Virginia HVAC (Master – Journeyman)
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Requirements to Obtaining your License
HVAC licensing in Virginia is at 3 levels: journeyman, master, and contractor. To become either a journeyman HVAC or a master HVAC , there are two examination portions that must be passed: statutory and regulatory portion and the trade portion. .
- Pre-approval from the state is required to sit for the examination.
- To sit for the trade examinations, a candidate must document that they have met one of the following experience requirements. Individuals who hold a currently valid license or certification from another state as a journeyman or master tradesman may sit for the same level examination by providing a copy of that license or certification card.
Journeyman license:
- Two years of practical experience in the trade and a degree or certification showing the completion of a two year program from either a trade or technical school, or a community college; or
- Four years of practical experience in the trade and 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; or
- Five years of practical experience in the trade and 160 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; or
- Six years of practical experience in the trade and 80 hours of formal vocational training in the trade; or
- A bachelor’s degree received from an accredited college or university in an engineering curriculum related to the trade and 1 year of practical experience in the trade; or
- Ten years of practical experience in the trade, verified by an affidavit from those who observed the candidate’s work in the trade
Master license:
- One year of practical experience as a licensed Virginia journeyman; or
- Ten years of practical experience in the trade, verified by an affidavit from those who observed the candidate’s work in the trade.
Applying to get your License
Applications for licensure can be obtained from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation State Board for Contractors by calling 1-804-367-8511.
You are required to submit your application to the Board prior to taking the examination. Applications can be downloaded by Clicking Here.
Exam Details
- 10 questions and a 30min time limit, 70% is required to pass (statutory and regulatory)
- Topics on this exam include standards of practice; standards of conduct; renewal and reinstatement; definitions; qualification for licensure; and revocation of licensure.
- The fee for the statutory and regulatory portion is $30.
- 70 questions and an 180min time limit (journeyman and master)
- 71% is required to pass (journeyman), 76% is required to pass (master)
- Topics on both examinations include warm air heating; ventilation systems; air conditioning systems; duct systems; chimneys, flues, and vents; boilers; hot water piping; combustion air; controls/low voltage; fuel oil piping and storage; insulation; commercial kitchen venting; refrigerants; refrigerant piping; chilled and condenser water piping; and firestopping/penetration inspection.
- The fee for the journeyman portion is $70 while the master portion has a fee of $90.
- To schedule your exam, contact PSI at 1-800-733-9267.
Books and References for the Exam
The following references are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. You can purchases the references from our online bookstore or by calling 1-800-952-0910.
- Individual License and Certification Regulations (Statutory and Regulatory portion only)
- 2009 International Mechanical Code (Trade portion only)
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade portion only)
Exam Review, Training, Education
We offer review for the Virginia Master and Journeyman HVAC examinations in a home study/tutorial format. The fee for the study guide is $150. This study guide includes sample figures, questions, as well as a highlighting guide for the approved references. For more information, or to order, contact our office at 1-800-952-0910.
Study Guide Price: $150
