Kentucky HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: HVAC Contractor License · Issued by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC.

❄️ HVACKY ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In Kentucky, HVAC contractors must hold the HVAC Contractor License, issued by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Kentucky

Follow these steps to earn your HVAC Contractor License. Every figure is verified against the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 2 years in the HVAC trades under a master HVAC contractor, or 2 years of verifiable HVAC work in Kentucky or another jurisdiction (KRS 198B.658(2)). Master: 2 years as a Kentucky journeyman under a master, 2 years working as a master HVAC contractor or equivalent in any jurisdiction, or 2 years licensed and employed as a mechanical engineer (KRS 198B.658(1)). A year of experience means at least 1,500 hours of HVAC work in 12 months (815 KAR 8:010).
Pass the Journeyman HVAC Mechanic Exam and Master HVAC Contractor Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $500,000 (master contractor only). Property damage: $300,000 (master contractor only). Workers' compensation: Required if business has one or more employees.
Clear the background check. The application asks whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, and a conviction may bar the license; no fingerprint check.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC — Master HVAC contractor $250; journeyman HVAC mechanic $50 (12-month initial license; initial fees may be prorated) (815 KAR 8:010) application fee, plus a Included in the application fee license fee. Processing time: Not publicly specified.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual, by last day of birth month. Continuing education: 6 hours of approved continuing education per year (815 KAR 2:010), on business, job safety, HVAC codes or the HVAC trade.

For the general path in every state, see the HVAC guide →

Kentucky HVAC contractor license lookup

To confirm an HVAC contractor is properly licensed in Kentucky — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official dhbc.ky.gov database →

License types

Apprentice — Work under supervision of licensed master or journeyman contractor
Journeyman HVAC Mechanic — Install, maintain, and repair HVAC systems under own license or supervision
Master HVAC Contractor — Full authority to design, install, maintain, and repair HVAC systems; supervise employees and apprentices

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 2 years in the HVAC trades under a master HVAC contractor, or 2 years of verifiable HVAC work in Kentucky or another jurisdiction (KRS 198B.658(2)). Master: 2 years as a Kentucky journeyman under a master, 2 years working as a master HVAC contractor or equivalent in any jurisdiction, or 2 years licensed and employed as a mechanical engineer (KRS 198B.658(1)). A year of experience means at least 1,500 hours of HVAC work in 12 months (815 KAR 8:010).
Application fee	Master HVAC contractor $250; journeyman HVAC mechanic $50 (12-month initial license; initial fees may be prorated) (815 KAR 8:010)
License fee	Included in the application fee
Renewal fee	$250 per year (master HVAC contractor); $50 per year (journeyman HVAC mechanic)
Renewal period	Annual, by last day of birth month
Continuing education	6 hours of approved continuing education per year (815 KAR 2:010), on business, job safety, HVAC codes or the HVAC trade
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	$500,000 (master contractor only)
Property damage	$300,000 (master contractor only)
Workers' comp	Required if business has one or more employees
Background check	The application asks whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, and a conviction may bar the license; no fingerprint check.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	Not publicly specified

What a Kentucky hvac license costs

Application fee	Master HVAC contractor $250; journeyman HVAC mechanic $50 (12-month initial license; initial fees may be prorated) (815 KAR 8:010).
License fee	Included in the application fee.
Journeyman HVAC Mechanic Exam	$50.
Master HVAC Contractor Exam	$150.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	$250 per year (master HVAC contractor); $50 per year (journeyman HVAC mechanic).
Renewal period	Annual, by last day of birth month.

Exams

Journeyman HVAC Mechanic Exam	Provider: Kentucky DHBC, through its contracted exam vendor (Prov) · Passing: 70% (815 KAR 8:010) · Fee: $50
Master HVAC Contractor Exam	Provider: Kentucky DHBC, through its contracted exam vendor (Prov) · Passing: 70% (815 KAR 8:010) · Fee: $150

Renewing a Kentucky HVAC contractor license

The HVAC Contractor License renews on a fixed cycle set by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annual, by last day of birth month
Renewal fee	$250 per year (master HVAC contractor); $50 per year (journeyman HVAC mechanic)
Continuing education	6 hours of approved continuing education per year (815 KAR 2:010), on business, job safety, HVAC codes or the HVAC trade
Where to renew	Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC

Local / municipal notes

Kentucky may license by reciprocity an HVAC licensee from a state whose requirements are substantially equal and which grants Kentucky licensees the same privileges (KRS 198B.666), following the reciprocity agreement with that state (815 KAR 8:010).

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Kentucky hvac license cost?

Application: Master HVAC contractor $250; journeyman HVAC mechanic $50 (12-month initial license; initial fees may be prorated) (815 KAR 8:010). License: Included in the application fee. Renewal: $250 per year (master HVAC contractor); $50 per year (journeyman HVAC mechanic).

How do I look up a hvac license in Kentucky?

Search the official license database at dhbc.ky.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do hvacs in Kentucky need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a Kentucky hvac license?

Journeyman: 2 years in the HVAC trades under a master HVAC contractor, or 2 years of verifiable HVAC work in Kentucky or another jurisdiction (KRS 198B.658(2)). Master: 2 years as a Kentucky journeyman under a master, 2 years working as a master HVAC contractor or equivalent in any jurisdiction, or 2 years licensed and employed as a mechanical engineer (KRS 198B.658(1)). A year of experience means at least 1,500 hours of HVAC work in 12 months (815 KAR 8:010).

Is insurance required for hvacs in Kentucky?

Liability: $500,000 (master contractor only). Property damage: $300,000 (master contractor only). Workers' compensation: Required if business has one or more employees.

How long does it take to get a Kentucky hvac license?

Processing time: Not publicly specified.

Is a background check required for hvacs in Kentucky?

Background check: The application asks whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, and a conviction may bar the license; no fingerprint check.

How often must a Kentucky hvac license be renewed?

Annual, by last day of birth month. Continuing education: 6 hours of approved continuing education per year (815 KAR 2:010), on business, job safety, HVAC codes or the HVAC trade.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of HVAC before applying. This is not legal advice.