Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License type | Heating & Air Conditioning Contractor, Refrigeration Contractor, Duct Air Tightness Testing Contractor (registration) |
Regulating agency | Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors (website) |
Experience requirement | 3,000 hours verified experience or board-approved education/apprenticeship |
Exams | Open-book written exam (Prov, Inc); optional practical if failing written exam |
Initial certification fee | $220 active / $110 inactive (as of July 14, 2025 – fee schedule) |
Renewal | Annual; $220 active / $110 inactive (as of July 14, 2025) |
Bond (active status) | $20,000 (see form BF-1) |
Continuing Education | 4 hours/year (first renewal cycle exempt); up to 8 hours may be earned yearly, max 4 hours carried forward |
Exam fee | $175 written / $375 practical (as of July 14, 2025) |
Processing time | Applications due 10 days before Board meeting |
Official URL |
Who Needs a License in Alabama?
In Alabama, you need an HVAC license if you perform installation, service, or repair of heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration equipment for compensation. The law applies to both individuals and businesses, with no dollar threshold: any “contracting” paid HVAC or refrigeration work requires a state license.
According to Code of Alabama § 34‑31‑28 and the ABHACRC, you must be licensed whether you are self-employed, working for an entity as the responsible charge, or running a business where you oversee projects. Employees performing labor under a licensed contractor’s supervision do not need their own license unless advertising, bidding, or contracting independently. Inactive licensees cannot purchase permits or conduct regulated work until reactivated and bonded.
Some exemptions exist under law. License is not required for LP-Gas Board licensees working only on LP-gas installations, federal or state employees not contracting to the public, manufactured housing HVAC system instals (regulated by Housing Commission), automotive/farm/poultry equipment, and household appliances. For details, see Code § 34‑31‑28. Local governments may not impose additional tests or requirements beyond the statewide license.
HVAC License Types
Alabama recognizes three main HVAC license types issued by the ABHACRC, each with different work scopes and regulatory requirements:
Heating & Air Conditioning Contractor (active/inactive): Authorizes installation, service, and repair of “heating and/or air conditioning systems,” excluding work on window units, automotive, or farm equipment. Required for projects serving human comfort in residential or commercial buildings.
Refrigeration Contractor (active/inactive): Covers installation, service, and repair of commercial refrigeration equipment “not intended for human comfort,” such as walk-in coolers or food service refrigeration.
Duct Air Tightness Testing Contractor (registration only): Allows certified individuals or companies to perform duct air tightness testing; this is a registration, not a full license, with distinct application and fee.
Both heating/air conditioning and refrigeration licenses can be issued as “active” or “inactive”. Active licenses authorize business operations, permit holding, and contract pulling; inactive licenses are for those not currently performing regulated work and do not authorize contracting or permit issuance until reactivated. Licensing of business entities (LLCs, corporations, etc.) is anchored in a "person in responsible charge." The licensee name includes both the individual’s and the business entity’s name when active.
How to Get Licensed in Alabama: HVAC License Requirements in Alabama Detailed
To become licensed as an HVAC contractor in Alabama, you must complete several specific steps ensuring you meet all HVAC license requirements in Alabama:
Step 1: Verify Experience or Education
Ensure you have 3,000 hours of verified HVAC/refrigeration experience, or completed an approved HVAC curriculum, or document two years as an apprentice, consistent with board policy.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation
Gather affidavits, W‑2 forms, or transcripts to prove your experience, apprenticeship, or education.
Step 3: Apply for the Exam
Submit an online application through the Board portal, upload your proofs, and pay the $175 written exam fee. For paper forms, mail to the physical Board address. Applications must be submitted at least ten business days before the next Board meeting. Personal and business checks are not accepted; use credit cards or certified funds.
Step 4: Take the Open-Book Written Exam
Schedule and attend the written test at one of the approved locations (Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery) as directed by Prov, Inc.
Step 5: Practical Exam Option
If you do not pass the written, within six months you may apply for the practical exam. Submit the EA‑6 form and pay a $375 fee (with a 4% online convenience fee, if paying digitally).
Step 6: Select License Type and Submit Final Paperwork
Upon passing, complete Forms AL‑1 and, for active status, also AL‑2 (Business Info) and BF‑1 (bond form with a $20,000 surety); assemble any business documents if you are applying as, or for, an LLC, corporation, partnership, trust, or other entity.
Step 7: Pay Certification Fee and Bond
Send $220 (active) or $110 (inactive) by one of the board’s approved payment methods. For an active license, the $20,000 bond is required; submit the bond form with your application.
Step 8: Board Review and License Issuance
Applications must be received a minimum of ten working days before the Board’s meeting to be reviewed. You may also purchase a printed certification card for $25 after approval.
More detailed instructions, including fillable PDFs, are available on the official How to Get Licensed page and Board’s AL-1 application form.
Application Requirements
Applicants for an Alabama HVAC contractor or refrigeration contractor license must meet several requirements before approval. These are detailed in statutes, rules, and the Board’s official instructions. The main application requirements addressed below are experience, age, bonding, insurance, business structure, background check, and additional federal or state certifications if relevant.
Experience and Age
You must demonstrate at least 3,000 hours of verifiable experience in heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration work, or completion of an approved HVAC curriculum. Board statutes also accept completion of a two-calendar-year apprenticeship as an equivalent path. No explicit minimum age is listed in the brief, but applicants must have reached the age required to lawfully enter contracts, based on general state law.
