HVAC Licenses, Certificates and Schools in Florida

Examples of Florida HVAC Certification Programs Include:

• Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Systems Assistant Certificate
• Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Systems Technician Certificate
• Associate in Applied Science in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Systems Technology
• Associate in Science in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Systems Technologies

Getting an Additional NATE Certification

Technicians who are planning to work with ozone-depleting refrigerants also need to pass a separate certification program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You can take this exam through one of two certification organizations: HVAC Excellence or the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization Statistics show that 87% of clients prefer certified technicians. Passing the NATE tests demonstrates your knowledge in a specific subject area related to HVAC.

It is not mandatory that you have your NATE certification in Florida, but it certainly can only help. There are a lot of different certifications an HVAC tech could receive in Florida. Certifications are a way of demonstrating to potential employers that you, as a technician, have the knowledge and understanding of specialized concepts. This will help make you a more valuable commodity when competing in the job market.

Types of Florida HVAC Licenses

The State of Florida recognizes the following types of Florida HVAC license options, and you can only qualify for each type when you meet certain criteria. Here’s a breakdown of different Florida HVAC licenses:

• State Certified Class A Florida HVAC License
• State Registered Class A Florida HVAC License
• State Certified Class B HVAC License
• State Registered Class B HVAC License

You can find out more about each one these licenses below.

State Certified Class A Florida HVAC License

Allows you to work anywhere in the state of Florida. You must have workers comp, pass the exam and meet educational and on-the-job requirements in order to qualify for this license. The exam fee is $355, while the certification and renewal fees are $125.

State Registered Class A Florida HVAC License

Allows you to work in local areas where local requirements are met, and you can work on any size unit. You can contact the local government for details, but you do have to fill out a formal application. There is a $100 registration fee and a $100 renewal fee.

State Certified Class B HVAC License

You can work anywhere in the state but must have workers comp, pass an exam and meet other educational and job requirements. You are limited to working with cooling systems that are 20 tons or lighter, and heating systems that are 500,000 BTU and lower.

You must also be 18 and have a four-year accredited degree and one year of experience (or 2,000 hours of service), or four years of active experience before you pass a state exam. There is a $354 examination fee.

State Registered Class B HVAC License

You can only work in local areas where you meet local requirements, and are limited to working with cooling systems that are 20 tons or lighter, and heating systems that are 500,000 BTU and lower. You’ll need to contact your local government for details and submit a formal application for your license. There is a $100 registration fee and a $100 renewal fee.

Florida Contractor License Requirements

For each different license in the state of Florida there are different baseline requirements for eligibility. You must be at least 18 to apply for any of these.

Mechanical Contractors License

1. At least 18 years old
2. At least 4 years of experience
3. Provide a credit report and financial statement from current year
4. Net worth of $2,500 - $20,000
5. General liability insurance: $100,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage

A + B Air Conditioning Contractor’s License

1. Sit for two exams in business/finance and your desired trade
2. Provide a credit report and financial statement from current year
3. Net worth of $2,500 - $20,000
4. General liability insurance: $100,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage

Note: Electrical Contractors will not sit for this exam as they have separate requirements for the state.

Individual Fees:

$249 From May 1st of an even year through August 31st of an odd year$309 From September 1st of an odd year through April 30th of an even year

Exam Process

For each different license or certification you will need to pass a written exam after your eligibility has been determined and your application has been accepted by the board. If you need help studying check out our practice tests here.

Mechanical Contractor’s License Exam

• The exam is taken in two 4.5 hour sections, one taken in the morning and the other at night
• You need at least a 70% to pass
• The exam fee is $135
• The test is taken onsite at the date and location selected on your application

A + B Air Conditioning Contractor’s License

The exam is taken in two 4.5 hour sections, one taken in the morning and the other at night

• You need at least a 70% to pass
• The exam fee is $135
• The test is taken onsite at the date and location selected on your application
• You will need 14 hours of continued education to acquire and maintain this license

NATE Exam

• Choose your technician type whether it be installation or service.
• Identify which specialty exam you would like to take in addition to the core exam
• Register for a testing session in your area
• It is $95 to maintain a 5-year certification

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC Technicians earn a median income of $43,640 annually. The top 10 percent of technicians earn over $68,000 as their yearly salary. Jobs available in Florida are predicted to increase by over 30% in the coming years.

There are over 1,000 open and available  jobs in the state of Florida right now!Some of the cities where an HVAC career pays the highest are Boca Raton ($42,389), Miami ($42,236), Fort Lauderdale ($41,578), Hollywood and Pompano Beach (both around $41,578).

Conclusion

Getting your hands on experience and a good HVAC education in the classroom, online training or from apprenticeships is crucial to a successful career. Getting certified is the next step. Once you know which field or fields you would like to specialize in, you can gain further licensure and certifications. Getting your license or getting certified can help you have better job security, better pay, and more options for the future.

Looking For Information On Nearby States?

You might also be interested in HVAC licensing requirements in bordering states:

• Georgia
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Louisiana

Florida HVAC Schools