Controlling the temperature and maintaining air quality is challenging for an HVAC technician. As a technician, you must follow procedures, and there's no room for mistakes. 

Many skilled HVAC technicians claim to be HVAC experts, but obtaining a license in North Carolina will surely make you the top choice.

Without a North Carolina HVAC license, your business will not reach its full potential. But don't you worry! I am here to help you build a successful HVAC business in North Carolina. I will share all the procedures and resources you need to follow and know.

Here's everything you need, and let's go straight to the point.

Do you need an HVAC License in North Carolina? Here's the answer.

You must have a North Carolina HVAC license to become a technician. Without the license, you can't perform any HVAC work. 

You also need an additional certification to deal with HVAC projects with commercial refrigeration units. The license and the additional certification are some of the HVAC tools you need to run an HVAC business in North Carolina.

What are the two primary categories of HVAC Licenses?

There are two primary categories of HVAC licenses:

• Refrigeration contractor  - The refrigeration license allows the contractor to only work on commercial refrigeration or HVAC units. 
• Heating and cooling - This license is divided into three primary classes: H1, H2, and H3. Each of these categories allows you to choose either the technician license or contractor license.

What are H1, H2, and H3 Classifications?

As discussed above, the three classes of Heating and Cooling Licenses are the following:

• H1 - Obtaining this license lets you operate water-based systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The H1 license is divided into classes: Classes 1 and 2. The Class 1 level of licensure permits HVAC professionals to work in any home or building, and the Class 2 license allows HVAC professionals to only work in single-family homes. 
  

• H2 - The H2 license permits you to handle forced air heating and cooling systems that exceed over 15 tons.
  

• H3 - This license lets you work on a forced-air heating and cooling unit whose weight is less than fifteen tons. Just like H1, H3 is also divided into two classes. The Class 1 level of licensure permits HVAC professionals to work in any home or building, and the Class 2 license allows HVAC professionals to only work in single-family homes.

Does obtaining an HVAC License in North Carolina get me more jobs?

Yes absolutely! As a licensed holder, more opportunities are available for you in the HVAC field. With all the training you have gained from your license journey, you develop new problem-solving skills to help you solve the many challenges you will encounter in the industry. You don't only get more jobs, but you also help sustain the environment by installing new heat pumps that are more efficient and replacing older filters with new ones, which significantly reduces power consumption and pollution.

 There is a rising demand for HVAC technicians for various reasons, such as the rising demand for indoor climate control in homes. The technological systems call for the services of highly trained and qualified technicians whose training adapts to the modern digital landscape. A contractor with an HVAC license enjoys the opportunity to hire the best technicians in North Carolina.

What is the cost of obtaining an HVAC License in North Carolina?

The cost of obtaining an HVAC License in North Carolina ranges from $65 - $130. The amount increases if a Surety bond is added.

Here are the license fees:

• HVAC technician license - $65
• Contractor license - $130
• Surety bond - $2000 (surety bond cost will slightly differ from city to city).

How to get an HVAC License in North Carolina?

Before getting an HVAC License in North Carolina, there are a few requirements that I want to point out. First, there's an educational requirement, and the last part is the on-the-site experience which I'll discuss below:

Educational Requirements

A heating and cooling or refrigeration license may require you to obtain half of the on-the-job knowledge through education. An associate degree or certificate can help you become a qualified HVAC Licensed Technician in North Carolina.

Here are the best HVAC institutions found in North Carolina that I can recommend, and you can get an Associate of Science degree in any of these institutions:

• Wake Tech
• Guilford Technical Community College
• Central Piedmont Community College

Now, if you plan to enroll in these instructions, the average tuition fee ranges from $5,000 to $8,000. You can also seek available financial aid by consulting your school. 

You also have the option to enroll in top-tier universities such as N.C. State University and Duke University, where you can get a bachelor's and master's degree or mechanical engineering courses. The annual tuition fees for these institutions range from $20,000-$50,000. 

Regardless of the school, you must complete most coursework on campus. Going through these schools equips you with the skills you need to operate an organized HVAC truck and use HVAC apps to get the latest HVAC news regarding the industry.

On-the-site Experience

Let's move to the on-site experience requirement. This experience is a heavier requirement that will need your time and attention. To wrap things up, here is the on-the-site experience that you must have on your HVAC portfolio:

• Refrigeration License - requires 4,000 hours in commercial refrigerators. To get the refrigeration license, you will obtain it from the State Board of Refrigeration Contractors. 

ServGrow Tip: You cut the experience in half by having technical or education training and the remaining half by training under the supervision of a certified engineer or a professional refrigeration contractor.

• Heating and Cooling License - requires two years of on-the-job experience in service, repair, maintenance, or installing heating systems. The two years in training are equal to 4,000 hours. The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Heating, Plumbing, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors administers the heating and cooling licenses.
  

ServGrow Tip: You can get half of this experience through academic or technical training. If you are looking to qualify for the standard HVAC technician test, it is required to have 3,000 hours of on-the-job experience.

Are HVAC Exams a Prerequisite for Licensing?

Both technicians and contractors must pass the North Carolina HVAC exams to qualify as licensed North Carolina HVAC technicians and contractors. This exam is estimated to last 4 hours in addition to the extra law and business exam that lasts 1.5 hours.

As a technician, you may need additional refrigeration contractor certification. Sitting for this exam requires you to fill out an application and submit it to the examiners' board. You must also provide proof of at least 4,000-hour experience in commercial refrigeration. 

Refrigeration exams are split into four parts, and you must pass them within one year. These exams have 100 questions, and you are allowed to use any book during the exam.

If you want to prepare for your exam, you can find an extensive list of resources and references from this link. I also got a free practice test for you which you can find on this site.

How often do I need to renew my HVAC License in North Carolina?

You need to renew your North Carolina HVAC License yearly.

An important thing to remember!

If you fail to renew your license for three consecutive years, you will be required to retake the HVAC test. Ensuring your license is always valid and updated is a safe practice in this industry.

Need more tips?

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