# How to Get an HVAC License in Florida: Class A, Class B and Mechanical Contractors

Florida licenses HVAC contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). A Class A air conditioning contractor has no size limit; Class B is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating per system. Certification needs four years of experience, one as a foreman, and two exams. HVAC journeyman licenses are issued by counties and cities.

## Key takeaways

- Contractors are licensed by DBPR's CILB. Certified licenses work statewide; registered licenses only in the local jurisdiction that issued the competency card.
- Class B air conditioning: 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating in any one system. Class A and mechanical: unlimited.
- Experience: 4 years as a worker or foreman, at least 1 as a foreman, or a degree/college-credit combination.
- Exams: Business & Finance plus a trade exam (Class A: 130 questions, 7.5 hours), 70% to pass, registered through Professional Testing, Inc.
- Journeyman HVAC licenses are local. State law lets counties issue them after 12,000 hours of on-the-job training or a state-approved apprenticeship.

## Who licenses HVAC contractors in Florida?

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation's [Construction Industry Licensing Board](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/) (CILB). It licenses air conditioning, mechanical, plumbing and other construction contractors. Like Florida's electrical board, it offers two kinds of contractor license. A certified contractor holds "a certificate of competency issued by the department" and may contract anywhere in the state; a registered contractor met the competency rules of a local jurisdiction and may contract only there. Certified license numbers start with "C" and registered ones with "R" ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)).

> **HVAC journeymen are licensed locally in Florida**
>
> The CILB licenses contractors. Journeyman HVAC licenses, where required, come from counties and cities under Florida Statutes 489.1455. Check with the local licensing office where you work.

> **Last verified**
>
> Each requirement links the DBPR document or Florida statute it came from, checked on 2026-10-24.

## What's the difference between Class A, Class B and Class C?

System size and age of license. Class A "services are unlimited." Class B "services are limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating in any one system." Class C is limited to servicing air conditioning, heating or refrigeration systems, and only people certified or registered as Class C by October 1, 1988 can hold it; no new Class C licenses are issued ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)). Neither air conditioning class may do gas fuel lines inside buildings, potable water lines, sanitary sewer lines, pool piping or electrical power wiring.

A **mechanical contractor** license is also unlimited in size and covers a broader range of mechanical systems, but it carries similar exclusions for potable water, sanitary sewer, pool piping and electrical power wiring ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)). Pick mechanical if you'll do commercial ventilation, refrigeration and process piping; pick air conditioning A or B if HVAC is the whole business.

**Florida HVAC credentials: scope, experience, exam and fees**

| Credential | Scope | Experience | Exams | Application fee | Renewal and CE |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Journeyman (HVAC or mechanical) | Issued by a county or city ([Fla. Stat. 489.1455](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.1455.html)) | State-approved apprenticeship or 12,000 hours of on-the-job training ([Fla. Stat. 489.1455](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.1455.html)) | Proctored journeyman exam, 75% ([Fla. Stat. 489.1455](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.1455.html)) | Set locally | Set locally |
| Class B air conditioning contractor | 25 tons cooling / 500,000 BTU heating per system ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)) | 4 years, at least 1 as foreman, or degree/credit paths ([Fla. Stat. 489.111](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/489.111)) | Business & Finance + Air Conditioning "B" (80 questions, 5 hours) ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/const_cib.pdf)) | See [CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/) | 14 hours CE per renewal ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)) |
| Class A air conditioning contractor | Unlimited ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)) | 4 years, at least 1 as foreman, including systems over 25 tons ([CILB 5-G](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf)) | Business & Finance + Air Conditioning "A" (130 questions, 7.5 hours) ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/const_cib.pdf)) | $245 or $145 depending on filing window ([CILB 5-G](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf)) | 14 hours CE per renewal ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)) |
| Mechanical contractor | Unlimited, with water, sewer, pool and power-wiring exclusions ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)) | 4 years, at least 1 as foreman, or degree/credit paths ([Fla. Stat. 489.111](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/489.111)) | Business & Finance + Mechanical (130 questions, 7.5 hours) ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/const_cib.pdf)) | See [CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/) | 14 hours CE per renewal ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)) |

