How to get an HVAC license in Florida: the Class A, Class B and Mechanical paths, experience rules, exams, fees, insurance, timeline, and renewal, from DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board.
To get an HVAC license in Florida, you document qualifying experience under the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), pass a Business and Finance exam plus a Class A or Class B trade exam through Professional Testing, Inc. and Pearson VUE, then apply to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) with your fees, insurance and a credit report. This guide walks through who needs which license, the classifications, the experience and exam requirements, the application steps, the fees, and what a company can do when no one on the team can personally qualify yet. It comes from The Licensing Company, whose founders Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski help contracting companies nationwide get and stay properly qualified.
At a glance
- Who issues it: the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and its Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)
- License you need: an Air Conditioning Contractor license, Class A or Class B, or the broader Mechanical Contractor license
- Exams: Business and Finance plus a trade exam, open book, multiple choice, 70% to pass each part
- Exam cost: $135 to register, plus $80 for each of the two tests
- Timeline: typically several months, depending on how fast you document experience and schedule both exams
For every Florida trade the CILB licenses, see our Florida contractor license guide, and for the national picture, our contractor license pillar.
Who Needs an HVAC License in Florida
Florida does not issue a separate state "HVAC technician" license. It licenses HVAC work at the contractor level: section 489.115, Florida Statutes, says no person may engage in the business of contracting without first being certified or registered in the proper classification. Anyone who contracts to install, replace or take responsibility for central air conditioning, heating, refrigeration or related duct, boiler or process piping work needs one of the licenses below, whether working solo or running a crew.
Certified vs Registered
- A Certified air conditioning contractor holds a state certificate of competency, passes the state exams, and may contract in any Florida jurisdiction without meeting local competency rules.
- A Registered air conditioning contractor qualifies on a local certificate of competency instead. Under section 489.117, registration needs no state exam, but it only allows work where the contractor already met local licensing requirements.
There is no separate Florida license for someone who only services or repairs residential equipment without taking contractual responsibility for a job; that work still falls under an employer's Certified or Registered contractor license. Most contractors who want to grow statewide pursue the Certified license, and this guide focuses on it. For other states, see our how to get an HVAC contractor license guide and our Texas HVAC license guide.
License Types: Class A, Class B, Mechanical and Class C
| License | Tonnage/Btu Limit | Trade Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Class A Air Conditioning | Unlimited | 130 questions, 7.5 hours |
| Class B Air Conditioning | 25 tons, 500,000 Btu per system | 80 questions, 5 hours |
| Mechanical Contractor | Unlimited, plus gas and process piping | 130 questions, 7.5 hours |
| Class C Air Conditioning | Closed to new applicants | Not offered |
Notes on scope, under section 489.105(3):
- Class A (489.105(3)(f)) covers unlimited central air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilating systems, including duct work, boilers and unfired pressure vessels.
- Class B (489.105(3)(g)) covers the same systems but caps at 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system, and leaves out the boiler, unfired pressure vessel and process piping work named for Class A.
- Mechanical (489.105(3)(i)) adds process piping, lift stations, fuel lines and gas lines within buildings on top of unlimited HVAC scope.
- Class C (489.105(3)(h)) is servicing only and was closed to new applicants after October 1, 1988.
If you service residential and light commercial systems, Class B may be enough. For large commercial equipment with no tonnage cap, you need Class A. Neither air conditioning class covers gas fuel lines inside buildings beyond appliance changeouts, which is where the Mechanical license differs.
Experience and Education Requirements
Section 489.111 sets eligibility: you must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character, and meet one of the experience methods below. DBPR also requires electronic fingerprints for a state and FBI background check, and a credit report. One year of experience equals 2,000 hours.
| Method | Experience Required |
|---|---|
| Degree | 4 yr degree (counts as 3 yrs) plus 1 yr experience |
| Credits plus foreman | 1 yr foreman plus 3 yrs college credits |
| Mixed 1 | 1 yr worker, 1 yr foreman, 2 yrs college credits |
| Mixed 2 | 2 yrs worker, 1 yr foreman, 1 yr college credits |
| Experience only | 4 yrs worker/foreman, at least 1 yr as foreman |
| Upgrade to Class A | Class B held 1+ yr, or Class C held 4+ yrs |
| Veterans | 1 to 3 yrs service, plus required foreman time |
Notes:
- A foreman is a person in charge of a group of workers who usually answers to a superintendent or contractor. A worker has learned the trade through active experience, able to command a mechanic's rate.
- The "construction related degree" must be a baccalaureate in engineering, architecture or building construction from an accredited four year college.
- Community college and junior college credits count as accredited college level courses; an MBA satisfies 3 years of the requirement, so you still need a fourth year of proven experience.
- The veteran paths under section 489.1131 are: 3 years of military service plus 1 year as foreman; 2 years of service plus 1 year foreman plus 1 year worker or foreman; or 1 year of service plus 1 year foreman plus 2 years worker or foreman.
- For Class A, DBPR looks for at least one year of installation experience on systems over 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating. List every employer, license number, date range and duty; if your history lacks the listed experience areas, the file goes to the full board for review.
The Florida HVAC Exams
Florida uses two vendors, and the order matters:
- Professional Testing, Inc. is under contract with DBPR to register candidates and to develop and score the exams. You apply to sit for the exam there first.
- Pearson VUE delivers the computer based exams daily. You may schedule within 72 hours after Professional Testing approves you.
Air conditioning contractors are Division II contractors, so you pass two exams: Business and Finance, and the Class A or Class B trade exam. All CILB exams are open book and multiple choice, using only the department's approved references, and every exam requires a minimum score of 70% to pass.
| Exam | Scored Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Finance | 120 | 6.5 hours |
| Class A trade knowledge | 130 | 7.5 hours |
| Class B trade knowledge | 80 | 5 hours |
| Mechanical trade knowledge | 130 | 7.5 hours |
The board's content outlines show where the trade questions come from, and note that each share can vary by as much as three percentage points either way:
| Content area | Class A share | Class B share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Installation | 14% | 12% |
| Sheet Metal Ducts | 9% | 9% |
| Installation of Refrigeration and HVAC Systems | 23% | 22% |
| Installation of Refrigeration and HVAC Equipment Components | 14% | 14% |
| Maintenance Analysis of Refrigeration and HVAC Systems | 9% | 10% |
| Maintenance Service of Refrigeration and HVAC Systems | 14% | 14% |
| Safety and Equipment | 9% | 10% |
| Energy Management | 5% | 5% |
| Indoor Air Quality | 3% | 4% |
If you fail Business and Finance, you must wait 21 days before retaking it, and you may request a review of that failed attempt within 21 days of your grade report. Pearson VUE also lets you cancel or reschedule without penalty up to two full calendar days before the appointment. For vendor accounts and test day check in, see how to schedule your contractor exam with PSI, Prov, and Pearson VUE.
Step by Step: Getting Your Florida HVAC License
- Choose Class A, Class B or Mechanical based on the systems you plan to install.
- Document your experience under one board method, with any required foreman year shown.
- Apply to Professional Testing, Inc. for the Business and Finance and trade exams.
- Schedule with Pearson VUE once approved, and pay the exam fees.
- Pass both exams with a score of 70% or higher. A failed test is retaken for $135 plus $80 per test.
- Pull your credit report, and finish the 14 hour course if your score is under 660.
- Buy insurance at the air conditioning minimums, and settle workers' compensation.
- Apply to DBPR for certification, individually or as your company's qualifying agent, with fingerprints and the application fee.
Plan on several months from start to finish, depending on how fast you document experience, schedule and pass both exams, and on DBPR processing times.
Want the Application Done for You?
Gathering the experience documentation, scheduling two exams with two different vendors, and assembling a CILB application that will not bounce back for missing pieces takes real time. The Licensing Company's License Application Processing service prepares and submits your Florida contractor license application: an eligibility audit before anything is filed, a document checklist so you and our team chase down the pieces together, every state form prepared and reviewed line by line, submission the way the board requires, and any board paperwork questions answered and resubmitted until the board decides.
It is a flat $999 per state application, paid up front. State fees, exam fees, background checks and fingerprinting are paid to the state, not to us. This does not include sitting the exam for you, and it does not promise approval or a specific timeline; it means your paperwork is done right the first time. Learn more about License Application Processing or call 615-219-2110 to talk through your classification before you file.
