To get a Florida HVAC license as an air conditioning contractor, you generally need at least 4 years of experience (or a mix of education and experience), you must be 18 or older, and you must pass two open-book exams — the AC Trade Knowledge exam and the Business & Finance exam, each requiring 70% to pass. You also have to prove financial responsibility, carry the required insurance, and submit fingerprints with your application. Licensing is governed by Chapter 489, Florida Statutes and Rule 61G4, F.A.C., and is issued by the Florida DBPR through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).
If you are researching how to get a Florida air conditioning contractor license, the rules can feel scattered across statutes, board rules, and DBPR forms. This page pulls the core requirements into one place so you know exactly what it takes to qualify, sit the exams, and apply for a state certified license.
Class A vs Class B air conditioning license
Florida issues two state air conditioning contractor licenses, and the difference is system capacity:
- Class A air conditioning contractor — unlimited capacity. There is no size cap on the systems you can install or service.
- Class B air conditioning contractor — limited to systems of 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating or less per system.
It is also worth knowing the difference between a "certified" and a "registered" license. A certified license is statewide, so you can work anywhere in Florida. A registered license is local, tied to a county or city competency card. Most contractors who want to work across the state pursue the certified route, which is what the state exams qualify you for.
Experience and basic eligibility
The headline requirement for the Florida Class A air conditioning license requirements (and Class B) is experience. You generally need at least four years of experience in the trade, or an approved combination of education and experience, before the board will let you sit for the exams. Beyond experience, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Submit fingerprints and pass a background check.
- Pay the required application and exam fees.
- Meet the financial responsibility and insurance rules described below.
The two exams you must pass
Every applicant for a certified air conditioning license has to pass two separate exams, both administered by Professional Testing, Inc.:
- AC Trade Knowledge exam — covers the technical side of the trade, including load calculations, refrigeration, electrical, codes, and safety.
- Business & Finance exam — covers running a contracting business: estimating, contracts, Florida law, and accounting.
Both exams are open book and both require 70% to pass. Open book does not mean easy — with a clock running, you need to know your references well enough to find answers quickly. That is exactly what our Florida HVAC practice test and study guide are built to train. If you want a feel for the style first, browse a sample of our exam questions or read the full contractor exam overview.
Financial responsibility and insurance
Florida wants proof you can run a solvent business, so the application includes a financial responsibility step. You can satisfy it one of two ways:
- Provide a credit report showing a FICO score of 660 or higher, or
- Complete a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course.
You will also need to demonstrate net worth and solvency as required under Rule 61G4. On the insurance side, you must carry general liability coverage of at least $100,000 and property damage coverage of at least $25,000, plus workers' compensation coverage where it applies to your business.
Always verify the current rules before you apply. Florida licensing requirements, fees, and forms change, and the details on this page are a summary, not legal advice. Confirm the latest requirements directly with the Florida DBPR and the Construction Industry Licensing Board before you submit your application.
How to apply, step by step
Once you meet the eligibility rules, the path to a certified Florida HVAC license looks like this:
- Confirm you have the required four years of experience and gather documentation.
- Register for and pass both exams (AC Trade Knowledge and Business & Finance) at 70% or better.
- Complete your financial responsibility requirement and obtain a credit report or the 14-hour course certificate.
- Secure the required liability, property damage, and workers' compensation insurance.
- Submit your DBPR application with fingerprints and pay the application and exam fees.
After you are licensed, the credential renews on a biennial cycle and you must complete continuing education to keep it active. For a deeper walkthrough of the whole process, see how to get a Florida HVAC license and how to pass the Florida HVAC exam.
Prepared the right way, the exams are the most controllable part of the process. Our prep is $49 for 3-month access or $89 for lifetime access, with a free quiz so you can try before you commit. Start a free quiz, then move to a full timed simulation once you are scoring above 70% on individual topics.
Get ready to pass both exams
Meet the requirements, then master the open-book format with original questions and a focused study guide built for the Florida air conditioning contractor exam.