Georgia HVAC License Requirements

Georgia HVAC Licensing Guide

When a Georgia summer pushes temperatures past ninety degrees by midmorning, the conditioned air contractor becomes one of the most essential professionals in the state.

From the historic row houses of Savannah to the sprawling new construction exurbs north of Atlanta, the demand for qualified HVAC professionals has never been stronger. But Georgia regulates its heating and air conditioning work differently than most states.

Here, you do not simply become an HVAC contractor. You become a “Conditioned Air Contractor”, and the path to that title requires specific experience, board-approved coursework, and a rigorous seven-hour examination.

This guide walks you through the Georgia conditioned air contractor licensing process from eligibility through renewal. Whether you are aiming for the Class 1 Restricted license to focus on residential work or the Class 2 Non-restricted license to tackle commercial systems exceeding 175,000 BTUs, the requirements are detailed and nonnegotiable.

In this guide, you will find concrete numbers for fees, exam structure, experience thresholds, and earnings potential. You will also learn where Georgia deviates from the national model, particularly in its statewide control over local licensing and its narrow reciprocity agreements with only three other states.

If you are already licensed in Louisiana, your path may be shorter. But, for everyone else, you can plan on four to five years of verifiable experience, a passing score of seventy percent or higher, and a $10,000 surety bond deposited with the probate court in the county where you intend to work. Let’s get into it.

Key Takeaways

• Georgia licenses conditioned air contractors only; no journeyman or apprentice licenses exist, and unlicensed individuals may only work under direct supervision of a licensed contractor.
• The State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors holds exclusive statewide authority, and local governments cannot impose additional occupational licensing requirements on state license holders.
• Experience requirements are strict: four years for Class 1, five years for Class 2, with specific mandated roles including lead mechanic, service technician, and supervisor time.
• Every applicant must hold EPA Section 608 Type II certification and complete a board-approved duct design and heat loss and heat gain course before sitting for the examination.
• The seven-hour PSI examination costs $267 per attempt (cost is subject to change), contains about 100 questions, and requires a seventy percent score to pass.
• Reciprocity is limited to Louisiana only (subject to board determination of equivalency); licensees from all other states must meet Georgia’s full experience and examination requirements.
• Annual earnings for highly skilled HVAC positions in Georgia are estimated around $74,927, though actual contractor income varies by license class, business volume, and service area.

Who Needs an HVAC License in Georgia?

The short answer is straightforward: any person who contracts to install, alter, or repair a conditioned air system in Georgia must hold a valid license from the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. The long answer, codified in Georgia Code § 43-14-13, contains several important exceptions that every technician and business owner should understand.

You DO NOT need a license if you fall into one of these categories:

• A homeowner performing work on your own residence, provided the work meets all applicable codes and county or municipal inspection requirements.
• A full-time employee of an institution, manufacturer, or business performing conditioned air work on the premises of that employer. This exemption does not extend to contracting services to other parties.
• A propane dealer holding a liquefied petroleum gas license who is installing or servicing propane systems or gas piping, provided the dealer does not install complete conditioned air or forced air heating systems.
• A subcontractor working under a licensed conditioned air contractor to install duct systems, control systems, or insulation, as long as the licensed contractor retains full responsibility for the contract. However, if that subcontractor contracts directly with the property owner to perform a complete installation, they must hold their own license.

For everyone else, including sole proprietors, partnership owners, and corporation officers whose business involves conditioned air contracting, the license is mandatory.

Georgia law also explicitly preempts local licensing ordinances: once you hold a state license, no municipality or county may require you to obtain an additional occupational license for conditioned air work. This is a significant advantage over states with fragmented local licensing schemes.

So, the town of Alpharetta cannot demand its own test, and Savannah cannot require a separate registration. Your state license is your passport to work anywhere in the state of Georgia.

That said, permitting is NOT preempted. You must still pull permits, schedule inspections, and comply with local amendments to the state mechanical code.

The city of Atlanta’s permitting office, for example, operates on its own timeline and fee schedule. A state license gets you in the door, but it does not bypass the local building department.

Licensing Authority & Governing Body

The Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors is the sole regulatory authority for HVAC licensing in the state. The board operates within the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, which is housed under the Secretary of State’s office.

This structure matters because it centralizes enforcement, complaint investigation, and rulemaking. If you need to verify a license status, file a complaint, or request a formal interpretation of the rules, the Secretary of State’s professional licensing division is your point of contact.

