadly; Alabama Heating and Air board separately confirmed; South Carolina'S residential HVAC waiver confirmed; Tennessee's all-exams waiver confirmed.
- https://www.msboc.us/contractors/reciprocity/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Missouri
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
Varies by municipality.
Missouri has no statewide HVAC/mechanical license - it's regulated entirely locally. There is no state reciprocity because there is no state license.
What applies instead: No state license exists.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-24: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources (caught in final full-dataset audit).
- https://www.simplywise.com/blog/missouri-contractor-license/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Montana
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Montana's HVAC licensing structure and reciprocity status were not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Nebraska
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Nebraska's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://www.jwsuretybonds.com/blog/nebraska-contractor-license (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Nevada
State licenseC-21 classification: experience + trade exam + Nevada contractor law exam + bond/insurance. $1,000 threshold (NRS 624.020) - lower than most states researched. EPA 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Nevada offers licensure by endorsement for HVAC (C-21) from Arizona, California, Florida, and Tennessee (both plumbing and HVAC equivalence) and additionally from Connecticut and Louisiana (HVAC/refrigeration equivalence only). Out-of-state contractors cannot simply work temporarily under their home license - a Nevada license is always required.
What's actually required: Confirmed directly from a detailed HVAC-specific source: states with equivalent requirements for both C-1 (plumbing/heating) and C-21 (refrigeration/AC) are AZ, CA, FL, TN; states with equivalent requirements for C-21 only are CT and LA. One separate source explicitly states 'reciprocal licensing agreements with other states are not recognized under NRS Chapter 624' for out-of-state contractors performing temporary work - this refers to a different concept (temporary work authorization) than the endorsement pathway for obtaining a Nevada license, and doesn't contradict the endorsement finding.
Note: Relabeled 2026-07-24: previously marked official but cited only secondary sources (caught in final full-dataset audit).
- https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/hvac/nevada (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://nevadahvacauthority.com/nevada-state-contractor-board-hvac (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
New Hampshire
State licenseSimilar structure to plumbing. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
New Hampshire's HVAC reciprocity list was not confirmed with specific states in this research pass. Confirm directly with the Mechanical Safety & Licensing Board.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed with specific states in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
New Jersey
State licenseMaster HVACR Contractor license required to legally perform, advertise, or bid on HVAC/refrigeration work as a business - no small-jobs carve-out. Four experience/education pathways (4-yr DOL apprenticeship + 1 yr journeyperson is the base path). EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant handling. Renewal biennial (June 30 of even years), 5 CE hours, $3,000 bond + $500,000 general liability insurance.
New Jersey's HVACR reciprocity is conditional rather than a named-state program - it applies only if your home state'S standards are comparable to New Jersey's and that state also recognizes NJ licenses. No complete official list of currently-qualifying states was found; plan to apply directly and likely sit the New Jersey exam.
Why, and what applies instead: Reciprocity is conditional, not a named-state list: New Jersey allows a license without the master exam only if the applicant's home state has HVAC licensing standards 'Equal to or stricter than' New Jersey's and that state also offers reciprocity back to NJ licensees. One industry source lists specific states the Board has determined do not meet comparable standards (including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana - list may be incomplete/cut off in the source found). No official source was found publishing a complete list of which states DO currently qualify.
Note: No official Board page with a complete accepted-or-rejected state list was located. Only a partial 'does not qualify' list from a secondary source was found. Confirm directly with the HVACR Board before publishing any specific state claims.
- https://www.housecallpro.com/licensing/hvac/new-jersey/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.suretybonds.com/guide/new-jersey/hvacr-license (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/hvacr/Pages/default.aspx (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
New Mexico
State licenseSimilar structure to plumbing - journeyman certificate + contractor (qualifying party) license. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
New Mexico's HVAC/mechanical reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass - do not assume it mirrors the electrical reciprocity list. Confirm directly with CID'S Mechanical Bureau.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass. Given New Mexico's plumbing reciprocity was found to be explicitly none, and HVAC/mechanical falls under a related but separate CID bureau, reciprocity is not assumed here without direct confirmation.
Note: This trade needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://newmexicocontractorauthority.com/newmexico-plumbing-contractor-services/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
New York
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
No statewide HVAC license; requirements are set locally. EPA 608 certification required federally for refrigerant handling. Note: since Dec 30, 2024, contractors on public work and certain private projects must register with the NYS Dept. Of Labor (a registration, not a trade license).