Acceptable proof includes affidavits from prior employers, W‑2 wage statements, and transcripts if education is used as the basis. All documentation should be uploaded with your exam application (online or by mail as directed).
Bond and Insurance
If you seek "active" status, you must provide proof of a $20,000 surety bond (see Board’s forms directory). This bond is required both on original licensure and annually on renewal for contractors performing regulated work. Inactive status does not require bonding.
As of the current brief, insurance (general liability or workers’ comp) is not specifically mentioned as a standard Board application requirement, but individual employers may have additional obligations under Alabama law when hiring employees.
Business Entities and Responsible Charge
Businesses (corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or trusts) applying for licensure must designate a "person in responsible charge" who meets all individual requirements: verifies experience, passes exam, and is listed on the AL‑1 and AL‑2 forms. License will reference both this person and the business entity in its official listing. You must submit formation documents and disclose the entity’s structure. The $20,000 bond must reflect both the responsible person and the entity’s name.
Background Check and Federal/Other Certifications
The brief does not list any explicit background check requirement; verify with the Board for current policies. Federal EPA Section 608 certification is not enforced by the Board but may be required by federal law for work involving refrigerants.
Exams
As part of the HVAC license requirements in Alabama, you must pass a state-administered examination. The ABHACRC requires a written open-book exam for both the heating & air conditioning contractor and refrigeration contractor license. If you fail the written, you may, within six months, request a practical exam attempt.
The written exam is administered by Prov, Inc., scheduled at state test centers including Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery. Prepare to submit a $175 fee for the written test. If you are unsuccessful, submit EA‑6 Practical Exam Form and pay $375 to take a hands-on practical exam. There is no set limit on retakes, but you must request the practical exam within six months of written test failure.
No public information is disclosed on question counts or passing score, except for reciprocity which notes a 70% minimum. Official exam subject outlines, policies, and forms can be found on the Board’s How to Get Licensed site.
Fees
Several fees apply during initial application, exam, and annual renewal for contractors meeting the HVAC license requirements in Alabama. All official fee amounts below come from Rule 440‑X‑3‑.10 (effective July 14, 2025):
Written exam fee: $175.00
Practical exam fee (if required): $375.00
Initial contractor license certification, active: $220.00
Initial certification, inactive: $110.00
Annual renewal, active: $220.00
Annual renewal, inactive: $110.00
Late renewal fee (after December 31): $250.00
Continuing Education Deficiency fee: $25.00
Bond (active status): Evidence of $20,000 coverage (premium cost not provided by the Board)
Printed certification card (optional): $25.00
Returned/dishonored check charge: $30.00
Duct Air Tightness Testing registration: $50.00 (plus $50 late fee if applicable)
Credit card or online processor fee: 4% of payment (where applicable)
For more, see the official fee schedule (as of July 14, 2025). Always refer to the Board’s fee schedule for changes.
Renewal and Continuing Education
The HVAC license requirements in Alabama include annual license renewal and strict continuing education (CE) mandates. You must renew each year and complete four (4) CE hours for every renewal cycle, except for your initial renewal year. Up to eight hours can be earned in a year, but only four hours carry forward to the next year.
License Renewal Process
You must renew your HVAC or refrigeration contractor license annually, by December 31, to keep your license active. Renewal fees are $220 for active and $110 for inactive licenses, plus a late fee of $250 for late submissions. If you do not renew by the end of the calendar year, you cannot perform or contract for regulated HVAC or refrigeration work, and you cannot obtain city or county permits with an inactive license.
If you wish to reactivate an inactive license, you must submit proof of an active bond ($20,000), pay the active renewal fee, and fulfill all outstanding CE requirements plus the $25 deficiency fee if CE hours are lacking.
Continuing Education Requirements
To meet the HVAC license requirements in Alabama, all licensed contractors must complete four CE hours per year from Board-approved providers. The first renewal after your original license is exempt from this requirement. You may take up to eight hours in one year and carry forward four excess hours to the next year. CE must be completed through ABHACRC-approved instructors and courses (minimum of two hours per class per Rule 440‑X‑4). If you do not complete the CE in time, a deficiency fee of $25 applies.
For more about topics, course lists, and instructor registration, see the Board’s Continuing Education Rules (440‑X‑4). Always verify current renewal and CE rules on the board’s site.
Reciprocity
Alabama permits reciprocity for HVAC contractors from some states, subject to strict rules. The HVAC license requirements in Alabama can be met via reciprocity if you hold a valid, active license from one of these states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina Residential Building Commission, South Carolina Contractor’s Board, Texas, West Virginia, and Louisiana, provided you passed an equivalent exam with at least 70%.
You must submit a notarized reciprocity application, license verification (VL‑1 form) direct from your licensing board, proof of exam and score, documentation of your status in good standing, a $220 fee, and, if seeking "active" status, evidence of a $20,000 bond. South Carolina has a separate agreement: holders of a Residential Specialty Contractor HVAC license in good standing with proof of exam are exempted from the Alabama exam and do not need to submit references. For all reciprocity routes, you must apply by mail or email; online application is not available.
Consult the current Reciprocity Application Package and, for South Carolina, the formal SC agreement letter for details.
Official Links
AL‑1 Application for Licensure (PDF)
Code of Alabama § 34‑31‑28