The board consists of members appointed by the governor, drawn from the conditioned air industry and the public. They meet regularly to review applications, consider disciplinary actions, and propose rule changes.

Unlike some states where licensing is handled by a department of labor or a standalone commission, Georgia’s model places conditioned air contractors alongside electricians, plumbers, and utility contractors under one statutory umbrella. This is why you will see cross-references to other contractor divisions in the Georgia Code.

One unique feature of Georgia’s governance model is the statutory language regarding subcontracted work. The board holds the licensed prime contractor fully responsible for all work performed under their contract, including work done by unlicensed subcontractors.

So, if you hire an unlicensed individual to install ductwork and that installation fails inspection or causes property damage, the board will hold you, the license holder, accountable. This is not merely a contractual dispute; it is direct grounds for disciplinary action against your license.

Office location and contact:

237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858
404-424-9966

Apply Online

Below are the official Georgia Secretary of State resources for applying or finding instructions for Conditioned Air Contractor licenses:

• Apply for a Class I (Restricted) or Class II (Non-restricted) Conditioned Air Contractor License in Georgia
• Apply for a Conditioned Air Contractor License by Reciprocity in Georgia (Louisiana only)

📌 Note: All applications, whether submitted online through the Georgia Online Licensing portal or via paper, are processed at this one central location. So, while walk-in service may be available, for convenience, I would strongly advise that routine transactions (e.g., renewals, address changes, fee payments) be completed through the online system.

HVAC License Types

Georgia offers two classes of conditioned air contractor license. There is no separate journeyman classification, no apprentice registration, and no specialty licenses for refrigeration-only or sheet metal-only work.

You are either a restricted contractor, a non-restricted contractor, or you are working under someone who is. This binary structure is simpler than states with six or seven license tiers, but it also means the experience requirements are more demanding.

Here’s a breakdown of the two license classes, their scope of work and limitations, and the experience required for each:

License Class	Scope of Work	System Capacity Limits	Experience Required
Class 1: Restricted	Residential and light commercial conditioned air systems	Heating: 175,000 BTUs maximum Cooling: 60,000 BTUs maximum	4 years total, including: 2 years lead mechanic (residential installation), 1 year service technician, 1 year residential supervisor
Class 2: Non-restricted	All conditioned air systems, no capacity limits	No upper limit	5 years total, including: 2 years lead mechanic (commercial installation on systems >175k BTUs heating or >60k BTUs cooling), 1 year service technician, 2 years commercial supervisor

 

Class I License Explained

The heating and cooling capacity limits on a Class 1 Restricted license apply to each complete system in a single installation, not to the sum of all equipment on a project.

This means:

• You may install multiple units on the same building, as long as each unit stays under 175,000 BTUs heating and 60,000 BTUs cooling.
• You may not install a single unit that exceeds those limits, even if it is the only unit on the project.

Example:

• Project # 1: A restaurant needs four rooftop air conditioners. Each unit is rated at 5 tons (60,000 BTUs) cooling. Because every unit is below the 60,000 BTU cooling limit, this project is legal for a Class 1 contractor.
• Project # 2: A big-box store needs one 25-ton rooftop unit (300,000 BTUs cooling). This single unit exceeds the Class 1 cooling limit, so this project requires a Class 2 Non-restricted license.

The restriction is per system, not per job.

Class II License Explained

A Class 2 license grants you everything a Class 1 contractor can do plus work with no system size limits. This means you can bid on:

• Commercial new construction (office buildings, retail centers)
• Schools and hospitals
• Industrial process cooling and large-scale mechanical systems

Because Class 2 removes all BTU caps, it is the standard credential for contractors who work outside residential replacement.

The hurdle: Class 2 requires five years of experience (one more than Class 1) and at least one full year of commercial lead mechanic work on systems larger than 175,000 BTUs heating or 60,000 BTUs cooling. That commercial time is the single biggest reason experienced residential technicians do not automatically qualify.

💡 Pro tip: Pursue a Class II license straightaway if commercial is even a possibility.

Going from Class I to Class II is not incremental and Georgia does not offer a streamlined upgrade path from one class to another. So, I would say, if you expect to move into light commercial work in the next few years, pursue the Class II license from the outset rather than upgrading later.

Eligibility Requirements

Georgia measures experience in years of full-time employment, defined as at least 2,000 hours per year performing conditioned air work under the supervision of a licensed contractor. Part-time work, even if regular, is prorated.

