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HVAC · State license

How to get an HVAC license in Delaware

State law and licensing-board sources · Last reviewed October 11, 2026

Delaware issues two HVAC licenses, both at the master level: master HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) and master HVACR restricted, which covers one specialty such as air conditioning or refrigeration. Apprentices, journeymen and helpers need no state license if they work under a master who employs them or works full time for the same company. To become a master you need a journeyman certificate from a registered HVACR apprenticeship plus 2 years under a master, or 7 years under a master plus bypass exams, along with EPA refrigerant certification and the state exam. [1][2][3][4]

New to the trade?

Starting from zero in Delaware

You can start in Delaware HVAC without a state license. Get hired by a heating and air conditioning company that has a master HVACR licensee and work as a helper or apprentice under that master. Ask the company to register you as an apprentice with the Department of Labor so your night classes (tuition waived) and hours lead to a journeyman certificate, and get your EPA 608 certification before you handle refrigerants. [3][16][17][18][22]

  • High school diploma or GED

    No state rule: Delaware has no apprentice HVACR license, and the Department of Labor's listed requirements for a registered apprentice are age 16 and a job with a registered sponsor. Programs set their own rules: UA Local 486 (plumbers and steamfitters, with a Seaford site) requires a state-issued high school diploma or GED Polytech Adult Education says a diploma is not required for all of its programs but is highly recommended. [3][18][20][23]

  • Minimum age

    16 to be a registered apprentice in Delaware. [19][22]

  • Helper jobs

    State law lets an apprentice, journeyman, mechanic or other worker provide HVACR services without a license under the supervision of a master HVACR or master HVACR restricted licensee who is their employer or works full time for the same business. [3]

  • EPA 608 certification

    Federal rules require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants to be certified under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Delaware also requires this certification for a master license. See our EPA 608 guide. [4][17]

  • Register as an apprentice

    Delaware has no apprentice HVACR license. To join a registered apprenticeship, your employer signs a Registered Apprenticeship Agreement Form with you and submits it to the Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship and Training. [2][18][22]

  • Driver's license, math test and drug screen

    UA Local 486: reliable transportation, a valid driver's license or learner's permit, legal eligibility to work in the U.S., a $25 application fee, then a math test, physical and drug screening and an interview. [20]

  • Applying

    As of October 2026, UA Local 486 takes online applications for its 2027-2028 school year from November 2 through November 30, 2026. Polytech says the way into its apprenticeship classes is to attend an orientation. [20][23]

  • Pay and tuition

    Registered apprentices are paid from the first day Pay must start at least at minimum wage and reach at least 85% of the journeyperson rate in the last period. Vo-tech tuition is waived only for registered apprentices; a registration fee still applies. [18][19][21][22]

  • Credit for prior training

    Delaware's apprenticeship rules allow up to 25% credit on on-the-job hours for prior experience or training. [19]

  • Still in high school?

    Registered apprenticeship starts at 16. The Department of Labor says graduates of Delaware's six vo-tech high schools may apply to skip the first year of apprenticeship classes, and Polytech lets apprenticeship students enroll at 16 with a parent's approval. The Delaware Department of Education's career and technical education (CTE) programs let high school students earn early college credit, industry credentials and work experience, and its Delaware Pathways site describes the career pathways Executive Order #1 (January 2025) told state agencies to prioritize youth apprenticeships. No rule was found that counts high school CTE hours toward the master HVACR license. [4][18][22][23][24][25][26]

Where to apply in DelawareHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs

Licensing office Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation) · (302) 744-4500 [1][5]

Delaware HVAC license at a glance

Who issues licenses
Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners DPR [5]
Apprentice or helper license
None You may work under the supervision of your employer's master HVACR licensee [3][15]
Journeyman level
No state license A journeyman certificate comes from completing a registered HVACR apprenticeship [1][4][16]
Master experience
Journeyman certificate plus 2 years under a master, or 7 years under a master plus the bypass exams [4][6]
Master HVACR exam
ProV: 100 questions, 4 hours, open book, 70% to pass $100 [6][8]
EPA certification
EPA Section 608 (CFC) certification required for master HVACR and the refrigeration and air conditioning restricted licenses [1][4][17]
License fee
$173 application fee Master or master restricted [9]
Renewal and CE
Every 2 years 5 hours of CE including 1 hour of energy code, starting with the 2026 renewal [6][10]
Reciprocity
Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland treated as substantially similar 14 other states need 7 years licensed [1][13]
On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Starting from zero
  3. The license pathway
  4. Who needs a license in Delaware
  5. Master HVACR vs. restricted
  6. The exams
  7. Fees, renewal and CE
  8. Electrical work on HVAC equipment
  9. If you're licensed somewhere else
  10. Steps to get licensed
  11. Where to get the hours
  12. Licensed in another state?
  13. Questions people ask

