Maryland HVAC License: How to Get Certified as an HVAC Contractor in MD

Does Maryland require an HVAC license?

To perform HVAC work in Maryland, you’ll need a license from the Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR).  Depending on the license you have and the area of HVAC you’re interested in, you can install, maintain, and repair one or more of the following systems types:

• Air conditioning
• Full heating
• Forced air
• Hydronic heating
• Refrigeration
• Ventilation

The HVAC licensing structure in Maryland includes restricted licenses, which limit journeymen, contractors, and masters to one or more of the specialties listed above.

Types of HVAC licenses in Maryland

The systems used to heat, cool, and refrigerate spaces change depending on the size and type of building in question. Here are the different types of HVAC licenses you can get in Maryland:

HVAC License Type	Description
Master	Licensee can provide installation and maintenance services for all HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Master Restricted	Licensee can provide installation and maintenance services in one or more types of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Limited Contractor	Licensee can provide only maintenance and repair services for one or more types of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
Journeyman	Licensee can perform HVAC and refrigeration services under the direction and supervision of a licensed master.
Journeyman Restricted	Licensee can perform services for one or more HVAC and refrigeration systems under the direct supervision of a licensed master.
Apprentice	Licensees can work under the direction and control of a licensed master as they train to become a journeyman.

If you receive a limited or restricted license, you can only perform services on the specific type(s) of HVAC/R systems you’re certified to work with. Because these licenses are limited, they require less on-the-job experience than a full journeyman, contractor, or master license.

HVAC license requirements in Maryland

If you’re looking to get into HVAC and refrigeration, there are certain licensing requirements you need to meet to obtain a license. 

There are currently no continuing education requirements for people looking to start their HVAC and refrigeration licensing journey in Maryland. You can begin the process by applying online for your HVAC/R apprentice license. However, there is on-the-job learning and exam prep that you’ll need to perform to level up your license.

These requirements are all available to you on the state board website, which outlines what you need to do to achieve each of the licenses:

HVAC License Type	Requirements
HVAC/R Master	• Currently have a Journeyman license or higher • Have 3 years experience working in all HVAC/R services under the supervision of a fully licensed Master • Have worked at least 1,875 hours in the last year  • Get at least 70% on the Master exam
HVAC/R Master Restricted	• Currently have a Journeyman license or higher • Have 3 years experience working in any HVAC/R services under the supervision of a fully licensed Master • Have worked at least 1,875 hours in the last year  • Get at least 70% on the Master Restricted exam
HVAC/R Limited Contractor	• Currently have a journeyman license • Have workedWork as a licensed Journeyman for 2 years under the direct supervision of a licensed Master • Have worked at least 1,000 hours in the last year • Get at least 70% on the Limited Contractor exam
HVAC/R Journeyman	• Have held an apprentice license for at least 3 years • Have worked at least 1,875 hours under the supervision of a fully licensed Master • Get at least 70% on the Journeyman exam
HVAC/R Apprentice	• Apply online for your HVAC/R apprentice license • Be under the supervision and direction of a licensed HVAC/R Master

All Master, Master Restricted, and Limited Contractor HVAC and refrigeration professionals also have to obtain the correct insurance coverage. The insurance certificate for your HVAC/R license must include the following:

• Your full name
• Your policy number and expiration date
• General liability coverage of at least $300,000
• Property damage liability coverage of at least $100,000
• A combined general and property damage coverage of $400,000

Okay, now it’s time to take a look at the specific steps of the certification process.

How do I get HVAC certified in Maryland?

If you’re serious about becoming a fully-licensed HVAC Master in Maryland, there’s a series of steps you’ll need to follow to fulfill the requirements. 

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Obtain your apprenticeship license online and work under the supervision and guidance of a licensed HVAC Master for at least 3 years
2. Apply for a journeyman license through the forms found on the Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR) website
3. Schedule your journeyman exam through PSI and pass the exam with at least a 70%
4. Report any felony or misdemeanor charges and pay any examination and activation fees 
5. Work as a Journeyman under a fully licensed HVAC Master for 2-3 years depending on whether or not you want to become a License Restricted or Master (Restricted) HVAC professional
6. Schedule your License Restricted, Master Restricted, or Master licensing test and pass with at least 70%
7. If you want to run your own HVAC business, you must meet the financial solvency guidelines of the board and obtain liability insurance totalling $400,000 — $300,000 for general liability and $100,000 for property damage 

The length of time it takes to become HVAC certified in Maryland ranges from 3 to 6 years depending on the type of work you are looking to do and whether or not you want to run your own business. 

Here’s a breakdown of the timeline based on the steps and requirements of the licensing process:

Apprenticeship — 0-3 Years

• An HVAC apprenticeship in Maryland involves working under the direction of a licensed HVAC/R master for a minimum of 3 years and working at least 1,875 hours in that tim.