_Certified CILB licenses expire August 31 of every even year and registered licenses August 31 of every odd year; renewal is listed at $205 plus $50 per qualified business ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)). Verified 2026-10-24._

## How do you get a certified HVAC contractor license in Florida?

1. **Build four years of experience, one as a foreman** Florida Statutes 489.111 requires "a total of at least 4 years of active experience," with "at least 1 year of active experience" as a foreman. A four-year construction degree plus one year of experience also qualifies, as do combinations of college credit, foreman time and military service ([Fla. Stat. 489.111](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/489.111); [CILB 5-G](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf)). You must be 18.
2. **Register for the exams with Professional Testing, Inc.** DBPR contracts with Professional Testing, Inc. to register candidates and score construction exams; Pearson VUE schedules and delivers them by computer ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/const_cib.pdf)). HVAC is a Division II trade, so you pass two exams: Business and Finance (120 questions, 6.5 hours) and your trade exam.
3. **Pass with 70% on each exam** "The minimum percentage score needed to pass has been set at seventy percent (70%)," and scores aren't rounded ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/const_cib.pdf)). If you already hold another construction license, you may be exempt from retaking Business and Finance.
4. **Apply to the CILB** The individual Class A application is $245 if filed between May 1 of an even year and August 31 of an odd year, and $145 if filed between September 1 of an odd year and April 30 of an even year. Include electronic fingerprints and a credit report with a FICO-derived score; below 660, you also need a 14-hour financial responsibility course ([CILB 5-G](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf)).
5. **Show insurance and workers' comp** For air conditioning and other non-building categories, the CILB minimum is $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage, plus workers' compensation coverage or an exemption ([CILB 5-G](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf)).
6. **Renew every two years with 14 CE hours** Renewal CE is 14 hours, including 1 hour each of workplace safety, business practices, workers' compensation and laws and rules, plus at least one hour of a specialized or advanced module ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)).

## How do Florida HVAC journeyman licenses work?

Locally, under a state framework. Florida Statutes 489.1455 authorizes counties and municipalities "to issue journeyman licenses in the plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical, or HVAC trades." To qualify, an applicant needs a state-approved apprenticeship or "at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training," a proctored journeyman exam score of at least 75%, and Florida Building Commission coursework ([Fla. Stat. 489.1455](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.1455.html)). The upside of the statute: a county or city must recognize a journeyman HVAC license issued by another Florida county or city in the same trade, so you aren't retesting every time you cross a county line.

Whatever your Florida license, refrigerant handling still requires federal [EPA Section 608 certification](https://www.epa.gov/section608). Our [EPA 608 guide](https://www.brix.so/certifications/epa-608) and [Core practice test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/core) cover it.

## Starting your own HVAC company in Florida

Florida HVAC is year-round work with a brutal summer peak. Before the first July heat wave, get the business side in order.

- **Qualifying a business:** a certified individual can qualify a company; renewal adds $50 per qualified business ([CILB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/)).
- **Credit and finances:** the CILB checks a credit report and requires the 14-hour financial responsibility course below a 660 score ([CILB 5-G](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf)).
- **Taxes:** sales and use tax on equipment and how your entity files are covered in [Florida contractor taxes and licensing](https://www.brix.so/taxes/florida).
- **Business setup:** trucks, pricing, maintenance agreements and first customers are in [how to start an HVAC business](https://www.brix.so/start/hvac).

BRIX tracks licenses, insurance certificates and permits and flags renewals before they lapse, so your August 31 renewal and 14 CE hours are on the calendar. It also answers every no-cool call in July, books the job and sends the quote and invoice from one customer record.

- [Compliance and permit tracking](https://www.brix.so/#use-cases): Tracks licenses, safety documents and permits and flags renewals before they lapse.
- [AI receptionist](https://www.brix.so/features/ai-receptionist): Answers every call 24/7, qualifies the caller, books the job and texts back anyone it misses.
- [Quotes and estimates](https://www.brix.so/features/quotes-estimates): Builds accurate quotes on site and follows up on every open estimate.
- [Invoicing and payments](https://www.brix.so/features/invoicing-payments): Turns finished jobs into invoices and politely chases unpaid ones until the money is in your account.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you need a license to do HVAC work in Florida?

