The average annual temperature for North Carolina is around 60 degrees with temperatures ranging from the low 30s to the high 80s year round. Summer are generally very humid and some areas experience heavy snowfall during winter. Professionals with a North Carolina HVAC license are constantly sought after throughout the year due to the wide range of temperatures and conditions experienced within the state.
HVAC contractors in North Carolina are required to obtain state licensure prior to employment but HVAC technicians do not need a license to perform HVAC work within the state. Licenses for HVAC contractors are issued by the State Board of Refrigeration Contractors and there are multiple options for licensing within the state.
In order to obtain a license HVAC contractors must have two years of work experience or one year of work experience along with one year of applicable education. They are additionally required to pass a four part exam and provide a surety bond.
North Carolina HVAC License Requirements
North Carolina offers three different licensing options for heating and cooling.
North Carolina HVAC H1 License
The first type of license for heating and cooling is an H1 license. This license covers water-based comfort heating systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The H1 classification is also divided into Class 1 and Class 2 levels. The Class 1 level of licensure allows HVAC professionals to service any building and the Class 2 licensure limits HVAC professionals to performing work on single-family detached dwellings.
North Carolina HVAC H2 License
The second type of license for heating and cooling in North Carolina is the H2 license which permits HVAC professionals to work with forced air heating and cooling for units over 15 tons.
North Carolina HVAC H3 License
The third type of license for heating and cooling in North Carolina is H3. H3 limits HVAC professionals to working with forced air heating and cooling on units under 15 tons. Similar to H1, H3 is further divided into Class 1 and Class 2 with Class 1 allowing HVAC professionals to work on any type of building and Class 2 allowing for work on single-family detached dwellings.
Additional HVAC Licenses
Additional licenses available for HVAC contractors in North Carolina include commercial refrigeration, transport refrigeration, fuel piping and electrical. Refrigeration licensing is generally obtained in addition to having a heating and cooling license and requires a separate exam.
North Carolina HVAC License Exam Requirements
In order for an HVAC professional to take the contractor exam they must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time HVAC work experience. If an individual has obtained academic credit within the field they may use up to 2000 hours towards the required work experience. If an individual instead wishes to take the technician exam they must have a minimum of 18 months of full-time HVAC work experience.
North Carolina HVAC Exam Overview
The Heating Licensing Exam is required for both contractors and technicians and must be taken within four hours. Following the completion of the Heating License Exam contractors are also required to take the business and law exam which must be completed within 90 minutes. Both exams require HVAC contractors to have a minimum of 4,000 hours of professional experience.
North Carolina Refrigeration Contractor Licensing Exam
HVAC contractors in North Carolina must take this exam in order to perform refrigeration based duties. The exam has 4 different sections and is open book.
HVAC professionals who instead want transport refrigeration certification over commercial/industrial refrigeration must take an exam that is made up of three sections and has fewer questions.
After passing the exam the State Refrigeration Board will issue individuals with a Refrigeration Contractors License that requires annual renewal.
North Carolina HVAC Salary
The average salary for professionals with a North Carolina HVAC license is over $40,000 with the top 10% earning over $60,000 annually. Cities in North Carolina that pay HVAC workers the highest salaries include Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, Durham and Chapel Hill. HVAC professionals in Durham and Chapel earn on average over $50,000 annually.