Washington HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: HVAC/R Specialty Contractor Registration + HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician Certificate (where electrical work is performed) · Issued by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

❄️ HVACWA ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Washington, HVAC contractors must hold the HVAC/R Specialty Contractor Registration + HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician Certificate (where electrical work is performed), issued by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and a $15,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Washington

Follow these steps to earn your HVAC/R Specialty Contractor Registration + HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician Certificate (where electrical work is performed). Every figure is verified against the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. HVAC contractor registration: no experience requirement. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician (06A): 4,000 hours in the HVAC/refrigeration specialty plus 48 hours of basic electrical classroom instruction. HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (6B): 2,000 hours in the specialty plus 24 hours of classroom instruction. Master (06A or 6B): 2 years as a certified specialty electrician in the relevant specialty.
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Washington requires $15,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (HVAC specialty contractor registration).
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit (HVAC contractor registration); L&I must be listed as certificate holder. Property damage: $50,000 (standalone); or included in $250,000 combined single limit. Workers' compensation: Required through L&I state fund if the business employs workers (Washington is a monopolistic workers' compensation state).
Clear the background check. Not publicly required by L&I (official L&I pages do not mention a criminal background check for contractor registration or specialty electrician certificates).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — $150.20 (HVAC specialty contractor registration); $114.60 (specialty electrician certificate); $204.60 (master electrician certificate) (WAC 296-200A-900 and 296-46B-909, effective 2026-07-01) application fee, plus a Included in application fees above license fee. Processing time: Contractor registration: 3–4 weeks by mail; same-day if in-person with complete documents. Individual electrician certificates: varies; contact L&I Electrical Program at 360-902-5269.
Keep the license active. Renewal: HVAC contractor registration: every 2 years. Individual electrician certificates: every 3 years on birthdate. Continuing education: HVAC contractor registration: none required. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician certificates: 24 hours per 3-year cycle (8 hours current NEC, 4 hours RCW/WAC, 12 hours approved topics).

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

Washington HVAC contractor license lookup

To confirm an HVAC contractor is properly licensed in Washington — 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 secure.lni.wa.gov database →

License types

HVAC/R Specialty Contractor Registration (WAC 296-200A-016 specialty 28) — Business-entity registration required to contract for HVAC work in Washington. Specialty contractors may only perform work in their registered specialty and may not hire subcontractors.
Specialty Electrician — HVAC/Refrigeration System (06A) — Individual electrician certificate required for technicians performing electrical work on HVAC/refrigeration systems. Requires 4,000 hours of experience in the specialty.
Specialty Electrician — HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (06B) — Limited scope HVAC/refrigeration electrical certificate. Requires 2,000 hours of experience in the specialty.
Master Electrician — HVAC/Refrigeration (06A or 06B) — Advanced electrical supervision certificate for HVAC work; required for designated supervisor on electrical contractor license.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	HVAC contractor registration: no experience requirement. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician (06A): 4,000 hours in the HVAC/refrigeration specialty plus 48 hours of basic electrical classroom instruction. HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (6B): 2,000 hours in the specialty plus 24 hours of classroom instruction. Master (06A or 6B): 2 years as a certified specialty electrician in the relevant specialty.
Application fee	$150.20 (HVAC specialty contractor registration); $114.60 (specialty electrician certificate); $204.60 (master electrician certificate) (WAC 296-200A-900 and 296-46B-909, effective 2026-07-01)
License fee	Included in application fees above
Renewal fee	HVAC specialty contractor registration: $150.20 every 2 years; Specialty Electrician certificate: $92.60 (online) / $106.40 (mail) every 3 years; Master Electrician: $175.70 (online) / $202.20 (mail) every 3 years
Renewal period	HVAC contractor registration: every 2 years. Individual electrician certificates: every 3 years on birthdate.
Continuing education	HVAC contractor registration: none required. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician certificates: 24 hours per 3-year cycle (8 hours current NEC, 4 hours RCW/WAC, 12 hours approved topics).
Bond required	$15,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (HVAC specialty contractor registration)
Liability insurance	$200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit (HVAC contractor registration); L&I must be listed as certificate holder.
Property damage	$50,000 (standalone); or included in $250,000 combined single limit
Workers' comp	Required through L&I state fund if the business employs workers (Washington is a monopolistic workers' compensation state).
Background check	Not publicly required by L&I (official L&I pages do not mention a criminal background check for contractor registration or specialty electrician certificates).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None — Washington does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for HVAC/Refrigeration specialty electrician certificates or HVAC contractor registration. · other states' agreements
Processing time	Contractor registration: 3–4 weeks by mail; same-day if in-person with complete documents. Individual electrician certificates: varies; contact L&I Electrical Program at 360-902-5269.