The board scrutinizes experience affidavits carefully; so, vague descriptions such as “worked on HVAC systems” are insufficient. Your verification forms must specify whether you performed residential installation, commercial service, supervisory duties, or lead mechanic responsibilities.

Experience Substitution

A diploma from a technical school or engineering technology program may count for up to two years of the experience requirement. A certificate from a vocational-technical school counts for up to one year.

These substitutions apply to the total years required, not to the specific role requirements. So, you must still demonstrate at least some lead mechanic, service, and supervisory time.

This means, a candidate with a two-year technical diploma in HVAC technology needs only two additional years of verifiable field experience to qualify for the Class 1 license, but those two years must include the required mix of lead mechanic, service, and supervisor roles.

⚠️Important Note: I cannot stress this enough: who supervised you matters just as much as what you did. I’ve seen applications from excellent technicians get bounced because their supervisor wasn’t licensed at the time, and the board does a good job at checking. So, if you worked under someone who was unlicensed, that time may not count, even if the work was flawless. Out-of-state experience is accepted but, again, be prepared to prove that your supervisor held a valid license in their state.

References

Every applicant must submit three professional references from individuals who are either:

• Licensed conditioned air contractors
• Professional engineers
• Registered architects
• Building inspectors

These references attest to the applicant’s good character and their specific experience in the trade. References from former employers who are not licensed contractors may be accepted if they are architects, engineers, or inspectors who directly observed the applicant’s work.

References from coworkers, family members, or customers are generally not accepted.

EPA Certification

You must present proof of EPA Section 608 Type II certification or higher. Universal certification is acceptable, but Type II is the minimum. This is a federal requirement, not merely a state board rule, and there is no waiver.

Board-Approved Duct Design Course

Before you may sit for the state examination, you must complete a course in duct design and heat loss and heat gain that has been approved by the board. The course must cover the methods of calculating heating and cooling loads, duct sizing, and system performance verification.

The Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors does not maintain a single public webpage listing all approved duct design course providers. To verify whether a specific course is currently approved, you must contact the board directly:

Phone: 478-207-2440
Email: ConstructSOS@sos.ga.gov
Office: 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217

🟢 Simpler pathway: Complete an AIRC 1060 course at any accredited Georgia technical college. This course is pre-approved and satisfies the state board’s duct design and heat load requirement for licensure statewide.

Visit the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) website to find a campus near you.

💡 Pro Tip: Call the board before enrolling in private duct design courses.

Many private course providers will tell you their class is board-approved. But, I’ve heard from enough guys who paid hundreds of dollars only to find out the course approval expired last year to just take a private course providers word for it. So, I recommend you call the board before enrolling in any private course. The safest bet is really the AIRC 1060 course which can be taken at any Georgia technical college. It’s approved, it’s affordable, and it’s accepted everywhere in the state.

Exam Requirements

The conditioned air contractor examination in Georgia is administered by PSI, the state’s third-party testing vendor. You do not register with PSI directly until the board has reviewed and approved your application.

After your application is approved, the board then forwards your information to PSI, who will email you instructions for scheduling your exam.

Exam Format

Both Class 1 and Class 2 examinations are approximately seven hours long, split into two 3.5-hour sessions with a scheduled break.

The exam contains about 100 scored questions with some possible pilot or pretest questions.

The passing score is seventy percent. If you fail, you may retake the exam after paying the full examination fee again. There is no limit on retakes, but each attempt requires a new application approval cycle.

Here is a breakdown of the subject areas of the exam and the number of questions per subject according to many third-party preparatory guides:

Subject Area	Approximate Number of Questions
Regulations, Laws, and Administrative Processes	8
System Design	55
Installation of Equipment, Duct Systems, Flue Venting, Piping, Electrical Controls, and System Operation	25
System Maintenance and Repair	12

 

The Class 2 examination includes additional technical content focused on commercial and industrial systems. You should expect questions on:

• Bonding and liquidated damage
• Sizing steam and chilled-water piping systems
• Installing cooling towers and circulating water pumps
• Setting and aligning v-belt tension
• Water-cooled condensers and cooling tower operations

⚠️Important Note: This one catches a lot of people off guard. Passing the exam does NOT mean you are licensed. You cannot advertise. You cannot pull permits. You cannot sign contracts. You are not a contractor until that bond is filed and the board formally issues your license. I’ve seen eager guys start work in the gap period and end up in trouble. So, wait for the official license.

