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How to get an HVAC license in Virginia

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

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Virginia Board for Contractors — Tradesmen Program (DPOR)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Virginia issues residential, journeyman and master HVAC tradesman licenses statewide.)
  • Journeyman HVAC Tradesman: Pick one path: related engineering bachelor’s + 1 year; two-year trade degree/certificate + 2 years; 4 years + 240 vocational hours; 5 years + 160 hours; 6 years + 80 hours; 7 years + 40 hours; or 8 years with verified experience and no formal hours. Out-of-state journeyman/master cards can also qualify you for the exam.
  • Exam: see below, via PSI
  • Code edition: PSI HVAC exam after Board approval. Journeyman/Master HVAC portion: 85 items, 210 minutes (journeyman pass 60, master 64). Residential HVAC: 55 items. CE tracks the International Mechanical Code.

Requirements by license

Journeyman HVAC Tradesman

ExperiencePick one path: related engineering bachelor’s + 1 year; two-year trade degree/certificate + 2 years; 4 years + 240 vocational hours; 5 years + 160 hours; 6 years + 80 hours; 7 years + 40 hours; or 8 years with verified experience and no formal hours. Out-of-state journeyman/master cards can also qualify you for the exam.Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Board pre-approval required. Journeyman HVAC exam fee $100 to PSI. Master HVAC $125. Residential HVAC $100.Source: dpor.virginia.gov · as of · Bulletin: test-takers.psiexams.com
Fees
  • Original tradesman license (by exam): $150
  • Tradesman renewal (3 years): $160
  • PSI journeyman HVAC exam: $100
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of · Renewal fee in 18VAC50-30-120. PSI fees on DPOR Tradesmen page.
RenewalEvery 3 years. Expires three years from the last day of the issue month. Renew by the expiration date (or within 30 days with the renewal notice). Need 3 hours of Board-approved CE for the HVAC designation.Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of
CE to renew3 hours per 3-year license term (per HVAC designation)
  • International Mechanical Code changes (Board-approved provider)
Plumbing, electrical and HVAC designations each need their own 3 hours when you hold more than one.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · as of

License types in Virginia

  • Residential HVAC tradesman
  • Journeyman HVAC tradesman
  • Master HVAC tradesman
Source: dpor.virginia.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

If you already hold a journeyman or master card from another state, you can apply with a letter of good standing and still sit for Virginia’s exam path — or ask the Board about endorsement details on the application.Source: dpor.virginia.gov · as of

FAQ

Does Virginia license HVAC tradesmen?

Yes — residential, journeyman and master HVAC through DPOR.

What’s a common journeyman path?

Four years plus 240 vocational hours (or other mixes on the rule), then the PSI exam after Board approval.

Already licensed? See Virginia HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

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