What a Washington hvac license costs

Application fee	$150.20 (HVAC specialty contractor registration); $114.60 (specialty electrician certificate); $204.60 (master electrician certificate) (WAC 296-200A-900 and 296-46B-909, effective 2026-07-01).
License fee	Included in application fees above.
Specialty Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration System (06A)	$65 exam fee; $114.60 application/certificate fee.
Specialty Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (06B)	$55 exam fee; $114.60 application/certificate fee.
Master Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration (06A)	$75 exam fee; $204.60 application/certificate fee.
Master Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (06B)	$65 exam fee; $204.60 application/certificate fee.
Surety bond	$15,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (HVAC specialty contractor registration). A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	HVAC specialty contractor registration: $150.20 every 2 years; Specialty Electrician certificate: $92.60 (online) / $106.40 (mail) every 3 years; Master Electrician: $175.70 (online) / $202.20 (mail) every 3 years.
Renewal period	HVAC contractor registration: every 2 years. Individual electrician certificates: every 3 years on birthdate.

Exams

Specialty Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration System (06A)	Provider: PSI (for L&I) · Passing: 70% or greater on each section · Fee: $65 exam fee; $114.60 application/certificate fee
Specialty Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (06B)	Provider: PSI (for L&I) · Passing: 70% or greater on each section · Fee: $55 exam fee; $114.60 application/certificate fee
Master Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration (06A)	Provider: PSI (for L&I) · Passing: 70% or greater on each section · Fee: $75 exam fee; $204.60 application/certificate fee
Master Electrician Exam — HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (06B)	Provider: PSI (for L&I) · Passing: 70% or greater on each section · Fee: $65 exam fee; $204.60 application/certificate fee

Renewing a Washington HVAC contractor license

The HVAC/R Specialty Contractor Registration + HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician Certificate (where electrical work is performed) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). 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	HVAC contractor registration: every 2 years. Individual electrician certificates: every 3 years on birthdate.
Renewal fee	HVAC specialty contractor registration: $150.20 every 2 years; Specialty Electrician certificate: $92.60 (online) / $106.40 (mail) every 3 years; Master Electrician: $175.70 (online) / $202.20 (mail) every 3 years
Continuing education	HVAC contractor registration: none required. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician certificates: 24 hours per 3-year cycle (8 hours current NEC, 4 hours RCW/WAC, 12 hours approved topics).
Where to renew	Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Local / municipal notes

Federal EPA Section 608 certification (Universal or applicable type) is required for any technician handling refrigerants under the Clean Air Act — this is a federal requirement separate from state registration. Seattle requires separate local refrigeration mechanic licenses for commercial refrigeration work. Spokane requires a commercial gas heating mechanic license.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Washington hvac license cost?

Application: $150.20 (HVAC specialty contractor registration); $114.60 (specialty electrician certificate); $204.60 (master electrician certificate) (WAC 296-200A-900 and 296-46B-909, effective 2026-07-01). License: Included in application fees above. Renewal: HVAC specialty contractor registration: $150.20 every 2 years; Specialty Electrician certificate: $92.60 (online) / $106.40 (mail) every 3 years; Master Electrician: $175.70 (online) / $202.20 (mail) every 3 years.

How do I look up a hvac license in Washington?

Search the official license database at secure.lni.wa.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do hvacs in Washington need a surety bond?

$15,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (HVAC specialty contractor registration)

What experience is required for a Washington hvac license?

HVAC contractor registration: no experience requirement. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician (06A): 4,000 hours in the HVAC/refrigeration specialty plus 48 hours of basic electrical classroom instruction. HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted (6B): 2,000 hours in the specialty plus 24 hours of classroom instruction. Master (06A or 6B): 2 years as a certified specialty electrician in the relevant specialty.

Is insurance required for hvacs in Washington?

Liability: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit (HVAC contractor registration); L&I must be listed as certificate holder. Property damage: $50,000 (standalone); or included in $250,000 combined single limit. Workers' compensation: Required through L&I state fund if the business employs workers (Washington is a monopolistic workers' compensation state).

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

Processing time: Contractor registration: 3–4 weeks by mail; same-day if in-person with complete documents. Individual electrician certificates: varies; contact L&I Electrical Program at 360-902-5269.

Is a background check required for hvacs in Washington?

Background check: Not publicly required by L&I (official L&I pages do not mention a criminal background check for contractor registration or specialty electrician certificates).

How often must a Washington hvac license be renewed?

HVAC contractor registration: every 2 years. Individual electrician certificates: every 3 years on birthdate. Continuing education: HVAC contractor registration: none required. Individual HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician certificates: 24 hours per 3-year cycle (8 hours current NEC, 4 hours RCW/WAC, 12 hours approved topics).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) before applying. This is not legal advice.