According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Maine uses more fuel oil for home heating than any other state. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians should be trained to work with more than 65% of ME homes that rely on oil for heating. This is why Maine licenses many HVAC workers as oil burner & solid fuel technicians.
To become a licensed HVAC tech in the state, you’ll first need to become an apprentice and gain experience. Then, you’ll apply to take the journeyman exam. Once you pass this exam, you can work as a licensed tech under a master supervisor.
Do You Need an HVAC License in Maine?
Maine requires licenses for apprentices, journeyman techs, and master techs who work with oiler burner and solid fuel systems. Licenses are given with different authorities that determine what kind of oils you can legally work with.
Additional licenses are also available depending on the type of HVAC work you plan to complete, as discussed at the end of this article.
Types of HVAC Licenses in Maine
In this article, we will focus on and use the terms HVAC tech and oil burner & solid fuel tech interchangeably. There are three license categories for this type of HVAC tech.
- Oil Burner & Solid Fuel Apprentice License
- Journeyman Oil Burner & Solid Fuel Technician License
- Master Oil Burner & Solid Fuel Technician License
Apprentice Licenses
Apprentices in this category can assist with oil installations, repairs, and servicing under a licensed journeyman or master HVAC tech. Once apprentices have at least 160 hours of training or one year of supervised experience, they can also clean oil-burning equipment without direct supervision.
Once you’re hired under an approved apprenticeship, you can apply for your apprentice license with the state. You’ll need to fill out the application online and pay a $61 fee ($40 license fee + $21 criminal background fee). Once issued, your license will be good for two years.
There are four different license authorities this license may grant:
- 1 & 2 oils up to 15 gph
- 1 & 2 oils over 15 gph
- 4, 5 & 6 oils
- Solid fuel
For more information, see the application.
Technician Licenses
After you have been trained as an apprentice, you can apply for your journeyman HVAC license by examination. Journeyman techs install or service oil-burning equipment in Maine while working under a master technician. This is the most basic level of licensure you should reach to become an independent HVAC tech.
To become a journeyman technician, you must:
- Have 1+ year of experience as an apprentice OR
- Have 6 months of apprentice experience plus completed a board-approved oil burner & solid fuel course OR
- Complete a 1-year approved course at a community college which includes 320+ hours of study with 150 hours of laboratory work on related systems
Once you meet one of the above requirements, you can apply online for the examination and pay the $121 fee ($100 license fee + $21 criminal background check fee).
If approved, you’ll be able to schedule and take the official journeyman exam. You’ll need a 70% or higher to pass and receive your license.
Master oil burner & solid fuel technicians can also apply for licensure once they have sufficient journeyman experience under their belt.
For more information on both tech license types, see the application.
Other HVAC Licenses in Maine
In addition to the oil burner & solid fuel licenses, Maine also issues licenses for:
