If you are thinking of starting your career as an HVAC expert or going to hire one for your home heating and air conditioning system installation, you must be worried about one thing: HVAC licenses.
Having proper licenses ensures the credibility of the technician and gives customers much-needed peace of mind. But do you know there are some states that don’t require professionals to have HVAC licenses? Yes, it’s true!
In this article, we are going to look at the states where HVAC licenses aren’t mandatory, so let’s begin!
States that Don’t Need HVAC Licenses
A few states don’t need professionals to have HVAC licenses, such as Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, and Maine. Here’s an explanation of a few:
Alaska
One of the states that don’t require HVAC technicians to have licenses is Alaska. However, if you are operating as an HVAC contractor, then you need to obtain a license through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Here are the fields in which you can get a license as a mechanical administrator:
- Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping (HCPP)
- Unlimited Commercial and Industrial Plumbing (UCIP)
- Residential HVAC (RHVC)
- Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal (UHVCS)
To be a professional HVAC contractor and qualify for the license, you should also pass a multiple-choice test. After that, register as a mechanical contractor and get a surety bond and insurance.
Arizona
Arizona also doesn’t require any HVAC licenses for technicians, but for HVAC contractors’ businesses, you must get a license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The requirements for this are:
- 18 years of age or older
- Attend a formal HVAC diploma or earn a 2-year associate degree at a community college
- Get four years of experience in any air conditioning and refrigeration license, whether commercial, residential, or both
- Pass the Statutes and Rules Exam and the applicable Trade Exam
- Obtain and submit your proof of license bond
- Pay application fees and get your HVAC contractor license
Illinois
Unlike plumbers and many other technicians, HVAC technicians and contractors need no state-level license to work. However, there are some municipalities that may implement some restrictions, so it’s always a good idea to consult the relevant department.
Note: To comply with federal regulations, anyone working with refrigerants must have EPA 608 certifications.
Kansas
Another state where HVAC technicians, apprentices, or contractors don’t need HVAC licenses is Kansas. This is because the state doesn’t have a state board that oversees the licensing and renewal process.
Nonetheless, there are some local jurisdictions like Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City that demand proper licenses and certifications before working on HVAC systems.
For instance, in Topeka, the apprentices or mechanical administrators can get their licenses from the City of Topeka Development Services Division (DSD).
Conclusion
Knowing about HVAC license requirements in different states is important whether you are a technician yourself or looking for one. Wondering where you can get some qualified and certified HVAC experts to handle your installation and maintenance needs? Contact Trust Patrick and make your life easy!
We’ll connect you with reliable, licensed HVAC experts based on your specific needs.
