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Alabama HVAC License: How to Become a Certified HVAC Technician in AL

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Andrew Robichaud
Beginner Nov 14, 2024 11 min read
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Getting your license for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in Alabama is a great decision for securing your financial future in a thriving industry.

Like many skilled trades, demand for HVAC is growing across the country, and that increase in opportunity extends to Alabama. The U.S. Department of Labor projects an increase in HVAC jobs by 9% over the entire country and 6% in Alabama over the next 8 years—that’s more than 600 new HVAC openings in the Heart of Dixie. 

As far as securing your financial future, the average Alabama HVAC salary sits at $38,789 for workers with 3-5 years of job experience—and that’s just to start. The average salary for an HVAC technician with 17+ years of experience in Alabama sits at $52,983.

Now is the perfect time to get your license and capitalize on this increase in demand.

So, if you’re interested in getting your HVAC license in Alabama but are unsure where to start, don’t worry. This guide covers everything you need to know:

If getting your HVAC license in Alabama is something you’re serious about, make sure you bookmark this page. That way, you can return to this guide if you have any questions about the specifics of the HVAC licensing process or starting your own business in Alabama.

Does Alabama require an HVAC license?

The state of Alabama requires a license for anyone who wants to perform heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work. Licenses are issued by the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors (HACR).

With a full HVAC or refrigeration contractor license in Alabama, you can perform the following types of work: 

  • Installing and servicing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
  • Installing and servicing piping, ductwork, and relevant electrical components.
  • Testing the seal of HVAC and refrigeration ducts and piping.
  • Quoting and estimating HVAC and refrigeration projects.

An HVAC license is also required to perform any air duct cleaning or filter changes.

Types of HVAC licenses in Alabama

The state of Alabama offers different types of licenses depending on both your level of experience and the type of work you want to pursue. You can hold an active license as both an HVAC and refrigeration contractor.

Fully licensed contractors can choose to work on HVAC or refrigeration systems, the licenses for which are listed below:

HVAC license typeDescription
Apprentice (HVAC/Refrigeration)Allows the holder to perform limited HVAC and refrigeration work under the supervision of a fully licensed HVAC or refrigeration contractor
Heating & Air Conditioning ContractorAllows the holder to perform installation, service, or repair work on heating and cooling systems and all connected components.
Refrigeration Contractor
Allows the holder to perform installation, service, or repair work on refrigeration systems and all connected components.
Duct Air Tightness Testing Contractor Allows the holder to perform tests on the tightness of HVAC and refrigeration system ductwork in connection with the installation, service, or repair of HVAC systems.

Alabama HVAC license requirements

In order to be certified as an HVAC and refrigeration apprentice or contractor, you must follow the requirements listed by the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. 

These requirements include:

HVAC license typeRequirements
Apprentice
Submit the AA-1 apprenticeship application form and include the following: 

 • Proof of citizenship/legal status
 • The name, license number, and contact info of the licensed  contractor who will supervise your work
 • $25 fee for certificate registration
HVAC ContractorSubmit the EA-1 HVAC contractor exam application form and at least ONE of the following: 

• Affidavit from employers swearing the applicant has at least 2 years of experience in HVAC over the past 5 years
• Certificate showing applicant has at least 3,000 hours of HVAC education
• Proof of graduation from an approved HVAC program

Pass the HVAC contractor exam with at least a 70% score.
Refrigeration ContractorSubmit the EA-1 refrigeration contractor exam application form and include at least ONE of the following:

•Affidavit from employers swearing the applicant has least 2 years of experience in commercial refrigeration over the past 5 years
•Certificate showing applicant has at least 3,000 hours of refrigeration education
•Proof of graduation from an approved commercial refrigeration program

Pass the refrigeration exam with at least a 70% score.
Duct Air Tightness Testing ContractorHold a full HVAC or refrigeration contractor license and submit the duct air tightness testing contractor registration application with proof of completion of  ONE of the following accredited programs:

• Home Builders Association of Alabama Qualified Credentialed Air Tightness Verifier (QCATV) Training 
• Building Performance Institute Building Analyst (BPI) Training 
• Residential Energy Service Network Home Rating Systems (RESNET/HERS) Rater Training

How do I get an HVAC license in Alabama?

