Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License Type | Class I (Restricted), Class II (Non-restricted) Conditioned Air Contractor |
Licensing Agency | Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board – Division of Conditioned Air Contractors |
Experience Required | Class I: 4 years (see details); Class II: 5 years (see details) |
Exam | Yes (PSI), Minimum score: 70 |
Renewal Cycle | Biennial (every two years by November 30 odd years) |
Continuing Education | 8 hours per cycle (4 per year) |
Fees | Application: $110; Renewal: $110; Late fee: $60; Reinstatement: $160 (as of 2026 per official fee schedule) |
Links | Board homepage, How-to guide, FAQ |
Who Needs a License in Georgia?
In Georgia, anyone performing HVAC (conditioned air) contracting for compensation needs a valid state license, regardless of the project value or size. This applies to both individuals and businesses offering installation, repair, or alteration of HVAC systems. Unlicensed work is prohibited, and violating this law can lead to substantial fines and stop-work orders.
The legal threshold for licensing covers all HVAC system work as defined by Georgia Rule 121-3-.04. Class I licenses permit work up to 175,000 BTU heating or 60,000 BTU cooling per installation, while Class II licenses allow unrestricted system size. Employees working under a licensed contractor do not need their own license, but the qualifying licensee is responsible for the job. However, if you operate as an independent contractor, subcontractor, or business owner, you must personally hold the Conditioned Air Contractor license.
Specialty and general contractors cannot legally perform or supervise HVAC work unless they hold the relevant state-issued Conditioned Air Contractor license. Exemptions are very limited. Building your own home does not require you to become a general contractor in Georgia, but all HVAC work must still be performed by a licensed conditioned air contractor. This requirement is confirmed by the Georgia Attorney General's consumer advisory and the Board's FAQs.
HVAC License Types
The Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board issues two principal HVAC license types. Each classification has its unique scope of work, experience requirements, and career implications.
Class I Conditioned Air Contractor (Restricted): Authorized to contract for and work on commercial or residential systems up to and including 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling. Class I license holders are limited to single systems under these thresholds, so multi-unit buildings or large commercial systems usually require Class II credentials.
Class II Conditioned Air Contractor (Non-restricted): Permitted to work on any size system, commercial or residential, with no BTU limitations. Most larger projects, public works, or jobs involving complicated, high-capacity equipment will require Class II qualification.
Additionally, Georgia allows partial substitution of formal education toward experience: a technical diploma in engineering or engineering technology counts for up to two years, or a vocational-technical certificate for up to one year, when applying for either license class (see Rule 121-3-.04(6)).
How to Get Licensed in Georgia (HVAC license requirements in Georgia)
Getting an HVAC (Conditioned Air Contractor) license in Georgia involves a multi-step process designed to vet experience, test knowledge, and ensure compliance with all board requirements. The HVAC license requirements in Georgia must be satisfied in this order:
Confirm Eligibility: Collect documented proof of practical work experience (four or five years based on class), board-approved heat-loss/gain and duct design course certificates, and EPA 608 certification. Gather references from architects, engineers, inspectors, or current Conditioned Air Contractors, and ensure you hold proper identification for the required Affidavit of Citizenship and Secure and Verifiable Document (SVD).
Create a GOALS Account and Apply: Register and complete the online application through GOALS (Georgia Online Application Licensing System). Upload your documents, pay the $110 application fee, and verify all fields are completed.
Board Review: The Board reviews your application for completeness. Missing items must be submitted within 60 days or your file is withdrawn. Applications must be complete at least 15 days before a board meeting to ensure timely consideration. The stated review time is 20 business days, but this restarts whenever additional info is requested.
Exam Approval and Scheduling: Once the Board approves your application, you receive an Exam Approval Letter. Use this letter to schedule your exam with PSI, the approved administrator.
Pass the Exam: Study the exam reference material list (mechanical code, electrical code, gas code) and score at least 70. If you fail the exam twice, the Board requires you to complete a Board-approved review course before retaking it.
Issuance of License: After passing the exam and submitting any final required items, the Board issues your license. If you intend to operate a business, you must register your company (no fee) and link it to a qualifying licensee via GOALS.
Every step in this process is detailed in the official How-to Guide. Completing each one is mandatory to meet the HVAC license requirements in Georgia.
Processing and Timelines
The Board estimates 20 business days for review, not counting weekends or holidays. However, any missing documentation restarts the clock. Make sure your file is complete, and submit it well ahead of any board meetings or project deadlines. Per board rule, incomplete submissions that stay unresolved for 60 days will be withdrawn.
Application Requirements
Contractors must meet several HVAC license requirements in Georgia before applying. Age, citizenship, work history, certification, references, and background are all checked by the Board.
Experience and Age
Class I (Restricted): Four years of conditioned air experience, specifically, two years as a lead mechanic on residential systems, one year as a service technician, and one year in a supervisory residential role (see Rule 121-3-.04(5)(a)).
Class II (Non-restricted): Five years of total experience, two as a lead mechanic (with at least one on commercial systems), one as a service technician or in supervision, and two years as a commercial supervisor. Technical college, engineering, or vocational education may reduce total time required (per Rule 121-3-.04(6)).
