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How to get an HVAC license in Colorado

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Colorado. Taken from official CO pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: No statewide HVAC license — cities/counties license mechanical contractors (electricians/plumbers are state-licensed separately)
  • State journeyman license: No (No statewide HVAC technician or HVAC contractor license. Examples: Boulder County residential/commercial mechanical licenses; Larimer County mechanical contractor license.)
  • Mechanical contractor (local): Set by each city or county. Boulder County: online application, ICC exam (or participating-jurisdiction license), liability + workers’ comp, and class fee — Commercial Mechanical or Residential Mechanical. Larimer County: $75 mechanical application, ICC or other Colorado jurisdiction grade, three projects or two years’ experience letter, and $300k liability.
  • Exam: see below, via ICC (Pearson VUE) or participating Colorado jurisdiction
  • Code edition: Set locally — usually an ICC National Standard Mechanical exam (e.g. F29 commercial / F32 residential in Boulder County) or a valid license from a participating Colorado ICC jurisdiction within the last few years.

Requirements by license

Mechanical contractor (local)

ExperienceSet by each city or county. Boulder County: online application, ICC exam (or participating-jurisdiction license), liability + workers’ comp, and class fee — Commercial Mechanical or Residential Mechanical. Larimer County: $75 mechanical application, ICC or other Colorado jurisdiction grade, three projects or two years’ experience letter, and $300k liability.Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of
ExamICC (Pearson VUE) or participating Colorado jurisdiction. Boulder County lists Commercial Mechanical exam ID F29 and Residential Mechanical F32 (jurisdiction “Colorado”). Larimer accepts ICC or a letter documenting a passing grade from another Colorado county/city.Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of
Fees
  • Boulder County — Commercial Mechanical license: $200
  • Boulder County — Residential Mechanical license: $175
  • Larimer County — Mechanical contractor application: $75
Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of · Larimer fees also on larimer.gov (mechanical $75; biannual mechanical fee $75).
RenewalSet locally (Boulder County: 3 years from issuance). Boulder County contractor licenses are good for 3 years. Larimer renewals require an updated insurance certificate with the county as certificate holder.Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of
CE to renewNo statewide HVAC CE. Local renewals center on insurance and license status — confirm with your building department.Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of

License types in Colorado

  • No statewide HVAC technician license
  • No statewide HVAC contractor license
  • Local mechanical contractor (residential / commercial)
  • Local gas-piping or specialty mechanical classes (varies by jurisdiction)
Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of

Local mechanical contractor licenses (examples)

Colorado leaves HVAC/mechanical contractor licensing to cities and counties. Below: Boulder County and Larimer County. Denver, Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, and others set their own classes — check before you bid.

Boulder County (unincorporated)

Office: Community Planning & Permitting — Contractor Licensing
Licenses journeymen?No new licenses (see notes)
ExperienceAnyone paid to do permit-required work (or to direct it) needs a county contractor license, except state-licensed plumbers/electricians. Commercial or Residential Mechanical classes cover HVAC installs/repairs by building type.
ExamICC F29 (commercial) / F32 (residential). Exam within past 3 years, or valid license from a Boulder County–listed ICC participating jurisdiction
FeesCommercial Mechanical: $200
Residential Mechanical: $175
RenewalEvery 3 years. License good for 3 years from issuance; keep insurance current
CENot listed as a CE-hour renewal requirement on B60.
NotesLiability min $600,000/occurrence; workers’ comp or state Rejection of Coverage. contractorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov · (303) 441-3930.
Still openExact renewal dollar if different from initial class fee
ContactBoulder County CPP Contractor Licensing · (303) 441-3930 · contractorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov (source)
Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of

Larimer County

Office: Larimer County Building Department — Contractor Licensing
Licenses journeymen?No new licenses (see notes)
ExperienceMechanical contractor: ICC (or other Colorado jurisdiction) passing grade, plus three completed projects or a two-year experience letter, citizenship affidavit, and insurance ($300k GL).
ExamICC or other Colorado jurisdiction. Cash/check $75 application (no credit cards for mechanical). Gas piping is a separate $75 class
FeesMechanical contractor application / biannual fee: $75
RenewalBiannual. Renew online with updated COI naming Larimer County as certificate holder
CENot listed on the contractor-licensing checklist.
NotesSee Building Contractor Licensing Information handout for testing details.
Still openExact gas-piping vs mechanical scope limits
ContactLarimer County Building (source)
Source: larimer.gov · as of

Contact the city or county building department for the job site.

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

No statewide HVAC reciprocity. Many Colorado jurisdictions accept each other’s ICC-based mechanical licenses or exam letters — Boulder County lists dozens of participating ICC jurisdictions.Source: bouldercounty.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Statewide HVAC license in Colorado?

No. Cities and counties license mechanical contractors. Electricians and plumbers are the state-licensed trades.

Example?

Boulder County: Commercial or Residential Mechanical license after ICC F29/F32 (or a participating jurisdiction license).

Already licensed? See Colorado HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.