Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians in MD are overseen by the Maryland Board of HVAC and Refrigeration Contractors. With an average salary of $57,178 – 13% higher than the national average – many people are interested in how to become an HVAC technician in Maryland.
If you’d like to start your HVAC career in MD, you’ll first need to be trained as a licensed apprentice. You can then move forward to apply for your journeyman, limited, master, or contractor’s HVAC license.
Do You Need an HVAC License in Maryland?
Any individual providing HVAC-Refrigeration (HVACR) services in Maryland must be licensed by the Board. Failure to get licensed could result in jail time or a fine of up to $5,000 per violation.
Types of HVAC Licenses in Maryland
Maryland offers licenses for every stage of your HVAC career.
- Apprentice licenses
- Journeyman licenses
- Contractor’s licenses
- Limited licenses
- Master restricted licenses
- Master licenses
Apprentice HVAC Techs in MD
Apprentice licenses are for those who only train in and assist with HVACR work while working under a licensed master, master restricted, or limited HVACR licensee. These apprenticeships combine coursework with hands-on, paid training.
You must form part of an official MD apprenticeship before applying for your license online.
Journeyman HVAC Techs in MD
Journeyman HVAC licenses are for licensed HVAC apprentices who have 3+ years of experience. You must have at least 1,875 hours of work and training experience under an HVACR contractor.
To receive this license, you’ll need to apply for an examination through PSI Exams and then pass the exam with at least a 70%.
Once you pass, you can apply for your journeyman license online.
HVAC Contractor Licenses in MD
There are three types of contractor licenses in Maryland: limited, master restricted, and master licenses.
In addition to the requirements below, all contractors will need to hold the appropriate insurance. This insurance should:
- Include the contractor’s name on the certificate of insurance, in addition to the policy number and expiration date
- Include $300,000+ of general liability coverage
- Include at least $100,000 of property damage liability coverage
Limited HVAC Licenses
Limited license contractors are actively licensed journeyman techs who have worked under a master HVAC tech for at least two years, including 1,000 hours in the year before they apply. They must apply to take and then pass a PSI exam. Once they pass, they can apply for licensure online.
Restricted Master HVAC Licenses
Restricted master HVAC techs can install or maintain air conditioning, full heating, forced air, heating, hydronic heating, refrigeration, or ventilation systems.
You must be an actively licensed journeyman HVAC tech with 3+ years of experience under an HVAC master tech. This experience should include 1,875 hours of work in the last year.
Interested parties must apply to take and then pass a PSI exam. Once they pass with a 70% or higher, they can apply for licensure online.
Master HVAC Licenses
Master HVAC techs can work on all areas of HVACR. They have the same application requirements and procedures as restricted master licensees, except the exam will cover more content.
Be sure to apply to take and then pass the master PSI exam. Once you pass, you can apply for your master license online.
