Virginia HVAC License: How to Get Certified as an HVAC Technician in VA

Does Virginia require an HVAC license?

Yes, you need a Virginia HVAC license to perform heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work in the state.

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) offers two designations 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.

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.

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.  

Here’s an overview of the HVAC tradesman and contractor licenses available in the state:

HVAC Tradesman

HVAC Contractor

Virginia HVAC license requirements

Here are the Virginia HVAC master and journeyman requirements you need to meet as outlined by the DPOR:

HVAC Tradesmen

HVAC Contractor

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: 

1. Find a licensed HVAC contractor to work for as an apprentice.
2. Meet current education requirements by completing one of the approved tradesman vocation training courses or a university, college or technical school degree or certificate.
3. You must also meet one of 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.
4. Complete the DPOR’s Virginia HVAC license application, checking off the boxes for the Journeyman HVA designation.
5. If you are looking to get your journeyman HVAC license without writing the exam, you will need to apply for an exemption. 
6. Pass the VA journeyman HVAC exam administered by PSI, achieving a score of at least 70%.
7. 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
8. To become an HVAC master, retake the VA journeyman HVAC exam and achieve a score of at least 75%.

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: 

1. 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. 
2. Name and register your business with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
3. 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
4. If you are going to have more than one employee, identify who will fill the following roles:
   • Responsible management
   • Qualified individual 
   • Designated employee
5. Complete one of the state-approved pre-license education course for contractors
6. 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:

Virginia HVAC license reciprocity

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].

Virginia HVAC license costs

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 license in Virginia:

Virginia HVAC license renewal

Journeyman and master HVAC licenses need to be renewed every 3 years in Virginia, with licenses expiring on the last day of the month they were initially issued. For example, a license issued on April 17th, 2021 would expire on April 30th, 2024.

HVAC tradesman and contractor licenses can be renewed through the online services portal on the DPOR website.

All active HVAC license holders need to complete three hours of continuing education in order 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 be 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 $140 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.

Does an HVAC license in Virginia increase your earning potential? 

Getting your Virginia HVAC license is the first step towards drastically 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 from $40,000 to over $55,000. Plus, if you get your Virginia contractor’s license, you can run your own business and command an even higher salary.

Are you interested in learning more about this lucrative, flexible 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.