Due to the steadily increasing temperatures in summer along with below freezing temperatures in winter there has been an increased demand for professionals with a Virginia HVAC license. Summers in Virginia tend to remain within temperatures of anywhere from the high 60s to low 90s but winters can reach down all the way into the 20s or lower. Northern Virginia and Chesapeake Bay tend to have the coldest temperatures for the winter season and the Eastern Shore regions along with southern Chesapeake Bay generally have the warmest temperatures during summer.
Unlike other states, Virginia requires both HVAC technicians and contractors to obtain licensure before performing HVAC work. The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation issues both technician and contractor licenses.
Virginia HVAC License Requirements
Virginia offers two types of licensing for HVAC technicians along with three different classes for contractor licenses. The two types of licenses for HVAC technicians include journeyman and master. The three classes of licenses for HVAC contractors Class A, Class B, and Class C. HVAC professionals that plan on working on projects worth $1000 or more must obtain a contractor’s license.
Virginia HVAC Journeyman License
The journeyman license is the first level of licensing available for HVAC technicians. In order to obtain this license individuals must acquire two years of work experience along with a two year education in the HVAC field. For those who do not meet this requirement they may instead choose to either acquire four years of work experience along with a minimum of 240 hours of vocational training, five years of work experience along with 160 hours of vocational training or they may obtain six years of work experience along with 80 hours of vocational training. Additional exceptions to the work and education requirements include either having a four year degree in engineering related curriculum along with 1 year of work experience or ten years of confirmed work experience with no educational requirement.
Virginia HVAC Master Level License
The second type of HVAC technician license available in Virginia is the master level license which requires HVAC technicians to obtain one year of work experience at the journeyman level or they may instead have ten years of confirmed work experience.
Virginia HVAC Contractor License
The contractor license is available as Class A, Class B or Class C.
Virginia HVAC Class A License
The Class A contractor license allows HVAC contractors to work without limits of any kind and individuals must meet several requirements in order to become licensed. These requirements include taking a pre-licensure course, completing at least 5 years of work experience, proving they have a net worth of at least $45,000 and obtaining adequate insurance. They must also pass all necessary exams.
Virginia HVAC Class B License
The Class B license limits contractors to working on projects that are worth $120,000 or less and they are also limited to having a total annual project worth of $750,000. Like Class A, Class B requires HVAC professionals to complete the pre-licensure course, carry insurance, and pass all applicable exams, however they must have at least 3 years of work experience and a minimum net worth of $15,000.
Virginia HVAC Class C License
The third type of contractor license available to HVAC professionals is Class C. This level limits HVAC professionals to projects with a maximum value of $10,000 and a total annual earnings maximum of $150,000. Like Class A and Class B, individuals must take the pre-licensing course and pass all required exams but they must obtain two years of work experience.
Virginia HVAC License Exam Requirements
Both the journeyman and master level HVAC professionals are required to take two exams. The first exam is the trade exam and the second exam is the statutory and regulatory exam.
The Virginia HVAC Exam for the master and journeyman levels is a 210 minute long exam made up of 85 questions. Those taking the journeyman level must score 60% to pass whereas those taking the master level exam must score 64% to pass. The cost of the exam is $100 for the journeyman level and $125 for the master level.
There is separate testing for HVAC professionals looking to obtain a Class A or Class B contractor’s license. Both levels must take the general exam but HVAC professionals work want the Class A license must also take a specialty exam.
The general exam for Class A and Class B is a 100 minute long test made up of 50 questions. Individuals must score a 70% to pass.
The Class A Specialty Exam is a 60 minute long test which has 24 questions. Contractors must obtain a score of 71% to pass.
Class C contractors are not required to take any exams in order to obtain licensure. However, if they are interested they may apply and take the specialty exam within their field.
Virginia HVAC Salary
The average salary for professionals with a Virginia HVAC license is $47,000 with cities such as Alexandria paying HVAC technicians just under $50,000 a year. The top 10% of HVAC professionals earn over $69,000 annually.