Licensing Guides
North Carolina HVAC License: How to Become an HVAC Contractor in North Carolina
HVAC, NCTable of Contents
Licensing Requirements for HVAC Contractors in North Carolina
What Is the Mean Wage for an HVAC Technician in North Carolina?
How Much Does It Cost to Get an HVAC License in North Carolina?
How Long Does it Take to Get an HVAC Contractors License in North Carolina?
How Can I Prepare for the HVAC License Exam in North Carolina
Does My North Carolina HVAC License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an HVAC License in North Carolina
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed HVAC Work in North Carolina?
Learning a trade requires hard work and determination. You can’t rush the process, but the time you put into learning how to become an HVACR technician or contractor can lead to a career that is long-lasting, lucrative, and fulfilling. There are 425,200 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and North Carolina employs 13,750 of them.
Employment is projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034 throughout the country, adding more than 40,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In North Carolina, that growth rate is projected at 13%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
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Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in North Carolina in July 2025 totaled 282,200, an increase of 10,000 (3.7%) from July 2024 and an increase of 47,900 or 20% from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
A large part of what HVAC contractors and technicians do is replace and repair existing HVAC systems. As more emphasis is placed on energy efficiency and reducing pollution, systems need to be retrofitted, upgraded or replaced entirely to comply with these new standards. Licensing requirements for HVAC contractors vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. In North Carolina, licensure is uniform statewide.
Licensing Requirements for HVAC Contractors in North Carolina
Is a license required to work as an HVAC/Mechanical Contractor in North Carolina? Yes.
To legally perform heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration work in the state of North Carolina, you must be a licensed contractor or work under someone who is a licensed contractor. Licenses are issued by two separate state boards that fall under the North Carolina Department of Commerce: one for those working with refrigeration and one for those doing heating and cooling work.
The State Board of Refrigeration Contractors licenses anyone engaged in refrigeration contracting.
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors licenses all heating and air conditioning contractors.
Types of HVAC Licenses in North Carolina
What are the different types of HVAC/Mechanical licenses in North Carolina?
HVAC licenses are broken down into three groups and two classes in North Carolina.
Groups:
Heating Group 1: water-based heating systems in any building.
Heating Group 2: forced air heating and cooling units that weigh more than 15 tons.
Heating Group 3: forced air heating and cooling units that weigh 15 tons or less.
Classes:
Class 1: allows you to work in any home or building.
Class 2: only allows you to work in single-family homes.
So, the license designations are as follows:
Heating Group 1 – water-based heating systems in any building.
H1-I (Heating Group 1 Class I) Contractor
H1-II (Heating Group 1 Class II) Contractor
H1-T (Heating Group 1) Technician – Must be a sublicensee of an H1 Contractor. Not a contracting license.
SLGT-H1 (Heating Group 1 State & Local Government) Technician – Must be an employee of a state or local government. Not a contracting license.
Heating Group 2 – forced air heating and cooling units that weigh more than 15 tons.
H2 (Heating Group 2) Contractor
H2-T (Heating Group 2) Technician – Must be a sublicensee of an H2 Contractor. Not a contracting license.
SLGT-H2 (Heating Group 2 State & Local Government) Technician – Must be an employee of a state or local government. Not a contracting license.
Heating Group 3 - forced air heating and cooling units that weigh 15 tons or less.
H3-I (Heating Group 3 Class I) Contractor
H3-II (Heating Group 3 Class II) Contractor
H3-T (Heating Group 3) Technician – Must be a sublicensee of an H3 Contractor. Not a contracting license.
SLGT-H3 (Heating Group 3 State & Local Government) Technician – Must be an employee of a state or local government. Not a contracting license.
There are four Refrigeration Contractor Licenses:
Commercial Refrigeration Contractor
Industrial Refrigeration Contractor
Service Refrigeration Contractor
Transport Refrigeration Contractor
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
HVAC Technician (All groups and classes)
Must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
Must have 3,000 hours of full-time, on-site experience installing, servicing, maintaining or repairing heating/cooling systems for the group you’re applying to. Up to half of the required training may be substituted by academic training.