The license pathway in Delaware

  1. 1

    Apprentice, helper or journeyman (no state license)

    • Registered apprenticeship: at least 144 hours a year recommended

    You may provide HVACR services under the supervision of a master HVACR or master restricted licensee who employs you or works full time for your employer. [3][19]

  2. 2

    Journeyman certificate (registered apprenticeship)

    • Four years of related training (Polytech's HVAC/R program)

    Earned by completing an HVACR apprenticeship that meets federal apprenticeship standards, such as the Delaware Department of Labor's. Polytech describes its apprenticeship as four years of related training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. It is a credential, not a license. [1][4][16]

  3. 3

    Master HVACR restricted

    • 2 years of experience
    • Yes, ProV (air conditioning exam: 95 questions, 4 hours); open book; 70% to pass
    • $173 application; $100 exam
    • Every 2 years; 5 hours CE

    Limited to one specialty: forced-air heating, hydronic heating, commercial hood systems, refrigeration, air conditioning or gas piping. Same experience routes as the full license; on the bypass route you pass only the bypass sections for your specialty. [1][2][6][8][9]

  4. 4

    Master HVACR

    • 2 years of experience
    • Yes, ProV: 100 questions, 4 hours, open book, 70% to pass
    • $173 application; $100 exam
    • Every 2 years; 5 hours CE

    Requires a journeyman certificate and 2 years under a master (experience before the certificate doesn't count), or 7 years under a master plus the bypass exams; EPA CFC certification; and the master exam. Covers all heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, hood, hydronic and gas piping work. [2][4][6][8][9]

Who needs a license in Delaware

State law says no one may provide HVACR services in Delaware without a master HVACR or master HVACR restricted license. HVACR services mean designing, installing, maintaining, servicing, repairing or modifying heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation or process cooling and heating equipment, including gas piping. Exceptions: apprentices, journeymen, mechanics and other workers supervised by a master licensee who employs them or works full time for the same business; homeowners doing non-gas work on their own home; and agricultural property.

Unlicensed work brings a fine of $1,500 to $3,000 for a first offense and $3,000 to $6,000 after that. If you also do plumbing (water supply and drainage), you need a master plumber license too. [1][2][3]

Master HVACR vs. restricted

A master HVACR license covers all HVACR specialties. A master HVACR restricted license covers one of: heating (forced air, ventilation and gas piping), heating (hydronic and gas piping), commercial hood systems, refrigeration, air conditioning, or gas piping. To work in more than one specialty, apply for the full license. A March 11, 2025 rule change clarified that restricted-license applicants need to pass only the bypass exam sections for their restriction. [1][2][5][6]

The exams

Applicants without a journeyman certificate first take the "Apprenticeship By-Pass" exams. State law says a Delaware vocational-technical school administers that test, but the Board's HVACR and examinations pages say ABC Delaware gives it. Then ProV schedules the licensure exam, in Wilmington, Newark or Dover, or online. ProV's bulletin lists the master HVACR exam at 100 questions in 4 hours and the air conditioning restricted exam at 95 questions in 4 hours; all are open book. Each exam is $100 and you need 70%. After 3 failed attempts you must wait a year to reapply. [1][4][6][7][8]

Fees, renewal and CE

The application fee is $173 for either master license, and there's a $50 fee for the commercial hood system exam. Licenses renew every two years. Starting with the 2026 renewal, HVACR licensees need 5 hours of continuing education (CE) per period: 3 hours of code changes, 1 hour of safety and 1 hour of energy code, done by October 31 of even years. The Board has adopted the 2015 International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code. [6][9][10]

Electrical work on HVAC equipment

Delaware's electrician law says it doesn't stop anyone from servicing heating, air conditioning, refrigeration or appliance equipment. The Board of Electrical Examiners does issue master electrician special and limited electrician special licenses in HVAC for electrical work in that specialty; ask that Board if your job includes wiring. See Delaware electrician license. [11][12]

If you're licensed somewhere else

The Board licenses you by reciprocity if your state's standards are substantially similar (Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland); otherwise you need 7 years of practice after licensure. Pennsylvania doesn't issue state HVACR licenses, so a Pennsylvania municipal license alone means applying by exam. See our guide to license reciprocity.

