Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board · checked 2026-10-20
Florida HVAC License Requirements
Statewide air-conditioning contractor certification in Classes A and B, plus mechanical contractors; Class C (service only) has not been issued to new applicants since October 1, 1988. Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1CAC-B · Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor 4 years
- 2CAC-A · Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor 4 years
License levels in Florida
The Florida path has 2 steps on this page: Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor and Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC-B Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Not printed |
| CAC-A Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Not printed |
Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor (CAC-B)
At least 4 years of active experience in the trade, at least 1 as a foreman, or a college-credit combination. § 489.111(2)(c). Scope: 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system. Source: Fla. Stat. § 489.111.
Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor (CAC-A)
The same 4 years with 1 as a foreman, or a college-credit combination. § 489.111(2)(c). Scope: unlimited in the execution of contracts. Source: Fla. Stat. § 489.105.
Florida also issues narrower classes on the same page: Mechanical contractor: unlimited central HVAC, boilers and related piping (§ 489.105(3)(i)).
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor and Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
The Florida source read prints no dollar amounts for this license.
Reciprocity
The Florida sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Florida compares
Among the 8 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top hvac credential, Florida ranks 6 of 8 from shortest (1 year) to longest (5 years). California and Texas set the same 4 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Ohio · Georgia · North Carolina. All states side by side: HVAC license requirements by state.
Other trades in Florida
- Electrician: Certified Electrical Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Certified Plumbing Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Certified General Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Florida trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · How trade license exams work.
Questions
Who issues the hvac license in Florida?
Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Statewide air-conditioning contractor certification in Classes A and B, plus mechanical contractors; Class C (service only) has not been issued to new applicants since October 1, 1988.
How long does it take to qualify for the Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor in Florida?
4 years by this site's count. The same 4 years with 1 as a foreman, or a college-credit combination. § 489.111(2)(c).
Does Florida have hvac license reciprocity?
The Florida sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) | 2026-10-20 |
| CAC-B requirements | Fla. Stat. § 489.111 | 2026-10-20 |
| CAC-A requirements | Fla. Stat. § 489.105 | 2026-10-20 |
| Law cited | Fla. Stat. §§ 489.105(3)(f) to (i), 489.111 | 2026-10-20 |
This page summarises what the Florida source said on 2026-10-20. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.