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Maryland HVAC technician license requirements

VERIFIED 2026-09-13against Maryland Department of Labor Every figure on this page was read from the official sources linked below — never an aggregator's table.

The answer

Maryland is one of the few states with a full statewide HVACR license ladder: apprentice, journeyman (and restricted journeyman), master (and restricted master). Applications and qualification review run through PSI, the Board's testing vendor — documented, contractor-certified work experience is required for each level. Reciprocity with Delaware and Virginia.
$70,020
Maryland median wage (BLS, May 2025)
2 yr
renewal cycle
Ladder
State license (individual ladder)

Your paths to the license

Numbered routes Maryland actually publishes — pick the one matching your experience, or let the Path Finder match you.

Apprentice → journeyman

Register as an HVACR apprentice, build contractor-certified experience, then apply through PSI for the journeyman exam. Documentation must be certified by an appropriately-licensed contractor or the application is returned.

Leads to Journeyman

Journeyman → master

Additional experience as a journeyman qualifies you for the master exam; masters who contract must file a certificate of insurance with the Board.

Leads to Master

Reciprocity: Delaware, Virginia

Maryland has HVACR reciprocal agreements with DELAWARE and VIRGINIA — an active, good-standing, equivalent license earned on at-least-equivalent requirements transfers without re-examination.

Leads to Same level

License levels in Maryland

LevelWhat it takesFee
HVACR ApprenticeRegister while training under a licensed contractor.
Journeyman / Restricted JourneymanContractor-certified work experience per the Board's PSI application + exam. Restricted = limited service scope.
Master / Restricted MasterAdditional experience + master exam; insured masters may contract.

Published fees

ItemAmount
Exam + licensePer the Board's current PSI application and fee schedule

Fees as published on the official pages we verified on 2026-09-13; boards revise fees — the current application controls.

The exam

ProviderPSI
FeesExam fee paid to PSI with the application
NotesPSI reviews qualification documentation before approving you to test.

Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture

Reciprocity: Active equivalent license earned on at-least-equivalent requirements; no Maryland exam. Check your exact state pair →

Renewal & continuing education: Renew online; see the Board for current CE rules.

Federal layer: EPA Section 608 certification is required federally for refrigerant work — separate from the Maryland license.

Watch out: Exact experience-hour thresholds per level are set out in the Board's PSI exam application — confirm there before applying. · Restricted licenses limit the size/type of systems you may service.

Official sources for this page

Verified 2026-09-13. Found a change? Tell us — corrections ship first.

Maryland HVAC technician licensing FAQ

How many hours do you need to become a licensed HVAC technician in Maryland?

Maryland is one of the few states with a full statewide HVACR license ladder: apprentice, journeyman (and restricted journeyman), master (and restricted master). Applications and qualification review run through PSI, the Board's testing vendor — documented, contractor-certified work experience is required for each level. Reciprocity with Delaware and Virginia.

What does the Maryland HVAC technician license cost?

Exam fee paid to PSI with the application. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.

Does Maryland have HVAC technician license reciprocity?

Yes — verified agreements cover licensees from: Delaware, Virginia. Active equivalent license earned on at-least-equivalent requirements; no Maryland exam.

How often does the license renew?

Renew online; see the Board for current CE rules.

Get your personal route

Four questions — your experience and training matched against Maryland's actual routes.

Find my path in Maryland

Licensing rules change and boards decide individual cases — verify with Maryland Department of Labor before applying or relying on any figure here. This page is information, not legal advice.