Alabama HVAC Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (HACR) certifies HVAC and refrigeration contractors statewide under Code of Alabama Title 34 Chapter 31. The Certified HVAC Contractor credential authorizes a business to install, repair, and service heating and air conditioning systems and is required for any heating or cooling work performed in Alabama. Refrigeration contracting is a separate certification with its own experience and exam requirements. The Certified HVAC Contractor credential requires three years of practical HVAC experience and a passing score of 70% on the Alabama HVAC Block Examination, plus the Alabama Business and Law portion.

The Licensing Authority

Licensing for this trade is governed by Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (HACR), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under Code of Alabama Title 34 Chapter 31 (Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors). HACR certifies HVAC and refrigeration contractors statewide, administers the Block exam, and enforces Alabama mechanical code requirements for licensed work.

Official portal: https://hacr.alabama.gov/
Address: 2777 Zelda Road, Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 420-7230

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 19 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Alabama residency requirement; out-of-state applicants may test and license reciprocally where agreements exist.

Good moral character

HACR reviews the qualifying individual's background and may deny for felony convictions involving fraud or dishonesty, prior revoked licenses, or repeated mechanical code violations.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application; HACR may request court records for any disclosed offense.

Experience and Education Requirements

A minimum of three years of practical HVAC installation and service experience for the qualifying individual; the qualifying individual must be a full-time employee, owner, or officer of the certified entity must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

HACR Experience Affidavit signed by each prior employer or supervising contractor
W-2 statements, 1099 records, or pay stubs covering the three-year period
EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling certification
Project list with addresses and references

Education substitution

Accredited HVAC technology coursework or completion of an approved HVAC apprenticeship may substitute for a portion of the three-year experience requirement at the board's discretion.

The Licensing Examination

The exam, administered by Block Exams (Prometric) under contract to HACR, breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

Alabama HVAC Trade Examination — heating, cooling, ductwork, controls, mechanical code, load calculations — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 70%
Alabama Business and Law Examination — open-book, covers Title 34 Chapter 31, lien law, payroll, safety — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $130 examination fee paid to Block Exams per part.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually after a 30-day wait by paying a new $130 fee. Each application remains valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

No license surety bond is mandated statewide here under the cited sources, though project-specific or public-works bonding obligations can still attach to a given job.

General liability

HACR requires Certified HVAC Contractors to carry general liability insurance at minimums set by board rule (commonly $50,000 to $300,000 per occurrence). Most commercial owners require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Alabama for any business with five or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

HACR does not require a net worth financial statement. Certified HVAC Contractors must show proof of insurance and Alabama business registration.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$260
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every year)	$200

License Renewal

The Alabama Certified HVAC Contractor (and Refrigeration Contractor) must be renewed every year. The fee to renew is presently $200. Alabama Certified HVAC Contractor credentials renew every year on the credential anniversary date.

Continuing education: HACR requires continuing education hours per renewal cycle as set by board rule (commonly 8 hours covering Alabama mechanical code updates and refrigerant regulations).

Downloadable Asset

2026 Alabama HVAC License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Alabama grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral HACR–Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board reciprocity for active certified HVAC contractors.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Bilateral HACR–Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors reciprocity for active HVAC contractors.
Mississippi	Trade exam waived	Bilateral HACR–Mississippi State Board of Contractors reciprocity for active HVAC contractors.
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral HACR–NCSBEEPHFSC reciprocity for active HVAC contractors in good standing.

Reciprocal applicants must still apply through HACR and pass the Alabama Business and Law exam. Refrigeration contracting is a separate certification and not covered by HVAC reciprocity.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares HVAC license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Document three years of HVAC experience. Accumulate three years of practical HVAC installation and service experience for the qualifying individual under a certified HVAC contractor.
Earn the EPA Section 608 Universal certification. Pass the federal EPA Section 608 Universal exam to handle refrigerants legally; required by HACR before applying.
Submit the HACR application. File with the application fee, qualifying individual designation, experience affidavits, EPA 608 certification, and proof of insurance.
Pass the Alabama HVAC Trade exam at 70%. Score 70% or better on the 100-question Block exam covering heating, cooling, ductwork, controls, mechanical code, and load calculations.
Pass the Alabama Business and Law exam at 70%. Score 70% or better on the 50-question open-book exam covering Title 34 Chapter 31, lien law, payroll, and safety.
Receive the Certified HVAC Contractor credential. HACR issues the certification after both exams are passed and the board approves the application. The credential must be renewed every year.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

Alabama Mechanical Code (current adopted edition) — State of Alabama / International Code Council. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the Block test center.
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Alabama edition — NASCLA. Standard reference for the Alabama Business and Law exam.
Code of Alabama Title 34 Chapter 31 and HACR Administrative Code — State of Alabama. Licensing law and rules.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to HACR, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ HACR application with $200 fee and qualifying individual designation
☐ Experience affidavits covering three years of practical HVAC work
☐ EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling certification
☐ Block Alabama HVAC Trade exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ Block Alabama Business and Law exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ General liability insurance proof at HACR-required minimums
☐ Workers compensation coverage for any business with five or more employees

Common Application Pitfalls

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a Alabama HVAC application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Performing HVAC work without the credential

Alabama has no monetary threshold for HVAC work. Any heating or cooling installation, repair, or service requires the HACR credential. HACR actively pursues unlicensed work.

Confusing HVAC with refrigeration

Refrigeration contracting is a separate HACR certification. A Certified HVAC Contractor may not legally perform commercial refrigeration work without the refrigeration credential.

Skipping the EPA 608 certification

HACR requires EPA Section 608 Universal certification before issuing the HVAC credential. Plan to test for EPA 608 well before the HACR application deadline.

Missing continuing education

HACR requires CE hours each annual renewal cycle. Missing CE blocks renewal and may require re-examination after extended lapse.

Letting the credential lapse

A lapsed HVAC credential blocks all heating and cooling work immediately. Annual renewal is mandatory and reinstatement after long lapses can require re-testing.

Other Alabama Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Alabama licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

When do I need an Alabama HVAC contractor certification?

Any heating or cooling installation, repair, or service work performed in Alabama requires a HACR Certified HVAC Contractor credential. There is no monetary threshold; the requirement applies regardless of project value.

How much experience does Alabama require for an HVAC contractor?

Three years of practical HVAC installation and service experience for the qualifying individual. Accredited coursework or an approved apprenticeship may substitute for a portion at the board's discretion.

Is refrigeration contracting included in the Alabama HVAC certification?

No. Refrigeration contracting is a separate HACR certification with its own experience and exam requirements. Many contractors hold both.

Does Alabama have HVAC reciprocity with neighboring states?

Yes. HACR maintains bilateral HVAC contractor reciprocity agreements with Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Alabama Business and Law exam.

How often does the Alabama HVAC contractor credential renew?

Every year. Renewal requires payment of the annual fee and continuing education hours as set by HACR rule.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-13 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-11