Contracting air conditioning work requires a CILB certified or registered contractor license. Technicians working for a contractor may need a local journeyman license depending on the county or city, since Florida leaves journeyman licensing to local governments.

### What is the difference between a Class A and Class B HVAC license in Florida?

Class A air conditioning contractors have unlimited scope. Class B contractors are limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating in any one system. The Class A trade exam is longer: 130 questions in 7.5 hours versus 80 questions in 5 hours for Class B.

### How many years of experience do you need for a Florida HVAC license?

Florida Statutes 489.111 requires four years of active experience, with at least one year as a foreman. A four-year construction degree with one year of experience, or certain combinations of college credit, foreman time and military service, also qualify.

### How much does a Florida Class A air conditioning license cost?

The individual Class A application (CILB 5-G) is $245 if filed between May 1 of an even year and August 31 of an odd year, or $145 in the other window. Exam registration and Pearson VUE fees are separate, and renewal is listed at $205.

### How many CE hours do Florida HVAC contractors need?

Fourteen hours per renewal, including one hour each of workplace safety, business practices, workers' compensation, and laws and rules, plus at least one hour in a specialized or advanced module. Certified licenses renew every two years on August 31 of even years.

### Does Florida have a journeyman HVAC license?

Not at the state level. Florida Statutes 489.1455 lets counties and cities issue journeyman HVAC and mechanical licenses after a state-approved apprenticeship or 12,000 hours of on-the-job training and a proctored exam with at least 75%. Other Florida localities must recognize them.

## Related

- [HVAC License Requirements by State: Technician Rules, Contractor Classes and Size Limits](https://www.brix.so/licensing/hvac)
- [How to Get an HVAC License in Texas: TDLR Registration, Certification and Contractor Classes](https://www.brix.so/licensing/hvac/texas)
- [How to Get an Electrician License in Florida: Certified Contractors, Registered Contractors and Local Journeymen](https://www.brix.so/licensing/electrician/florida)
- [How to Get a Plumbing License in Florida: Local Journeyman Cards and the State Contractor Exam](https://www.brix.so/licensing/plumbing/florida)
- [Florida Contractor Taxes and Licensing: Sales Tax, Licenses and Workers' Comp](https://www.brix.so/taxes/florida)
- [How to Start an HVAC Business in 2026 (Costs, Licenses and First Customers)](https://www.brix.so/start/hvac)
- [HVAC Software That Answers the Phone, Books the Tech and Keeps the Books](https://www.brix.so/for/hvac)
- [EPA 608 Certification: Who Needs It and How to Get It](https://www.brix.so/certifications/epa-608)
- [BTU Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/btu-calculator)
- [AC Tonnage Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/hvac-tonnage-calculator)

## Change log

- 2026-10-24: Page published. Scopes, experience, exams, fees, CE, insurance and local journeyman statute verified against DBPR and Florida Statutes.

## Sources

- [Florida DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (scopes, CE, renewal)](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Florida DBPR — CILB 5-G Class A Air Conditioning application (fees, experience, insurance)](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cilb/documents/CILB5G_Certified_Contractor_Individual_Class-A-Air.pdf) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Florida DBPR — Construction Candidate Information Booklet (effective July 2024)](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/const_cib.pdf) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Florida Statutes 489.111 — Licensure by examination](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/489.111) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Florida Statutes 489.1455 — Journeyman; reciprocity; standards](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.1455.html) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [EPA — Section 608 technician certification](https://www.epa.gov/section608) (checked 2026-10-24)

Last verified against [Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/) on 2026-10-24.

Talk to BRIX: call or text (518) 588-1122, email eeharris2004@gmail.com, or book a 15-minute call at https://cal.com/ethanharris/15min.

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Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/licensing/hvac/florida