Maryland State Board of Heating · checked 2026-10-21
Maryland HVAC License Requirements
Statewide HVACR licenses under Business Regulation Article 9A and COMAR 09.15: apprentice, journeyman, limited, master restricted and master. HVACR master: 7 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1J · HVACR journeyman 4 years
- 2L · HVACR limited contractor 6 years
- 3M · HVACR master 7 years
License levels in Maryland
The Maryland path has 3 steps on this page: HVACR journeyman, HVACR limited contractor and HVACR master. The source counts experience in hours; the "time from start" column turns those hours into full-time years at 2,000 hours a year.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J HVACR journeyman | 6,000 hours | — | 4 years | Yes, 70% | License $25 |
| L HVACR limited contractor | 2 years at the prior level | — | 6 years | Yes, 70% | License $94.50 |
| M HVACR master | 3 years at the prior level | — | 7 years | Yes, 70% | License $94.50 |
HVACR journeyman (J)
Four years as a licensed apprentice, including at least 6,000 hours providing HVACR services under a licensed HVACR contractor, then the journeyman exam (pass mark 70%). Source: Maryland HVACR Board, Licensing requirements.
HVACR limited contractor (L)
Two years as a licensed journeyman providing HVACR services under a licensed master, with 1,000 hours in the year before applying; limited contractor exam (70%). Insurance is required to contract work. Source: Maryland HVACR Board, Licensing requirements.
HVACR master (M)
Three years of active experience as a licensed journeyman providing all areas of HVACR services under a master, with 1,875 hours in the year before applying; master exam (70%). Insurance is required to contract work. A master restricted license covers selected areas on the same experience. Source: Maryland HVACR Board, Licensing requirements.
Exam
3 of the 3 levels listed here require an exam: HVACR journeyman, HVACR limited contractor and HVACR master. Published pass marks: 70% on the hvacr journeyman exam, 70% on the hvacr limited contractor exam and 70% on the hvacr master exam.
Fees
- HVACR journeyman: license $25.
- HVACR limited contractor: license $94.50.
- HVACR master: license $94.50.
The board lists one nonrefundable fee per level, effective July 1, 2025: apprentice $12, journeyman $25, limited $94.50, master $94.50, master restricted $31.50 per area. Fee source: Maryland HVACR Board, Fees.
Reciprocity
The Maryland sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Maryland compares
Among the 14 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top hvac credential, Maryland ranks 14 of 14 from shortest (1 year) to longest (7 years). No other state here sets exactly 7 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Ohio · Georgia. All states side by side: HVAC license requirements by state.
Other trades in Maryland
- Electrician: Master electrician: 7 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master plumber: 6 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Home improvement contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Maryland trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the hvac license in Maryland?
Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR Board). Statewide HVACR licenses under Business Regulation Article 9A and COMAR 09.15: apprentice, journeyman, limited, master restricted and master.
How long does it take to qualify for the HVACR master in Maryland?
7 years by this site's count. Three years of active experience as a licensed journeyman providing all areas of HVACR services under a master, with 1,875 hours in the year before applying; master exam (70%). Insurance is required to contract work. A master restricted license covers selected areas on the same experience.
Does Maryland have hvac license reciprocity?
The Maryland sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Maryland hvac license fees?
HVACR journeyman: license $25. HVACR limited contractor: license $94.50. HVACR master: license $94.50.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR Board) | 2026-10-21 |
| J requirements | Maryland HVACR Board, Licensing requirements | 2026-10-21 |
| L requirements | Maryland HVACR Board, Licensing requirements | 2026-10-21 |
| M requirements | Maryland HVACR Board, Licensing requirements | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | Md. Code, Bus. Reg. Title 9A; COMAR 09.15 | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Maryland 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 Maryland State Board of Heating before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.