Home › HVAC license by state › Florida

How to get an HVAC license in Florida

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

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR)
  • State journeyman license: No (Florida does not issue a statewide HVAC journeyman card. CILB licenses Class A/B (and related) air-conditioning contractors. Local journeyman cards may still exist in some counties — check the job site.)
  • Certified Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor: Common path: four years as a worker or foreman, with at least one of those years as foreman. College credits or a construction-related degree can shorten the field time. Class C holders can upgrade after one active year. Veterans have separate military+foreman mixes. Pick one box on the CILB 5-H application.
  • Exam: see below, via Professional Testing / Pearson VUE (DBPR)
  • Code edition: You take Business & Finance plus the trade knowledge exam through Professional Testing / Pearson VUE after DBPR eligibility.

Requirements by license

Certified Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor

ExperienceCommon path: four years as a worker or foreman, with at least one of those years as foreman. College credits or a construction-related degree can shorten the field time. Class C holders can upgrade after one active year. Veterans have separate military+foreman mixes. Pick one box on the CILB 5-H application.Source: myfloridalicense.com · as of
ExamProfessional Testing / Pearson VUE (DBPR). Business & Finance plus trade knowledge. Register with Professional Testing ($135), then pay Pearson VUE per section when you schedule (about $80 each for B&F and trade on computer).Source: myfloridalicense.com · as of
Fees
  • Certified application (May 1 even year–Aug 31 odd year window): $245
  • Certified application (Sep 1 odd year–Apr 30 even year window): $145
  • Active renewal (certified): $205
  • Extra qualified business on renewal: $50
Source: myfloridalicense.com · as of · Renewal dollars also on the certified contractors insert and construction-industry hub.
RenewalEvery 2 years. Certified AC contractors renew by August 31 of even years. Finish 14 hours of CE before you renew. Late fees kick in after the deadline.Source: myfloridalicense.com · as of
CE to renew14 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
  • 1 hour advanced/specialized Florida Building Code module
  • 1 hour workplace safety
  • 1 hour business practices
  • 1 hour workers’ compensation
  • 1 hour laws and rules
  • Remaining hours: any board-approved construction CE
CE has to post to your DBPR record before active renewal goes through.
Source: myfloridalicense.com · as of

License types in Florida

  • No statewide HVAC journeyman license
  • Certified Class A air-conditioning contractor
  • Certified Class B air-conditioning contractor
  • Registered (local) air-conditioning contractor
  • Mechanical contractor (broader scope)
Source: myfloridalicense.com · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Florida certified licenses are statewide. Coming from another state usually still means meeting CILB experience and exam rules — confirm endorsement options with DBPR before you apply.Not confirmedSource: myfloridalicense.com · 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:

  • Current Class A vs Class B tonnage/scope wording on the live CILB definitions page (confirm before you pick a class).
    Ask: Florida CILB / DBPR (contact source, as of )

FAQ

Is there a statewide HVAC journeyman license?

No. Florida licenses Class A/B air-conditioning contractors through CILB.

What experience do you need for Class B?

Often four years as worker/foreman with at least one year as foreman — or a college+experience mix on the application.

Already licensed? See Florida HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

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