The process of getting your HVAC or refrigeration contractor license in Alabama The process of getting your HVAC or refrigeration contractor license in Alabama involves a series of steps that typically take at least 2 years per license. If you want to obtain both contractor licenses, you will need to repeat the process.  

Here are the steps that you need to follow in order to progress from an apprentice to a licensed contractor: 

  • Obtain the required amount of work and/or educational experience in at least 1 of the 3 following ways:
    • Enter into an apprenticeship by filling out the AA-1 apprenticeship application and working under the supervision of an HVAC or refrigeration contractor for at least 2 years. 
    • Obtain a certificate from one of the following HVAC or refrigeration programs approved by the state board and listed on the exam application
    • Complete at least 3,000 hours of work under a licensed HVAC or refrigeration contractor and submit the affidavit (EA-4 of the exam application) listing all the employers who can attest to your experience, as well as all relevant W-2s
  • Apply for the examination through the state’s online portal or fill out your EA-1 exam application and provide all applicable work and/or educational experience.
  • Pay the $175 examination fee and receive information from the board and test vendor Prov about your scheduled exam.
  • Sit for your HVAC or refrigeration contractor examination and pass with a score of at least 70% 
  • Fill out your application for licensure (AL-1), business information form (AL-2), and contractor’s performance bond (BF-1) through your online profile on the board website or by submitting them directly.
  • Licensed HVAC and refrigeration contractors can apply for the additional duct air tightness testing (DATT) contractor license with the DA-1 application form after completing one of the following programs:
    • Home Builders Association of Alabama Qualified Credentialed Air Tightness Verifier (QCATV) Training. 
    • Building Performance Institute Building Analyst (BPI) Training. 
    • Residential Energy Service Network Home Rating Systems (RESNET/HERS) Rater Training.

If you want to submit any applications and forms online, you can use the HACR web portal. To submit by mail, you can send them to the following address: 

P.O. Box 305025
Montgomery, Alabama
36130-5025

Alabama HVAC license exam

To become a fully licensed HVAC or refrigeration contractor in Alabama, you need to pass the corresponding exam administered by Prov, the state’s testing vendor. 

The HVAC contractor licensing exam is 5 hours long and consists of 110 questions on the following topics:

Subject areaNumber of questions
General knowledge15
Piping10
Systems and sizing25
Equipment10
Maintenance15
Plan reading 5
Business organization1
Risk management2
Project management2
Estimating4
Safety and environmental2
Labor laws3
Payroll and employment taxes4
Financial management4
Contacts3
Lien lawns1
Licensing lawns4

The refrigeration contractor licensing exam- is 4 hours long and consists of 90 questions on the following topics:

Subject areaNumber of questions
General knowledge14
Piping12
Systems and sizing13
Maintenance / troubleshooting18
Plan reading3
Business organization1
Contracts3
Estimating4
Financial management4
Labor laws4
Licensing laws4
Lien laws1
Payroll and employment taxes4
Project management2
Risk management2
Safety and environmental21

Applicants who have graduated from a college program, or attended at least 3,000 hours of educational training from another curriculum approved by the state board, are eligible to sit for the licensing exam. 

Below is a list of the approved curriculum providers: 

Alabama based training

  • Alabama Power Company 
  • Southland Training Solutions
  • Champions Technical Institute
  • NARS Training System
  • B-Trained, Birmingham and Huntsville
  • PHCC Academy of Alabama
  • Fortis College
  • Accelerated HVAC Training Center

Georgia based training

  • Gwinnett Technical College
  • Atlanta Technical College
  • Columbus Technical College
  • West Georgia Technical College

Florida based training

  • George Stone Technical Center

Southeast based training

  • Lindsey-Cooper Refrigeration School
  • Interplay Learning – MacLellan HVAC

For more information on the exam structure and process, you can use Prov’s Candidate Information Bulletin.

Does my Alabama HVAC license work in any other states?

Reciprocal licenses allow HVAC and refrigeration professionals from other states to apply directly for the corresponding contractor license in Alabama. 

Alabama currently has reciprocity agreements with the state licensing boards: 

  • Mississippi State Board of Contractors
  • Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
  • Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
  • South Carolina Residential Building Commission
  • South Carolina Contractor’s Board
  • West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
  • Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors

To apply for a reciprocal license, you need to print the following forms and send them to the HACR office in Alabama

How much does getting an Alabama HVAC license cost?