Must pass the technician exam.
Must pass a background check.
Must submit the license application and pay all fees.
HVAC Contractor (All groups and classes)
Must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
Must have 4,000 hours of full-time, on-site experience installing, servicing, maintaining, or repairing heating/cooling systems for the group you’re applying to. Up to half of the required training may be substituted by academic training.
Must pass a licensing exam.
Must pass a background check.
Must submit the license application and pay all fees.
Refrigeration Contractor (All classifications)
Must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
Must obtain 4,000 hours of relevant experience under the supervision of a licensed refrigeration contractor. Up to half of the job experience requirement may be met through academic/technical training.
Must obtain EPA certification.
Must pass a background check.
Must pass the refrigeration exam. The exam application serves as the license application form.
Pay all fees.
Steps to Get an HVAC License in North Carolina
Be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
Gain experience by enrolling in HVAC school, joining an apprenticeship, or through employment with an HVAC company.
You need at least 3,000 hours of experience to qualify for a technician license or 4,000 hours for an HVAC Contractor license. Note, you can swap half of the work experience requirements with formal education from an approved provider.
You must apply to take the licensing exam, either at the technician or contractor level.
You must submit to a criminal background check.
Submit the license application and pay all fees.
If applying for a Refrigeration Contractor license, the steps are mostly the same. However, you will need a minimum of 4,000 hours of work experience and you must obtain your EPA certification to handle refrigerants.
Benefits of Getting an HVAC License in North Carolina
There are many benefits to getting your North Carolina HVACR license:
Most importantly, it is required by law in North Carolina to be a licensed contractor, or you must work directly for a licensed contractor.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed HVAC contractors can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
It also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Wage for an HVAC Technician in North Carolina?
The annual mean wage for HVAC mechanics and installers in North Carolina is $54,710, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that salary can increase as you acquire more experience. An HVAC technician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median HVAC technician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.44% for entry-level workers, 3.46% for intermediate level, 3.62% for senior level HVAC professionals, and 3.53% for supervisors. In North Carolina, those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $52,900
Intermediate (2-4 years): $64,300
Senior (4-7 years): $75,500
Supervisor (>7 years): $88,800
The meaning of a “mean” and “median salary” can be confusing. Here is the difference:
Mean tells you the mathematical average.
Median salary tells you the point at which 50% of workers make less and 50% make more, and is usually a better indicator of what most people actually earn.
Salaries can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an HVAC business, this blog can give you an idea of what you can expect to make and what factors will influence that number.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an HVAC technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one HVAC software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average tickets.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an HVAC License in North Carolina?
The cost to get started in the HVAC industry depends on a couple of factors. If you gain employment with an HVAC business or join an apprenticeship with a trade organization, your costs will be minimal. If you decide to attend trade school or a community college, you can expect to pay $3,915 per year for in-state students and $9,508 for out-of-state students.
The cost to apply for an HVAC contractor’s examination is $100, and the license activation fee is $150. The cost to apply for a technician examination is $100, and the license activation fee is $75.
The license fee for a North Carolina Refrigeration Contractor is $100, and the exam fee is $80.
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How to Get an HVAC License in North Carolina
An HVAC career path refers to the different positions you can advance to as your skills and experience in HVAC develop. In North Carolina, becoming an HVAC/Mechanical professional isn’t fast, but it’s very straightforward.
APPRENTICESHIP/WORK EXPERIENCE: No matter whether you take an entry-level job or enroll in a formal apprenticeship, you need to accumulate 3,000 hours of work experience before you can submit an application for examination for a technician’s license.
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION: Mail the completed application with the required documents and fee to the Board's office. Mail to:
State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors 1109 Dresser Court Raleigh, NC 27609
You can also apply online.
BACKGROUND CHECK: You must obtain background check information from the approved provider. All applicants are required to utilize “CastleBranch.com” to obtain a nationwide criminal record report and must attach a paper copy of the background report to the application. Applicants are required to pay the reporting service for the cost of the report. Detailed directions are included in the application. A past offense will not necessarily prevent you from getting a license. The Board will consider several things when an applicant has a criminal conviction.
