Virginia HVAC License: How to Get Certified as an HVAC Contractor in VA
Key takeaways:
If you’re pursuing a career as an HVAC contractor in Virginia, understanding the licensing process is essential for long-term success.
- Multiple license types for HVAC pros and businesses. Virginia requires HVAC professionals to hold a license—either as a journeyman or master—and businesses must secure a contractor license (Class A, B, or C) based on job size and annual revenue.
- Clear experience and education requirements. Earning a journeyman license requires a combination of practical experience and formal training, while advancing to master status or a contractor license requires additional years of work and specific qualifications.
- Mandatory exams and EPA certification. Passing rigorous state exams is necessary for both tradesman and contractor licenses, and all professionals working with refrigerants need EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.
- Significant earning and business growth potential. Licensed HVAC contractors in Virginia enjoy higher earning potential, the ability to start and run their own businesses, and greater appeal to clients and employers.
- Ongoing renewal and education obligations. Licenses must be renewed every three years, which requires continuing education hours and timely fee payments to remain compliant.
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Getting your HVAC license in Virginia is the first step toward a rewarding career and long-term financial stability in a growing industry.
Like many skilled trades, demand for HVAC is on the rise across the country. Old Dominion is home to more than 13,000 HVAC professionals, and that number is expected to increase 6% by 2032. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Virginia is projected to have more than 1,200 HVAC job openings annually over the next six years.
The average HVAC salary in Virginia for newcomers to the industry is between $35,000 and $43,000. But that’s just to start—the average salary for the top 25% of earners in Virginia is $72,970.
There’s no better time to get your license and capitalize on the increase in demand over the coming decade. So, if you’re interested in getting your Virginia HVAC license, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Jump to:
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Do you need an HVAC license in Virginia?
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Who issues HVAC licenses in Virgina?
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Types of HVAC licenses in Virginia
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Benefits of getting a Virginia HVAC license
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Virginia HVAC license requirements
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How do I get an HVAC license in Virginia?
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Virginia HVAC license exam
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Does my Virginia HVAC license work in any other states?
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How long does it take to get an HVAC license in Virginia
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HVAC training programs and schools in Virginia
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How much is an HVAC license in Virginia?
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Virginia HVAC license renewal
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Requirements for HVAC business owners in Virginia
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How much do HVAC contractors make in Virginia?
Make sure you bookmark this page, so you can return to this guide if you have any questions about the specifics of the licensing process or starting your own business.
Do you need an HVAC license in Virginia?
Yes, you need a Virginia HVAC license to perform heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work in the state.
As a licensed HVAC journeyman or master, you can perform installation, alteration, and maintenance work on the following:
- Heating, ventilation, and cooling systems
- Steam and hot water heating systems
- Boilers
- Process piping
- Backflow prevention devices
- Mechanical refrigeration systems
If you are going to start your own business or serve as the lead tradesman for another business, you will also need to apply for one of the three different types of contractor licenses—Class A, B, and C. These licenses determine the financial scope of projects you are able to take on in a calendar year.
Who issues HVAC licenses in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) manages and issues two designations of licenses for HVAC professionals: journeyman and master.
You’ll need to start off as a journeyman and, as you continue to earn experience, you can apply for the master license that allows you to do more types of HVAC work without supervision.
Types of HVAC licenses in Virginia
The Code of Virginia distinguishes between tradesmen who work as individuals and tradesmen who work as contractors, which can refer to a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC, LLP, or other legal business entity. You need to earn your journeyman and master HVAC licenses before you can get a contractor license.
Here’s an overview of the HVAC tradesman and contractor licenses available in the state:
HVAC Tradesman
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | License holders can perform installation, repair, and maintenance work on HVAC systems in compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. |
| Master | License holders can plan, communicate, and supervise the installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems in compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. |
HVAC Contractor
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Class A | License holders can perform or manage HVAC installation, removal, repair, or modification under the following conditions: • The total value of the project is $150,000 or more. • The total value of all projects is more than $1,000,000 over a 12-month period. |
| Class B | License holders can perform or manage HVAC installation, removal, repair, or modification under the following conditions: • The total value of the project is more than $30,000 but less than $150,000. • The total value of all projects over a 12-month period is more than $250,000 but less than $1,000,000. |
| Class C | License holders can perform or manage HVAC installation, removal, repair, or modification under the following conditions: • The total value of the project is more than $1,000 but less than $30,000. • The total value of all projects over a 12-month period is less than $250,000. |
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification
All HVAC contractors working with refrigerants are required to have Section 608 Technician Certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Section 608 of the EPA’s Clean Air Act mandates that HVAC contractors maintaining, servicing, or disposing of chemicals and equipment that could release harmful refrigerants must be certified.
