How to get a HVAC license in Georgia
The full Georgia hvac licensing path — experience hours, required exam, fees, and where to apply. Verified 6/12/2026.
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Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor (Class I limited / Class II unrestricted)
Georgia licenses HVAC contractors through the State Construction Industry Licensing Board's Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. Georgia uses a two-tier system: Class I (unlimited) and Class II (up to 175,000 BTU cooling and heating). Every contractor performing HVAC work for hire in Georgia must hold a state license — no local-only option, no dollar-amount exemption.
Step-by-step: how to get your Georgia HVAC license
Georgia is one of the faster states — 60–120 days is typical from decision to license.
- Choose Class I (unlimited BTU) or Class II (light commercial/residential up to 175,000 BTU).
- Meet the experience requirement: 4 years of primary HVAC experience within the last 10 years, OR a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering plus 2 years experience.
- Register with PSI and schedule the two required exams: Georgia Business & Law and the Conditioned Air Trade exam (Class I or Class II).
- Get general liability insurance: $500,000 per occurrence, with the state as certificate holder.
- Submit the state application with the $200 fee, exam scores, insurance certificate, and experience affidavits from prior employers.
- Once approved, the license issues within 2–4 weeks.
Class I vs. Class II — which Georgia HVAC license fits?
Class II is enough for pure residential and small commercial. Class I is required only when you'll bid larger rooftop units, chillers, or commercial packages over 175,000 BTU.
- Class I Conditioned Air Contractor — no BTU limits, covers all HVAC and light commercial refrigeration.
- Class II Conditioned Air Contractor — capped at 175,000 BTU cooling AND heating. Sufficient for essentially all residential and most light commercial.
- There is no separate residential-only license in Georgia; the same Class I/II applies to all work.
- A Georgia Utility Contractor license is separate and required for underground utility runs over 12 inches — most HVAC contractors never need this.
Georgia HVAC exam: what's on it
Both exams are administered by PSI at centers in Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, and Augusta plus remote proctoring. Both are open-book with the state's approved reference list.
Georgia Business & Law: 50 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass. Covers Georgia contractor licensing statutes (Chapter 43-14), lien law, workers' comp, tax, and basic business practices.
Conditioned Air Trade (Class I): 100 questions, 5 hours. Covers 2020 International Mechanical Code (Georgia amendments), 2020 IFGC (fuel gas), Manual J/D/S, refrigerant handling under EPA 608, and psychrometrics. Class II is a subset of the same content with fewer commercial-scale questions.
Georgia HVAC license fees & ongoing costs (2026)
Year-one budget: about $900–$1,500 not counting insurance premium. Renewal is every 2 years.
- Application fee: $200 (Class I or II).
- PSI exam fees: $131 per exam × 2 = $262 total.
- Reference books: $500–$800 for the required open-book set.
- General liability insurance ($500k): $800–$2,000/year.
- Renewal: $75 every 2 years, plus 4 hours of continuing education (all 4 must be industry-related).
- Local business license: required in most cities — usually $50–$200/year, separate from the state license.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a hvac license in Georgia?
You need class i: 2 yrs (4,000 hrs) experience (under 175k btu heating / 60k btu cooling). class ii: 4 yrs (8,000 hrs), unlimited.. Then pass the Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Mechanical Code + business) administered by PSI Services. Applications go through the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board — Conditioned Air Division.
What exam do I need to pass?
Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Mechanical Code + business) — administered by PSI Services.
How much experience do I need?
Class I: 2 yrs (4,000 hrs) experience (under 175k BTU heating / 60k BTU cooling). Class II: 4 yrs (8,000 hrs), unlimited.
What about fees, insurance, and continuing education?
GA single statewide license for HVAC contractors. $30 application + $75/2yrs renewal. Liability + workers comp required. EPA 608 federally required. Reciprocity with LA, SC, TN.
Can I do HVAC work in Georgia without a state license if the job is small?
No. Georgia has no dollar-amount or job-size exemption for HVAC work. Any installation, service, or repair of conditioned-air systems for hire requires a state license. The only exception is homeowners working on their own primary residence, and even that requires a permit for equipment replacement.
Does Georgia have HVAC license reciprocity with other states?
Georgia has reciprocity with Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee for the Trade exam if you've held an equivalent license for 3+ years. The Georgia Business & Law exam is required for everyone. Experience from any state counts toward the 4-year requirement.
Do I need a Georgia HVAC license as an employee, or only as the business owner?
Only the qualifying agent (business owner or full-time employee who holds the license) needs the state license. Field technicians working under a licensed contractor do not need individual licenses. However, EPA Section 608 certification is federal and applies to every technician handling refrigerant, regardless of Georgia licensing.
How does Georgia handle unlicensed HVAC work?
First offense is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per violation per day, plus civil penalties up to $10,000. The state actively investigates online ads (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Thumbtack), and homeowners can sue to recover 100% of what they paid an unlicensed contractor, even if the work was completed correctly.
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