Precision Business Education Foundation • Skilled Trades Launch Center
Florida HVAC Contractor Licensing Guide
A start-to-finish guide to Florida Certified Class A and Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor licensing, including scope, experience, exams, applications, insurance, business qualification, and local setup.
HVAC installation and contracting require the proper Florida contractor license
This guide focuses on the statewide Certified Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor and Certified Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor licenses. Registered licenses are generally limited to the jurisdictions where they are recognized.
Florida HVAC Licensing at a Glance
Florida regulates HVAC contracting through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The first decision is whether the intended work fits Class B or requires the broader Class A scope.
Certified License
Requires state examination and CILB approval and allows work statewide within the license scope.
Registered License
Generally based on local competency and limited to jurisdictions that recognize the registration.
Class B
Limited to systems up to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating per system.
Class A
Not subject to the Class B system-size limits and intended for broader air-conditioning contracting authority.
Choose Between Class A and Class B
The correct license depends on the size and type of systems the contractor plans to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design.
| License | Primary Scope | Best Fit | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor | Broad air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, ventilating, duct, piping, insulation, control wiring, and related work within statutory scope. | Commercial, larger systems, unrestricted growth, and contractors who do not want Class B system-size limits. | Work must still remain within the statutory Class A scope and other licensed-trade boundaries. |
| Certified Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor | Air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, ventilating, duct, piping, insulation, controls, and related work within the statutory scope. | Residential and light-commercial companies whose individual systems remain within the limits. | Limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system. |
| Certified Mechanical Contractor | Broader mechanical scope including HVAC plus additional systems and piping categories. | Companies planning extensive mechanical, process piping, boiler, gas, medical gas, or related work. | Separate license category with its own experience and examination route. |
The Six-Stage HVAC Licensing Process
The process is similar to plumbing, but the applicant must select the correct air-conditioning classification and use the matching CILB forms.
Choose the certification category
Select Certified Class A or Certified Class B based on intended system size and business scope.
Complete category-specific experience pages
Document employment history, worker and foreman time, and qualifying HVAC installation, maintenance, repair, equipment, ductwork, and related experience.
Apply and register for the state examination
Use the current CILB examination process and confirm the exam parts, schedule, format, and approved references.
Complete financial and background requirements
Obtain the required credit report, complete electronic fingerprints, resolve disclosures, and prepare insurance documentation.
Submit the correct initial-license application
Use CILB 5-G for Class A as an individual, CILB 5-H for Class B as an individual, or the matching CILB 6 form when qualifying a business.
Finish local contractor and permitting setup
Register locally where required and establish online permitting, inspection, business tax, zoning, and insurance records.
Experience and Eligibility Requirements
Applicants generally need four years of qualifying experience or an approved combination of college and experience. The experience must be documented using the category-specific forms.
Qualifying Time
- Four years of qualifying experience or an approved equivalent combination
- Employment dates and job titles
- Worker and foreman time identified
- Education or military substitutions documented when used
HVAC Scope Documentation
- Heating and cooling systems
- Air-conditioning equipment
- Heating equipment
- Ductwork
- Installation, maintenance, and repair duties
Experience Verification
- Verifier with direct knowledge of the work
- License and contact information when applicable
- Clear dates and project descriptions
- Supporting payroll, tax, permit, or employer records
Florida HVAC Examination Requirements
Certified applicants must pass all examination parts required for their selected category. Use the current Candidate Information Booklet and the reference list effective for the examination date.
Business and Finance
- Business organization and accounting
- Financial management and payroll
- Contracts, liens, insurance, and taxes
- Florida construction law and contractor responsibilities
Contract Administration
- Estimating and bidding
- Contracts and project documents
- Permitting, codes, safety, and administration
- Scheduling, purchasing, and closeout
Project Management / Trade Knowledge
- HVAC systems and equipment
- Load, duct, piping, controls, and installation concepts
- Codes, safety, refrigeration, heating, and ventilation
- Category-specific approved references
Application, Credit, Insurance, and Background Requirements
Passing the examinations is only one part of licensure. The applicant must still meet the Board’s financial, background, insurance, and application requirements.
Credit and Financial Responsibility
- Board-compliant credit report
- FICO-derived score
- Required public-record search
- Liens, judgments, or bankruptcy documentation when applicable
- Financial-responsibility course or other remedy when required
Insurance and Workers’ Compensation
- Required public-liability insurance
- Required property-damage insurance
- Workers’ compensation coverage or valid exemption
- Correct business and qualifier names on all records
Fingerprints and Disclosures
- Electronic fingerprinting as directed
- Criminal-history disclosure
- Prior license discipline or denial disclosure
- Supporting court or agency records when required
Individual License vs. Qualifying an HVAC Business
The individual license and the business qualification must match the selected Class A or Class B category.
| Situation | Class A Form | Class B Form | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial licensure as an individual | CILB 5-G | CILB 5-H | Initial certified license held in an individual capacity. |
| Initial license while qualifying a business | CILB 6-G | CILB 6-H | Licenses the individual and qualifies the HVAC company. |
| Qualifying an additional business | CILB 7-G / CILB 9 | CILB 7-H / CILB 9 | Used when a current licensee will qualify another entity. |
| Out-of-state license or equivalent exam | CILB 10 endorsement review | Used when seeking certification by endorsement rather than the standard Florida exam path. | |
Southwest Florida Local Setup
A certified contractor has statewide competency authority, but local governments may still require registration and permitting setup.
Contractor Registration
Submit the state license, business entity records, insurance, workers’ compensation information, and contact details requested by the local jurisdiction.
Permitting Account
Create online credentials and confirm HVAC replacement, new installation, inspection, notice-of-commencement, and closeout procedures.
Business Compliance
Confirm business tax receipts, zoning, home occupation, vehicle storage, signage, refrigerant handling, and local operating requirements.
Complete HVAC Licensing Checklist
Use this checklist before filing the application.
Choose the License
- Class A or Class B selected
- Certified or registered route confirmed
- Individual or business qualifier route selected
- Scope reviewed against planned services
Experience
- Four years or approved equivalent documented
- Worker and foreman time separated
- Category-specific experience forms completed
- Verifier information complete
- Supporting records retained
Examinations
- Current exam application used
- Candidate booklet reviewed
- Current Class A or B reference list obtained
- All required exam parts passed
- Score records retained
Financial & Background
- Credit report ordered
- Public-record search included
- Fingerprints completed
- Disclosures and explanations prepared
- Liens or judgments addressed
Insurance & Business
- Liability coverage arranged
- Property-damage coverage arranged
- Workers’ compensation policy or exemption
- Sunbiz and FEIN records ready
- Business ownership information complete
Final Submission
- Correct CILB form selected
- All signatures and dates complete
- Current fee verified
- Complete copy retained
- Application status monitored
Official Florida HVAC Licensing Resources
Use official state sources for current applications, examination procedures, reference lists, experience forms, and license verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Florida Class A and Class B HVAC licenses?
Does four years of HVAC work automatically qualify an applicant?
Can a Class B contractor work on commercial systems?
Can an LLC perform HVAC work before it is qualified?
Can a licensed Class B contractor later upgrade to Class A?
Does a certified HVAC license eliminate local registration?
Next Step: Launch the HVAC Business
After choosing the correct license and confirming the qualification path, continue to the HVAC Business Launch System for startup costs, equipment, pricing, service agreements, customer communication, marketing, financial systems, hiring, and growth.
Continue to the HVAC Business Launch System