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Georgia HVAC License: How to Get Certified as an HVAC Contractor in GA

December 16, 2022 9 min. read
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If you’re looking for an exciting career with financial stability, it’s a great time to start the process of getting your HVAC license in Georgia.

The HVAC industry is growing across the country due to an increase in demand, and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon. There are over 394,000 HVAC jobs in the country, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that we’ll need at least 20,200 new HVAC jobs to meet demand by 2031.

The average salary for an HVAC contractor in the US is $45,000—but that’s just to start. Your level of compensation will rise alongside your experience, skill, and certification. For example, HVAC service managers bring in over $72,000 on average.

So, the sooner you start the licensing process, the sooner you can build up your experience and salary.

If you’re interested in getting your HVAC license in Georgia but aren’t quite sure where to start, don’t worry — this guide has all the information you need:

Make sure you bookmark this page if you’re serious about getting your HVAC license in Georgia. That way, you can return to this guide if you have any specific questions about the HVAC licensing process.

Does Georgia require an HVAC license?

Yes, in Georgia, you need a license issued by the Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors to work with HVAC systems that heat, cool, and distribute air through buildings. However, in Georgia, a licensed HVAC professional is known as a conditioned air contractor.

Fully-licensed conditioned air contractors in Georgia can perform installation, maintenance, and repair services on the following:

  • Ductwork and ventilation systems
  • Conditioned air systems for heating and cooling
  • Refrigeration units and piping
  • Electrical controls  

Without a full HVAC contractor license in Georgia, you can still perform services but must do so under the supervision and direction of a fully-licensed contractor.

Types of HVAC licenses in Georgia

The state of Georgia has two types of license for HVAC contractors:

License TypeLicense Description
Class 1: RestrictedConditioned air contractor is restricted to work involving systems which do not exceed: 
– 175,000 BTUs of heating capacity
– 60,000 BTUs of cooling capacity
Class 2: Non-restrictedConditioned air contractor is fully-licensed, so can work with any HVAC system including those that exceed 175,000 BTUs of heating capacity and 60,000 BTUs cooling capacity

Georgia HVAC license requirements

Georgia, like many states, has work experience requirements and certain pre-certifications that you need to meet to qualify for an HVAC contractor license.

While education isn’t an official requirement, you can count technical and engineering school diplomas or a vocational-technical school certificate as work experience. Technical diplomas can be counted for up to 2 years of experience, while certificates can count for a maximum of 1 year of experience. 

The requirements for receiving a Class 1 or Class 2 HVAC license in Georgia are outlined on the state website under rule 121-2-03. Here are the requirements for each of the classifications:

License TypeLicense Requirements
Class 1: RestrictedReferences from 3 professionals who work as either an architect, engineer, inspector, or conditioned air contractor.

4 years of experience performing work covered by the Georgia Heating and Air Conditioning Code, which will consist of: 

– 2 years as the lead mechanic performing residential installation
– 1 year as a service technician
– 1 year as a residential supervisor
– Completion of a board-approved course in duct design and heat gain/loss

A type 2 Certification for Refrigerant required by Section 608 of the EPA’s Clean Air Act.

Completion of a Georgia state licensing board-approved class in duct design and the processes of heat loss and gain.

Score 70% or higher on the Class 1 license exam.
Class 2: Non-restrictedReferences from 3 professionals who work as either an architect, engineer, inspector, or conditioned air contractor.

5 years of experience performing work covered by the Georgia  Heating and Air Conditioning Code, which will consist of: 

– 2 years as the lead mechanic performing commercial installation on commercial HVAC systems that produce over 175,000 BTUs of heating and 60,000 BTUs of cooling
– 1 year as a service technician
– 2 years as a commercial supervisor
– Completion of a board-approved course in duct design and heat gain/loss

A type 2 Certification for Refrigerant required by Section 608 of the EPA’s Clean Air Act.

Completion of a Georgia state licensing board-approved class in duct design and the processes of heat loss and gain.

Score 70% or higher on the Class 2 licensing exam.

How do I get an HVAC license in Georgia?

To get your non-restricted HVAC license in Georgia, you need to meet all the requirements outlined by the state. This process takes 4-5 years, depending on whether you want a restricted Class 1 or non-restricted Class 2 license.

Here are the steps you need to take to achieve a non-restricted HVAC contractor license: 

  1. To earn a Class 1 Restricted license, you need 4 years of experience working for a certified HVAC contractor, performing lead technician, servicing, and supervisory roles on residential HVAC systems. To earn a Class 2 Non-restricted license, you need 5 years of experience, at least 2 of which involve working on commercial heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
  2. Complete the EPA’s Certification for Refrigeration process through a designated certification program, obtaining at least a type 2 license.
  3. Complete a Georgia state licensing board-approved class in duct design and the processes of heat loss and gain.
  4. Submit your completed exam application to the board, including your work experience and a reference from at least 3 relevant professionals regarding your good character and work experience. Include any vocational, technical, and engineering school experience, if applicable. 
  5. Schedule your conditioned air contractor Class 1 or Class 2 exam through the state’s testing vendor PSI and pass with a score of 70% or higher

All forms can be completed through the board’s online portal or physically sent to the board office at the following address:

237 Coliseum Drive

Macon, GA

31217-3858

404-424-9966

Georgia HVAC license exam

One of the final steps to becoming an HVAC contractor in Georgia is writing the HVAC license exam. You need to schedule the exam in advance through the state’s testing vendor PSI

The state board sends a list of exam-approved applicants to PSI, who then emails each candidate and provides information about the next steps in the scheduling process.  