Exam Fee

The exam fee is $267 per attempt (fees are subject to change, always verify with PSI). This fee is paid directly to PSI at the time you schedule your exam and is nonrefundable if you cancel outside the allowable window or fail to appear.

Permitted Reference Materials

The Georgia conditioned air exam is open book, but only specific reference texts are allowed.

PSI publishes a reference list, which typically includes the International Mechanical Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, and certain industry manuals.

You must bring your own copies and they will be inspected at the test center. Highlighting and tabs are permitted, but inserted notes or loose-leaf pages are not.

Proctors are trained to confiscate noncompliant materials, and you will not be permitted to replace them during the exam.

Job Outlook & Earnings

Georgia’s HVAC market is driven by three nonnegotiable realities: intense summer heat, rapid population growth, and an aging stock of residential and commercial systems.

Air conditioning is not just a seasonal upgrade in this state; it is a public health necessity. From the coastal humidity of Savannah to the sprawling exurbs of Atlanta, working air conditioning in Georgia is as essential as running water.

The state’s construction and service sectors have remained resilient through economic cycles, and HVAC work is less volatile than general construction. Replacement and service calls continue even when new housing starts to slow.

Growing adoption of high-efficiency heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, and IAQ systems also drives demand for technicians trained in modern equipment, and not just 10 SEER change-outs.

Projected Job Growth Rate for HVAC Roles in Georgia

HVAC/Conditioned air contractor employment in Georgia is expected to grow approximately 8 to 10 percent through 2032, on par with or slightly above the national average.

This estimate reflects continued new construction in metro Atlanta, reinvestment in existing commercial buildings, and the mechanical complexity of modern systems that require licensed professionals for proper installation and commissioning.

Average HVAC Wages in Georgia

Earnings for HVAC professionals in Georgia depend on license status, specialization, and whether you work as an employee or a licensed contractor. The figures below represent typical ranges based on industry data and should be viewed as only estimates.

Experience Level	Typical Hourly / Annual Range
Entry-level / Apprentice	$15 – $20 per hour
Experienced technician	$22 – $30 per hour ($45,000 – $62,000)
Licensed Class 1 contractor	$65,000 – $85,000+ (business dependent)
Licensed Class 2 contractor	$80,000 – $110,000+ (commercial focus)

 

Geographic variation: Metro Atlanta and the northern suburbs typically support wages at the higher end of these ranges. Rural areas and parts of South Georgia may see lower starting pay but often offer lower cost of living and less competition.

📌 Note: The wage figures I’m sharing are estimates based on what I’ve seen in the field and what industry data suggests. Your actual income will depend on whether you chase residential service or commercial contracts, whether you build a team, and how you structure your business. I know Class II contractors clearing well over six figures, and I know Class I guys doing just fine in the suburbs. The license opens the door; you decide what is on the other side. For the most current state-specific projections and wage data, visit the Georgia Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook and the OEWS section of bls.gov for Georgia.

How Licensing Impacts Earning Potential

The difference between working under a license and holding the license yourself is the difference between trading time for dollars and building a business that generates revenue beyond your own labor.

A Georgia conditioned air contractor license allows you to:

• Bid directly on projects. You are not limited to what an employer pays you per hour. You price the whole job, account for materials and overhead, and keep the margin.
• Pull permits in your own name. Permitted work signals professionalism and code compliance. Many property owners and general contractors will not consider unpermitted bids.
• Hire registered technicians. You can take on more work than you can personally perform, scale your schedule, and increase revenue capacity.
• Qualify for commercial and institutional contracts. Schools, hospitals, and industrial facilities require contractors who are licensed, bonded, and insured. These projects carry higher margins than residential service.
• Build equity in a business. A licensed, insured, and bonded HVAC company is a sellable asset. This is retirement capital, not just a paycheck.

Application Process

The application process for a Georgia conditioned air contractor license requires careful document preparation. Incomplete applications are returned, and the board meets only periodically to review submissions. So, getting things right the first time around is important.

To get your application processed in a timely manner, follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm you meet the experience requirement.
Map your work history against the specific role requirements for the class you seek. If you are short on commercial lead mechanic time, you are not ready to apply for Class 2.

