Maryland Master HVAC License Requirements (2026)

The Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (BHVACR), housed in the Maryland Department of Labor under Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-101 et seq., licenses HVACR contractors statewide through a four-tier path: Apprentice HVACR, Journeyman HVACR, Master HVACR, and Master Restricted HVACR (a limited-scope master license). The path begins with apprentice registration, advances to Journeyman after three years of qualifying experience, and culminates in the Master HVACR license after at least one additional year of journeyman experience plus the PSI Master HVACR examination at 70%. The Master HVACR license authorizes the holder to act as the qualifying individual for an HVACR contracting business statewide.

Regulatory Oversight

Maryland State Board of HVACR Contractors (BHVACR) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-101 et seq.; COMAR 09.31. The Maryland Department of Labor houses the occupational boards that license home improvement contractors, master electricians, plumbers, and HVACR contractors statewide, adopts technical codes by reference, and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/hvac/
Address: 1100 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 230-6231

Who May Apply

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Maryland residency requirement.

Good moral character

BHVACR reviews each applicant for good moral character. Felony and HVACR-related convictions are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application. The Board may request a full background check before issuing the license.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility requires three years of practical HVACR experience to qualify for the Journeyman HVACR license, plus at least one additional year of journeyman experience to qualify for the Master HVACR examination, documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

BHVACR Experience Verification Form signed by each licensed Master HVACR supervisor
Apprentice HVACR registration and time sheets
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Approved HVACR apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

Approved HVACR apprenticeship and accredited HVAC technology coursework substitute for portions of the experience requirement on a sliding scale set by Board rule.

Examination Requirements

The licensing examination is delivered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to BHVACR). All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

Maryland Master HVACR Examination — mechanical code, refrigeration, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
Maryland Master Restricted HVACR Examination (limited scope, optional) — 70 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $63 per examination paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken by paying a new $63 fee. Each application remains valid for one year.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

BHVACR requires every Master HVACR Contractor to carry a minimum $300,000 general liability insurance policy. Most counties require higher limits for the contracting business.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Maryland for any business with one or more employees under Md. Code, Labor and Employment §9-402.

Additional financial requirements

No formal net worth requirement.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$75
Examination	$63
Initial license	$75
Renewal (every 2 years)	$75

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Maryland Master HVACR Contractor comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $75. Maryland Master HVACR licenses renew every two years. Liability insurance must remain in force throughout the cycle.

Continuing education: Continuing education is required for renewal as set by BHVACR rule. Confirm current CE hours with the Board before renewing.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Maryland for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Virginia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral Maryland–Virginia DPOR reciprocity for active master HVACR contractors in good standing.
Delaware	Trade exam waived	Bilateral Maryland–Delaware reciprocity for active master HVACR contractors.
West Virginia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral Maryland–West Virginia reciprocity.

Reciprocity waives the trade examination but not Maryland-specific application, insurance, and Board good character requirements.

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

Application Process, Step by Step

Register as an Apprentice HVACR. File the apprentice registration with BHVACR before starting work. Apprentices must work under the direct supervision of a Maryland Master HVACR Contractor.
Earn three years of qualifying experience. Document three years of practical HVACR work to qualify for the Journeyman HVACR license.
Apply for the Journeyman HVACR license. File the Journeyman HVACR application with experience verification and the application fee.
Earn at least one additional year of journeyman experience. Work as a Maryland Journeyman HVACR for at least one year to qualify for the Master HVACR examination.
Submit the Master HVACR application. File the Master HVACR application with experience verification, $300,000 liability insurance certificate, and the application fee.
Pass the PSI Master HVACR examination at 70%. Score 70% or better on the 100-question exam covering the mechanical code, refrigeration, and business and law.
Receive the Maryland Master HVACR license. BHVACR issues the license after the exam is passed and all documentation is complete. The license must be renewed every two years.

Frequent Application Errors

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Maryland HVAC application.

Skipping apprentice registration

Working as an apprentice without registering with BHVACR does not count toward the qualifying experience. Register before starting work.

Confusing Master with Master Restricted

The Master Restricted HVACR license authorizes a narrower scope of work. Choose the unrestricted Master license unless your work fits a specific limited category.

Allowing the liability insurance to lapse

BHVACR requires continuous $300,000 liability coverage. A lapse automatically suspends the license.

Underestimating refrigeration content

The Master HVACR exam covers refrigeration and refrigerant handling alongside heating and ventilation. Studying only HVAC and skipping refrigeration is a common reason for failure.

Skipping county registration

A Maryland Master HVACR license does not exempt the holder from county-level contractor registration. Several counties impose additional HVACR contractor rules.

Recommended References

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

International Mechanical Code (current Maryland-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
PSI Maryland Master HVACR Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI Services LLC. Free PDF from PSI. Contains the exam outline, references, and sample questions.
Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-101 et seq. and COMAR 09.31 — State of Maryland. Licensing law and rules.

Document Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with BHVACR:

☐ Apprentice HVACR registration with BHVACR
☐ Three years of documented HVACR experience
☐ Journeyman HVACR license
☐ One additional year of journeyman experience
☐ Master HVACR application with $75 fee
☐ PSI Maryland Master HVACR exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ $300,000 general liability insurance certificate

Other Maryland Trade Licenses

If the HVAC license is not the right fit, the following published Maryland trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Questions Applicants Ask

What are the Maryland HVACR license tiers?

Maryland licenses Apprentice HVACR, Journeyman HVACR, Master HVACR, and Master Restricted HVACR (a limited-scope license) under BHVACR. The path is sequential — each tier requires the prior credential.

How many years of experience does Maryland require for a Master HVACR Contractor?

Three years of practical experience to qualify for the Journeyman HVACR license, plus at least one additional year of journeyman experience to qualify for the Master HVACR examination.

What is the Master Restricted HVACR license?

A limited-scope master license that authorizes a narrower category of HVACR work (such as residential-only or refrigeration-only). It requires a separate PSI examination and is intended for specialists.

Does Maryland reciprocate Master HVACR licenses?

Yes. Maryland maintains bilateral reciprocity with Virginia, Delaware, and West Virginia. Reciprocal applicants must still submit Maryland insurance and Board documentation.

How often does the Maryland Master HVACR license renew?

Every two years. Renewal requires payment of the renewal fee and proof that the $300,000 liability insurance remains in force.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-18 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-16