New York has no statewide HVAC license - check the city or county where the work will be performed (related NYC credentials run through the NYC Dept. Of Buildings). There is no state reciprocity because there is no state license.
What applies instead: No statewide HVAC license (absent from nys dos licensing programs); regulation is local where it exists, and related NYC trade credentials (e.g., oil burner equipment installer) run through the NYC Dept. Of Buildings. EPA 608 applies federally. Since Dec 2024, contractors on covered construction projects must register with the NYS Dept. Of Labor - a registration, not a trade license. No interstate reciprocity at any level.
Note: Same basis as NY electrician: negative claim rests on absence from NYS DOS roster; NYC DOB confirmed as the local licensing agency for related mechanical trades.
- https://www.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/business_address_verification_checklist.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-22)
- https://dos.ny.gov/licensing-services (official, accessed 2026-07-22)
North Carolina
State licenseHeating contractor license by group: documented qualifying experience + exam per group. Fuel-piping privileges included with Plumbing/Heating Group 1-3 licenses. EPA 608 federally for refrigerants.
North Carolina has no HVAC license reciprocity with any state. South Carolina license holders may qualify for a technical-exam waiver (NC business/law exam still required), and NC residents who previously held licenses in GA, SC, TN, VA, or WV may qualify under the Neighbor State License Recognition Act. Everyone else takes the full NC exams.
Why, and what applies instead: Same official board statement as plumbing: no license reciprocity agreements with any state. The Technical Examination Waiver Agreement with South Carolina covers HVAC contractors (NC business/law exam still required), and the Neighbor State License Recognition Act (GA, SC, TN, VA, WV, residency-based) also applies.
- https://nclicensing.org/exam-information/ (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
North Dakota
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
North Dakota's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://www.ndseb.com (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Ohio
State license — commercial work onlyThis license covers commercial work only. Residential work is licensed separately, at the local level, if at all.
5 years as a tradesperson + trade and business & law exams + $500,000 liability insurance + background check. EPA 608 federally for refrigerants.
Ohio accepts exam-earned HVAC contractor credentials by reciprocity from Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, and West Virginia (with a trade-exam waiver arrangement with Tennessee). Ohio's business & law exam and insurance requirements still apply. Grandfathered licenses do not qualify.
What's actually required: Exam-earned licenses only. Ohio Business & Law exam, insurance, background check still required. Mississippi appears in secondary sources for Ohio HVAC, but the licensing board has no official application for it, so it is not treated as a reciprocal state here.
- https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/com.ohio.gov/DICO/OCILB/dico_AL_Reciprocity.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
- https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance/boards/ohio-construction-industry-licensing-board/contractors-and-contracting-companies/kentucky-reciprocity-application (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
- https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/com.ohio.gov/DICO/OCILB/dico_WV_HVREPL_Reciprocity.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
- https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/forms/ContBLCReciprocationwithTN.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
Oklahoma
State licenseState-regulated via CIB, similar structure to electrical/plumbing. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Oklahoma's HVAC reciprocity list was not confirmed with specific states in this research pass. Confirm directly with the Construction Industries Board.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed with an HVAC-specific state list in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://www.jwsuretybonds.com/blog/oklahoma-contractor-license (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Oregon
State license2 years/4,000 hours qualifying experience + BCD exam (75% pass) for the individual Limited Energy Technician credential. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work. CCB does not accept NASCLA for the business license.
Oregon's HVAC business license (via CCB) has no reciprocity with other states and requires the Oregon-specific exam regardless of out-of-state credentials. Whether the individual BCD technician license has separate reciprocity wasn'T confirmed.
What applies instead: Confirmed that Oregon's CCB (which issues the HVAC business endorsement) does not offer general contractor-style reciprocity and does not accept NASCLA for this classification - reciprocal applicants must still pass the Oregon-specific CCB exam. Whether the individual BCD Limited Energy Technician credential has its own separate reciprocity program (similar to electrical/plumbing) was not confirmed.
Note: The individual BCD Limited Energy Technician reciprocity status (separate from the CCB business license) needs a dedicated follow-up check.
- https://contractorlicenserequirements.com/oregon/hvac-license-requirements/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Pennsylvania
No state license — local/city licensing onlyThere is no state license for this trade — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city or county level.
