Georgia HVAC License Requirements
Georgia doesn't license individual HVAC technicians. HVAC contractors need a state license from the Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (SOS). 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 | Conditioned Air Class I (up to 175,000 BTU heat / 60,000 BTU cooling) and Class II (unrestricted) |
Requirements
| Contractor experience | Class I: 4 years; Class II: 5 years (including commercial) |
| Classroom hours | Board-approved heat loss/gain and duct design course |
| Exam | State exam (70); 3 references |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 4 hours/year (8 per renewal) |
| Local license | Workers may need local license |
| Board | Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (SOS) |
Local licenses in Georgia
Augusta
Consolidated city-countyContractor registration with Augusta-Richmond County
Augusta License and Inspection Department
City registration on top of the state contractor license: business tax certificate, copy of state license card, liability insurance $50,000/$100,000, bond ($20,000 commercial, $15,000 residential; $5,000 specialty), vehicle decal $4. Electrical requirements PDF read; HVAC uses the same construction trade rules.
- Source: augustaga.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 | PSI/AMP |
Board exam dates page names PSI/AMP but was last updated for the October 2021 exams. No candidate bulletin linked on board pages.
- Source: sos.ga.gov · checked November 5, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (no state agency) |
Programs register through the Office of Apprenticeship; use the Partner Finder for local sponsors.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Mechanical code
| Code in force | 2024 IMC with state amendments |
- Source: dca.georgia.gov · checked November 5, 2026