Alabama HVAC and refrigeration license costs come mainly in the form of processing, examination, licensing, and renewal fees and license status. They will run you between $25-$1060 depending on the type, number, and status of your license(s). 

For active contractors and business operators, there is also a $20,000 performance bond requirement. 

There is also a 4% processing fee for any of the board-related fees that are paid by credit card.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the costs depending on your level of certification:

Application FeesApprentice: $25 per license
Contractor: $190 per license
Examination FeesApprentice: NA
Contractor: $175 per license
Licensing FeesApprentice: $50 per license
Active HVAC/R Contractor: $190 per license
Inactive HVAC/R Contractor: $95 per license
DATT Contractor: $50
Renewal FeesApprentice: $50 per license
Active HVAC/R Contractor: $220 per license
Inactive HVAC/R Contractor: $110 per license
DATT Contractor: $50
Late Renewal FeesApprentice: $50 per license
Active HVAC/R Contractor: $470 per license
Inactive HVAC/R Contractor: $360 per license
DATT Contractor: $100

Alabama HVAC license renewal

According to the state licensing board website, all contractor licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed annually for a fee of $220 dollars for individual HVAC and refrigeration licenses or $440 for both. 

You can check the current status of your HVAC or refrigeration contractor license and renew it through the HACR online portal.

What happens if my HVAC license expires? 

If you think your Alabama HVAC or refrigeration contractor license may have expired, or will soon, it’s crucial that you stop all work immediately and check the status of your license on the board’s online web portal

Working on any heating, air conditioning, ventilation, or refrigeration project with an expired HVAC license is illegal in Alabama and puts you at risk of some serious penalties. These include: 

  • Being found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
  • Administrative fines of up to $2,000 per offense.
  • Suspension or loss of license.

To avoid these outcomes, renew the applicable licenses and pay applicable late fees: 

  • $50 for apprentice and DATT licenses.
  • $110 for inactive contractor licenses.
  • $220 for active contractor licenses.

READ MORE: Get more HVAC leads with these 11 low-cost ideas

EPA Section 608 Technician Certification

HVAC and refrigeration contractors working with potentially harmful chemicals need to pass an Environmental Protection Agency-approved test to earn a Section 608 Technician Certification. Section 608 of the Clean Air Act says “technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.”

Knowing the safety rules is important to protect yourself and the environment when working with refrigerants. Refrigerants are used in air conditioners and fridges, but they can be bad for the environment if not handled properly.

If you want this certification, you have to take a test through an organization approved by the EPA. The test covers different topics related to the HVAC industry and equipment. Once you pass, your certification doesn’t expire. 

You can use practice test topics to help you study and prepare for the exam.

Requirements for business owners

OnOnce you’ve passed all licensing exams and completed all the necessary forms to be an HVAC or refrigeration contractor in Alabama, you can take the next step and open your own business. As you’ll see in the next section, this is a great way to increase your earning potential.

But first, what do you need to do to become an HVAC business owner in Alabama?

The Alabama state government has online resources that tell you what business owners need to do to operate legally. 

Aside from receiving your HVAC and/or refrigeration contractor license and additional certifications like duct air tightness testing, you should follow these steps: 

For an in-depth look at the ins and outs of starting your HVAC business in Alabama, check out this guide.

READ MORE: 430+ HVAC company names to attract customers in 2024

Does an HVAC license in Alabama increase your earning potential? 

Getting your Alabama HVAC or refrigeration license is the first step towards drastically increasing your earning potential. 

As you progress from an apprentice to an experienced contractor, you can expect your salary to jump from $31,000 to over $50,000, depending on your years of experience. Not to mention, HVAC service managers earn over $72,000 per year on average across the country.

The market value of the United States HVAC and refrigeration market is projected to be $133.7B in 2024. When you factor into the equation the expected increase in job opportunities for HVAC/R professionals in states like Alabama, it’s a great time to get started in this booming industry.

Interested in learning more about this lucrative industry and what the financial prospects are across the country?

Check out our Essential HVAC Salary Guide, and identify where you can put this in-demand skill set to use.  

Originally published in April 2024. Last updated on November 15, 2024.

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