No statewide HVAC license; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh require local HVAC/sheet-metal credentials. EPA 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Pennsylvania has no statewide HVAC license - some cities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh) require local licenses. The statewide HIC registration with the Attorney General is a consumer-protection filing with no exam, not a license. There is no state reciprocity because there is no state license.
What applies instead: Confirmed against the PA Office of Attorney General: Pennsylvania's only statewide construction credential is the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration under HICPA (Act 132 of 2008, 73 P.S. Sec. 517.1 et seq.), required for contractors doing $5,000+/year of residential home improvement work. The AG'S own page states registration 'is not an endorsement, recommendation or approval... Of the contractor'S competency or skill' - no exam, no trade testing. HVAC licensing, where it exists, is municipal (Philadelphia L&I, Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, etc.). At the state level, PA licenses only crane operators and certifies asbestos/lead abatement workers. No statewide trade license means no statewide reciprocity.
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration/ (official, accessed 2026-07-22)
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/ (official, accessed 2026-07-22)
Rhode Island
State licenseConfirmed that HVAC work in Rhode Island is covered through pipefitter, refrigeration technician, and sheet metal worker licenses (no single 'HVAC' license). EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Rhode Island has no HVAC-specific license reciprocity with any state - HVAC work is covered through separate pipefitter, refrigeration technician, and sheet metal worker licenses, all under the same no-reciprocity DLT framework.
Why, and what applies instead: Same DLT division and stated 'no formal statutory reciprocity' policy as electrical.
- https://contractorlicenserequirements.com/rhode-island/electrician-license-requirements/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
South Carolina
State licenseSimilar structure to electrical/plumbing - commercial and residential tracks. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
South Carolina has a confirmed, officially-documented HVAC (HARV) reciprocity agreement with Alabama - read directly from the signed agreement text. This dataset's Ohio, Texas, and Georgia records also reference SC-side HVAC reciprocity from those states' own official sources; South Carolina's complete list was not independently confirmed from the state'S own side.
What's actually required: South Carolina's licensing structure is genuinely fragmented across multiple boards: the SC Mechanical Contractors Board (SCMCB, commercial work over $10,000), the SC Residential Builders Commission (SCRBC, residential work over $500), and certifications historically issued by the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) - being transitioned to Carolinas AGC (CAGC) as the new certification provider effective January 1, 2026. This reflects the clearest confirmed findings; the wider picture across all boards, and the transition to the new certification provider, still needs checking. This Alabama agreement was confirmed by directly reading the actual signed reciprocity document, not a secondary summary - the strongest-sourced finding in this South Carolina batch. Other states' HVAC reciprocity with SC — the Ohio and the Texas/Georgia relationships, for instance — were not confirmed from South Carolina's own side.
- https://www.llr.sc.gov/res/pdf/Waivers/Alabama-HVAC-agreement.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
South Dakota
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
South Dakota's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://dlr.sd.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Tennessee
State licenseHVAC Contractor license required for contracts over $25,000; issued to the business entity via a Qualifying Party who passes the trade exam. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Tennessee waives its HVAC trade exam for contractors licensed in Alabama, Ohio, and South Carolina (commercial only). NASCLA's commercial exam is also accepted as an alternative.
What's actually required: RESOLVED via two official Tennessee sources cross-checked against each other: the Board's support portal (support.commerce.tn.gov, dated ~April 2026) and the Board'S official Trade Exam Waiver form (tn.gov PDF). Both confirm this is a trade exam waiver arrangement, not a license transfer - it applies only to the 'Contractor' license issued by the Board for Licensing Contractors, not to Home Improvement, LLE, or LLP programs, or to other agencies (Alarm Systems Board, Fire Prevention, etc.). Applicants with disciplinary action, open complaints, or felony convictions are not granted the waiver. You cannot operate in Tennessee on another state'S license alone - a Tennessee license must still be obtained.
- https://support.commerce.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/209638117-Reciprocity-Trade-Exam-Waiver-Agreement (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/forms/ContBLCReciprocationwithTN.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Texas
State licenseACR Contractor license, Class A (unlimited) or Class B (cooling up to 25 tons / heating up to 1.5M BTU): documented practical experience under a licensed contractor (education can substitute for part), exam, certificate of insurance. Technicians register (no exam) or certify with TDLR; EPA 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Texas has HVAC (ACR) contractor reciprocity with Georgia and South Carolina only. All other states' licenses require the Texas licensing process.
