Kentucky HVAC License Requirements
Yes. Kentucky licenses HVAC technicians through the KY Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC. It issues apprentice, journeyman, master and contractor credentials. Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
State HVAC license · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | Registration |
| Journeyman | Journeyman HVAC Mechanic (2 years experience) |
| Master | Master HVAC Contractor (2 years as licensed journeyman) |
| Contractor | Master HVAC Contractor (insured) |
Requirements
| Journeyman experience | 2 years |
| Exam | State exam |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Continuing education | 6 hours before renewal |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | KY Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC |
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 Kentucky HVAC Board) |
| Format | Open book |
| Questions | Journeyman: 60; Master: 100 |
| Time | Journeyman: 180 minutes; Master: 240 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Bulletin date | 2026-10-31 |
Exam fee $80. An older board-hosted PSI bulletin (2020) exists at dhbc.ky.gov.
- Source: provexam.com · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (Kentucky Works (Education and Labor Cabinet)) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: kyworks.ky.gov · checked November 6, 2026