New Jersey HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: Master HVACR Contractor License · Issued by the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors.

❄️ HVACNJ ✔ Verified 2026-06-25

In New Jersey, HVAC contractors must hold the Master HVACR Contractor License, issued by the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, and a $3,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed HVAC contractor in New Jersey

Follow these steps to earn your Master HVACR Contractor License. Every figure is verified against the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. 5 years of HVACR contracting experience. Pathways: (1) 4-year DOL-approved apprenticeship plus 1 year journeyperson experience; (2) 4-year HVACR degree plus 1 year journeyperson experience; (3) 4-year related degree plus 3 years journeyperson experience; (4) 2-year trade school plus 2 years apprenticeship plus 1 year journeyperson experience;.
Pass the Master HVACR Exam and Business and Law Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. New Jersey requires $3,000 surety bond.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $500,000 for property damage and bodily injury.
Clear the background check. No fingerprint-based criminal history check: the Division of Consumer Affairs does not list the State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors among the boards whose applicants undergo criminal history record background checks (Criminal History Review Unit).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors — $100 application fee, plus a $160 biennial license fee. Processing time: License arrives within 15-20 days after the licensing fee is processed (HVACR Board FAQ).
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years). Continuing education: 5 hours per renewal cycle from Board-approved providers.

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

New Jersey HVAC contractor license lookup

To confirm an HVAC contractor is properly licensed in New Jersey — 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 newjersey.mylicense.com database →

License types

Master HVACR Contractor — Licensed HVACR contractors can perform all heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration work independently; apprentices and journeypersons work under a licensed Master's supervision

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	5 years of HVACR contracting experience. Pathways: (1) 4-year DOL-approved apprenticeship plus 1 year journeyperson experience; (2) 4-year HVACR degree plus 1 year journeyperson experience; (3) 4-year related degree plus 3 years journeyperson experience; (4) 2-year trade school plus 2 years apprenticeship plus 1 year journeyperson experience;.
Application fee	$100
License fee	$160 biennial
Renewal fee	$160 every 2 years
Renewal period	Every 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years)
Continuing education	5 hours per renewal cycle from Board-approved providers
Bond required	$3,000 surety bond
Liability insurance	$500,000 for property damage and bodily injury
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	No fingerprint-based criminal history check: the Division of Consumer Affairs does not list the State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors among the boards whose applicants undergo criminal history record background checks (Criminal History Review Unit).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None granted. The HVACR Board's reciprocity table (as of 2019-06-18) lists no state under "reciprocity granted"; it records denials for 33 states and Washington, DC, including Delaware, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. · other states' agreements
Processing time	License arrives within 15-20 days after the licensing fee is processed (HVACR Board FAQ)

What a New Jersey hvac license costs

Application fee	$100.
License fee	$160 biennial.
Master HVACR Exam	Included in application.
Business and Law Exam	Included in application.
Surety bond	$3,000 surety bond. A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	$160 every 2 years.
Renewal period	Every 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years).

Exams

Master HVACR Exam	Provider: Third-party vendor designated by the Board (N.J.A.C. 13:32A-2.3) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in application
Business and Law Exam	Provider: Third-party vendor designated by the Board (N.J.A.C. 13:32A-2.3) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in application

Renewing a New Jersey HVAC contractor license

The Master HVACR Contractor License renews on a fixed cycle set by the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors. 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	Every 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years)
Renewal fee	$160 every 2 years
Continuing education	5 hours per renewal cycle from Board-approved providers
Where to renew	State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors

Local / municipal notes

New Jersey has a single Master HVACR Contractor license tier with no separate journeyman or apprentice independent licenses. Apprentices and journeypersons must work under a licensed Master's supervision.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New Jersey hvac license cost?

Application: $100. License: $160 biennial. Renewal: $160 every 2 years.

How do I look up a hvac license in New Jersey?

Search the official license database at newjersey.mylicense.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do hvacs in New Jersey need a surety bond?

$3,000 surety bond

What experience is required for a New Jersey hvac license?

5 years of HVACR contracting experience. Pathways: (1) 4-year DOL-approved apprenticeship plus 1 year journeyperson experience; (2) 4-year HVACR degree plus 1 year journeyperson experience; (3) 4-year related degree plus 3 years journeyperson experience; (4) 2-year trade school plus 2 years apprenticeship plus 1 year journeyperson experience;.

Is insurance required for hvacs in New Jersey?

Liability: $500,000 for property damage and bodily injury.

How long does it take to get a New Jersey hvac license?

Processing time: License arrives within 15-20 days after the licensing fee is processed (HVACR Board FAQ).

Is a background check required for hvacs in New Jersey?

Background check: No fingerprint-based criminal history check: the Division of Consumer Affairs does not list the State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors among the boards whose applicants undergo criminal history record background checks (Criminal History Review Unit).

How often must a New Jersey hvac license be renewed?

Every 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years). Continuing education: 5 hours per renewal cycle from Board-approved providers.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-25 — always confirm current requirements directly with the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors before applying. This is not legal advice.