What's actually required: Texas reciprocates ACR contractor licenses with Georgia and South Carolina only (TDLR's own application states this). Requires letter of good standing showing an exam was passed, application fee, and certificate of insurance.
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/forms/acr002%20contractor%20license%20application.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-21)
Utah
State licenseStatewide licensing exists via DOPL. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Utah's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass. Confirm directly with DOPL.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://dopl.utah.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Vermont
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Vermont's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://firesafety.vermont.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Virginia
State licenseJourneyman/Master HVAC tradesman credentials via experience + exam, similar structure to electrician/plumber. As of April 1, 2025, a lighter-requirement Residential HVAC Mechanic license also exists for residential-only work. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work. Class A/B/C contractor business license required to contract directly, entry point $1,000.
Virginia's HVAC reciprocity is limited to Maryland - an exam-waiver agreement for the national/trade exam portion, with the Virginia-specific exam still required.
What's actually required: RESOLVED via DPOR's own official Tradesmen Reciprocal Agreements document: HVAC'S only listed reciprocal jurisdiction is Maryland. Reciprocal applicants still take the Virginia-specific exam portion.
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/Tradesman/Tradesmen%20reciprocal%20agreements.pdf (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Washington
No individual license — contractor/business license onlyThis license attaches to the business that contracts directly with the customer, not to individual workers on the crew.
Individual HVAC technicians are not licensed by L&I. The HVAC contracting business must register as a specialty contractor: $15,000 surety bond (or savings assignment), $200,000/$50,000 (or $250,000 combined) liability insurance, UBI number, and an assigned 'electrical administrator' who has passed the relevant specialty exam where electrical work is involved. No individual trade exam for the business registration itself. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant handling.
Washington does not license individual HVAC technicians - the HVAC contracting business registers as a specialty contractor (bond and insurance based, no trade exam for the business itself). No reciprocity applies because this isn't an examination-based individual license the way electrician and plumber are in Washington.
What applies instead: Because Washington regulates HVAC at the business-registration level (bond + insurance, not an individual exam-based license), the reciprocity concept that applies to electrician/plumber licenses doesn't map cleanly here. No reciprocity agreement was found for HVAC contractor registration specifically.
- https://www.contractortests.com/washington-contractor-licenses-updated-requirements-guide/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://innergyintegral.com/resources/washington-contractor-licensing/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
West Virginia
State licenseSimilar structure to other WV trades. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
West Virginia's HVAC reciprocity with Ohio is cross-confirmed from Ohio'S own records. A complete list of what West Virginia itself accepts wasn't independently verified.
What's actually required: Cross-confirmed only in the Ohio-accepts-WV direction (from Ohio's own record). West Virginia'S own complete accepted-state list for HVAC wasn't independently confirmed from WV'S own page.
Note: Only the Ohio direction is confirmed; needs direct WV Contractor Licensing Board confirmation for a complete list.
- https://labor.wv.gov/Licensing/Contractor_License/ (official, accessed 2026-07-24)
Wisconsin
State licenseHVAC Contractor Qualifier exam ($95, Pearson VUE). Residential installations additionally require a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credential (12-hour DSPS course, no minimum experience). EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Wisconsin has no HVAC contractor reciprocity with other states - an out-of-state HVAC license does not automatically satisfy Wisconsin's DSPS requirements.
Why, and what applies instead: Confirmed via a detailed official-sourced guide: mechanical/HVAC contractor licenses issued in other states do not automatically satisfy Wisconsin's DSPS requirements - contractors working across state lines must independently verify and meet each state'S separate credentialing.
- https://wisconsinhvacauthority.com/wisconsin-hvac-licensing-requirements (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
- https://contractorlicenserequirements.com/wisconsin/hvac-license-requirements/ (secondary, accessed 2026-07-24)
Wyoming
State licenseNot fully independently confirmed. EPA Section 608 required federally for refrigerant work.
Wyoming's HVAC reciprocity status was not confirmed in this research pass.
What applies instead: Not independently confirmed in this research pass.
Note: Needs a dedicated follow-up search.
- https://wsfm.wyo.gov (official, accessed 2026-07-24)