Originally published in December 2022. Last updated on June 20, 2025.
If you’re looking for financial stability and security in a growing job market, look no further than getting your license for heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) in North Carolina.
Like many skilled trades, demand for HVAC is growing across the country, and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. North Carolina is home to more than 15,000 HVAC technicians—the fifth-most in the United States—and the industry is expected to grow by 13% over the next 7 years. That amounts to 1,500 new HVAC jobs every year through 2032.
The increased demand also creates a higher earning potential for HVAC and refrigeration technicians. The average HVAC salary in NC is $50,610, but that compensation can jump quickly alongside your level of experience, skill, and certification—for HVAC service managers, the average salary is $72,990.
Interested in getting your HVAC license in North Carolina but unsure where to start? We’ll cover everything you need to know:
In this HVAC license guide, you’ll learn:
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Are HVAC contractors required to be licensed in North Carolina?
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Types of HVAC licenses in NC
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NC HVAC license requirements
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How do I get my HVAC license in NC?
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NC HVAC licensing exam
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EPA Certifications
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National HVAC Certifications
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Does my NC HVAC license work in any other states?
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NC HVAC license costs
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NC HVAC license renewal
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What happens if my HVAC license expires?
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Requirements for business owners
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Does an HVAC license in North Carolina increase your earning potential?
Bookmark this page for future reference on all NC HVAC license questions
Are HVAC contractors required to be licensed in North Carolina?
Like most professional trades, you must be licensed to legally perform HVAC work in North Carolina.
The first level of certification is the HVAC/R technician license, which allows you to work under a licensed business or for a government, educational, or institutional organization.
You can write an exam to obtain your full HVAC/R contractor license after receiving your technician license and gaining the necessary work experience.
Because HVAC involves heating, cooling, and refrigeration, NC has two boards that issue licenses depending on the specialty in question:
1. State Board of Refrigeration Contractors
This HVAC licensing board certifies people who want to specialize in refrigeration systems for commercial, industrial, and transportation purposes.
2. State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
This HVAC licensing board certifies HVAC technicians who work with heating and air conditioning systems for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes.
Whether you want to work with refrigeration systems or traditional HVAC, you must progress through the specific trade licensing phases. Without a license from either state board, you are not eligible to perform HVAC work in North Carolina.
Types of HVAC licenses in NC
HVAC technicians and contractors in North Carolina are licensed based on a system of groups and classes that differ across the two regulatory boards.
For HVAC systems using water or forced air, the certification system has three groups and two classes:
HVAC License Groups
| Heating Group 1 | Water-based heating systems for any structure |
| Heating Group 2 | Forced-air heating and cooling systems weighing over 15 tons |
| Heating Group 3 | Forced-air heating and cooling systems weighing less than or equal to 15 tons |
HVAC License Classes
| Class I | Technicians can work in any residential, commercial, or industrial building |
| Class II | Restricts technicians to work in single-family homes |
Together, these groups and classes form the designations given out by the North Carolina State Board for HVAC contractors, HVAC technicians employed by contractors or firms, and HVAC technicians employed by government or private institutions:
Heating Group 1
| H1-I | Licensed Heating Group 1, Class I Contractor |
| H1-II | Licensed Heating Group 1, Class II Contractor |
| H1-T | Sublicensed technician of an H1 Contractor |
| SLGT-H1 | A technician employed by a state or local government |
| PEIT-H1 | A technician employed by a private educator |
Heating Group 2
| H2 | Licensed Heating Group 2 Group Contractor |
| H2-T | Sublicensed technician of an H2 Contractor |
| SLGT-H2 | A technician employed by a state or local government |
| PEIT-H2 | A technician employed by a private educator |
Heating Group 3
| H3-I | Licensed Heating Group 3, Class I Contractor |
| H3-II | Licensed Heating Group 3, Class II Contractor |
| H3-T | Sublicensed technician of an H3 contractor |
| SLGT-H3 | A technician employed by a state or local government |
| PEIT-H3 | A technician employed by a private educator |
If you’re interested in working with refrigeration systems, there are 4 contractor licenses you can get from the state board:
- Commercial refrigeration
- Service refrigeration
- Industrial refrigeration
- Transport refrigeration
NC HVAC license requirements
Most skilled professions have certain requirements for applicants looking to obtain a license—HVAC and commercial refrigeration are no different.
If you want to pursue your HVAC or refrigeration licenses in North Carolina, there are specific requirements that you need to meet. These include:
- Getting a degree or certificate from an accredited institution
- Meeting the hour requirements for on-site and academic experience:
- HVAC/R Technician: 18 months or 3,000 hours of on-site experience installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC systems, and has passed a technician exam
- HVAC/R Contractor: 2 years or 4,000 hours of on-site experience installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC systems (up to 2,000 hours can be earned through academic training) and has passed both the contractor and NC business operator exams
- Passing the exam for a particular HVAC or refrigeration specialty
- Completing a background check and filling out all necessary forms, including license applications for HVAC contractors and HVAC technicians
Alright, now let’s take a look at the specific steps of this process.
How do I get my HVAC license in NC?
