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HVAC · State license

How to get an HVAC license in Maryland

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

Journeyman level 6,000 hours on the job + state exam What's a journeyman?

Everyone who provides heating, ventilation, air-conditioning or refrigeration (HVACR) services in Maryland needs a license from the state HVACR Board, starting with an apprentice license that has no prerequisites. A journeyman license takes at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice, 6,000 hours of training under a licensed contractor and a passing exam score; completing a state-approved apprenticeship waives the exam. Contractors hold a master, master restricted or limited license, and Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties also require a county license. [1][2][3][4][5]

New to the trade?

Starting from zero in Maryland

In Maryland, anyone entering the HVACR trade must first get a state apprentice license; there are no prerequisites and it costs $12. Then go to work under a licensed contractor, either by getting hired by an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) company or through a union (UA Local 486) or open-shop (ABC) apprenticeship that adds classes to your paid work. Before you handle refrigerants you also need federal EPA Section 608 (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's refrigerant rule) certification. [1][2][7][15][22][23][27]

  • High school diploma or GED

    Not required by the state: the Board says there are no prerequisites for an apprentice license. Programs set their own rules: UA (United Association, the plumbers' and pipefitters' union) Local 486 (the union plumbers, steamfitters and HVAC program in the Baltimore area) requires a high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development test) ABC Greater Baltimore's application checklist asks you to upload your high school diploma or GED. [2][23][27][29]

  • Minimum age

    The Board lists no age requirement for the apprentice license. Registered apprenticeships in Maryland can take youth as early as 16 ABC Greater Baltimore asks for proof of age. Programs may set a higher minimum, so ask before you apply. [2][27][30]

  • Get licensed before you start work

    State law says you must be licensed before you provide or assist in providing HVACR services, so a helper needs the apprentice license. Apply online through the Board's application page. Apprentices must be supervised by a licensed master or journeyman who is present on the job site, and can't work alone. [1][2][6]

  • 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. [22]

  • Math, drug test and transportation

    UA Local 486 requires a math test, a physical and a drug screening, your own transportation, a valid driver's license or learner's permit, and the ability to get Maryland plumber and HVACR apprentice licenses The application fee is $25. [23][29]

  • Applying

    As of October 2026, UA Local 486 takes applications for its 2027-2028 school year from November 2 through November 30, 2026, at getpiping.com. ABC Greater Baltimore's application asks for your employer and job information As of October 2026 its page says applications for the fall 2026-27 year closed August 14 and applications for classes starting in January are reviewed after September 7. [23][27]

  • Pay while you learn

    Registered apprenticeships are jobs from day one. UA Local 486 says its apprentices' wages and benefits start at $60,216 a year and rise each year. [23][28]

  • Credit for school

    The Board may credit up to 3 years of formal study or professional training in HVACR toward the experience for any license if it provided comparable experience. Completing an HVACR apprenticeship approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council gets you a journeyman license without the exam PSI's bulletin adds that you must apply within two years of graduating. [3][4][11]

  • Still in high school?

    Maryland's School-to-Apprenticeship option lets 16- and 17-year-olds start a registered apprenticeship while in high school and keep full credit for that time after graduation. The Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) puts juniors and seniors in participating public school systems into paid part-time apprenticeships of at least 450 hours, for high school credit Construction and Development is one of its career clusters. HVACR courses may count toward a license only if the Board decides they gave comparable experience (up to 3 years). The Maryland State Department of Education publishes statewide CTE program of study standards, including an HVACR program in its Construction cluster. [3][30][31][32]

Where to apply in MarylandHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs

Licensing office Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (Maryland Department of Labor) · (410) 230-6196 [21]

Maryland HVAC license at a glance

Who issues licenses
Maryland Board of HVACR Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor [21]
Apprentice license
Required for anyone entering the trade No prerequisites; $12 [2][15]
Journeyman experience
4 years as a licensed apprentice and at least 6,000 hours of training under a licensed contractor Since October 1, 2023 [3][10]
Journeyman exam
PSI (a testing company), 100 questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass, open book $150. Waived after a state-approved apprenticeship [4][11][13]
Master experience
3 years as a licensed journeyman under a master, with at least 1,875 hours in the year before you apply [3][9]
License fees
Master $94.50, limited $94.50, journeyman $25, apprentice $12 [15]
Renewal and CE
Every 2 years No continuing education [16][17]
Insurance
Contractors who sign contracts need $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage coverage [18]
Reciprocity
Delaware and Virginia [19]
Refrigerant handling
Federal EPA Section 608 certification [22]
On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Starting from zero
  3. The license pathway
  4. Who needs a license in Maryland
  5. The license ladder
  6. The exam
  7. Fees, insurance and renewal
  8. County licenses
  9. If you're licensed in another state
  10. Steps to get licensed
  11. Where to get the hours
  12. Licensed in another state?
  13. Questions people ask