TAKE LICENSING EXAM: If your application is approved, you will receive notification of exam eligibility by mail or email. You must then contact PSI Exams Online to schedule your exam. The exam must be taken within 30 days of the notification date. You will be notified of a pass/fail at the exam center following your exam. Failing applicants may attend an exam review in Raleigh prior to retesting.
SUBMIT LICENSE ACTIVATION FORM: Passing applicants will need to submit the completed Licensing Activation form and fee to obtain their license.
HVAC CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS: If you want to become a contractor rather than working indefinitely as a technician, you will need to acquire 4,000 hours of on-site, full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of heating systems related to the category you are applying for. However, up to one-half (2,000 hours) of the experience requirement may be in academic or technical training. Then you’ll repeat the process of applying for examination, paying related fees, and completing the license activation form for your contractor’s license after passing the exam. There are links to each of the different license application packets and forms on the Board’s website.
REFRIGERATION LICENSE: The steps are similar when trying to obtain your Refrigeration Contractor’s License. You’ll need to get the proper training, years of experience, and also your certification from the EPA (more details on this are below). Once you’ve met the eligibility requirements, you can apply to take the Refrigeration Contractor’s Exam.
How Long Does it Take to Get an HVAC License in North Carolina?
It will take a minimum of 3,000 hours (around 18 months) to qualify for an HVAC Technician license. If you want to work as HVAC or Refrigeration Contractor, you must obtain at least 4,000 hours (two years) of experience.
North Carolina HVAC Training Programs and Schools
If you choose to supplement your work experience with education requirements, North Carolina offers several options.
There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). PAHRA has an accredited program at Pitt Community College in Winterville.
Niche provides a list of the best trade schools with HVAC and refrigeration engineering technician degrees in North Carolina.
Tuition: Tuition at North Carolina Community Colleges is assessed based on residency and class load. Expect to pay $3,915 per year for in-state students and $9,508 for out-of-state students.
Apprenticeship: There are all kinds of apprenticeships that will satisfy the licensing requirement in North Carolina. UA Local 412 union serves North Carolina and South Carolina and offers apprentice training in HVAC and Refrigeration Technology.
The North Carolina Community College System oversees the state’s Apprenticeship program. Through its website, ApprenticeshipNC, you can find registered apprenticeships that meet national standards set by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of North Carolina also has four-year plumbing and HVAC apprenticeships. Or you could simply apply for one of the apprentice positions listed on ZipRecruiter or Indeed to see if an employer will sponsor you instead.
Licensees can also pursue degrees or certificates from a trade school, community college, or university. For instance, Guilford Technical Community College offers an associate’s degree in Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job you will need to have good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have some mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces.
For more detailed information about HVAC school options in North Carolina, check out our Ultimate Guide to HVAC Schools in North Carolina.
North Carolina HVAC Mechanical Licensing Exam Details
The HVAC examinations are administered by PSI Testing Services. Each exam costs $100. The exams for both the technician license and the contractor license are open book, and each has a time limit of four hours. Contractor applicants will also need to take a 90-minute Business and Law exam. The Board gives detailed Exam Information on its website, including reference materials.
Examinations are given on a daily basis at seven testing centers in Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Wilmington. If your application to test is approved, you will receive written notification including instructions for scheduling the examination, which must be taken within 30 days of the date of the notification letter.
The State Board of Refrigeration Contractors provides an examination packet for anyone applying to take the qualifying examination for a Refrigeration Contractor’s License. In the packet, you will find details on the reference materials you need to prepare, details of the examination process, and the application itself.
The exams are administered by the Board. Exams are scheduled by appointment in the Board office and also administered in the Board office located in Garner, North Carolina.
How Can I Prepare for the HVAC License Exam in North Carolina?
The HVAC Contractor and Technician exams consist of 100 questions, and you are given four hours to complete them. Reference materials include:
Administration Code and Policies, 2018
Fuel Gas Code, 2018 Edition
Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition
Energy Conservation Code, 2018 Edition
Residential Code, 2018 Edition
The Refrigeration Contractor exam consists of 100 questions, and you are given six and a half hours to complete it. Topics include:
Law, Administrative Code and Safety
Equipment, Equipment Performance, Theory, and Electrical
Electrical and Mechanical Code
Plans, Specifications, and Estimating
Who Issues HVAC Licenses in North Carolina?