Step 2: Obtain EPA Section 608 Type II certification.
If you hold Universal certification, you are already compliant. If you hold only Type I, you must upgrade.

Step 3: Complete a board-approved duct design and heat loss/heat gain course.
Retain your certificate of completion. You will need to upload or mail a copy.

Step 4: Secure three professional references.
Contact each of your references in advance. Explain that the board may contact them directly. Provide them with accurate dates and descriptions of your work under their observation.

Step 5: Complete the application form.
Available through the Georgia Online Application & Licensing System portal. You will need to disclose any criminal history, prior license discipline, or outstanding judgments.

Step 6: Pay the application fee.
The application fee is $30. If you apply online, there is an additional $5 processing fee. If you apply by mail, the additional processing fee is $10. All fees are nonrefundable.

Step 7: Submit and wait for board approval.
Processing times vary. You will receive notification from the board when your application has been approved and forwarded to PSI.

Step 8: Schedule and pass the examination.
Once PSI emails you, log in to their portal, select a test center and date, and pay the exam fee ($267 as of today). Bring approved reference texts and government-issued photo identification.

Step 9: Obtain your surety bond.
After passing the exam, you must secure a $10,000 surety bond and deposit it with the probate court judge in the county where you will operate. The bond must remain in effect for the duration of your license.

Step 10: Receive your license.
The board issues the license after receiving verification of your bond deposit. You may then begin contracting.

Fees & Costs

While the cost of getting licensed in Georgia is relatively affordable compared to many other states, the individual fees can add up quickly. The table below breaks down the specific charges you will encounter, from the application process through to maintaining your license. Keep in mind that these figures represent only the state fees; you should also budget for the surety bond premium, which is a separate and recurring annual expense.

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Application by examination	$110	Class I or II; nonrefundable
Examination fee	$267	Per attempt, paid to PSI
Initial license issuance	Included	No separate issuance fee
Business registration	No fee	Registers the qualifying licensee
Biennial renewal	$75	Due November 30 of odd years
Late renewal	$100	December 1–31 of odd years
Reinstatement under three years	$310	Supporting documents and CE required
Reinstatement after three years	$310 + reexamination	Reexamination is required

 

Surety bond cost: The bond amount is fixed at $10,000. The premium you pay depends on your personal credit score and business financial history. For applicants with good credit, annual premiums typically range from $100 to $200. Applicants with poor credit may pay higher premiums or be required to collateralize the bond.

Insurance, Bonds & Financial Responsibility

Surety Bond

Georgia law requires every licensed conditioned air contractor to maintain a $10,000 surety bond on file with the probate court in the county where the contractor’s principal place of business is located.

The bond is not insurance; it is a financial guarantee that the contractor will comply with state laws and regulations. If the board receives a valid claim against your license, for example, failure to complete a contracted project or violation of the conditioned air code, the bond is a source of restitution for the injured party.

💡 Pro Tip: Bond location matters.

The bond must be filed with the probate court in the county where your principal place of business is located, not where you live and not where the job is. I’ve seen licenses delayed for weeks because of this one small mistake. So, be sure to double-check before you walk in to finalize your filings.

General Liability Insurance

While Georgia law does not mandate general liability insurance for licensure, you will not be able to work without it. General contractors and property owners require proof of insurance before allowing you on a jobsite. The standard coverage amounts you will encounter are expressed in two numbers.

The first number, $1,000,000 per occurrence, means your insurance policy will pay up to one million dollars for a single incident. If a piece of equipment falls through a customer’s roof, for example, the policy covers the resulting damage up to that limit.

The second number, $2,000,000 aggregate, is the total your policy will pay over the entire year, no matter how many separate incidents occur. Once claims exceed two million dollars in a policy year, you are responsible for any additional costs out of pocket.

If you bid on work for a school district, a hospital, or a large commercial development, the project specifications may require higher limits. With those, you might see requirements for two million or five million dollars per occurrence. Your insurance agent can help you quote higher limits for specific projects or purchase an umbrella policy that provides additional coverage above your base limits.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ comp is mandatory if you have three or more employees, including yourself if you are an officer of a corporation. Sole proprietors and partners may elect to exempt themselves from coverage, but they must still provide coverage for all employees. The State Board of Workers’ Compensation enforces this requirement, and noncompliance can result in stop-work orders and fines.

