By StartBusinessByStatePublisher: Robert SmithResearch process
Updated October 20, 2026 · Based on current state licensing board rules
Most states license electricians and plumbers statewide. HVAC is the trade most often left to cities. Counting DC, 45 of 51 jurisdictions require a statewide electrical license and 45 a statewide plumbing license. For HVAC, 38 have some statewide license, though in 8 of them it covers only part of the work (such as gas, fuel oil or refrigeration) or only larger jobs. Kansas, Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania license none of the three statewide, so the city or county decides. On top of the trade license, many states require a contractor license or registration for the business itself, and the federal EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone handling refrigerant.
Two licenses, not one
New trade business owners often mix these up:
- The trade license belongs to the person: journeyman, master or contractor level for plumbers and electricians, or an HVAC technician or contractor license. It proves skill and usually requires supervised hours plus an exam.
- The contractor license or registration belongs to the business. It usually requires proof of insurance, a surety bond, and a “qualifying” license holder tied to the company.
In most states, a business can’t advertise or pull permits for trade work unless a licensed master or contractor is its qualifier. If that person leaves, the business usually has 30–90 days to name a replacement.
Typical path to a license
- Apprentice or helper: registered with the state in many places, working under supervision.
- Journeyman: commonly 4 years (about 8,000 hours) of experience plus an exam for electricians and plumbers.
- Master or contractor: 1–2 more years as a journeyman, plus a business-and-law exam in many states.
- HVAC: where licensed, usually 2–5 years of experience. EPA 608 certification is required nationwide to buy or handle refrigerants, whatever the state rule.
HVAC, plumbing and electrical license requirements by state
| State | HVAC | Plumbing | Electrical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State | State | State | Separate boards for HVAC, plumbing/gas and electrical |
| Alaska | State (mechanical administrator) | State | State | Plus state contractor registration |
| Arizona | State | State | State | Registrar of Contractors licenses all three |
| Arkansas | State | State | State | Contractor license also needed above job-size limits |
| California | State (CSLB C-20) | State (CSLB C-36) | State (CSLB C-10) | License needed for jobs of $1,000 or more (labor and materials) |
| Colorado | Local only | State | State | HVAC licensed by cities and counties |
| Connecticut | State | State | State | Heating/cooling, plumbing and electrical licenses from DCP |
| Delaware | State | State | State | Plus state contractor registration |
| District of Columbia | State | State | State | Plus DC basic business license |
| Florida | State | State | State | Certified (statewide) or registered (local) licenses |
| Georgia | State | State | State | Construction Industry Licensing Board |
| Hawaii | State | State | State | Contractors License Board plus trade licenses |
| Idaho | State | State | State | Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses |
| Illinois | Local only | State (Dept. of Public Health) | Local only | Roofers also state-licensed |
| Indiana | Local only | State | Local only | Plumbing licensed by the state; HVAC/electrical by local units |
| Iowa | State | State | State | Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board; Electrical Examining Board |
| Kansas | Local only | Local only | Local only | No statewide trade licenses |
| Kentucky | State | State | State | Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction |
| Louisiana | State | State | State | Licensing Board for Contractors plus State Plumbing Board |
| Maine | State for oil, gas and propane work | State | State | Fuel-burning equipment licenses |
| Maryland | State | State | State | HVACR, plumbing and master electrician boards |
| Massachusetts | State (refrigeration and sheet metal) | State | State | Plus home improvement contractor registration |
| Michigan | State | State | State | Mechanical contractor license covers HVAC |
| Minnesota | Local (state for high-pressure piping and gas) | State | State | Residential building contractor license separate |
| Mississippi | State above job-size limits | State above job-size limits | State above job-size limits | Board of Contractors; local licenses for smaller jobs |
| Missouri | Local only | Local only | Local only | Optional statewide electrical contractor license; cities license trades |
| Montana | Local only | State | State | Plus state construction contractor registration |
| Nebraska | Local only | Local only | State | State Electrical Division; HVAC/plumbing by cities |
| Nevada | State (NSCB C-21) | State (NSCB C-1) | State (NSCB C-2) | Contractors Board licenses all three |
| New Hampshire | State (gas fitter license) | State | State | No general HVAC license |
| New Jersey | State | State | State | HVACR, plumbing and electrical boards |
| New Mexico | State | State | State | Construction Industries Division |
| New York | Local only | Local only | Local only | New York City and other localities license trades |
| North Carolina | State | State | State | State boards for plumbing/heating/fire sprinkler and electrical |
| North Dakota | Local only | State | State | Plus state contractor license over $4,000 |
| Ohio | State (commercial) | State (commercial) | State (commercial) | OCILB covers commercial work; residential licensed locally |
| Oklahoma | State | State | State | Construction Industries Board |
| Oregon | CCB license plus electrical limited license for some work | State | State | Every contractor needs a Construction Contractors Board license |
| Pennsylvania | Local only | Local only | Local only | Statewide home improvement contractor registration only |
| Rhode Island | State | State | State | Pipefitter/refrigeration, plumbing and electrical licenses |
| South Carolina | State | State | State | Contractor’s Licensing Board; residential specialty registrations |
| South Dakota | Local only | State | State | Plumbing Commission and Electrical Commission |
| Tennessee | State for jobs $25,000+ | State for jobs $25,000+ | State for jobs $25,000+ | Limited licenses for $3,000–$24,999 jobs; local licenses too |
| Texas | State (TDLR air conditioning) | State (TSBPE) | State (TDLR) | No general contractor license |
| Utah | State | State | State | Division of Professional Licensing |
| Vermont | State for fuel and refrigeration work | State | State | Residential contractor registration |
| Virginia | State | State | State | DPOR contractor license plus tradesman cards |
| Washington | Contractor registration plus electrical specialty for HVAC/R controls | State | State | L&I handles registration and trade certificates |
| West Virginia | State | State | State | HVAC technician, plumber and electrician licenses |
| Wisconsin | State | State | State | DSPS credentials |
| Wyoming | Local only | Local only | State | State Fire Marshal licenses electricians |
What it costs
Costs vary by state, but a first-time contractor should plan for:
- Exam and application fees: commonly $100–$400 per license. California’s CSLB application is $450 plus a $200 initial license fee.
- Surety bond: California requires a $25,000 contractor bond. Other states require $5,000–$25,000. Premiums are often 1–3% of the bond amount a year for good credit, so about $250–$750 for a $25,000 bond.
- General liability insurance: many boards require proof, often $300,000–$1,000,000 per occurrence. For HVAC companies, see HVAC insurance costs.
- Workers’ compensation: required once you hire in most states.
- Continuing education: commonly 4–24 hours per renewal cycle.
Example: a new HVAC company in Texas. The owner holds a TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor license (Class A or B). The license requires 48 months of experience under a licensed contractor, a passing exam, and proof of general liability insurance (at least $300,000 per occurrence for Class A). Texas has no general contractor license, so the TDLR license plus local permits is what lets the company bid HVAC work. The owner and techs still need EPA 608 cards.
Once you’re licensed, permit timing can still slow a job; see our comparison of permit shot-clock laws and real permit times.
Example: an electrician moving from New York to Pennsylvania. Neither state issues a statewide electrical license. The electrician needs a license from the city where the work happens, such as Philadelphia’s, plus Pennsylvania’s home improvement contractor registration for residential jobs over $5,000 a year.
Reciprocity
Some states accept each other’s licenses or let you skip the trade exam. Common examples are the Southern states’ electrical reciprocity agreements and Texas–Louisiana plumbing arrangements. Reciprocity usually covers the exam, not the application, insurance or bond. Check with the board before you assume your license carries over.
Common mistakes
- Bidding work above a state’s job-size threshold (Tennessee, Mississippi, California) without the right license.
- Thinking “no state license” means no license. Cities like New York City, Kansas City, Denver and Philadelphia have strict local licensing.
- Letting the qualifier relationship lapse when a master leaves.
- Doing work without a permit. Unpermitted work can void insurance claims and make contracts unenforceable.
- Skipping EPA 608 for techs who handle refrigerant.
Steps to get licensed
- Find your state’s board in the table and download the license handbook.
- Document your experience hours with pay stubs or signed employer letters.
- Schedule the trade exam and, if required, the business-and-law exam.
- Form the business, get an EIN, and buy the bond and liability insurance the board requires.
- Apply for the contractor license, name the qualifier, and register with each city where you’ll pull permits.
- Calendar renewal dates and continuing education hours.
Trade-specific startup guides: starting an HVAC business, starting a plumbing business and starting an electrical business.
Federal refrigerant rule: U.S. EPA Section 608 technician certification. California thresholds and fees: California Contractors State License Board.
FAQ
Do I need a license to do HVAC work?
In 38 of 51 jurisdictions (counting DC) there’s a statewide license that covers at least part of HVAC work. In the rest, cities or counties usually license HVAC. Everyone who handles refrigerant needs federal EPA 608 certification.
Which states don’t license electricians statewide?
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania leave electrical licensing to cities and counties.
What’s the difference between journeyman and master?
A journeyman can do the work under a master or contractor. A master can supervise, pull permits and qualify a business.
Can I do small jobs without a license?
Some states have handyman exemptions for small jobs, such as under $1,000 in California. They rarely cover plumbing, gas or electrical work.
How long does licensing take?
Usually 4–5 years of experience for a journeyman plumber or electrician, plus exam scheduling. Contractor approval itself often takes 2–8 weeks.