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How to get a HVAC technician license in Kentucky

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority — sourced from Kentucky's official board.

Regulation 815 KAR 8:010 under KRS 198B. EPA 608 required for refrigerants.

Issuing authority: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Division of HVAC.. Official page: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/815/008/010/

License levels in Kentucky

Kentucky HVAC technician licensing at a glance

RequirementsMaster HVAC Contractor: hold a journeyman license and document required experience, pass two exams (trade exam $100 + law/business exam $60) at 70%, and carry liability insurance of at least $500,000. Journeyman HVAC Mechanic: pass the journeyman exam at 70% ($50). One year of experience = 1,500 hours of HVAC work in a continuous 12-month period; a passing exam score is valid for 3 years.
ReciprocityAvailable where a reciprocity agreement exists between Kentucky and the applicant's licensing state; applicant must comply with that agreement's requirements.
RenewalAnnual, by the licensee's birth month. Renewal fees: master contractor $250, journeyman $50. Renewal requires proof of annual continuing education (8 hours) per 815 KAR 2:010.
NotesRegulation 815 KAR 8:010 under KRS 198B. EPA 608 required for refrigerants.

Questions

Do you need a license to work as a HVAC technician in Kentucky?
Regulation 815 KAR 8:010 under KRS 198B. EPA 608 required for refrigerants.
What HVAC technician license levels does Kentucky have?
The levels are Master HVAC Contractor, Journeyman HVAC Mechanic, Apprentice.
How do you get licensed as a HVAC technician in Kentucky?
Master HVAC Contractor: hold a journeyman license and document required experience, pass two exams (trade exam $100 + law/business exam $60) at 70%, and carry liability insurance of at least $500,000. Journeyman HVAC Mechanic: pass the journeyman exam at 70% ($50). One year of experience = 1,500 hours of HVAC work in a continuous 12-month period; a passing exam score is valid for 3 years.
Does Kentucky have HVAC technician license reciprocity?
Available where a reciprocity agreement exists between Kentucky and the applicant's licensing state; applicant must comply with that agreement's requirements.

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Sources: apps.legislature.ky.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

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