There are 4 categories of certification based on the HVAC and refrigeration work you’re doing. These include:
- Type I: Small appliances (five pounds of refrigerant or less)
- Type II: High-pressure equipment (five pounds or more of refrigerant)
- Type III: Low-pressure equipment (servicing or disposing).
- Universal: Everything covered by Type I, Type II, and Type III
The certification never expires once you pass the test through an EPA-approved program.
Benefits of getting a Virginia HVAC license
Getting your HVAC license in Virginia comes with many benefits, which begins with your ability to legally work and earn money as a contractor in the state. Other benefits include:
- Increase your earning potential as you gain more experience
- Start and run your own HVAC business, including project bidding, pulling permits, and passing inspections
- Showcase your skills as an HVAC professional and be more appealing to employers
- Build trust with your clients
Virginia HVAC license requirements
Here are the Virginia HVAC master and journeyman requirements you need to meet as outlined by the DPOR:
HVAC Tradesmen
| License Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HVAC Journeyman | Be at least 18 years of age and meet one of the following experience requirements: • 4 years of practical HVAC experience and 240 hours of formal vocational training • 5 years of practical HVAC experience and 160 hours of formal vocational training • 6 years of practical HVAC experience and 80 hours of formal vocational training • 7 years of practical HVAC experience and 40 hours of formal vocational training • An associate degree or certificate from an HVAC program of at least 2 years from an accredited college or technical school, and • 2 years of practical experience • A bachelor’s degree or certificate from an accredited college or university program in a relevant engineering field • 10 years of experience in the HVAC industry that can be verified by individuals who have observed your work. |
| HVAC Master | Applicants must meet one of the following experience requirements: • Have 1 year of practical experience working as an HVAC journeyman • 10 years of practical experience in the HVAC industry, verified by individuals who have observed your work • Currently hold a journeyman or master HVAC license verified by a government outside of Virginia, and have a letter or certification of good standing. |
HVAC Contractor
| License Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Class A | • Have a net worth or equity of $45,000. • Meet the thresholds for technical experience and good standing outlined for the class A contractor application. • Pass the licensure exam. |
| Class B | • Have a net worth or equity of $15,000. • Meet the thresholds for technical experience, financial stability, and good standing outlined for the class B contractor application. • Pass the licensure exam. |
| Class C | • Meet the thresholds for technical experience, financial stability, and good standing outlined in the class C contractor application. |
How do I get an HVAC license in Virginia?
In order to become a licensed HVAC tradesman in Virginia, you need to complete the following steps outlined by the DPOR’s Board of Contractors:
- Find a licensed HVAC contractor to work for as an apprentice.
- Meet current education requirements by completing one of the approved tradesman vocation training courses or a university, college, or technical school degree or certificate.
- You must also meet one of the requisite experience thresholds for journeyman HVAC license eligibility in Virginia:
- Four years of practical experience in the HVAC trade and 240 hours of formal HVAC training. (Any additional years of experience after 4 years can be substituted for vocational training experience at a ratio of 80 hours of formal training for each year.)
- An associate degree or a two-year program certificate from an accredited community college or technical school, and two years of practical experience in the HVAC trade.
- A bachelor’s degree in an engineering curriculum related to the HVAC trade and one year of practical experience.
- 10 years of practical experience in the HVAC trade as verified by reference letters.
- Complete the DPOR’s Virginia HVAC license application, checking off the boxes for the Journeyman HVA designation.
- If you are looking to get your journeyman HVAC license without writing the exam, you will need to apply for an exemption.
- Pass the VA journeyman HVAC exam administered by PSI, achieving a score of at least 70%.
- To meet the experience requirements for the master HVAC license, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- One year of experience as a licensed HVAC journeyman.
- 10 years of practical experience in the HVAC trade as verified by reference letters.
- Proof of certification as a journeyman or master plumber outside of Virginia
To become an HVAC master, retake the VA journeyman HVAC exam and achieve a score of at least 75%.
