Alabama HVAC License Requirements
Alabama doesn't license individual HVAC technicians. HVAC contractors need a state license from the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
Contractor only · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | No state license |
| Journeyman | No state license |
| Master | No state license |
| Contractor | HVAC or Refrigeration certification |
Requirements
| Exam | Exam $175; practical $375 |
| Fees | Active certificate $220/year + $20,000 performance bond; inactive $110/year |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Continuing education | 4 hours/year (carry over up to 4) |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors |
Federal: EPA 608 certification
| Rule | Federal certification required to service or dispose of refrigerant equipment and to buy refrigerant |
Who: anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant (attaching gauges, adding or removing refrigerant). Types: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high- and very high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), Universal (all types). Expiry: credentials do not expire. Buying refrigerant: sellers may sell only to certified technicians or employers of one, with limited exceptions (e.g. small cans of MVAC refrigerant). EPA does not issue cards; approved certifying organizations do. Universal requires a proctored core exam.
Exam
| Exam provider | Prov (for Board of HACR) |
| Format | Open book |
| Questions | Heating and AC contractor: 115; Refrigeration contractor: 90 |
| Time | Heating and AC: 300 minutes; Refrigeration: 240 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Bulletin date | 2026-10-31 |
Exam fee paid to the state. NASCLA-format references listed in bulletin.
- Source: provexam.com · checked November 6, 2026
Licensed in another state or the military
| Reciprocity | MS, TN, OH, SC, TX, WV, LA (exam score 70%+); processing $220 |
- Source: hacr.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (Alabama Office of Apprenticeship) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: alapprentice.org · checked November 6, 2026
Mechanical code
| Code in force | 2021 IMC with state amendments (state-jurisdiction buildings); local adoption otherwise |
Amended Mar 17, 2025 with 2024 IMC sections (including refrigerant/A2L sections). State code covers state-funded work, K-12 and public postsecondary schools, hotels/motels and movie theaters only; other buildings follow local adoption
- Source: dcm.alabama.gov · checked November 5, 2026