North Carolina · HVAC Contractor

How to get a HVAC Contractor license in North Carolina

Yes — North Carolina requires a HVAC Contractor license, issued by NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors. You must pass the state exam, document your qualifying experience. The license fee is $300, and it renews every 1 year.

North Carolina HVAC Contractor license requirements at a glance

License required	Yes (state)
Issuing board	NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors
Exam	Yes — H-1/H-2/H-3 heating group exams, Class I or II, open-book on NC State Building Codes via PSI
Experience	2 years (4,000 hrs) on-site full-time experience; up to 2,000 hrs creditable from academic/technical training
Bond	No
License fee	$300
Renewal	Every 1 year(s)
Reciprocity	None; SC technical-exam waiver explicitly includes HVAC; Neighbor State Act (GA, SC, TN, VA, WV)

License required

Yes (state)

Issuing board

NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors

Exam

Yes — H-1/H-2/H-3 heating group exams, Class I or II, open-book on NC State Building Codes via PSI

Experience

2 years (4,000 hrs) on-site full-time experience; up to 2,000 hrs creditable from academic/technical training

Bond

License fee

$300

Renewal

Every 1 year(s)

Reciprocity

None; SC technical-exam waiver explicitly includes HVAC; Neighbor State Act (GA, SC, TN, VA, WV)

Step by step

Meet the experience requirement. 2 years (4,000 hrs) on-site full-time experience; up to 2,000 hrs creditable from academic/technical training
Pass the required exam. H-1/H-2/H-3 heating group exams, Class I or II, open-book on NC State Building Codes via PSI
Pay the license fee and apply. Submit your application to NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors with the $300 fee.
Keep the license current. Renew every 1 year to stay eligible to pull permits.

Fee detail and fine print

Fee = $150 exam (PHFP Exam Application) + $150 license activation (License Activation Form, due within 45 days of passing); annual renewal $150 (GS 87-22). Licenses expire Dec 31 annually. Fuel-piping privileges included in H Group 1-3 licenses. EPA 608 also required federally.

Already licensed in another state?

None; SC technical-exam waiver explicitly includes HVAC; Neighbor State Act (GA, SC, TN, VA, WV)

North Carolina HVAC Contractor reciprocity in detail →

Official source: NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors →

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to work as a hvac contractor in North Carolina?: Yes. North Carolina requires a HVAC Contractor license issued by NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
How much does a HVAC Contractor license cost in North Carolina?: The license fee is $300. Fee = $150 exam (PHFP Exam Application) + $150 license activation (License Activation Form, due within 45 days of passing); annual renewal $150 (GS 87-22). Licenses expire Dec 31 annually. Fuel-piping privileges included in H Group 1-3 licenses. EPA 608 also required federally. Exam, fingerprinting, bond premium and insurance are billed separately where they apply.
How much experience do you need?: 2 years (4,000 hrs) on-site full-time experience; up to 2,000 hrs creditable from academic/technical training
What exam do you have to pass?: H-1/H-2/H-3 heating group exams, Class I or II, open-book on NC State Building Codes via PSI
Is a surety bond required in North Carolina?: No surety bond is required for this license by NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Fee = $150 exam (PHFP Exam Application) + $150 license activation (License Activation Form, due within 45 days of passing); annual renewal $150 (GS 87-22). Licenses expire Dec 31 annually. Fuel-piping privileges included in H Group 1-3 licenses. EPA 608 also required federally.
Does North Carolina have reciprocity with other states?: None; SC technical-exam waiver explicitly includes HVAC; Neighbor State Act (GA, SC, TN, VA, WV)
How often do you renew?: Every 1 year.