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HVAC Technician License Requirements in Georgia

Licensing AuthorityGeorgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors (CILB-HVAC)
License TypeConditioned Air Contractor (Class I Restricted / Class II Unrestricted)
Experience RequiredClass I: 4 years minimum documented experience in conditioned air work. Class II: 5 years minimum, must include documented experience with large systems exceeding 175,000 BTU heating / 60,000 BTU cooling. Must be at least 18 years old with high school diploma or GED. Requires 3 notarized references from licensed architects, professional engineers, city/county inspectors, or licensed conditioned air contractors.
Education SubstituteApproved vocational/technical HVAC programs may substitute for a portion of the experience requirement at the Board's discretion
Exam RequiredYes — Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I & II)
Bond RequiredYes — $10,000
InsuranceGeneral liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees
Continuing Education8 hours 8 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (4 hours per year). Courses must be from approved providers.
Processing Time4-8 weeks

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee$110
Exam Fee$267
Est. Initial Total$377

Renewal: $75 every 2 years (odd-numbered years, by November 30; late period December 1-31)

Exam Requirements

Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I & II)

120 questions7 hours (two 3.5-hour parts)Pass: 70%
International Mechanical Code (IMC)International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)System designInstallationGas pipingRefrigerant pipingElectrical control systemsMaintenance and repairRegulations and laws

Exam provider: PSI/AMP

Recommended exam prep

Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Set up the business before you apply in Georgia

Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Georgia. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Form an LLC with Northwest→

License Tiers

Class I - Restricted

4 years experience; limited to systems not exceeding 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling

Exam: Required

Class II - Unrestricted

5 years experience with documented work on systems exceeding 175,000 BTU heating / 60,000 BTU cooling; no system size limitations

Exam: Required

License Reciprocity

This state has reciprocity agreements with 3 states. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.

louisianaHVAC (Conditioned Air) reciprocity available under specific conditions
south carolinaHVAC (Conditioned Air) reciprocity available under specific conditions
texasHVAC (Conditioned Air) reciprocity available under specific conditions

Notes

  • EPA Section 608 certification (Type II or higher) required in addition to state license
  • Exam includes 20 pretest (unscored) questions out of the 120 total
  • Both Class I and Class II exams are open-book
  • 2026 change: As of May 1, 2026, exams will be based on the 2024 editions of the IFGC and IMC
  • Must use GOALS online portal for applications

You're licensed in Georgia as an HVAC technician — the next 30 days

Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

  1. Form the business and get an EIN.

    The Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors issues the Conditioned Air Contractor (Class I Restricted / Class II Unrestricted); the business that invoices Georgia customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.

  2. Post the bond.

    Georgia requires a $10,000 surety bond. $10,000 surety bond deposited with the probate court judge in the county where the business primarily operates. How contractor bonds work→

  3. Carry general liability insurance.

    Georgia does not set a general liability minimum for this trade, but most permits and commercial customers ask for proof of GL cover. Georgia does not mandate specific GL insurance amounts for conditioned air contractors, but GL is strongly recommended. Workers comp required for 3+ employees. Contractor insurance requirements→

  4. Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.

    Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck HVAC technician businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→

  5. Keep the license.

    Renewal is every 2 years (odd-numbered years, by November 30; late period December 1-31) at $75. Continuing education: 8 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (4 hours per year). Courses must be from approved providers.

Other licenses in Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an hvac technician license in Georgia?

Yes, Georgia requires a statewide hvac technician license through the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors.

How much does an hvac technician license cost in Georgia?

The estimated initial cost is $377, including application, exam, and license fees. A $10,000 surety bond is also required.

What experience do I need for an hvac technician license in Georgia?

Class I: 4 years minimum documented experience in conditioned air work. Class II: 5 years minimum, must include documented experience with large systems exceeding 175,000 BTU heating / 60,000 BTU cooling. Must be at least 18 years old with high school diploma or GED. Requires 3 notarized references from licensed architects, professional engineers, city/county inspectors, or licensed conditioned air contractors. Education substitute: Approved vocational/technical HVAC programs may substitute for a portion of the experience requirement at the Board's discretion

What exams are required for an hvac technician license in Georgia?

You must pass the Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I & II) exam. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI/AMP.

Do I need a bond for an hvac technician license in Georgia?

Yes, a $10,000 surety bond is required. $10,000 surety bond deposited with the probate court judge in the county where the business primarily operates

Does Georgia have hvac technician license reciprocity?

Yes, Georgia has reciprocity agreements with 3 states that may apply to hvac technicians. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.

How long does it take to get an hvac technician license in Georgia?

Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks after submitting a complete application.

Is continuing education required for hvac technicians in Georgia?

Yes, 8 hours per 8 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (4 hours per year). Courses must be from approved providers. is required for license renewal.

Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: CILB-HVAC