HVAC Technician License Requirements in Washington
| Licensing Authority | Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
| License Type | Specialty Contractor Registration + Electrical Specialty Certification (06A/06B) |
| Experience Required | HVAC specialty contractor registration: no experience required. 06A electrical specialty: 4,000 hours + 48 hours education. 06B restricted: 2,000 hours + 24 hours education. EPA 608: no experience required but exam is mandatory for refrigerant handling. |
| Education Substitute | Completion of a registered HVAC apprenticeship program satisfies experience and education requirements for 06A/06B certification. |
| Exam Required | Yes — 06A HVAC/R Electrical - NEC & Theory + 06A HVAC/R Electrical - WA Laws & Rules + EPA Section 608 Certification |
| Bond Required | Yes — $15,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 24 hours 3 years (for 06A/06B electrical certification) |
| Processing Time | 3-4 weeks for contractor registration; 2-4 weeks for electrical certification |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $141.1 |
| Exam Fee | $65 |
| Initial License Fee | $107.6 |
| 06A exam fee (PSI) | $65 |
| 06B exam fee (PSI) | $55 |
| EPA 608 exam fee (varies by provider) | $120 |
| Electrical certification application | $107.6 |
| Electrical certification renewal (3 years) | $76.9 |
| Est. Initial Total | $738.2 |
Renewal: $141.1 every 2 years (contractor registration); 3 years (electrical certification)
Exam Requirements
06A HVAC/R Electrical - NEC & Theory
06A HVAC/R Electrical - WA Laws & Rules
EPA Section 608 Certification
Exam provider: PSI (L&I exams); EPA-approved providers (608 exam)
License Tiers
HVAC Specialty Contractor (Registration Only)
No experience required for contractor registration itself.
Exam: Not required
06A - HVAC/Refrigeration Electrician
4,000 hours (2+ years) of HVAC/R electrical work plus 48 hours of education. Not limited by voltage, phase, or amperage for HVAC/R systems.
Exam: Required
06B - HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician
2,000 hours (1+ year) of HVAC/R electrical work plus 24 hours of education. Limited to 250V single phase or 120 amps.
Exam: Required
EPA Section 608 Certification (Federal)
No experience required. Federal requirement for handling refrigerants.
Exam: Required
Notes
- Washington has a layered HVAC licensing system: contractor registration (L&I) + electrical specialty certification (06A or 06B) + federal EPA 608
- 06A is unrestricted by voltage/phase/amperage for HVAC/R systems in all occupancies
- 06B is restricted to 250V single phase or 120 amps; limited to residential and buildings up to 3 stories
- Contractor registration has no exam or experience requirement, but electrical certification does
- EPA Section 608 is a federal requirement — Types I, II, III, or Universal based on equipment serviced
- Seattle requires separate gas piping mechanic and refrigeration mechanic city licenses
- 2024 change: Specialty contractor bond increased from $6,000 to $15,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hvac technician license in Washington?
Yes, Washington requires a statewide hvac technician license through the Department of Labor & Industries.
How much does a hvac technician license cost in Washington?
The estimated initial cost is $313.7, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: L&I