Georgia HVAC Contractor License

To get a HVAC contractor license in Georgia (called a Conditioned Air Contractor license), choose Class I (restricted) or Class II (unrestricted), meet Georgia’s experience/coursework requirements, apply in the GOALS portal with the $110 fee, secure Board approval, pass the PSI exam (70%+), then register your business and renew every odd year.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-12

How to get a HVAC contractor license in Georgia

1. Create a GOALS account and choose Conditioned Air Contractor (Class I or II). Submit the licensure-by-examination application with the $110 fee and all required documents. Source.
2. Document your qualifying experience. Class I requires 4 years with specific roles; Class II requires 5 years with commercial scope. Education can offset up to 1–2 years. GAC 121‑3‑.04.
3. Complete required courses: Manuals J&D (both classes) and Manuals N&Q (Class II). Keep course certificates to upload. Board FAQ.
4. Obtain three professional references (licensed CA contractor, PE, architect, or inspector) on the state forms. GAC 121‑3‑.04(3).
5. Upload an EPA Section 608 Type II (or higher) certification and a local background check per instructions. How‑to Guide.
6. Wait for Board review. Typical processing is ~20 business days; you’ll receive an Exam Approval Letter if approved. How‑to Guide.
7. Register with PSI using the Board’s approval, pay PSI’s exam fee, and schedule your exam. Passing score is 70%+. Board FAQ; GAC 121‑3‑.04(2).
8. After you pass, the Board will post results and issue your license upon completion of any remaining steps. State exam application instructions.
9. If you’ll operate a company, file the free Conditioned Air Business Registration in GOALS to associate yourself as the qualifying licensee. How‑to Guide.
10. Maintain CE (4 hours/year) and renew online by November 30 of odd‑numbered years; late renewal is Dec 1–31. GAC 121‑4‑.03; How‑to Guide.
11. Track fees. Renewal is $75 on‑time (per CILB fee schedule PDF); confirm amounts inside GOALS before paying. Fee Schedule.

Georgia HVAC contractor license: classes, experience, PSI exam

Georgia regulates HVAC under the statewide Conditioned Air Contractor license. Class I covers residential/light systems (≤175k BTU heat/≤60k BTU cooling); Class II is unrestricted. Experience content and minimum years, plus the 70% PSI exam threshold, are set in GAC 121‑3‑.04. The state’s Board FAQ explains PSI registration after Board approval.

Costs and renewal timing for a Georgia HVAC license

The state How‑to Guide lists a $110 application fee; PSI collects a separate exam fee. Renewal is due November 30 of odd‑numbered years; the CILB fee schedule shows $75 on‑time and $100 late (Dec 1–31). Always verify the latest amounts inside GOALS. Sources: How‑to Guide; Fee Schedule. For a deeper breakdown, see our analysis of HVAC contractor license costs in Georgia.

Do Georgia HVAC contractors need insurance or a bond?

The Board does not require a specific insurance policy or bond to issue/renew your Conditioned Air license. Georgia law does allow filing a $10,000 bond with the county probate court (optional public‑protection mechanism). See SB 553 (2026). Many clients or GCs may still contractually require liability and workers’ compensation coverage.

Georgia HVAC business registration and compliance

Before offering services as a company, file the Conditioned Air Business Registration in GOALS to associate a qualifying licensee; display your business registration number on vehicles, ads, invoices, and proposals per GAC 121‑3‑.05. The How‑to Guide includes the checklist and filing link. If you’re exploring related state credentials, compare Georgia’s requirements in our Georgia Private Investigator License guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Class I and Class II in Georgia?

Class I (Restricted) is limited to systems ≤175,000 BTU heat and ≤60,000 BTU cooling; Class II (Unrestricted) has no system‑size limit. Both require Board approval and a PSI exam with a 70%+ score. See GAC 121‑3‑.04 and the state How‑to Guide.

How much HVAC experience do I need in Georgia?

Class I needs at least 4 years total with specific roles (lead residential installer, service tech, residential supervisor) plus EPA and a heat loss/gain and duct design course. Class II needs 5 years with commercial scope, service, and 2 years commercial supervisory. Details: GAC 121‑3‑.04(4)-(5).

What documents must I submit with my application?

Three professional references, a local background check, EPA Section 608 certification, Manuals J&D (both classes) and N&Q (Class II) certificates, and identification/affidavit of lawful presence—filed online in GOALS. See the official How‑to Guide and Board FAQ.

How do I schedule the Georgia HVAC exam and what score is passing?

After Board approval, you’ll receive instructions to register and pay PSI for the exam. A 70%+ score is required to pass. See the Board FAQ and GAC 121‑3‑.04(2). Review the state’s exam reference list here: Exam Reference List.

When do Georgia HVAC licenses renew and what are the CE rules?

Renew by November 30 of odd‑numbered years (late period Dec 1–31). Complete 4 hours of continuing education per year (8 per renewal). See the How‑to Guide and GAC 121‑4‑.03. Fee schedule PDF lists renewal amounts; verify current fees in GOALS.

Do I need a separate Georgia HVAC business registration?

Yes. Every company doing conditioned‑air work must register and associate a qualifying licensee; there’s no fee listed in the How‑to Guide. Display your registration number on vehicles, ads, and paperwork per GAC 121‑3‑.05. File via the How‑to Guide.

What happens if my Georgia HVAC license lapses?

If you miss renewal, a late window runs through December 31 (odd years). Beyond that, fees increase; at 3+ years lapsed, you must reapply and re‑test (reinstatement fee listed in the How‑to Guide as $310). See How‑to Guide and the Fee Schedule.

Ready to move forward? License Navigator can help you verify eligibility, prep your PSI documents, and prefill your GOALS application so you can get licensed faster.