HVAC Technician License Requirements in Louisiana

Licensing Authority	Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
License Type	Mechanical Contractor — Heating, AC, Ventilation, Duct Work & Refrigeration
Experience Required	No formal experience requirement at the state level. The qualifying party must pass both the Business & Law exam and the Mechanical (HVAC) trade exam. Formal apprenticeship, AAS degree, or trade school completion is recommended but not mandated. Must be at least 18 years old with valid SSN or tax ID.
Education Substitute	No formal experience requirement, so education serves as preparation rather than substitution. AAS degree in HVAC or formal apprenticeship completion recommended for exam preparation.
Exam Required	Yes — Louisiana Business & Law + Mechanical (HVAC) Trade Exam
Bond Required	No
Insurance	General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees
Continuing Education	Not required
Processing Time	4-8 weeks

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee	$100
Exam Fee	$240
Fingerprinting	$40
Business & Law exam	$120
Mechanical trade exam	$120
Est. Initial Total	$620

Renewal: $100 every 1, 2, or 3 years

Exam Requirements

Louisiana Business & Law

50 questions2 hoursPass: 70%

Louisiana contractor lawContractsLabor lawLien law

Mechanical (HVAC) Trade Exam

100 questions4 hoursPass: 70%

HVAC systemsRefrigerationHeating systemsVentilationDuct workMechanical codeSafety

Exam provider: PSI Services LLC (effective August 2025)

License Reciprocity

This state has reciprocity agreements with 5 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.

alabamaFormal reciprocity agreement. LSLBC will accept exam scores passed in Alabama for equivalent classifications. Must still submit full Louisiana application, meet net worth requirements, and provide insurance. Residential and Building classifications recognized.

arkansasFormal reciprocity agreement. All classifications recognized. LSLBC accepts equivalent Arkansas exam scores. Must still meet Louisiana financial, insurance, and application requirements.

mississippiFormal reciprocity agreement. All classifications recognized. LSLBC accepts equivalent Mississippi exam scores. Must still meet Louisiana financial, insurance, and application requirements.

tennesseeFormal reciprocity agreement. LSLBC accepts equivalent Tennessee exam scores. Must still meet Louisiana financial, insurance, and application requirements.

utahFormal reciprocity agreement. LSLBC accepts equivalent Utah exam scores for applicable classifications. Must still meet Louisiana financial, insurance, and application requirements.

Notes

License required for mechanical projects over $50,000 (commercial) or $75,000 (residential)
No statewide journeyman HVAC license — state license is a contractor license
EPA Section 608 certification required for refrigerant handling (federal requirement, separate from state license)
No continuing education requirement for mechanical contractors
Closed-book trade exam (100 questions, 4 hours)
No formal experience requirement — exam is the competency gate
No 2026 changes to HVAC/mechanical licensing requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an hvac technician license in Louisiana?

Yes, Louisiana requires a statewide hvac technician license through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

How much does an hvac technician license cost in Louisiana?

The estimated initial cost is $380, including application, exam, and license fees.

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

No formal experience requirement at the state level. The qualifying party must pass both the Business & Law exam and the Mechanical (HVAC) trade exam. Formal apprenticeship, AAS degree, or trade school completion is recommended but not mandated. Must be at least 18 years old with valid SSN or tax ID. Education substitute: No formal experience requirement, so education serves as preparation rather than substitution. AAS degree in HVAC or formal apprenticeship completion recommended for exam preparation.

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

You must pass the Louisiana Business & Law and Mechanical (HVAC) Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI Services LLC (effective August 2025).

Does Louisiana have hvac technician license reciprocity?

Yes, Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with 5 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 Louisiana?

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

Is continuing education required for hvac technicians in Louisiana?

No, Louisiana does not currently require continuing education for hvac technician license renewal.

Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: LSLBC