Maryland HVAC Contractor License

To get a HVAC contractor license in Maryland, you must pass the PSI exam, document required experience hours, provide specific insurance minimums, and apply to the Maryland Board of HVACR. Licenses renew on October 1 of odd years. Below is the exact process, fees, and forms you’ll need.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-14

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Maryland Department of Labor — State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors (official Board page).
License categories that can contract	Master, Master Restricted (by specialty), or Limited Contractor. All require passing exams and meeting experience criteria (Licensing Requirements).
State license fees	As of July 1, 2025: Master — $94.50; Master Restricted — $31.50 per specialty (capped after three); Limited — $94.50; Journeyman — $25; Journeyman Restricted — $25 per specialty; Apprentice — $12; Inspector — $56 (Board Fees).
Exam and provider	PSI. Before applying for Journeyman, Master Restricted, Master, or Limited, you must pass the PSI exam. Example fees (PSI): Master Contractor $150; Master Restricted specialties $50 each (Taking the Exams; PSI Candidate Bulletin).
Experience (Master)	Hold Journeyman; at least 3 years of active experience under a Master and 1,875 hours in the year before application; pass with ≥70% (Licensing Requirements; Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-302).
Experience (Limited Contractor)	Hold Journeyman; 2 years under a Master and 1,000 hours in the prior year; pass with ≥70% (Licensing Requirements).
Experience (Journeyman)	Apprentice for ≥4 years with ≥6,000 hours under a licensed HVACR contractor; pass with ≥70% (or completion of approved apprenticeship allows original Journey without exam) (Licensing Requirements; Apply for an Original License).
Insurance	Contracting Masters/Master Restricted/Limited must maintain at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage (combined ≥$400,000) and name the Board as certificate holder (Insurance Requirements; see also Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-402).
Minimum age	Not specified in Title 9A. Registered apprentices may begin at 16; contractors must be able to enter binding contracts and meet insurance rules (Apprenticeship FAQ; Insurance Requirements).
Renewal cycle	Licenses expire October 1 of odd-numbered years; renewal for 2-year terms with proof of insurance and Board fee. Restoration permitted up to 4 years after expiration per current statute (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-309).

How to get a HVAC contractor license in Maryland

1. Confirm your license path. Decide between Master, Master Restricted (single or multiple specialties), or Limited Contractor, and verify you meet the exact experience hours listed by the Board (Licensing Requirements).
2. Schedule and pass the PSI exam. Register with PSI for your category; bring required IDs; target the 70% passing score where applicable. Typical exam fees: Master $150; Master Restricted specialty $50 (Taking the Exams; PSI Bulletin).
3. Obtain required insurance. Secure a certificate showing at least $300,000 GL and $100,000 property damage (combined ≥$400,000), listing the State Board as certificate holder (Insurance Requirements).
4. Apply for your original license. Submit the Board’s application with experience documentation, exam pass proof, and applicable license fee (Apply for an Original License; Fees).
5. Set your renewal reminders. Your license will expire on October 1 of an odd-numbered year; renew for a 2-year term with proof of insurance and Board fees (§9A-309).

Maryland HVAC contractor license: experience and exams

To qualify as a Master, you must hold a Journeyman license, document three years of active experience under a Master and at least 1,875 hours in the year before applying, then pass the Master exam with a 70% score. Limited Contractor applicants need two years under a Master and 1,000 prior-year hours, plus a 70% passing score (Licensing Requirements).

PSI administers all HVACR exams for Maryland. The state’s current bulletin lists the testing process, identification rules, topic outlines, and fees (e.g., Master $150; specialty exams $50). You must pass before you file for licensure in those categories (Taking the Exams; PSI Candidate Bulletin).

Insurance proof for Maryland HVACR contractors

Contracting Masters, Master Restricted, and Limited Contractors must keep insurance meeting the Board minimums: at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage (combined ≥$400,000), with the Board listed as certificate holder. Operating or contracting without active insurance is a misdemeanor with potential fines and/or jail time (Insurance Requirements).

Renewing a Maryland HVAC contractor license

Licenses expire on October 1 of odd-numbered years. Renew for a two-year term by paying the Board’s fee and submitting proof of insurance. Current law allows restoration up to four years after expiration, subject to fees and conditions (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-309; Fees).

Costs: exams, state fees, and budgeting

Plan for PSI exam fees (e.g., Master $150; per-specialty Master Restricted $50) and state license issuance fees (e.g., Master $94.50; Limited $94.50; per-specialty Master Restricted $31.50, capped after three) (PSI Bulletin; Board Fees). For a deeper breakdown of typical business start-up and renewal spending, see our guide to Maryland HVAC contractor license costs.

Who needs a Maryland HVACR license?

Except as provided in state law, anyone providing or assisting in HVACR services in Maryland must be licensed by the Board. Categories include Apprentice, Journeyman/Restricted, Limited Contractor, Master Restricted, and Master Contractor (Who Must Be Licensed; Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-301).

Licensing in Maryland: how this process compares

Maryland centralizes most occupational licensing at the Department of Labor. If you’re branching into other regulated work, compare this HVACR path with our walkthroughs for other state-licensed fields, like obtaining a Maryland private investigator license or the cosmetology and beauty services license requirements in Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to become a Maryland HVAC contractor?

Build the required hours as a Journeyman under a Master, pass the PSI exam, line up insurance that meets the Board’s minimums, and submit a complete application with fees. Having clean, verifiable experience records and a compliant insurance certificate avoids processing delays (Requirements; Exams; Insurance).

Do I need general liability insurance to pull permits?

Yes, contracting-level licensees must maintain at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage (combined ≥$400,000) and list the State Board as certificate holder. Insurance is required to lawfully contract and is routinely checked when pulling permits (Insurance Requirements).

When do Maryland HVACR licenses expire and renew?

They expire October 1 of odd-numbered years. Renew for a 2‑year term by paying the Board’s fee and submitting proof of insurance. Restoration is permitted up to 4 years after expiration under current law (§9A-309).

Is there a minimum age to get a Maryland HVAC contractor license?

Title 9A does not specify a minimum age for licensure. However, registered apprentices can start at 16, and contractors must be able to enter binding contracts and meet insurance rules—practically setting the bar at legal adulthood (Apprenticeship FAQ; Insurance Requirements).

Can an approved apprenticeship replace the Journeyman exam?

Yes. Individuals who complete a Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council–approved program and apply within two years may obtain an original Journeyman license without the exam per the PSI Bulletin and Board guidance (PSI Bulletin; Apply).

Ready to move from research to results? License Navigator can personalize a checklist, pre-fill your applications, and remind you before Maryland’s October odd‑year renewal dates—so you stay licensed and job-ready year‑round.