Florida HVAC License Requirements
Florida doesn't license individual HVAC technicians. HVAC contractors need a state license from the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR). Some cities license HVAC technicians. 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 | Certified/Registered AC Class A, B, C; Mechanical |
Requirements
| Contractor experience | 4 years including 1 as foreman (education may substitute) |
| Exam | State exam |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 14 hours per renewal |
| Local license | Workers may need local license |
| Board | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) |
Local licenses in Florida
Jacksonville
CityJourneyman and master craftsman certificates of competency (city exams)
Jacksonville Construction Trades Qualifying Board
Consolidated city-county (Duval). Construction Trades Qualifying Board certifies heating/air-conditioning/refrigeration and plumbing trades under Ord. Code Chapter 342. Fees: journeyman exam $65, master exam $115, certificate $25.
- Source: jacksonville.gov · checked November 5, 2026
Miami (licensed by Miami-Dade County)
CountyJourneyman air conditioning personal certificate (county)
Miami-Dade County Construction Trades Qualifying Board
Journeyman air conditioning: 3 years' experience, one-part technical exam; application $240; not a contractor license. Population is the City of Miami.
- Source: miamidade.gov · checked November 5, 2026
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 | Professional Testing, Inc. / Pearson VUE (for CILB) |
| Format | Open book |
Class A/B air conditioning and mechanical contractor exams. DBPR contracts Professional Testing, Inc. to develop and score exams; candidates test at Pearson VUE. All construction exams are open book, multiple choice, with a Business and Finance exam plus trade exams.
- Source: www2.myfloridalicense.com · checked November 6, 2026
Licensed in another state or the military
| Reciprocity | None |
| Military experience credit | Yes: up to 3 years of military experience toward certified contractor experience (since July 1, 2016); Guard/Reserve interrupted training credited (s. 250.483, F.S.) |
- Source: www2.myfloridalicense.com · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (Florida Department of Education) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: fldoe.org · checked November 6, 2026