Journeyman — 3-5+ Years

• Journeymen and Journeymen Restricted HVAC workers need to work regularly under the control of an HVAC/R Master for 2-3 years depending on whether they want to be a Limited Contractor or Master

Limited Contractor — 5+ Years

• After working regularly for 2 years under an HVAC Master, Journeymen are eligible to apply for a Limited Contractor license provided they’ve worked at least 1,000 hours in the last year

Master/ Master Restricted — 6+ Years

• After working regularly for 3 years under an HVAC Master, Journeymen are eligible to apply for a Master and Master Restricted HVAC license provided they’ve worked at least 1,875 hours in the last year

You can upgrade your restricted licenses or apply for license renewal, on the board website. 

All paper forms and fees can be submitted to the board office at the address: 

1100 North Eutaw Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

HVAC license exams in Maryland

All of the Maryland HVAC licensing exams are scheduled through the state board’s testing vendor PSI.  All tests have a 70% threshold for passing. 

Exams are scheduled online and then taken in person at one of the following locations:

• Baltimore
• College Park
• Hagerstown
• Crofton
• Lanham
• Salisbury

Because there are different HVAC and refrigeration specialties, plus the Apprentice, Journeyman, Master stages, there are 13 different exams you can write, including:

MD Journeyman Restricted 

• 40-50 questions on electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning, heating systems, and safety
• 1 ½ to 2-hour time limit

MD Journeyworker

• 100 questions on electrical, piping, refrigeration, and air conditioning, heating systems, air distribution, and safety
• 4-hour time limit

MD Limited HVACR Contractor

• 50 questions on electrical, piping, refrigeration and air conditioning, heating systems, air distribution, and safety
• 2-hour time limit

MD Master Restricted 

• 40-50 questions on electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning, heating systems, and safety
• 1 ½ to 2-hour time limit

MD Master Contractor

• 100 questions on electrical, piping, refrigeration and air conditioning, air distribution, and safety
• 4 hour time limit

The Journeyman and Master restricted tests each have 5 versions. One each for those looking to specialize in air conditioning, forced air, hydronics, refrigeration, or ventilation.Information about scheduling, studying for, and writing these exams can be found on the PSI website.

What states reciprocate with the Maryland HVAC license?

Reciprocal licenses allow HVAC and refrigeration professionals from certain states to apply directly for a license in Maryland. 

Maryland has reciprocity agreements with Delaware and Virginia for HVAC and refrigeration professionals with the following designations:

• Master
• Master Restricted
• Journeyman 
• Journeyman Restricted

If you hold one of these licenses, and meet the board’s criteria, you are eligible to apply for a reciprocal HVAC/R license.

Maryland HVAC license costs

Maryland HVAC license costs mainly come in the form of exam and licensing fees. They will run you between $20-225 dollars depending on the type of license you have. For Limited Contractors and HVAC/R Masters, there are additional costs for insurance. 

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

Exam Costs	Apprentice	$10 (application fee)
	Journeyman	$50
	Limited	$150
	Master Restricted	$50
	Master	$150
License Fees	Apprentice	$10
	Journeyman	$20
	Limited	$75
	Master Restricted	$25
	Master	$75

You can learn more about the licensing fees for HVAC in Maryland on the board website, and learn about the exam costs on the PSI website.

Maryland HVAC license renewal

Like most skilled trades licenses across the country, HVAC licenses must be renewed in Maryland. The schedule for renewal is every 2 years and includes a fee of $20.

You can renew your MD HVAC and refrigeration license online through a portal on the board website.

What happens if my HVAC license expires? 

If you think your HVAC 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 website’s list of active licensees. 

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

• 6 months imprisonment for the first violation
• Imprisonment of up to 2 years per each continued violation
• Administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation
• Suspension or revocation of your HVAC license

If your license is out of date, use the online portal on the Maryland Department of Labor website to renew your HVAC/R license.

Requirements for business owners

Once you’ve passed all licensing exams and received the necessary insurance to be an HVAC/R contractor, 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 Maryland?

Aside from receiving either a limited contractor, master restricted, or full master HVAC license, you need to perform the following steps: 

1. Make sure to license, register, and insure your business
2. Secure funding for your Maryland HVAC business
3. Figure out which services you’ll provide
4. Invest in all necessary equipment
5. Promote your business and get your first clients
6. Set up systems to estimate jobs and get paid

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

Does an HVAC license in Maryland increase your earning potential? 

The HVAC market is worth just under $17 billion in the United States and is expected to keep growing at 5.6% until 2030. Basically, it’s a great time to get started in this booming industry.

Getting your Maryland HVAC and refrigeration license is the first step towards drastically increasing your earning potential. 

As you progress from a journeyman to a fully-licensed master contractor, you can expect your salary to jump from $36,000 to $55,000, depending on your years of experience. Not to mention, HVAC service managers command over $72,000 on average across the country.

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.