You need a Maryland HVAC license in order to work as an HVAC technician.
Are there different types of HVAC licenses in Maryland?
There are different types of HVAC licenses.
- Firstly, a journeyman license: This type of license allows you to work on all types of heating and air conditioning units. But, you have to work under the supervision of a licensed contractor.
- Secondly, a limited contractor license: This type of license allows you to work for the repair and maintenance of one or more types of HVAC systems.
- Thirdly, a master contractor license: This type of license provides the technicians rights to install, maintain, and repair all types of HVAC units. They can do it without supervision. This kind of license gives you an opportunity to have legal rights to start your HVAC business.
These types of licenses allow you to work on a singular type of HVAC unit, like ventilation, refrigeration, air conditioning, forced air, and hydronic.
How much can HVAC technicians earn in Maryland?
The earnings vary in different states.
- An HVAC journeyman in Maryland can earn about $49,000 in a year.
- And a Maryland master contractor earns approximately $68,000 in a year.
How much does it cost to get a Maryland HVAC license?
Here is the price list:
- In order to get an apprenticeship, you have to pay $10.00.
- But for getting a journeyman license, you must pay $20.00.
- The cost for a limited contractor and master contractor is $75.00.
In order to become a contractor, you must have property damage insurance. And for that, you have to pay $100,000, and for liability insurance, you need to pay $300.000.
How to get a Maryland HVAC license?
There are different requirements to get an HVAC license. These licenses are issued by the Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors.
Schooling requirements
You can attend a vocational school or HVAC technical college in order to learn about modern HVAC systems. There are the top HVAC schools in Maryland:
- The first one is the Community College of Baltimore County
- The second one is Montgomery College
- The third one is Brightwood College
Tuition for an associate’s degree is about $10,000-$15,000. For the bachelor’s degree in this field, the best universities are
- Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering
- The University of Maryland in Baltimore
Tuition is about $40,000 for a four-year program for a state university. But, what refers to private universities, for example, Johns Hopkins, the cost is as much as $50,000.
Check financial aid options with the schools. You can also take some part of your classes online. These courses focus on both the theory and practical parts.
On-the-Job Experience
In order to get a journeyman license, you must have three years of experience. You can gain this experience in three ways.
- Firstly, you can complete an HVACR certificate program or degree along with a year or two of experience under a master HVACR technician or journeyman.
- Secondly, you can attend an apprenticeship program for three years. The program consists of 1,875 hours of experience. This program involves assisting journeyperson and master technicians in standard services.
- Thirdly, you can gain three years of experience in that field, when you work in another state. In order to get a master contractor license, you have to work as a journeyman for three years.
Do you have exams to pass for an HVAC license in Maryland?
You have exams to pass in order to receive your HVAC license. The exam depends on the license classification.
- For the journeyperson, limited contractor, and master contractor licenses’ exam, you have to pay $150.00.
- But for the specialized licenses’ exam, like the journeyman restricted or master restricted, you have to pay $50.00
How much time do we have to complete the exams?
- In order to complete the limited contractor exam, you have 120 minutes.
- But for the journeyman and master contractor exams, you have 240 minutes to complete.
- And lastly, you will have 120 minutes to complete the specialized licenses.
If you fail the exams, you can retake them in 30 days.
Renewal of the HVAC licenses
You have to renew your HVAC licenses in Maryland every two years. And for that, you have to pay $20.00.
How long does it take to get an HVAC license in Maryland?
When you apply for the license and pass the necessary exams, you have to wait a few weeks to receive it.