Getting your HVAC or refrigeration license in NC typically takes 3-5 years. However, it can be longer depending on whether you want to be a technician or a contractor.
To get your HVAC or refrigeration license in North Carolina, you need to follow these steps:
1) Obtain an HVAC or refrigeration diploma, certificate, or two-year degree from an accredited college:
- Guilford Technical Community College
- Pitt Community College
- Wake Tech Community College
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Johnston Community College
- Alamance Community College
One of the first things interested people usually ask is, “how long is HVAC school in North Carolina?” The typical time to receive a certificate or diploma is 6 months to 2 years.
Graduates from some university and college engineering programs are also eligible to become HVAC/R apprentices.
2) Enter into either:
- A formal apprenticeship with a trade organization or union
- An informal apprenticeship as the supervised employee of a licensed contractor
3) After gaining 3,000 hours of on-site experience with installation, maintenance, and repair, apply for the technical examination for your desired class and group.
4) Complete the background check and application form in full, sending all necessary documents and fees to the board office.
5) If approved, receive exam eligibility virtually or through the mail and contact the exam provider to schedule your test within 30 days of your approval notification.
6) Take the exam and receive a pass or fail grade following completion. If passed, obtain your technician license by completing the activation form and paying a fee.
7) To become a contractor, accrue 4,000 hours of full-time, on-site experience in relevant categories (up to half of these hours can also come through academic training)
8) Repeat the examination, activation, and fee-paying process for the full HVAC contractor license.
Exams can now be scheduled online for HVAC and refrigeration specialists through their respective board websites. You can find more information about scheduling your exams on the refrigeration and HVAC board websites.
You can also find all forms related to HVAC license applications on the board website.
READ MORE: 2025 HVAC industry trends and statistics to know for success
NC HVAC licensing exam
When you’ve collected 4,000 hours of work experience and feel confident in your abilities and knowledge as an HVAC technician, you can sign up for the contractor examinations to become a fully licensed HVAC/R contractor.
Here is what you can expect from these exams:
HVAC Contractor Exams
After you’ve decided which one of the HVAC specialties you want to pursue and have built up enough experience, you’re ready to take on the exam. After the technical component of each contractor exam, there is also a 1 ½ hour section on NC business law.
For an H1-I contractor license, you need to pass an exam where you have 4 hours to answer 90 questions on:
- Heating systems using steam, vapor, or hot water
- Plan and specification analysis
- Design and installation fundamentals
- Cost estimation
- Residential, industrial, and commercial building codes, fire hazards, and relevant laws
For an H1-II contractor license, you need to pass an exam where you have 4 hours to answer 90 questions on:
- Heating systems using steam, vapor, or hot water
- Plan and specification analysis
- Design and installation fundamentals
- Cost estimation
- Building codes, fire hazards, and relevant laws for single-family, detached residences
For H2 contractor licenses, you need to pass an exam where you have 4 hours to complete 90 questions on:
- Systems that produce cooled air and have a refrigeration capacity above 15 tons
- Plan and specification analysis
- Design and installation fundamentals
- Cost estimation
- Building codes, fire hazards, and relevant laws for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings
For an H3-I contractor license, you need to pass an exam where you have 4 hours to answer 90 questions on:
- Heating systems using electrical or combustion exchange systems
- Plan and specification analysis
- Design and installation fundamentals
- Cost estimation
- Building codes, fire hazards, and relevant laws for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings
For an H3-II contractor license, you need to pass an exam where you have 4 hours to answer 90 questions on:
- Heating systems using electrical or combustion exchange systems
- Plan and specification analysis
- Design and installation fundamentals
- Cost estimation
- Building codes, fire hazards, and relevant laws for single-family, detached residences
Refrigeration Contractor Exams
The NC State Board of Refrigeration Contractors provides an exam workbook outlining the tests you must take for the type of refrigeration you’re interested in pursuing:
The Commercial Refrigeration Contractor exam is a multiple-choice and true-or-false test. You’ll have 6 ½ hours to complete 100 questions across 4 parts:
Part A: 15 questions on law, administrative code, and safety
Part B: 40 questions on theory, electrical, equipment, and equipment performance
Part C: 20 questions on mechanical and electrical code
Part D: 25 questions on the estimation and specification of plans
The exam is split into 2 sections, giving you 4 hours to complete Parts A, B, and C, and 2 ½ hours to complete Part D.
The Industrial Refrigeration Contractor exam is also multiple choice and true-or-false. You’ll have 6 ½ hours to complete 100 questions across 4 Parts:
Part A: 25 questions on purging, piping, safety, law, and administrative code
Part B: 25 questions on compressors, evaporators, condensers, and controls
Part C: 25 questions on electrical code and the basics of ammonia
Part D: 25 questions on plans and specifications, some of which are calculations
The exam is split into 2 sections, giving you 4 hours to complete Parts A, B, and C, and 2 ½ hours to complete Part D.