Renewal & Continuing Education

Renewal

Georgia conditioned air contractor licenses expire biennially on November 30th of every odd-numbered year. Renewal notices are sent electronically to the email address on file with the board. It is your responsibility to maintain a current email address; failure to receive a notice is not grounds for waiver of late fees.

Renewal fee: $75 if paid by November 30th.
Late renewal period: December 1st through December 31st, with an additional late renewal fee. Licenses not renewed by December 31st expire and must be reinstated.

If you’ve allowed your license to lapse, the rules on reinstatement are as follows:

• Less than three years expired: File a reinstatement application, pay the $310 reinstatement fee, and provide proof of required continuing education. The board may impose additional conditions, including reexamination.
• Three or more years expired: File a reinstatement application, pay the $310 fee, and pass the applicable examination again.

Continuing Education

Georgia conditioned air contractors must complete four hours of continuing education per year, generally totaling eight hours per biennial renewal cycle. Contractors initially licensed for less than two years need four hours, while those licensed for less than one year are exempt for their first renewal. Licensed professional engineers are also exempt.

You must remain current with code changes as they affect your work; ignorance of the current mechanical code is not a defense to a violation.

Reciprocity

Georgia maintains limited reciprocal licensing agreements with Louisiana, subject to board approval. If you hold an equivalent HVAC contractor license in one of these states and have met their licensing requirements, you may apply for a Georgia license by reciprocity without retaking the examination.

Reciprocity application fee: $30, plus processing fees.

You must still:

• Submit proof of your current out-of-state license
• Provide three professional references
• Obtain a $10,000 surety bond
• Complete the board-approved duct design course (unless you can demonstrate equivalent coursework)

If you are licensed in any state other than Louisiana, reciprocity is not available. You must meet Georgia’s full experience and examination requirements. There is no partial credit for out-of-state licenses, and there is no grandparenting provision.

For Georgia license holders seeking to work in other states, reciprocity works both ways. Georgia license holders may qualify for reciprocity in Louisiana for purposes of qualification. For all other states, you must apply under their individual licensing requirements.

⚠️ Important Note: Even with reciprocity, application review and bonding requirements still apply. Contractors relocating to Georgia should expect several months before they can legally contract, even when an exam waiver is granted.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Georgia’s licensing requirements are specific, nonnegotiable, and designed to ensure that anyone who contracts to install or repair conditioned air systems possesses documented field experience and passing knowledge of the mechanical codes. The system is not fast, but it is fair and produces contractors who understand load calculations, duct design, and the regulatory environment. If you have the experience and are willing to prepare for the examination, this license is achievable.

For the most current fee schedules, examination dates, and board announcements, always refer to the Georgia Secretary of State’s professional licensing division. Requirements change. Codes update. What remains constant is the need for qualified professionals who can keep Georgia comfortable, safe, and code-compliant.

Proceed with confidence.

FAQs

1. Can I work as an HVAC technician in Georgia without a license?

Yes, but only under the direct supervision of a licensed conditioned air contractor. You may not contract independently, pull permits, or represent yourself as a contractor.

2. Does Georgia require a separate journeyman or apprentice license?

No. There is no state journeyman or apprentice classification. Experience is documented through employment verification, not through a progressive licensing ladder.

3. I am moving from Florida, which does not have statewide HVAC licensing. Am I grandfathered?

No. Florida’s local licensing system does not qualify for reciprocity. You must meet Georgia’s experience requirements and pass the examination. Your Florida work experience counts toward the experience requirement if properly verified, but you are not exempt from the exam.

4. What happens if I work without a license?

Unlicensed contracting is a violation of Title 43 of the Georgia Code. The board may issue cease and desist orders, impose administrative fines, and seek injunctive relief. Repeat violations can result in criminal prosecution. Additionally, unlicensed contractors cannot enforce contracts for conditioned air work in Georgia courts.

5. Do I need a business license in addition to my conditioned air license?

Your conditioned air license satisfies the occupational licensing requirement statewide. However, you may still need a general business tax certificate or occupational tax certificate from the city or county where your business is physically located. These are revenue measures, not competency-based licensing, and are not preempted by state law.

6. Can I take the duct design course online?

Some board-approved providers offer online or hybrid courses. Verify with the provider that their specific course is currently approved by the board before enrolling. Course approvals can expire.

7. How long does the entire process take?

From application submission to license issuance, most successful candidates complete the process in four to six months. The longest variable is the board’s application review schedule and your availability to sit for the exam at a PSI test center.