New York HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: No statewide license — NYC Oil Burner Equipment Installer License · Issued by the New York City Department of Buildings.

❄️ HVACNY ✔ Verified 2026-07-09

In New York, HVAC contractors must hold the No statewide license — NYC Oil Burner Equipment Installer License, issued by the New York City Department of Buildings, and a $25,000 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 York

New York licenses HVAC contractors at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.

Start with your city, not the state. New York has no statewide HVAC contractor license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
Carry the insurance your city requires. $1,000,000 per occurrence
Post any local bond. $25,000 surety bond required
Register and pay the local fees. $1,115 total exam fees (written $585 + practical $530)
Renew on your city's schedule. Every 3 years.

New York HVAC contractor license lookup

New York has no statewide HVAC contractor license, so there is no state license database to search — verify a contractor's registration or license with the city or county where the work will be done.

License types

Class A — Install any type of oil-burning equipment as an independent contractor
Class B — Install oil-burning equipment for domestic fuel oils (No. 1–4) as an independent contractor

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Class A: 4 years of practical experience within the 7 years prior (including at least 1 year with No. 5 and 6 fuel oils); Class B: 3 years within the 5 years prior
Application fee	$1,115 total exam fees (written $585 + practical $530)
License fee	$100 seal fee
Renewal fee	$150 every 3 years
Renewal period	Every 3 years
Continuing education	Required — NYC Mechanical Code and Fuel Gas Code updates; specific hours not published by NYC DOB
Bond required	$25,000 surety bond required
Liability insurance	$1,000,000 per occurrence
Property damage	Covered under the general liability requirement
Workers' comp	Required under New York State law
Background check	Criminal, employment and DMV background investigation required
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None
Processing time	Background investigation typically 3–5 months; license issuance 3–4 weeks after passing the practical exam

Exams

Written Examination	Provider: NYC Department of Buildings · Passing: 70% · Fee: $585
Practical Examination	Provider: NYC Department of Buildings · Passing: Not published by NYC DOB · Fee: $530

Preparing for the HVAC exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

New York has no statewide HVAC license. In NYC, heating-equipment installation is licensed by the DOB (Oil Burner Equipment Installer shown here); related NYC credentials include the Master Fitter license for refrigeration and gas piping. Other New York municipalities set their own mechanical/HVAC licensing rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New York hvac license cost?

Application: $1,115 total exam fees (written $585 + practical $530). License: $100 seal fee. Renewal: $150 every 3 years.

Do hvacs in New York need a surety bond?

$25,000 surety bond required

What experience is required for a New York hvac license?

Class A: 4 years of practical experience within the 7 years prior (including at least 1 year with No. 5 and 6 fuel oils); Class B: 3 years within the 5 years prior

Is insurance required for hvacs in New York?

Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence Workers' compensation: Required under New York State law

How often must a New York hvac license be renewed?

Every 3 years. Continuing education: Required — NYC Mechanical Code and Fuel Gas Code updates; specific hours not published by NYC DOB

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-09 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New York City Department of Buildings before applying. This is not legal advice.