Georgia licenses HVAC professionals as conditioned air contractors. The State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors, issues Class I and Class II licenses after candidates document their experience and pass a PSI-administered exam. This guide covers both classes, the experience rules, EPA 608, fees, and Georgia's renewal cycle.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state or local licensing authority before applying.
Quick Overview
- ExperienceVaries by class
- Exam Application$110
- Renewal2 Years
- CE Needed8 Hours
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Requirements by class:
- Class I: 2 years of residential installation as a lead mechanic, plus 1 year as a service technician (with EPA certification), plus 1 year of residential supervisory experience, plus a board-approved heat loss/gain and duct design course (Manuals J and D).
- Class II: 2 years of installation as a lead mechanic (at least 1 commercial), plus 1 year as a service technician or supervisor (with EPA certification), plus 2 years of commercial supervisory experience, plus Manuals J and D and Manuals N and Q certifications.
- 3 references from an architect, professional engineer, inspector, or licensed conditioned air contractor; a high school diploma or GED; EPA Section 608 certification; and a minimum exam score of 70.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state or local licensing authority before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
The Georgia conditioned air application process:
- Complete the required experience for your class and the board-approved design courses (Manuals J and D for Class I; add Manuals N and Q for Class II).
- Obtain EPA Section 608 certification through an EPA-approved provider if you have not already.
- Gather 3 references from an architect, professional engineer, inspector, or licensed conditioned air contractor, plus proof of a high school diploma or GED.
- Submit the exam application with the $110 fee through the GOALS portal and wait for board approval.
- Schedule your exam with PSI, the board's testing vendor, and pass with a score of 70 or higher.
Reciprocity is not listed on the board's how-to page; if you hold an out-of-state license, confirm your options with the board directly.
- 3
Pass the hvac technician exam
Georgia conditioned air exams are administered by PSI, and board approval is required before sitting. A minimum score of 70 is required. Trade content covers heating, cooling, duct systems, and the mechanical code: Georgia follows the International Mechanical Code 2024 with 2026 Georgia Amendments, effective January 1, 2026. EPA 608 is a separate federal certification and is not part of the state exam itself.
Always confirm exam requirements with the board or PSI because formats and approved references can change.
License Types
Conditioned Air Class I
Restricted to systems not exceeding 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling; the usual residential path.
- Residential-focused scope
- Manuals J and D course
Conditioned Air Class II
Non-restricted license for unrestricted conditioned air contracting, including large commercial systems.
- Unrestricted scope
- Commercial supervisory experience
Details
Experience
Georgia structures conditioned air experience by role. Class I candidates build a residential track record: 2 years of residential installation as a lead mechanic, 1 year as a service technician holding EPA certification, and 1 year of residential supervisory experience, capped by a board-approved Manuals J and D course covering heat loss/gain and duct design.
Class II candidates need commercial depth: 2 years of installation as a lead mechanic with at least 1 year commercial, 1 year as a service technician or supervisor (with EPA certification), and 2 years of commercial supervisory experience, plus both the Manuals J and D and Manuals N and Q certifications. Document each role separately; the board's checklist tracks them individually.
Details
Fees
The exam application fee is $110 for both Class I and Class II, and reinstatement is $310. Renewal fees follow the GOALS fee schedule (goals.sos.ga.gov). PSI exam fees are paid separately. Always confirm current fee amounts with the board or the GOALS fee schedule before submitting payment.
Details
Renewal
Georgia conditioned air contractor licenses renew biennially, by November 30 of odd-numbered years, with a late period from December 1 to 31. Note that this cycle differs from Georgia's electrical licenses (June 30, even years) and plumbing licenses (November 30, even years). Continuing education is 4 hours per year (8 per renewal cycle); conditioned air contractors who hold a professional engineer license are exempt.
Requirements can change; always confirm renewal rules with the board before your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Georgia Class I and Class II conditioned air licenses?
Class I is restricted to systems not exceeding 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling; Class II is non-restricted. Class II also demands more commercial experience and both the Manuals J and D and Manuals N and Q certifications, while Class I requires only Manuals J and D.
Do I need EPA 608 certification for a Georgia HVAC license?
Yes. EPA Section 608 certification under 40 CFR Part 82 is a federal requirement for refrigerant work, administered by EPA-approved organizations rather than by Georgia, and it never expires. Georgia's experience requirements also reference EPA certification for the service technician years.
When does a Georgia conditioned air license renew?
Biennially, by November 30 of odd-numbered years, with a late period from December 1 to 31. Do not copy the cycle from other Georgia trades: electrical renews June 30 of even years and plumbing renews November 30 of even years.
How much does the Georgia conditioned air exam cost?
The exam application fee is $110 for both Class I and Class II, paid with the application. Reinstatement is $310, and renewal fees follow the GOALS fee schedule. PSI charges its own exam fee separately, so confirm totals before budgeting.