All HVAC licenses are issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Refrigeration licenses are issued by the State Board of Refrigeration Contractors.
Does My North Carolina North Carolina License Work in Any Other State?
While North Carolina doesn’t have official reciprocal agreements with other states, some states may waive all or part of their licensing requirements if the training is equal to or greater than requirements in North Carolina.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an HVAC License in North Carolina?
North Carolina does not have reciprocal agreements with other states for HVAC. However, the state may waive the technical exam for HVAC contractors licensed in South Carolina, but you would still need to take the North Carolina Business and Law exam.
HVAC Specific Requirements: EPA Certification
Throughout the country, including in North Carolina, federal-level EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. EPA Section 608 HVAC Certification is required for any professional who conducts refrigerant line-pressure tests or handles or adds refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems.
Most training programs can direct you to how and where to get that certification, or your employer will require you to get it before handling refrigerant. You can also go to EPA.gov and key in 608 Certification in the search bar to find out which institutions in your state offer certification programs. All apprenticeships will include this preparation and testing.
Take Certification Exam: You must acquire your EPA Certification from an approved organization. A list of these organizations can be found on the EPA’s website. There are four types of EPA Certifications for Refrigerants. They allow for different levels of certification for different scopes of work.
Type I – for servicing small appliances containing five pounds of refrigerant or less.
Type II – for servicing high-pressure units that contain five pounds or more of refrigerant (including most small commercial and residential systems).
Type III – for servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.
Universal – for servicing all systems and appliances covered under Types I, II, and III. Generally more useful than targeting any one specific certification.
Core Exam
For all certifications, you must pass the “Core Section” of the EPA certification exam. It covers the following topics:
Ozone depletion
Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol
Section 608 regulations
Substitute refrigerants and oils
Refrigeration
The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)
Recovery techniques
Dehydration evacuation
Safety
Shipping
National HVAC Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) certification, and other professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Other Requirements Unique to North Carolina
In North Carolina, license renewal is required annually for both HVAC and Refrigeration licenses. Licenses expire on Dec. 31. The renewal fee for HVAC licenses is $150, and $80 for Refrigeration licenses.
Are There HVAC Scholarships in North Carolina?
Yes, there are HVACR scholarships in North Carolina. Options include:
Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of North Carolina: The organization lists multiple scholarship opportunities on its website.
Guilford Technical Community College: Offers scholarships for students enrolled in HVAC programs.
Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains: The organization’s educational foundation provides scholarships for students enrolled in the construction trades, including HVAC.
How Can Someone Verify My HVAC License in North Carolina?
Both the HVAC and Refrigeration boards maintain public databases where you can verify a license by name, business name, or license number.
When Can an HVAC License Be Suspended in North Carolina?
A suspended HVAC/Refrigeration license means that the license holder is prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that North Carolina HVACR licenses can be suspended are:
Fraud
Professional incompetence
Misleading or deceptive practices
Criminal convictions
Aiding unlicensed individuals
Failure to comply with regulations
Practicing on a lapsed license
Willful or repeated violations of regulations governing HVACR professionals
Licensees can also face disciplinary action if they fail to report changes in business or personal information to the board or fail to respond to an investigation or complaint.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about licensing regulations, refer to the official Board of Refrigeration Contractors Administrative Code or the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors’ Board Laws and Rules.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed HVAC Work in North Carolina?
Performing HVACR work in North Carolina without a license can result in a fine of up to $500 per day and up to 30 days in jail.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about licensing regulations, refer to the official Board of Refrigeration Contractors Administrative Code or the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors’ Board Laws and Rules.
Continuing Education
The state of North Carolina does not currently require mandatory continuing education as a condition of renewal for HVAC or refrigeration contractor licenses. The requirement was disbanded in 2012.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all HVAC industry news several ways:
Check top HVAC blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top HVAC podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast..
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