The license pathway in Maryland

  1. 1

    Apprentice

    • $12
    • Every 2 years

    Required for anyone entering the trade; no prerequisites. You assist a licensed contractor and must be supervised by a licensed master or journeyman on the job site. [1][2][7][15][16]

  2. 2

    Journeyman

    • 6,000 hours on the job
    • 4 years of experience
    • Yes, PSI: 100 questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass, open book; waived after a state-approved apprenticeship
    • $25 license; $150 PSI exam
    • Every 2 years; no CE

    Requires at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice with at least 6,000 hours of training under a licensed contractor, plus the exam. Lets you do HVACR work under the direction and control of a licensed contractor. [3][4][11][15][16][17]

  3. 3

    Limited contractor

    • 2 years of experience
    • Yes, PSI; $150
    • $94.50 license
    • Every 2 years; no CE

    Requires 2 years as a licensed journeyman (with at least 1,000 hours in the prior year) and an exam. Covers maintenance and repair only. [2][3][11][15]

  4. 4

    Master (or master restricted)

    • 3 years of experience
    • Yes, PSI: master 100 questions, 240 minutes, open book; $150 (restricted $50)
    • $94.50 master; $31.50 per area restricted
    • Every 2 years; no CE

    Requires 3 years as a licensed journeyman under a master, with at least 1,875 hours in the year before you apply, and an exam. Contracting requires liability insurance. [3][9][11][15][18]

Who needs a license in Maryland

State law says you must be licensed by the Board before you provide or assist in providing HVACR services, meaning installing, maintaining, altering, remodeling or repairing heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilation or hydronic systems. The Board warns that unlicensed work can bring up to 6 months in jail for a first violation, up to 2 years for a later one, and administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.

Some people are exempt, including homeowners working on their own single-family home, workers installing self-contained appliances that use no more than 225 volts or 25 amps, master electricians installing electric resistance heat, and master plumbers working on hydronic heating. [1][6][7][8]

The license ladder

The journeyman requirement went up from 3 years and 1,875 hours to 4 years and 6,000 hours when Chapter 340 of 2023 took effect on October 1, 2023. PSI's candidate bulletin (updated September 1, 2024) still lists the old 3-year, 1,875-hour rule for the journeyman exam; the statute and the Board's requirements page show the new one. [2][3][7][9][10][11]

The exam

PSI gives all HVACR exams at test centers in Baltimore, College Park, Hagerstown, Lanham and Salisbury. State law sets the passing score at 70%.

Per PSI's bulletin, the master and journeyman exams each have 100 questions in 240 minutes, and most restricted exams have 50 questions in 120 minutes (ventilation: 40 questions in 90 minutes). They are open book: you may bring the listed references, indexed or highlighted but not written in. Exam fees are $150 for master, limited and journeyman and $50 for each restricted exam. If you fail, the Board's FAQ (frequently asked questions) says you must wait 30 days to reapply, and 60 days for later retakes, paying the fee each time. [11][12][13][14]

Fees, insurance and renewal

License fees are $94.50 for a master or limited license, $31.50 per area for a master restricted license, $25 for a journeyman (or per area for a journeyman restricted license) and $12 for an apprentice. Licenses run for 2-year terms, and the Board requires no continuing education.

