Get an HVAC Contractor License

To get a HVAC contractor license in Virginia, form your business, pick Class A/B/C, complete DPOR pre‑license education, name a Designated Employee and an HVA Qualified Individual (Master HVAC), pass required PSI exams, meet net‑worth or $50,000 bond, then file the Board for Contractors application with fees and renew every two years.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-19

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors (Board page).
License type	Contractor Class A, B, or C + HVAC specialty (HVA). HVA requires a Master HVAC tradesman as Qualified Individual (18VAC50‑22‑61).
Initial fees	Application: Class A $400, Class B $380, Class C $235, plus a $25 Recovery Fund assessment with each initial application (18VAC50‑22‑100).
Renewal cycle & fees	Every 2 years; Class A $270, Class B $260, Class C $220, plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment (DPOR regs PDF – 18VAC50‑22‑140; renewal period: 18VAC50‑22‑110).
Experience (QI)	Qualified Individual for HVA must hold a current Master HVAC tradesman license; minimum experience by class is typically 1 year (Class C), 3 years (Class B), 5 years (Class A) in the specialty (18VAC50‑22‑61; experience table shown on Temporary License application).
Designated Employee (DE) exam	Class B: Virginia & General portions; Class A: Virginia, General & Advanced portions (PSI). DE must be ≥18 and full‑time employee/responsible management (PSI Candidate Bulletin; DPOR intro).
Pre‑license education	6‑hour DPOR‑approved business course before first licensure (Virginia Register, 7/28/2025 (reduces to 6 hours); see Board page).
Minimum age	DE and QI must be at least 18 years old (DPOR intro; see also Virginia Register edits to 18VAC50‑22‑60).
Financial responsibility	Meet minimum net worth: Class A ≥$45,000; Class B ≥$15,000, or file a $50,000 Surety Bond on Board form (§54.1‑1104, §54.1‑1108; forms listed at 18VAC50‑22 Forms).
Insurance/Bond	No state GL insurance mandate for contractors; workers’ compensation required if you regularly employ more than two employees (includes qualifying subcontractor headcount) (Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission). Bond option above may be used in lieu of net‑worth proof.
Tradesman CE (QI)	Master/Journeyman HVAC must complete 3 hours of CE per renewal cycle (DPOR Tradesmen Program).
Forms	Contractor License Application A501‑27LIC (download); Surety Bond Form A501‑27BOND (listed under 18VAC50‑22 Forms).

How to get a HVAC contractor license in Virginia

1. Set up your business entity and tax IDs. Form an LLC/corporation or register your sole proprietorship and get an SCC registration and EIN. You’ll need a legal business for the contractor license (Board page).
2. Choose your license class (A, B, or C). Class limits are set by statute; you’ll select the class that matches your job size/annual volume, then add the HVAC (HVA) specialty (§54.1‑1100 definitions & thresholds; 18VAC50‑22‑61).
3. Complete the DPOR pre‑license course. A 6‑hour business course is required before first licensure (Virginia Register (6‑hour course)).
4. Name your Designated Employee (DE) and HVA Qualified Individual (QI). DE must be ≥18, full‑time/responsible management; QI for HVA must hold a Master HVAC license (DPOR intro; 18VAC50‑22‑61).
5. Pass required PSI exams. DE takes Class B (Virginia + General) or Class A (Virginia + General + Advanced) business exams; the HVA QI is a Master HVAC tradesman (exam via Tradesmen program) (PSI Bulletin; DPOR Tradesmen).
6. Meet financial responsibility. Provide a financial statement showing net worth (Class A ≥$45k; Class B ≥$15k) or file a $50,000 Surety Bond on the Board form (§54.1‑1104; §54.1‑1108; 18VAC50‑22 Forms).
7. File the application and pay fees. Submit A501‑27LIC with the correct initial fee (Class A $400; B $380; C $235) plus the $25 Recovery Fund assessment (A501‑27LIC; 18VAC50‑22‑100).
8. Obtain local business license and permits. After DPOR approval, comply with locality business license and permitting requirements; verify scopes match HVA (DPOR Consumer Guide).
9. Carry workers’ compensation if required. Coverage is mandatory when you regularly employ more than two employees; subcontractor headcounts may be included (VWC Employers).
10. Renew on time; maintain CE. Contractor licenses renew every 2 years; tradesman QI must complete 3 hours HVAC CE each cycle (18VAC50‑22‑110; DPOR Tradesmen).

Virginia HVAC contractor license: who needs what

In Virginia, the business (firm) holds the contractor license and HVA specialty, while an individual serves as the HVA Qualified Individual and must be a Master HVAC tradesman. The DE handles the business‑exam requirement for Class A/B (Board page; 18VAC50‑22‑61).

Exact exams for Virginia Class A/B HVAC contractors

DPOR requires the DE for Class B to pass the Virginia and General portions; Class A adds the Advanced portion. PSI administers these open‑book business exams, separate from the Master HVAC tradesman exam (PSI Bulletin).

Financial responsibility: net worth or $50,000 bond

Applicants document minimum net worth—$45,000 (Class A) or $15,000 (Class B)—or elect a $50,000 surety bond using the Board’s bond form; either path satisfies financial responsibility (§54.1‑1104; §54.1‑1108; 18VAC50‑22 Forms).

Costs to get and maintain a Virginia HVAC contractor license

Plan for the DPOR initial fee (Class A $400; B $380; C $235) plus the $25 Recovery Fund assessment, exam fees (PSI), and the biennial renewal (Class A $270; B $260; C $220) plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50‑22‑100; 18VAC50‑22‑140). If you’re comparing markets and budgets, our breakdown of HVAC contractor license costs in West Virginia can provide useful context on neighboring‑state expenses.

Do Virginia HVAC contractors need insurance?

DPOR doesn’t mandate general liability for contractors statewide; however, workers’ compensation coverage is required when you regularly employ more than two employees, and subcontractor employee counts can trigger coverage (VWC Employers). Public owners and many GCs will require GL/auto as contract terms (DGS Manual).

Timeline and processing tips

PSI offers business and tradesman testing frequently (often daily), and DPOR renewals are biennial with a 30‑day grace period before reinstatement is required (Board page; 18VAC50‑22‑160). For other Virginia licensing playbooks, see our guides to the NEMT license in Virginia and the Virginia Private Investigator license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both a contractor license and a tradesman license for HVAC work in Virginia?

Yes. The business holds the contractor license with the HVA specialty, and the Qualified Individual for HVA must be a Master HVAC tradesman (18VAC50‑22‑61).

What are the class limits for Virginia contractor licenses?

Class A, B, and C are defined by statute based on project and aggregate thresholds; choose the class that fits your expected job sizes and annual volume (§54.1‑1100).

How long is the Virginia contractor pre‑license course?

Six hours as of 2025 regulatory changes (Virginia Register).

Which exams are required to start an HVAC contracting business?

The DE must pass PSI business exams (Class B: Virginia & General; Class A: plus Advanced). The HVA QI must already hold Master HVAC (tradesman) status (PSI Bulletin; Tradesmen Program).

Is a bond required to get licensed?

No, unless you use it instead of showing net worth. You can satisfy financial responsibility by filing a $50,000 surety bond on the Board form in lieu of meeting the Class A/B net‑worth minimums (§54.1‑1104; §54.1‑1108).

How often do I renew, and what does it cost?

Every two years. Renewal fees are Class A $270, Class B $260, Class C $220, plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment; late renewals after 30 days require reinstatement (18VAC50‑22‑140; 18VAC50‑22‑160).

Ready to move from research to action? License Navigator can walk you through each Virginia HVA step, keep documents straight, and help you file a clean application the first time.