The Service Refrigeration Contractor exam is multiple choice and true-or-false. You’ll have 4 hours to complete 75 questions across 3 Parts:
Part A: 15 questions on law, safety, and administrative code
Part B: 40 questions on theory, electrical, equipment, and equipment performance
Part C: 20 questions on electrical and mechanical code
The Transport Refrigeration Contractor exam is multiple choice and true-or-false. You’ll have 4 hours to complete 75 questions across 3 Parts:
Part A: 15 questions on law, safety, and administrative code
Part B: 35 questions on theory, equipment, and equipment performance
Part C: 25 questions on transport-specific applications
All of these exams are written at the Board office in Garner, NC. These exams are open-book, so make sure you bring any text material with you. The Board website provides a list of prep courses and reference books you can use for studying and writing the exam.
EPA Certifications
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act requires that skilled technicians who install, service, or repair refrigerant-releasing equipment be certified by the agency. Under Section 608, AC and refrigerant technicians must pass an exam to earn their Technician Certification.
There are 4 different certification types that you need to take for certain HVAC and refrigeration jobs:
Type I: Servicing of small appliances
Type II: Servicing and disposal of some high-pressure appliances
Type III: Servicing and disposal of low-pressure appliances
Type IV: Servicing of all types of equipment
Each of these certification types has its own exam, but they all contain the same “Core Section” that must be passed to pass the entire exam.
National HVAC Certifications
Another great way to improve your skills and showcase your abilities to potential employers is through national certifications, such as the North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Condition Engineers (ASHRAE) certification.
These certifications keep you on the cutting edge of the HVAC industry and ensure that your work meets the latest and highest standards.
Does my NC HVAC license work in any other states?
North Carolina currently doesn’t have reciprocity for HVAC or refrigeration licenses. This means that your state license won’t be recognized in other states, and you’ll have to go through the HVAC licensing process for the new state in question.
However, there are a variety of scenarios in which North Carolina will waive the technical examination if you hold an HVAC license in South Carolina. For example, if you hold an active residential HVAC contractor license in SC, you may qualify for a technical examination waiver for the H3-II HVAC license in NC.
Reciprocity laws vary by state and trade, so it’s important to keep tabs on them in your area.
NC HVAC license costs
There are some administrative costs and fees for getting your NC HVAC or refrigeration license. These include payments for administration, examination, and license renewal:
| HVAC | Refrigeration | |
| Examination | ||
| Technician License Exam Fee | $100 | $100 |
| Contractor License Exam Fee | $100 | $100 |
| Activation | ||
| Technician License Activation Fee | $75-150 | $80 |
| Contractor License Activation Fee | $150 | $80 |
| Renewal | ||
| Technician License Renewal | $75 | $120 |
| Contractor License Renewal | $150 | $120 |
You can find the license activation form for HVAC technicians and contractors here.
NC HVAC license renewal
North Carolina HVAC licenses must be renewed annually before the end of each calendar year (Dec 31st). The state board website has forms for both contractors and technicians. The renewal fee for contractors is $150, while technicians pay $75.
Any HVAC license in NC that expired in 2021 or earlier is no longer renewable. To restore their license, the licensee must go through the application and exam process again.
Refrigeration licenses are also renewed annually, with contractor license renewal required by October 31st of each year. The fee for this license renewal is $80.
What happens if my HVAC license expires?
Contractors and technicians who think their license may have expired can check with the state HVAC and refrigeration board databases to make sure.
If your HVAC or refrigeration license has expired, state law requires that you immediately stop work and submit the renewal form to the proper location along with any late fees and penalties.
Your NC HVAC license can be reinstated as long as it has not expired for over 3 years. You just need to request reinstatement and pay the licensing fee for the unpaid years. You’ll need to retake the exams if the license has expired for more than 3 years.
For refrigeration workers, you have 2 years to reinstate your license before reexamination is required.
Requirements for business owners
Whether you’re an HVAC technician who wants to go out on their own or someone who is looking for stable, lucrative work, starting an HVAC business is a great idea — the industry is already worth over $16 billion and is showing no signs of slowing down!
If you want to be an HVAC business owner in NC, there are quite a few things you need to know:
1) Make sure to register, license, and insure your HVAC business
- Select the name of your company and register it through the proper trade associations and/or government agency
- Decide which business structure you want to operate under
- Apply for your small business license
- Buy the right business insurance
2) Find funding for your HVAC business
- Determine the startup cost for an HVAC or refrigeration business, including rental property, equipment and tools, fees, and more
- Create an HVAC business plan to help get funding from a bank or financial service provider
3) Get the right HVAC license and certifications
- Gain experience and pass the exam for the specific type of HVAC work you will be conducting
- Obtain your EPA certification, as outlined in the Clean Air Act
But this is just the start!
Check out this startup guide for the rest of the important steps in your journey to an NC HVAC business owner.
Does an HVAC license in North Carolina increase your earning potential?
As you gain work experience and pass through the different HVAC certifications, your earning potential will steadily increase.
For instance, the bottom 10% of HVAC technicians in NC make an average of $36,990. With more experience, that salary jumps to an average of $50,610. If you continue on the path of an HVAC service manager, you can command a salary of over $72,000.
The opportunity is there to build a long-lasting and lucrative career as an HVAC contractor or technician in North Carolina. With your HVAC license in hand, you’re ready to take on the industry and start earning today.