Master, master restricted and limited contractors who sign or approve contracts must carry at least $300,000 of general liability and $100,000 of property damage insurance, with the Board named as certificate holder. [15][16][17][18]

County licenses

The Board says Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties require a county HVACR license in addition to the state license. In other counties and cities you may need local plumbing, gas fitting or electrical permits before HVACR work begins, so check with the local permit office. [5]

If you're licensed in another state

The Board may license you without the Maryland exam if your state has a reciprocal agreement with Maryland and you hold an active, equivalent license earned under requirements at least equal to Maryland's, including years of experience. The Board currently has reciprocal agreements with Delaware and Virginia, for master, master restricted, journeyman and journeyman restricted licenses. See our guide to license reciprocity. [19][20]

Steps to get licensed in Maryland

  1. Get your apprentice license

    Apply online for an HVACR apprentice license through the Board's application page ($12). There are no prerequisites. [2][15]

  2. Train for 4 years and 6,000 hours

    Hold your apprentice license for at least 4 years and complete at least 6,000 hours of training under the direction and control of a licensed contractor. A journeyman restricted license (one area, such as air conditioning) needs 3 years and 1,875 hours. [3][9]

  3. Pass the PSI exam, or finish an approved apprenticeship

    Register with PSI and upload proof that you qualify; the journeyman exam fee is $150. If you complete an HVACR apprenticeship approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council, you can apply for a journeyman license without the exam (PSI's bulletin says to apply within two years of graduating). [2][4][11][12]

  4. Apply for your journeyman license

    After you pass, register your license online through the Board's application page and pay the $25 license fee. [2][14][15]

  5. Renew every 2 years

    Licenses run for 2-year terms. The Board requires no continuing education. [16][17]

Where to get the hours

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

Licensed in another state?

  • Master, master restricted, journeyman and journeyman restricted: DE, VA

    The Board lists reciprocal agreements with Delaware and Virginia. You need an active license in good standing that is equivalent to the Maryland license and was earned under requirements at least equal to Maryland's, including years of work experience. [19][20]

Also listed by: Delaware, Utah, Virginia (their own boards list Maryland 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
MD Listed here (agreement or endorsement) Lists MD

Questions people ask

How many hours to become a journeyman HVAC tech in Maryland?

At least 6,000 hours of training under a licensed contractor, over at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice, plus the PSI exam. Completing a state-approved HVACR apprenticeship waives the exam. [3][4]

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

Yes. State law requires a license before you assist in providing HVACR services. The apprentice license has no prerequisites and costs $12. [2][6][15]

Does Maryland require continuing education for HVAC licenses?

No. The Board says it does not require continuing education credits. [17]

Which states have HVAC reciprocity with Maryland?

Delaware and Virginia. [19]

Sources (32)
  1. HVAC Licensing Notice: It's the Law, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  2. Apply for an Original License - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  3. Business Regulation 9A-302, Qualifications of applicants, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  4. Business Regulation 9A-306, Licenses without examination, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  5. County License/Permits - HVACR Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  6. Business Regulation 9A-301, License required, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  7. Business Regulation 9A-101, Definitions, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  8. Business Regulation 9A-103, Scope of title, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  9. Licensing Requirements - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  10. Chapter 340 of 2023 (House Bill 132), HVACR Services - Journeyman License - Qualifications, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  11. Maryland State Board of HVACR Contractors Qualification Information Bulletin (updated 9/1/2024), PSI Services LLC. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  12. Taking the Exams - Maryland Board of HVACR Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  13. Business Regulation 9A-307, Examination grade, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  14. Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - HVACR Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  15. Fees - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  16. Business Regulation 9A-309, Term and renewal, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  17. Education - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  18. Insurance Requirements - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  19. Apply for a Reciprocal License - HVACR Contractors, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  20. Business Regulation 9A-305, Waiver for out-of-state licensees, Maryland General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  21. Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR), Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  22. Section 608 Technician Certification, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  23. UA Local 486 Plumbers & Steamfitters Apprenticeship, UA Local 486 Apprenticeship. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  24. Apprenticeship F.A.Q.'s, UA Local 486. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  25. Apprenticeship Course Curriculum, UA Local 486. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  26. Steamfitters Local 602 Training, Steamfitters Local 602. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  27. Apprenticeship, Associated Builders and Contractors, Greater Baltimore Chapter. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  28. Become an Apprentice - Office of Apprenticeship, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  29. Maryland Apprenticeship Applications, UA Local 486. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  30. Exploring Youth Apprenticeship - Office of Apprenticeship, Maryland Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  31. Policy Issuance 2022-12: Youth Apprenticeship, Maryland Department of Labor and Maryland State Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  32. Content Standards for CTE Programs of Study, Maryland State Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.