map Trades license portability

HVAC Technician license reciprocity by state

HVAC Technician reciprocity varies state-by-state — 19 of the 50 states and DC offer paperwork-based pathways, while 22 require either a re-exam or a fresh application from scratch. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.

check_circle 2 states recognize assignment_turned_in 17 via endorsement edit_note 3 require exam block 19 not recognized remove_circle_outline 2 no license required

Reciprocity tier legend

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Recognized

Existing license or national cert accepted directly.

assignment_turned_in

Endorsement

Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.

edit_note

Exam required

Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.

block

Not recognized

No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.

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No license required

State does not license this profession.

help_outline

Unclear

State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.

All 50 states + DC

Each row links to the full hvac technician profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.

State	Reciprocity tier	Summary	Detail
Alabama	help_outline Unclear	The provided list of states offers no context regarding Alabama's HVAC reciprocity process. Reciprocal states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Alaska	block Not recognized	Alaska does not have any HVAC license reciprocity agreements with other states. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Arizona	help_outline Unclear	The provided list of states offers no context regarding Arizona's HVAC reciprocity process. Reciprocal states: California, Nevada, Utah Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Arkansas	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Arkansas honors HVAC contractor licenses from specific states, evaluated case-by-case, with conditions. Reciprocal states: Arkansas honors HVAC contractor licenses from Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina if the license has been held for at least 3 years. The Board evaluates reciprocal applications on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must still comply with Arkansas insurance and bonding requirements. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
California	edit_note Exam required	California has reciprocity with some states, but the California Law & Business exam is always required. Reciprocal states: California has reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Louisiana, and Nevada. The trade exam may be waived for applicants who hold an equivalent HVAC classification in good standing for at least five of the past seven years in one of these states, but the California Law & Business exam is still required. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Colorado	block Not recognized	Colorado does not have statewide HVAC license reciprocity with other states. Reciprocal states: Colorado does not have statewide HVAC license reciprocity with other states. Reciprocity for electrical licenses may be available with Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Connecticut	block Not recognized	Connecticut does not have HVAC/R license reciprocity, but an application process exists for equivalent out-of-state licenses. Reciprocal states: Connecticut does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states for HVAC/R licenses. However, there is an application process for those with equivalent out-of-state licenses, requiring proof of equivalent classroom and on-the-job training hours. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Delaware	check_circle Recognized	Delaware offers full reciprocity with some states and limited reciprocity with others, often requiring experience. Reciprocal states: Full reciprocity with Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland. Limited reciprocity with Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia (requires proof of 7 years experience after licensure). Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
District of Columbia	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Washington D.C. offers reciprocity with Maryland and Virginia for licenses obtained by examination. Reciprocal states: Maryland, Virginia (for licenses obtained by examination and in good standing) Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Florida	edit_note Exam required	Florida does not have formal HVAC reciprocity; licensure by endorsement requires the Florida Business & Finance exam. Reciprocal states: Florida has reciprocity agreements for General, Building, and Residential license classifications with Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina. For HVAC specifically, Florida does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states, but out-of-state contractors licensed for 10+ years may apply for licensure by endorsement, though the Florida Business & Finance exam is still required. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Georgia	check_circle Recognized	Georgia has reciprocity with Louisiana; agreements with South Carolina and Texas are currently under review. Reciprocal states: Louisiana. Reciprocity with South Carolina and Texas is currently under review and not being accepted as of April 15, 2022. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Hawaii	help_outline Unclear	Hawaii's HVAC license reciprocity information is not specified. Reciprocal states: Not specified Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Idaho	block Not recognized	Idaho does not have reciprocal agreements for HVAC journeyman licenses with other states. Reciprocal states: Idaho does not have reciprocal agreements with other states for HVAC journeyman licenses. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Illinois	block Not recognized	Illinois has no statewide HVAC license reciprocity; it varies by local municipality. Reciprocal states: None at the state level; varies by local municipality. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Indiana	block Not recognized	Indiana does not have statewide HVAC reciprocity; local municipalities may grant it with conditions. Reciprocal states: Indiana does not have statewide reciprocity agreements for HVAC licenses. Reciprocity may be granted at the local municipal level, often requiring proof of passing a Prometric or Prov exam with a score of at least 70% and a currently valid license from a reciprocating municipality. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Iowa	block Not recognized	Iowa has no reciprocity for HVACR or mechanical licenses, only for plumbing with South Dakota. Reciprocal states: Iowa has a reciprocity agreement for plumbing journeyperson and master licenses with South Dakota. There is no reciprocity for HVACR or mechanical licenses. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Kansas	block Not recognized	Kansas does not have statewide HVAC reciprocity; local municipalities must accept other Kansas city licenses. Reciprocal states: Kansas does not have statewide reciprocity. However, municipalities that require licensing must accept contractor licenses from other Kansas cities as valid proof of requirements. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Kentucky	help_outline Unclear	Kentucky's HVAC reciprocity is not clearly specified, with some sources indicating limited availability. Reciprocal states: Not specified on official Kentucky DHBC website, but some sources indicate limited reciprocity may be available. Further verification needed. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Louisiana	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Louisiana offers reciprocity with several states, often waiving the trade exam for qualified applicants. Reciprocal states: Alabama, Arkansas, California (trade exam waiver only), Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Maine	block Not recognized	Maine does not have any reciprocity agreements for HVAC technicians. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Maryland	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Maryland has reciprocity agreements for HVAC licenses with Delaware and Virginia. Reciprocal states: Delaware, Virginia Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Massachusetts	help_outline Unclear	Reciprocity information for Massachusetts HVAC licenses is not specified. Reciprocal states: Not specified Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Michigan	block Not recognized	Michigan does not offer reciprocity for HVAC licenses. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Minnesota	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Minneapolis and St. Paul have reciprocal agreements for HVAC competency cards. Reciprocal states: Minneapolis and St. Paul have reciprocal agreements for their HVAC competency cards. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Mississippi	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Mississippi offers reciprocity for HVAC licenses with several listed states. Reciprocal states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Missouri	remove_circle_outline No license	Missouri does not have statewide HVAC licensing, so state-level reciprocity is not applicable. Reciprocal states: Missouri does not have statewide HVAC licensing, so there are no reciprocity agreements with other states. Reciprocity would be handled at the local municipal level, if at all. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Montana	block Not recognized	Montana does not offer reciprocity for state HVAC contractor registrations, though EPA certification is recognized. Reciprocal states: EPA Section 608 certification is federal and recognized nationwide. State contractor registrations do not have reciprocity. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Nebraska	block Not recognized	Nebraska has no statewide HVAC reciprocity; local reciprocity may exist between municipalities. Reciprocal states: No statewide reciprocity. Some cities may offer reciprocity with other municipalities if they use the same exam. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Nevada	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Nevada offers licensure by endorsement, waiving the trade exam for qualified contractors from specific states. Reciprocal states: Nevada does not grant full HVAC reciprocity but will waive the trade exam for contractors who have held an equivalent license in California, Arizona, or Utah for at least five of the past seven years. Applicants must have been actively licensed in the endorsing state for the past four years with no disciplinary actions, suspensions, or sanctions. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New Hampshire	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	New Hampshire recognizes reciprocity with equivalent state licenses, potentially requiring a law exam or other requirements. Reciprocal states: New Hampshire recognizes reciprocity with certain states for trade licenses if their standards are substantially equivalent. Applicants may still need to meet education or exam requirements and provide verification, records, and sometimes a law exam. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New Jersey	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	New Jersey offers reciprocity if other states' licensing standards are comparable and reciprocal. Reciprocal states: New Jersey offers reciprocity if the other state's licensing standards are comparable and that state reciprocates with New Jersey. A list of states that lack comparable standards has been identified by the Board. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New Mexico	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	New Mexico has reciprocity agreements for HVAC licenses with several listed states. Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
New York	block Not recognized	New York State does not have reciprocity agreements for HVAC licensing. Reciprocal states: New York State does not have reciprocity with any other state for HVAC licensing. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