Florida HVAC License Costs: Government and Testing Fees
These are board and vendor fees only, current as of today.
| Fee | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | $135 | Professional Testing, Inc. |
| Business and Finance exam | $80 | Pearson VUE |
| Trade knowledge exam | $80 | DBPR or its assigned vendor |
| Retake, per failed or missed exam | $135 plus $80 | As above |
| Business and Finance review | $35 | Pearson VUE, within 21 days |
| Initial certification | $245 or $145 | DBPR |
| Biennial renewal, active status | $200 | DBPR |
| Biennial renewal, inactive status | $50 | DBPR |
The initial certification fee depends on when you file: $245 from May 1 of an even year through August 31 of an odd year, or $145 from September 1 of an odd year through April 30 of an even year. Today's filing window runs the $245 rate. Insurance, the credit report, fingerprinting and any course are paid to third parties and vary.
Fee disclaimer: Government and testing fees are set by the DBPR, the CILB and their vendors and can change. Verify current amounts on the application form and your exam confirmation before you pay.
Insurance, Bond and Workers' Compensation
Under Rule 61G4-15.003, F.A.C., an air conditioning or mechanical contractor carries a minimum of $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage insurance, with DBPR listed as certificate holder. That is lower than the $300,000/$50,000 minimum for General and Building contractors, because the rule sets a separate, lower tier for every other CILB category. The board audits a random sample of licensees by zip code to confirm coverage.
Under Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C.:
- You submit a credit report with a FICO derived score and a public records statement.
- Financial responsibility means no unsatisfied judgments or liens against you or a business you qualify or qualified.
- Financial stability means a score of 660 or higher. Below 660, you complete a board approved 14 hour financial responsibility course.
- When you qualify a company, the business needs its own credit report too.
You also attest that you carry workers' compensation coverage under Chapter 440, Florida Statutes, or hold an exemption, or that you will obtain an exemption within 30 days after the license is issued.
How Long It Takes
There is no single official timeline, because the clock depends on you. Documenting years of employment history and a foreman year can take weeks of gathering pay records and employer contacts before you even apply to Professional Testing. Once you apply, exam scheduling with Pearson VUE opens within 72 hours of approval, but you still need to pass two exams, which can mean a retake and a 21 day wait if you miss one.
After that, DBPR's own processing adds more time. Most applicants who already have the required experience documented plan on several months from first application to an active certificate; building the experience itself, if you are starting from scratch, can take years.
Renewal, Continuing Education, and Reciprocity
Certified contractors renew every two years, on August 31 of every even numbered year; registered contractors renew on August 31 of odd years. Each renewal requires 14 hours of continuing education, with at least one hour each in workplace safety, workers' compensation, business practices, advanced module building code, and laws and rules. A license issued less than 12 months before the renewal date owes no continuing education that cycle, and one issued more than 1 year but less than 2 years before it owes 7 hours of general credit.
Reciprocity: the CILB's agreements with Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi cover only General, Building and Residential licenses, not air conditioning. An out of state HVAC contractor may still apply by endorsement under section 489.115(3), including after holding a valid license elsewhere for at least 10 years. DBPR's own FAQ warns that endorsement requirements relying on a comparison exam are stringent and rarely approved, so plan on the exam route instead.
EPA 608: anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant needs federal Section 608 certification (Core plus Type 1, 2 or 3). It is separate from the Florida license.
What Happens If You Contract Without a License
DBPR may impose an administrative fine of up to $10,000 under section 489.13(3), waiving up to half if the contractor becomes licensed within one year. Under section 489.127, a first violation is a first degree misdemeanor, and a repeat violation or one during a declared state of emergency is a third degree felony. Section 489.128 makes an unlicensed contractor's contracts unenforceable by that contractor, and a business without a qualifying agent for the scope of work counts as unlicensed. See also unlicensed work during a Florida emergency.
When the Company Needs the License but No One Qualifies
Florida's bar is real: documented experience, usually including a foreman year, two exams, a credit review and insurance. Many capable HVAC companies have crews and customers but no one who can personally qualify yet, or they lose their licensed person and cannot pull permits.
Florida law answers this with the qualifying agent. Under section 489.119(2), a corporation, LLC or partnership contracts through a certified or registered individual who qualifies the business. Section 489.1195 makes the primary qualifying agent responsible for supervising all operations, all field work and financial matters, unless the board approves a financially responsible officer for the financial side.
DBPR's own FAQ confirms the qualifier need not own the company but must have supervisory authority and final approval authority over its construction work. If the only qualifying agent leaves, section 489.119(3)(a) gives the company 60 days to employ another, and the company may not contract in the meantime unless the board grants a temporary, nonrenewable license that lets it finish existing contracts.
