Quick Reference Table
Item | Details |
|---|---|
License Type | Master HVACR (unrestricted), Master HVACR Restricted (specialty) |
Regulating Agency | State Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (official Board homepage) |
Experience Required | 2 years post-apprenticeship with journeyman certificate OR |
Exam Required | Yes, Board-approved written exam (70% to pass) |
Renewal | Biennial (every two years), expires October 31 even years |
Continuing Education | Yes, at least 1 hour in Energy Code (plus additional as prescribed) |
Fees | No official fee amounts published (Confirm at fee schedule) |
Application Link | |
Renewal Link | |
License Lookup | |
Forms |
Who Needs a License in Delaware?
Anyone providing HVACR services must comply with HVAC license requirements in Delaware. There is no dollar threshold: you need a license for all regulated activity, whether residential, commercial, repair, or installation.
The law covers a broad scope of work. This includes installation, design, construction, maintenance, service, repair, alteration, or modification of equipment or process systems in heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, or ventilation. Gas piping work is also included. You are not exempt based on project size or customer type. Even small repairs on residential systems require you to hold the proper Delaware HVACR license.
Supervision is key: apprentices or journeymen may work without their own license only when supervised by a master HVACR licensee, who must be either the business owner or a full-time employee. Contractors, subcontractors, or employees performing HVACR work but not holding a master license must stay within these guidelines. Homeowners can work on their own homes (excluding gas piping), provided the house is not for sale or rent. Agricultural property operators may be exempt if properly permitted. See the full list of exemptions in Delaware Code Section 1831 for additional details.
HVAC License Types in Delaware
Delaware recognizes two main categories under HVAC license requirements in Delaware: Master HVACR (unrestricted) and Master HVACR Restricted (specialty area).
Master HVACR (Unrestricted): This license allows you to perform work in all areas, including heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation, commercial hood systems, hydronic systems, and gas piping. You can operate across both residential and commercial domains and perform any HVACR work defined in statute.
Master HVACR Restricted: This specialty license limits your scope to one field. You may choose from these categories: forced air/ventilation/gas piping, hydronic heating/gas piping, commercial hood systems, air conditioning, refrigeration, or gas piping only. You cannot combine restricted specialties. If you wish to work across multiple specialties, you must obtain the unrestricted Master HVACR license.
To perform both HVACR and plumbing involving gas piping, you must hold both the appropriate Master HVACR and Master Plumber licenses. Restricted licensees are limited to the specialty listed on their license. Always check the exact license class you need for your planned projects in Delaware.
How to Get Licensed in Delaware
The process for meeting HVAC license requirements in Delaware involves several defined steps. All applications and renewals are processed electronically through the DELPROS portal.
Create a DELPROS User Account: Go to DELPROS and create a user profile. Select the appropriate application type (Master HVACR or Master HVACR Restricted).
Gather Documentation: Collect a copy of your journeyman certificate (if you have completed an approved apprenticeship). If you do not have a certificate, assemble evidence of your supervised experience. This can be your W-2, Schedule C, or a supervisor affidavit. You will also need EPA CFC certification for refrigerant handling and licensure verification if applying for reciprocity from another state.
Bypass Exam (if applicable): If you do not hold a registered journeyman certificate, you must submit proof of at least 7 years of supervised experience and take an apprenticeship Bypass exam, which is administered through ABC Delaware after approval of eligibility.
Submit Your Application: Complete all forms in DELPROS and pay the application fee. Once your eligibility and documentation are reviewed and approved, the Board will provide information about scheduling the licensing exam.
Pass the Licensing Exam: Take the Board-approved written HVACR exam and obtain at least a 70% score. If you pass, submit your results and pay the licensing fee to receive your Delaware HVACR license.
Renew Your License: Renewal occurs every two years, always by October 31 of even-numbered years. You must log in to DELPROS, submit any required continuing education, and pay the renewal fee to remain active.
Applications are reviewed at scheduled Board meetings. Submit electronically for the fastest processing. Official forms for employment verification and apprenticeship bypass are available from the Board’s forms page. There is no fingerprinting or background check step at this time.
Application Requirements
To meet HVAC license requirements in Delaware, you must satisfy several eligibility and documentation rules for your license type. No age or citizenship minimum is specified in Delaware statutes or Board policies.
Experience and Documentation
For HVACR applicants with a journeyman certificate from a recognized federal apprenticeship program, you must show proof of two years of post-apprenticeship supervised work under a Delaware-licensed master HVACR contractor. Applicants without a journeyman certificate must provide documentation for seven years of supervised full-time HVACR work experience. Acceptable records include supervisor affidavits, W-2s, or tax Schedule C forms. If applying by reciprocity, also supply verification of your license and experience from the other jurisdiction.