North Carolina	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	North Carolina offers limited endorsement, waiving technical exams for some states but requiring a law exam. Reciprocal states: North Carolina does not have universal reciprocity agreements for HVAC technicians. However, the state may waive the technical exam for HVAC contractors licensed in South Carolina, but the North Carolina Business and Law exam would still be required. The Neighbor State License Recognition Act may allow for equivalent licensure for permanent residents of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia who hold a license in those states. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
North Dakota	edit_note Exam required	North Dakota offers reciprocity exams for HVAC licenses, but local licenses are still required. Reciprocal states: North Dakota offers reciprocity exams for Master and Journeyman HVAC licenses that are valid in all participating jurisdictions within the state. However, a local license must still be obtained in each jurisdiction employed. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Ohio	help_outline Unclear	Ohio's HVAC reciprocity is unclear, with official sites not specifying and other sources indicating none. Reciprocal states: Not specified on official OCILB site, but some sources indicate no direct reciprocity for HVAC contractors. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Oklahoma	block Not recognized	Oklahoma does not have formal reciprocity agreements for mechanical licenses with other states. Reciprocal states: Oklahoma does not have written reciprocity agreements for mechanical licenses with other states. However, experience obtained in other states may count towards the experience requirement, and a temporary journeyman license may be issued during a state of emergency. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Oregon	help_outline Unclear	Reciprocity information for Oregon HVAC licenses is not specified. Reciprocal states: Not specified Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Pennsylvania	block Not recognized	Pennsylvania does not have statewide HVAC reciprocity; agreements are determined by individual municipalities. Reciprocal states: Pennsylvania does not have statewide reciprocity agreements for HVAC licenses; reciprocity is determined by individual municipalities. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Rhode Island	block Not recognized	Rhode Island does not offer reciprocity for HVAC licenses. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
South Carolina	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	South Carolina offers reciprocity with several states, often waiving the trade exam but requiring a law exam. Reciprocal states: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah (for commercial mechanical contractors, typically waives the trade exam but still requires the business and law exam if the original license was obtained by examination) Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
South Dakota	block Not recognized	South Dakota does not offer statewide HVAC reciprocity; local reciprocity is rare. Reciprocal states: None at the state level; local reciprocity varies by municipality and is generally not offered. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Tennessee	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Tennessee offers reciprocity with several states and recognizes the NASCLA National Exam. Reciprocal states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia (Electrical only), Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina (Commercial only), West Virginia, and NASCLA National Exam. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Texas	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Texas has reciprocity agreements for HVAC contractor licenses with South Carolina and Georgia. Reciprocal states: Texas has reciprocity agreements for HVAC contractor licenses with South Carolina and Georgia. Applicants must have held an out-of-state license for at least one year. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Utah	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Utah offers licensure by endorsement with specific states, waiving trade exams but requiring a law exam. Reciprocal states: Utah does not have formal reciprocity agreements but offers licensure by endorsement with certain states (Arizona, California, Louisiana, Nevada, South Carolina) for some classifications. This typically waives trade exams but still requires passing the Utah Business and Law exam. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Vermont	help_outline Unclear	Vermont offers reciprocity with Maine and New Hampshire for Electrical Specialist licenses, not general HVAC. Reciprocal states: Maine, New Hampshire (for Electrical Specialist licenses) Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Virginia	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	Virginia has a reciprocity agreement for HVAC licenses with Maryland. Reciprocal states: Maryland Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Washington	block Not recognized	Washington offers reciprocity with Oregon for electricians, but not for specialty HVAC licenses. Reciprocal states: Oregon (for General Journey Level Electrician, not specialty HVAC) Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
West Virginia	assignment_turned_in Endorsement	West Virginia offers reciprocity arrangements for HVAC licenses on an individual basis. Reciprocal states: West Virginia has reciprocity arrangements on an individual basis. Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Wisconsin	block Not recognized	Wisconsin does not offer reciprocity for HVAC licenses. Reciprocal states: None Official state board arrow_outward	Full page arrow_outward
Wyoming	remove_circle_outline No license	Wyoming does not have state-level HVAC reciprocity; local reciprocity may exist between cities. Reciprocal states: Not applicable for state-level reciprocity; some cities may offer reciprocity with other cities with similar requirements.	Full page arrow_outward

verified_user How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-07-21

Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.

Other profession reciprocity guides

Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.

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