If your company needs the license now and no one on the team can personally qualify yet, a licensed Class A or Class B air conditioning contractor can qualify the company as a full time W-2 employee who actually supervises the work while your own people build toward their own license. Section 489.103(2) defines an employee as someone paid with FICA and withholding deducted who works under the company's supervision and control. That is the model The Licensing Company uses. Read our Florida qualifying agent guide, the HVAC contractor qualifying agent overview, and what a qualifying agent is, then hire a qualifying agent matched to your classification.
Running other trades too? See our Florida plumbing license, Florida electrician license and Florida general contractor license guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an HVAC license in Florida?
Document your experience under one of the board's methods, apply to Professional Testing, Inc. for the Business and Finance and trade exams, pass both with Pearson VUE, then apply to DBPR with your fees, insurance and a credit report. See the step by step list above for the full path.
What is the difference between Class A and Class B HVAC licenses in Florida?
A Class A Air Conditioning Contractor has no limit on system size. A Class B contractor is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system, which fits residential and light commercial work.
Does Florida require an HVAC technician or journeyman license?
No. Florida licenses HVAC at the contractor level only; there is no separate state journeyman or technician license. Anyone performing the work does so under their employer's Certified or Registered contractor license. Handling refrigerant also requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.
How much does a Florida HVAC license cost?
The exams cost $295 total: $135 to register plus $80 for each of the two tests. The DBPR license application is $245 or $145 depending on when in the two year cycle you apply. Insurance, the credit report and any course are extra.
How long does it take to get an HVAC license in Florida?
There is no fixed timeline. Most applicants who already have their experience documented plan on several months to apply, schedule, pass both exams and clear DBPR processing. Building the required experience from scratch can take years.
How hard is the Florida HVAC contractor exam?
It is long rather than tricky, and you need 70% correct to pass. Class A candidates face 130 trade questions in 7.5 hours and Class B candidates 80 in 5 hours, plus the 120 question Business and Finance exam. Both are open book, so knowing your approved references matters.
Can I get a Florida HVAC license without four years of experience?
A construction related degree plus one year of experience, college credits combined with experience, or military service can shorten the field time, but every route except the degree and upgrade methods needs one year as a foreman. If your company needs the license now, a qualifying agent employed as a W-2 employee is the lawful way to operate while you build toward your own license.
What is an HVAC qualifier in Florida?
It is the licensed individual who qualifies a business for its air conditioning license under section 489.119. The primary qualifier supervises the company's field work and, unless a financially responsible officer is approved, its finances. The qualifier need not own the company but must hold real supervisory authority.
How much does it cost to hire a qualifying agent in Florida?
There is no flat rate. It depends on the classification, your company structure and how the role is staffed, so call 615-219-2110 to talk through your situation and get a straight answer.
Does a Florida HVAC license work in other states?
Not automatically. Florida's reciprocal agreements cover only General, Building and Residential licenses, and each state sets its own HVAC rules.
Sources
All sources retrieved 2026-10-05.
- DBPR CILB 6-G, Application for Certified Class-A Air Conditioning Contractor Who is Qualifying a Business (eff. July 2024) (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- DBPR, Construction Examinations (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- DBPR, CILB Examinations at a Glance (updated June 2024) (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- DBPR Bureau of Education & Testing, Examination Scheduling and Fees FAQ (CILB) (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- DBPR, Air A Contractors General Trade Knowledge Examination Content Information (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- DBPR, Class B Air Conditioning Contractors General Trade Knowledge Examination Content Information (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Professional Testing, Inc., Florida CILB Examinations (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Pearson VUE, Florida DBPR Construction (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- DBPR, Construction Industry FAQs (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- CILB, Reciprocal Licensing Agreements (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 489, Part I (sections 489.103, 489.105, 489.111, 489.1131, 489.115, 489.117, 489.119, 489.1195, 489.127, 489.128, 489.13) (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G4-12.009, Fees (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G4-15.003, Public Liability Insurance (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G4-15.006, Financial Responsibility (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- US EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification (retrieved 2026-10-05)
Talk to Us About Your Florida HVAC License
A Certified Class A or Class B Air Conditioning Contractor license lets an HVAC business work statewide in Florida. If you can meet the experience, exam, credit and insurance requirements, follow the steps above, or let our License Application Processing service handle the paperwork for a flat $999 per state application. If your company needs the license sooner than anyone on the team can qualify, Marshall Schofield, Jeremiah Jaskulski and the team at The Licensing Company can map the compliant path with you.
Call 615-219-2110 or hire a qualifying agent to talk through your classification, company structure and timeline.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.