Delaware has no general universal license recognition law. Governor Meyer's Executive Order #27 (August 20, 2026) asked the Department of State to propose licensing changes, which may include universal license recognition, but the order doesn't change licensing law. [1][13][14]

Steps to get licensed in Delaware

  1. Get hired under a master HVACR licensee

    Find an HVAC employer with a master HVACR or master restricted licensee; you can work under that person's supervision without your own license. [3]

  2. Get EPA 608 certified

    Pass the EPA Section 608 exam before you handle refrigerants. Delaware requires it for the master HVACR, refrigeration and air conditioning licenses. [1][17]

  3. Register as an apprentice and finish the program

    Have your employer register you with the Delaware Department of Labor, take the vo-tech night classes, and earn your journeyman certificate. [16][18]

  4. Work 2 more years under a master

    After the certificate, work 2 years under a master licensee. Without a certificate you need 7 years and passing scores (70%) on the bypass exams, which the Board's pages say ABC Delaware gives. [1][4][6][7]

  5. Apply and pass the master exam

    Apply in DELPROS ($173) with your experience forms and EPA card. After approval, ProV contacts you to schedule the $100 exam. [1][7][8][9]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train HVAC technicians in or for Delaware, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

Licensed in another state?

  • Master HVACR and master HVACR restricted: CT, IA, MD

    The Board treats these states' HVACR standards as substantially similar, so you don't need to submit proof of experience. [1][13]

  • Master HVACR and master HVACR restricted: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, MI, NH, NJ, NC, OH, RI, SC, VA, WV

    The Board lists these standards as not substantially similar: you need proof of at least 7 years of practice as a master after licensure there. [1][13]

Also listed by: Maryland (their own boards list Delaware as a partner; check both sides before you move).

Open the reciprocity map · How reciprocity works

AlaskaAK MaineME VermontVT New HampshireNH WashingtonWA IdahoID MontanaMT North DakotaND MinnesotaMN IllinoisIL WisconsinWI MichiganMI New YorkNY Rhode IslandRI MassachusettsMA OregonOR NevadaNV WyomingWY South DakotaSD IowaIA IndianaIN OhioOH PennsylvaniaPA New JerseyNJ ConnecticutCT CaliforniaCA UtahUT ColoradoCO NebraskaNE MissouriMO KentuckyKY West VirginiaWV VirginiaVA MarylandMD DelawareDE ArizonaAZ New MexicoNM KansasKS ArkansasAR TennesseeTN North CarolinaNC South CarolinaSC District of ColumbiaDC OklahomaOK LouisianaLA MississippiMS AlabamaAL GeorgiaGA HawaiiHI TexasTX FloridaFL
DE Listed here (agreement or endorsement) Lists DE

Questions people ask

Do you need a license to be an HVAC helper in Delaware?

No state license, as long as a master HVACR licensee who employs you (or works full time for your employer) supervises you. You do need EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerants. [3][17]

Is there a journeyman HVAC license in Delaware?

No. The Board issues only master and master restricted HVACR licenses. The journeyman level is the certificate from a registered HVACR apprenticeship. [1][2][5]

How many years to get a master HVACR license in Delaware?

A registered apprenticeship (Polytech's is four years) plus 2 years under a master, or 7 years under a master plus the bypass exams; then the master exam. [4][16]

Sources (26)
  1. Master/Master Restricted HVACR Licensure, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  2. 24 Del. C. § 1802 Definitions, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  3. 24 Del. C. § 1820 License required; exemptions, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  4. 24 Del. C. § 1821 Qualifications of applicant - HVACR, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  5. Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  6. 24 DE Admin. Code 1800 Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners, Delaware Registrar of Regulations. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  7. Examinations - Plumbing and HVACR, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  8. Delaware Division of Professional Regulation Candidate Information Bulletin (22.03.09), Prov, Inc.. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  9. Fee Schedule - Plumbing and HVACR, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  10. 24 Del. C. § 1825 Issuance and renewal of licenses, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  11. 24 Del. C. § 1419 Exceptions, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  12. Master and Limited Electrician - Board of Electrical Examiners, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  13. 24 Del. C. § 1823 Reciprocity, Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code Online). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  14. Executive Order #27: Occupational Licensing Modernization and Workforce Mobility, Office of the Governor, State of Delaware. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  15. Electrical Licensing FAQ's (flyer), Delaware Division of Professional Regulation and Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  16. HVAC-R, Polytech Adult Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  17. Section 608 Technician Certification, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  18. Registered Apprenticeship brochure (Train, Build, Master), Delaware Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  19. 19 DE Admin. Code 1101 Apprenticeship and Training Regulations (as posted by the Department), Delaware Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  20. UA Local 486 Plumbers & Steamfitters Apprenticeship, UA Local 486 Apprenticeship. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  21. Apprenticeship and Training, Delaware Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  22. Apprenticeship and Training: Frequently Asked Questions, Delaware Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  23. Frequently Asked Questions, Polytech Adult Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  24. Career and Technical Education, Delaware Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  25. About Delaware Pathways, Delaware Pathways (Delaware Department of Education CTE site). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  26. Governor Matt Meyer Signs First Executive Order, State of Delaware News. Accessed October 11, 2026.