Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Kentucky's official board.
The 1,500-hours-in-a-continuous-twelve-months definition is the detail that decides whether an application succeeds, and it is easy to miss. Keep dated payroll records rather than a total, because the division is checking the shape of the year as well as its size.
| Requirements | KENTUCKY HAS A DEDICATED HVAC DIVISION AND A REAL THREE-STEP LADDER, which is more structure than most states give this trade. HOW EXPERIENCE IS COUNTED, AND THIS IS THE KENTUCKY-SPECIFIC RULE. One year of HVAC experience means, minimally, 1,500 HOURS OF HVAC WORK IN A CONTINUOUS TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD. Both halves bind: the hours must be reached AND they must fall inside a continuous twelve months. Part-time or intermittent work that totals 1,500 hours across two years does not make a qualifying year. JOURNEYMAN HVAC MECHANIC. Applied for on the division's Journeyman application, evidencing qualifying experience counted on the 1,500-hour basis, and passing the examination. MASTER HVAC CONTRACTOR. Two years of experience as a LICENSED KENTUCKY JOURNEYMAN MECHANIC, worked under Kentucky Master HVAC license holders. The time must be served while licensed and under a master, informal experience does not count toward the master license. The statutory qualifications are at KRS 198B.658 and the regulations at 815 KAR 8:010; the division publishes a Candidate Information Bulletin for the examinations. FEDERAL LAYER: EPA Section 608 technician certification for handling regulated refrigerants. |
| Reciprocity | The division assesses out-of-state applicants against KRS 198B.658 and its own experience definition; there is no blanket waiver, and the requirement that master-level time be served as a LICENSED KENTUCKY JOURNEYMAN under a Kentucky master is the usual obstacle for incoming applicants. Apply to the division and confirm current terms. |
| Renewal | Licenses renew with the Division of HVAC on its published cycle; the division's forms pages carry the current renewal application, fee and any continuing education requirement. EPA Section 608 certification does not expire. |
| Notes | The 1,500-hours-in-a-continuous-twelve-months definition is the detail that decides whether an application succeeds, and it is easy to miss. Keep dated payroll records rather than a total, because the division is checking the shape of the year as well as its size. |
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Sources: dhbc.ky.gov, dhbc.ky.gov, dhbc.ky.gov, apps.legislature.ky.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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