How to get a contractor license
After getting your HVAC master license, you become eligible for a contractor license. If you are interested in becoming a Class A, B, or C HVAC contractor, you will need to complete the following steps outlined by the DPOR:
- Contractor licenses are issued to business entities and not individuals, so you will need to create either a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity.
- Name and register your business with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
- Determine the class of license you need based on the amount of work you are going to take on in a given year and the expected price range of your projects.
- Class A = No monetary restrictions
- Class B = Less than $120,000 per project
- Class C = less than $10,000 per project
- If you are going to have more than one employee, identify who will fill the following roles:
- Responsible management
- Qualified individual
- Designated employee
- Complete one of the state-approved pre-license education courses for contractors
- Complete and submit the contractor license application
All physical forms can be sent to the Virginia Board of Contractors Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at the following address:
The Perimeter Center, Suite 400
9960 Mayland Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23233
Virginia HVAC license exam
According to the testing vendor, PSI, applicants for either a journeyman or master HVAC license in Virginia have 3.5 hours to answer the same 85 question exam. The passing score for a journeyman license is 70%, while for masters it’s 75%.
Here’s how the questions break down for the exam:
| Exam Topic | Number of Questions |
| Standards of Practice | 3 |
| Standards of Conduct | 2 |
| Renewal and Reinstatement | 2 |
| Definitions | 1 |
| Qualification for Licensure | 1 |
| Revocation of Licensure | 1 |
| Warm Air Heating | 8 |
| Ventilation Systems | 8 |
| Air Conditioning Systems | 8 |
| Duct Systems | 6 |
| Chimneys, Flues, and Vents | 6 |
| Boilers | 5 |
| Hot Water Piping | 4 |
| Combustion Air | 4 |
| Controls/Low Voltage | 4 |
| Fuel Oil Piping and Storage | 3 |
| Insulation | 3 |
| Commercial Kitchen Venting | 5 |
| Refrigerants | 3 |
| Refrigerant Piping | 3 |
| Chilled and Condensed Water Piping | 3 |
| Firestopping/ Penetration Inspection | 2 |
For more information about preparing for and writing the HVAC tradesman exam, check out PSI’s candidate information bulletin.
If you want to hold an HVAC contractor’s license as the designated employee of your company, you will need to write either the Class A or Class B license. The type of contracting license you need depends on the amount of work your company is going to perform over the course of a year.
But before you are eligible to write either the Class A or B contractor exam, you will need to complete the pre-license education in the form of an 8-hour course from an approved training center.
After completing your pre-license education, submitting your application, and being approved for testing, you can then take the contractor exam, which PSI administers in 3 portions:
- Virginia—48 minutes to complete 18 questions
- General—1 hour and 40 minutes to complete 50 questions
- Advanced—1 hour to complete 24 questions
Virginia portion
| Exam Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Regulation of contractors | 7 |
| Board of rules and regulations | 5 |
| Building codes | 5 |
| Transaction recover fund | 5 |
| Virginia erosion and sediment control regulations | 2 |
General portion
| Exam Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Business organization | 2 |
| Estimating and bidding | 10 |
| Contract management | 10 |
| Project management | 10 |
| Risk management | 3 |
| Safety | 5 |
| Labor laws | 3 |
| Financial management | 5 |
| Federal and state taxes | 4 |
| Lien laws | 1 |
Advanced portion
| Exam Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Estimating and bidding | 1 |
| Contract management | 4 |
| Project management | 1 |
| Risk management | 2 |
| Safety | 2 |
| Labor laws | 4 |
| Financial management | 5 |
| Federal and state taxes | 4 |
| Lien laws | 1 |
For more information on the 3 portions of the contractor exam, check out PSI’s candidate information bulletin.
Does my Virginia HVAC license work in any other states?
Reciprocal license agreements allow licensed HVAC professionals from one state to apply directly for the equivalent license in Virginia. The Virginia DPOR currently reciprocates journeyman and master HVAC licenses with Maryland.
For more information on reciprocal licenses in the state, you can check out the DPOR website or contact them at [email protected].
How long does it take to get an HVAC license in Virginia?
It takes at least 4 years to get your Virginia HVAC license due to the requirements to qualify for journeyman status. Once you get your journeyman license, it takes another year to become eligible to apply for your master license.
During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to join an apprenticeship program, go to an accredited vocational school, or join an HVAC company and start your working experience right away.