When it comes time to write the HVAC licensing exams in Georgia, the Class 1 and Class 2 tests are 7 hours long and consist of 100 questions split across 4 sections. The writing time is split into two parts, giving you 3 ½ hours to complete each half. 

Here’s a breakdown of the question sets for both the Class 1 and Class 2 examinations:

SectionNumber of Questions
Regulations, Laws, Administrative Processes8
System Design55
Installation of Equipment, Duct Systems, Flue Venting, Piping, Electrical Controls, and System Operation25
System Maintenance and Repair12

The exam for Class 2 Non-restricted controlled air contractors contains more technical questions than the Class 1 exam. They focus on the operation of commercial air systems that exceed 175,000 BTUs of heating and 60,000 BTUs of cooling, including: 

  • Bonding and liquidated damage
  • Size steam and chilled-water piping systems
  • Installing cooling towers and circulating water pumps
  • Setting and aligning v-belt tension
  • Water-cooled condensers and cooling towers

The state board website provides a yearly reference list of materials and a candidate information handbook for those looking to study for either of the conditioned air contractor exams.

Georgia HVAC License Reciprocity

Reciprocal licensing agreements between states allow plumbing professionals to work legally with an out-of-state license.

At this time, Georgia has a reciprocity agreement with the state of Louisiana. To apply for a reciprocal HVAC license in Georgia, fill out the form and send it to the board office. 

Georgia is currently reviewing reciprocity agreements with South Carolina and Texas, but they are not official yet.

Georgia HVAC license costs

Obtaining your non-restricted HVAC license in Georgia costs around $115 for processing fees, application by exam, and your first renewal. 

Here’s the breakdown of the fees for obtaining, maintaining, and reinstating your HVAC license in Georgia: 

Licensing StageCost
Processing Fees (Online)$5
Processing Fees (Mail-In)$10
Application by Exam$30
Renewal (Every Two Years)$75
Late Renewal$100
Reinstatement (Under 3 Years Lapsed)$150
Reinstatement (Over 3 Years Lapsed)$150 + Reexamination
Reciprocity$30

Georgia HVAC license renewal

You will have to renew your controlled air contractor license every 2 years. This can be done online by visiting the Georgia Online Licensing Site portal and signing in with your credentials.

The Georgia licensing board handles renewals across all certifiable professions, including HVAC, at the end of every odd-numbered calendar year by November 30th. Late renewal occurs from December 1-30 and costs $100.

What happens if my HVAC license expires?

If you think your HVAC license may have expired, the first thing to do is stop any and all services. 

Working with an expired HVAC license in Georgia carries the risk of suspension, expulsion, financial penalties, and more severe forms of action. 

For an HVAC license that’s been expired for under 3 years, simply apply for reinstatement, include all necessary documents,  and pay the $150 reinstatement fee.

If your license has expired for longer than 3 years, you must go through a similar process to your initial license application, but on a different form. You’ll also need to rewrite the controlled air contractor exam, pass with a score of 70% or more, and pay the exam fee.

Requirements for business owners

Once you pass the licensing exam and pay all the associated fees as an HVAC contractor in Georgia, you’re ready to take the next step in your HVAC journey: Becoming a business owner. 

It’s an excellent way to level up your earning potential and take control of your day-to-day life. But before we get there, what are the requirements for HVAC business owners in Georgia?

Aside from receiving your controlled air contractor Class 1 or II license, you also need to register your business by submitting an application to the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Then, you need to go through the steps that all HVAC business owners perform to run a successful operation: 

  1. Identify your long-term business plan and goals
  2. Secure finances for your business
  3. Invest in the necessary plumbing equipment
  4. Hire personnel to work for your business

But that’s just the start—there are lots of other steps to complete before your Georgia HVAC business is fully ready to go. 

For an in-depth view of running an HVAC  business in Georgia or elsewhere in the United States, check out our guide.

Does an HVAC license in Georgia increase your earning potential? 

Currently, the HVAC market is worth around $123 billion in the United States, with a job market that is expected to grow by 5% until 2031. There’s no better time for you to get your HVAC license in Georgia and start building up your experience.

Non-restricted licensed HVAC contractors in Georgia with 3-5 years of experience have an average salary of $40,000, while those with over 17 years of experience earn well over $55,000. Not to mention, HVAC service managers and business owners stand to increase their earning potential even more!

Interested in learning more about average salaries for HVAC contractors in Georgia and across the country? 

Our Essential HVAC Salary Guide contains information about salaries in every state to help you compare compensation levels and determine your employees’ salaries when you become an HVAC business owner.

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