Maine Fuel Board · checked 2026-10-21
Maine HVAC License Requirements
Maine has no general HVAC license. Heating work on fuel-burning equipment is licensed by the Maine Fuel Board under 32 M.R.S. chapter 139: oil burner and solid fuel technicians at apprentice, journeyman and master level, and separate propane and natural gas technicians. Municipal licenses are not required for these trades (§ 18105). This page covers the oil and solid fuel ladder. Master oil burner or solid fuel technician: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1J · Journeyman oil burner or solid fuel technician 1 year
- 2M · Master oil burner or solid fuel technician 4 years
License levels in Maine
The Maine path has 2 steps on this page: Journeyman oil burner or solid fuel technician and Master oil burner or solid fuel technician. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Journeyman oil burner or solid fuel technician | 1 year | — | 1 year | Yes | Not printed |
| M Master oil burner or solid fuel technician | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Not printed |
Journeyman oil burner or solid fuel technician (J)
One year of licensed practical experience as an apprentice; or six months as an apprentice plus a board-approved course of at least 160 hours (75 of them lab work); or a one-year accredited heating course at a Maine community college of at least 320 hours (150 lab). Then a board-approved exam. Source: 32 M.R.S. § 18133, Journeyman oil burner technician or solid fuel technician.
Master oil burner or solid fuel technician (M)
Four years of licensed practical experience as an apprentice or journeyman, at least two of them as a licensed journeyman, then a board-approved exam. Courses used for the journeyman license cannot be counted again. Source: 32 M.R.S. § 18132, Master oil burner technician or solid fuel technician.
Maine also issues narrower classes on the same page: Propane and natural gas technician (national propane association training program or board-approved community college course, then exam), Apprentice oil and solid fuel burning technician, Tank installer and Wood pellet technician.
Exam
2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: Journeyman oil burner or solid fuel technician and Master oil burner or solid fuel technician. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
The Maine source read prints no dollar amounts for this license. Fees are set by rule of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation; the statute caps any one fee at $350 every two years. Fee source: 32 M.R.S. § 18143, Fees.
Reciprocity
The Maine sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Maine compares
Among the 14 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top hvac credential, Maine ranks 9 of 14 from shortest (1 year) to longest (7 years). California, Texas, Florida and Arizona set the same 4 years.
Same trade elsewhere: Connecticut · Massachusetts · New Hampshire · California · Texas. All states side by side: HVAC license requirements by state.
Other trades in Maine
- Electrician: Master Electrician: 6 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master Plumber: 3 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Maine issues no state general contractor license.
All covered trades on one page: Maine 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 Maine?
Maine Fuel Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Maine has no general HVAC license. Heating work on fuel-burning equipment is licensed by the Maine Fuel Board under 32 M.R.S. chapter 139: oil burner and solid fuel technicians at apprentice, journeyman and master level, and separate propane and natural gas technicians. Municipal licenses are not required for these trades (§ 18105). This page covers the oil and solid fuel ladder.
How long does it take to qualify for the Master oil burner or solid fuel technician in Maine?
4 years by this site's count. Four years of licensed practical experience as an apprentice or journeyman, at least two of them as a licensed journeyman, then a board-approved exam. Courses used for the journeyman license cannot be counted again.
Does Maine have hvac license reciprocity?
The Maine sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Maine Fuel Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation | 2026-10-21 |
| J requirements | 32 M.R.S. § 18133, Journeyman oil burner technician or solid fuel technician | 2026-10-21 |
| M requirements | 32 M.R.S. § 18132, Master oil burner technician or solid fuel technician | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | 32 M.R.S. §§ 18132, 18133, 18135, 18143 | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Maine source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Maine Fuel Board before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.