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

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:

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:

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:

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: 

• AL-1 application for licensure
• AL-2 business information form
• VL-1 verification of license and statement of good standing
• VL-2 affidavit of understanding
• BF-1 contractor’s performance bond

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:

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: 

• Make sure to license, register, and insure your business.
• Secure funding for your Alabama HVAC business.
• Figure out which HVAC services you’ll provide and how to price them.
• Invest in the necessary HVAC tools and equipment
• Promote your business and get your first clients.
• Set up systems to estimate jobs and get paid quickly.

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.