Federal Certifications
EPA Clean Air Act Section 608 (CFC) certification is mandatory if you will be handling refrigerants containing chlorofluorocarbons. You must upload your certificate or license when applying. The Board requires this for all HVACR work involving regulated refrigerants in Delaware.
Financial and Bond/Insurance Requirements
There are no financial statement, bond, or minimum insurance requirements specific to HVAC license requirements in Delaware in 2026. General liability or workers' compensation insurance rules may still apply depending on broader business regulations, but the HVACR licensing statute does not reference these requirements. Always check with your insurance agent or legal counsel before bidding jobs.
Background Check and Fingerprints
There is no background check or fingerprinting step for a Delaware HVACR license according to current statutes and Board documentation. If this changes, the Board's official application portal and FAQ will announce updates.
Exams for HVAC License Requirements in Delaware
You must pass a Board-approved written exam to satisfy HVAC license requirements in Delaware. The official HVACR exam tests your knowledge of trade code, systems, safety, state regulations, and specialty topics.
Exam Format and Details
The exam is a standardized written test, proctored in person on a Board-scheduled date. You must score at least 70% to pass. There is no separate business, law, or management section referenced in official sources. The question count, content areas, and time limits are not published. Exams are offered quarterly. If you fail three times, you must reapply or wait a year before another attempt, according to Board policy.
Apprenticeship Bypass Exam
Candidates lacking a journeyman certificate must first pass an apprenticeship equivalency ("Bypass") exam administered by ABC Delaware. You may not take the full HVACR trade exam until you have passed this prerequisite. All exam eligibility details appear on the DELPROS and Board webpages. Exam provider names and scheduling details are not public, so verify through DELPROS.
Always consult the official application portal for updated exam guidance before applying.
Fees for HVAC License Requirements in Delaware
The state does not publish exact fees for any step in HVAC license requirements in Delaware. There are required fees at both the application and renewal stages, but the Board does not provide a schedule online, nor does the Delaware Code specify amounts.
Fee Type | Amount | Source & Date |
|---|---|---|
Application Fee | Not published | Verify at official Board site |
Exam Fee | Not published | Verify at official Board site |
Initial License Fee | Not published | Verify at official Board site |
Renewal Fee | Not published | Verify at official Board site |
Late Renewal Penalty | Not published | Verify at official Board site |
Bond/Insurance Fees | None required | N/A (2026) |
You must check the latest fee schedule inside DELPROS or contact the Board’s office before preparing your application.
Renewal and Continuing Education for HVAC License Requirements in Delaware
Maintaining an active Delaware HVACR license means meeting all ongoing HVAC license requirements in Delaware, including timely renewal and completing required continuing education (CE).
Renewal Process and Timeline
Your HVACR license expires every two years, always on October 31 of even-numbered years. You must renew through the DELPROS portal. If you miss the renewal deadline, there is a late period of up to one year where you may still renew your license (pending the Board's approval). No late fee amount is published, so verify in DELPROS. If your license is inactive (up to five years), you must submit a reactivation form, pay the fee, and provide proof of CE completion.
Continuing Education Rules
All license holders must complete continuing education for each renewal period. The Board specifies that at least one hour of CE must be on the Energy Code. Other topics and the total number of hours are detailed on the Board’s site. Starting with 2026 renewals, the Board began auditing CE compliance. Proof of CE is required only if you are selected for audit.
Consequences for Lapse
If you do not renew before the deadline but are within the late renewal window, you may submit your renewal and pay all fees as directed in DELPROS. After one year of lapse, you may only reactivate if your license is inactive and not expired. After the five-year limit, you must apply as a new licensee.
Always maintain records of your CE and verify Board-approved course providers before enrolling. For additional guidance, see the Board’s forms section or contact the office directly.
Reciprocity for HVAC License Requirements in Delaware
Delaware has limited reciprocity under HVAC license requirements in Delaware. The state recognizes certain out-of-state licenses as substantially similar, allowing endorsement without additional experience for some applicants.
Connecticut and Maryland: Master HVACR licenses from these states are considered substantially similar. No additional experience verification is needed if you hold these licenses.
Other States: If you hold a Master HVACR license from any other state, you must document at least seven years of experience after licensure in that state. The Board will review all documentation for sufficiency before approval.
For all applications by reciprocity, you must submit a completed application, pay the fee, supply licensure verification from the other jurisdiction, and provide EPA CFC certification records as appropriate. The Board still requires passage of the Delaware exam unless specifically waived.
Review the latest details on the Board’s reciprocity page before you apply.
Official Links for HVAC License Requirements in Delaware
For every applicant or contractor wanting to confirm HVAC license requirements in Delaware, use the following official resources:
Also check the CloseCrew HVAC licensing resource hub for more details and practical guidance.