References and Documentation
Applicants must provide three professional references from architects, licensed professional engineers, inspectors, or licensed Georgia Conditioned Air Contractors, along with license numbers. Use the official Exam Reference List, available as a PDF, and follow all instructions for securing appropriate endorsements.
EPA 608 Certification
You must provide proof of EPA Section 608 certification, which covers handling refrigerants. This is a federal requirement and is strictly enforced by the Georgia Board on all submissions.
Heat-Loss/Gain and Duct Design Course
Completion of a board-approved heat-loss/gain and duct design course is mandatory. For Class II, you must also complete Manual N (commercial) and Manual Q (duct design) as part of the approval process. Submit certificates with your application.
Background Check
The Board requires a criminal background check through a board-approved entity. You must authorize the criminal history search as part of your initial application or any application for reinstatement. Any revealed issues are evaluated case by case.
Age, Citizenship, and Identification
Applicants must submit a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship and a Secure and Verifiable Document (SVD), such as a driver’s license, passport, or other state-approved identification. Both items are non-negotiable board requirements.
Bonds and Insurance
Georgia does not require a surety bond or liability insurance as part of the Conditioned Air Contractor license process according to the Board rules and official guides.
Exams
All candidates for an HVAC license in Georgia must pass the Conditioned Air Contractor examination. Separate exams exist for Class I and Class II, and both are administered by PSI, the state-contracted testing company.
Exam Format and Scheduling
Once the Board approves your application, they will send you an Exam Approval Letter. This letter is valid for one year, and you use it to schedule your test date with PSI.
The exam is proctored in person or at certain official sites. Reference materials allowed in the exam include: 2018 Georgia Gas Code (with Jan 2020 amendments), 2018 Georgia Mechanical Code (with 2020 amendments), and the Georgia State Electrical Code (2020 National Electrical Code). The Exam Reference List gives the full breakdown.
No official information is published regarding question count or time limits; verify the latest details directly with PSI or the board.
Passing Score and Retake Policy
The minimum passing score is 70. If you fail twice, you must enroll in a Board-approved review course, then submit proof to the Board before your next retake.
There is no published limit to the number of attempts (subject to Board discretion and compliance with the review course rule).
Fees
Fees for HVAC license requirements in Georgia are set by the Board and updated on their official Fee Schedule (2026). Every payment includes a mandatory $10 processing charge added since March 2022:
Initial Application (by exam, Class I or II): $110 (as of 2026, verify at official fee schedule)
Renewal: $110 (as of 2026)
Late Renewal Fee (within 30 days after expiration): $60 (as of 2026)
Reinstatement for licenses lapsed less than 3 years: $160 (as of 2026)
Reinstatement for licenses lapsed 3 or more years: $160 (as of 2026)
Business registration (linking licensee to a company): no fee
License verification letter (for third party requests): $35
For the most up-to-date and detailed figures, check the full Conditioned Air Fee Schedule.
Renewal and Continuing Education
To maintain your credentials, you must meet the ongoing HVAC license requirements in Georgia for renewal and continuing education. These obligations are strictly enforced by the Board every two years.
When and How to Renew
Licenses must be renewed every two years by November 30 in odd-numbered years. Late renewal is possible through December 31, with payment of the late fee. The process is completed online through the GOALS portal. If a license lapses for less than three years, you must submit the official reinstatement application and pay the reinstatement fee. For lapses of three or more years, you must reapply as if you were never licensed, including retaking the exam.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
You must earn and report four hours of approved CE each year, totaling eight for each renewal period. If licensed less than one year before renewal, CE is waived; if less than two years, you need only four hours.
Approved CE topics include job safety, technological updates, business management, or code changes. Manufacturer promotion courses do not qualify.
Report all hours in CE Broker (mandatory statewide reporting system beginning January 1, 2026).
Keep records for at least five years, including course provider, date, topic, and proof of completion. The Board may audit anyone at any time; lacking proof can lead to disciplinary action.
Hardship or disability waivers are possible by written request to the Board.
Licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) do not need to complete CE for their Conditioned Air license.
Reciprocity
You can apply for a Georgia HVAC license by reciprocity (endorsement) if you hold a valid out-of-state conditioned air license obtained by written exam. The Board does not have blanket agreements, but individual applicants may be approved if they prove equivalent experience and qualifications.
Submit the official reciprocity/endorsement application through GOALS (same form as exam application), pay the $110 fee, and attach proof of your out-of-state license, exam passage, professional references, EPA certification, and course certificates.
The Board will review each application on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility. Experience requirements must still be met, and you may be required to sit for the exam if state-to-state equivalency cannot be confirmed.
See Rule 121-2-.03 and the official FAQ for endorsement procedure details.
Official Links
Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors homepage
How-to Guide: Application, Renewal, Reinstatement instructions
Conditioned Air Contractors Board FAQ
Fee Schedule (current)
Initial Licensure/Reinstatement 3+ years application form (PDF)
Reinstatement < 3 years application form (PDF)
Exam Reference List (PDF)
For more tools, guides, and resource templates for HVAC license requirements in Georgia, see CloseCrew's HVAC licensing resource hub.
