How to get an HVAC contractor license in Alabama: the official requirements
The Certified Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor (or Refrigeration Contractor) certification license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors.
In Alabama, the statewide HVAC license is a contractor license, issued by the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. Alabama's statewide HVAC credential is a contractor certification from the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, earned by examination: the heating and air conditioning contractor (installation, service and repair of heating and cooling apparatus) or the refrigeration contractor (commercial refrigeration equipment). No one may do business as, or perform the function of, a certified contractor unless the person in responsible charge is a certified contractor. Experience and training: To sit for the exam, you must have held a Board apprentice registration for two or more calendar years, or completed 3,000 hours of coursework or experience as defined by the Board, or graduated from an approved HVAC or refrigeration curriculum. Proof includes notarized employer affidavits that you worked in the industry at least two years within the past five years, with the W-2 forms. Licensing exam: A written examination before the Board: the Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors exam or the Refrigeration Contractors exam. How to apply: Apply for the exam online or by mail with the Application for Examination. After passing, apply for licensure through the Online Profile, or e-mail forms AL-1, AL-2 and BF-1 to the Board. Active status requires a business name and a performance bond; inactive status needs no bond.
Alabama HVAC contractor license requirements
| Requirement | Alabama |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | Alabama's statewide HVAC credential is a contractor certification from the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, earned by examination: the heating and air conditioning contractor (installation, service and repair of heating and cooling apparatus) or the refrigeration contractor (commercial refrigeration equipment). No one may do business as, or perform the function of, a certified contractor unless the person in responsible charge is a certified contractor. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. |
| Experience and training | To sit for the exam, you must have held a Board apprentice registration for two or more calendar years, or completed 3,000 hours of coursework or experience as defined by the Board, or graduated from an approved HVAC or refrigeration curriculum. Proof includes notarized employer affidavits that you worked in the industry at least two years within the past five years, with the W-2 forms. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. |
| Licensing exam | A written examination before the Board: the Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors exam or the Refrigeration Contractors exam. |
| How to apply | Apply for the exam online or by mail with the Application for Examination. After passing, apply for licensure through the Online Profile, or e-mail forms AL-1, AL-2 and BF-1 to the Board. Active status requires a business name and a performance bond; inactive status needs no bond. |
| Background check | The exam application asks whether you have been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, any felony; a yes answer is explained for Board review. |
| State fees | Exam: $175.00. Certification: $220.00 a year for active status or $110.00 a year for inactive status. All fees are non-refundable; credit card payments carry a 4% service fee. |
| License term | One year; certificates are renewed annually by December 31. |
| Continuing education | At least four hours of continuing education every year for certified contractors (the first renewal after you are first licensed is exempt). |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Alabama
- Qualify for the exam: two calendar years as a Board-registered apprentice, 3,000 hours of coursework or experience, or an approved HVAC or refrigeration curriculum.
- Choose the Heating & Air Conditioning or the Refrigeration contractor exam.
- Apply for the exam online or by mail with the $175.00 fee and your experience affidavits.
- Pass the written examination.
- Apply for active certification (business name and $20,000 performance bond) or inactive certification.
- Renew every year by December 31 with four hours of continuing education.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become an HVAC technicianThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayHVAC technician salary in AlabamaWhat HVAC technicians earn.
Open →CareerHVAC technician career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumeHVAC technician resumeHow to present your experience and licenses.
Open →InterviewHVAC technician interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, How to Get Licensed, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, HVAC/Refrigeration Examination Application (EA-1 through EA-7, 2025), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, Law, Rules and Regulations (10-17-2024), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.