HVAC training programs and schools in Virginia
The educational path to your Virginia HVAC license begins with the vocational schools and training programs from the state’s Approved Tradesman Formal Vocation Training Providers. This list includes different colleges and universities, apprenticeship programs, and other schools approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
There are also a number of secondary and post-secondary schools in Virginia accredited by HVAC Excellence that offer reputable HVAC training programs:
- Academies of Loudoun (Leesburg)
- Chesapeake Career Center (Chesapeake)
- Chesterfield Career and Technical Center (Chesterfield)
- Edison Academy (Alexandria)
- Greene County Technical Education Center (Stanardsville)
- New Horizons Regional Education Centers (Newport News)
- Norfolk Technical Center (Norfolk)
- Northern Virginia Community College (Woodbridge)
- Southside Virginia Community College (Alberta)
For apprenticeships, Virginia Works is the state’s official website for everything you need to know about available and approved HVAC apprenticeships. You can search by city, occupation, or keyword to find the right apprenticeship program for you.
How much is an HVAC license in Virginia?
The cost of getting your HVAC license in Virginia varies depending on the type of tradesman license you want and whether or not you want a contractor license as well. For a full master HVAC license, you can expect to pay between $255 and $485, depending on whether you need to reinstate your license or not.
Here’s a full overview of the fees associated with getting your HVAC journeyman, master, and contractor licenses in Virginia:
| Licensing Stage | HVAC Journeyman | HVAC Master | HVAC Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | $100 | $125 | Portion 1: $40 Portion 2: $72 Portion 3: $85 |
| Licensure | $150 | $150 | Class A: $400 Class B: $380 Class C: $235 |
| Renewal | $160 | $160 | Class A: $270 Class B: $260 Class C: $220 |
| Reinstatement | $210 + renewal fee | $210 + renewal fee | Class A: $550 + renewal fee Class B: $550 + renewal fee Class C: $460 + renewal fee |
Virginia HVAC license renewal
Journeyman and master HVAC licenses in Virginia must be renewed every three years, with the renewal deadline falling on the last day of the month the license was initially issued. For example, a license issued on April 17th, 2023, would expire on April 30th, 2026.
HVAC tradesman and contractor licenses can be renewed through the online services portal on the DPOR website.
All active HVAC license holders are required to complete three hours of continuing education to qualify for renewal. Using the DPOR’s license lookup page, you can also identify any continuing education courses you can take to renew your HVAC license.
What happens if my HVAC license expires?
If you think your HVAC tradesman or contractor license may have expired, the first thing you need to do is stop all your work. You can then go to the DPOR website’s online services portal for an HVAC license lookup to determine whether your license needs renewal.
Working under an expired or revoked license is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, so it’s crucial that you renew your license.
Also, if your license has expired for more than 30 days, you will need to apply for reinstatement and pay the necessary $210 reinstatement fee and the $160 renewal fee.
Your HVAC tradesman license can also be designated as inactive for up to 3 years for those who are not currently employed by a licensed contractor but want to maintain their license.
Requirements for HVAC business owners in Virginia
Once you’ve gained the necessary experience, submitted the applications, and passed the licensing exams to be an HVAC contractor in Virginia, you’re ready to take the next step to securing your financial future—opening your own business.
But first, what exactly do you need to do to become an HVAC business owner in Virginia?
The Virginia state government has online resources that outline what business owners need to do to operate legally, including:
- Creating a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity.
- Naming and registering your business with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
- Determining the class of license you need based on the amount of work you are going to take on in a given year.
- Identifying who will be your responsible management, qualified individual, and designated employee(s).
- Completing one of the state-approved education courses for contractors.
- Completing and submitting the correct contractor license application.
For an in-depth look at the ins and outs of starting your own HVAC business—including getting your financing, buying equipment, and hiring staff—check out our comprehensive guide.
How much do HVAC contractors make in Virginia?
Getting your Virginia HVAC license is the first step toward significantly increasing your earning potential and control over your financial future.
As you progress from a journeyman to a master and begin to build experience, you can expect your salary to jump well above the average salary of $61,260. Plus, if you get your Virginia contractor’s license, you can run your own business and command even higher wages—the top 10% of earners in Virginia take home an average salary of $81,750.
Originally published in March 2023. Last updated on December 19, 2025.