HVAC License in Georgia: Fees, Requirements & Startup Costs

By Muhammet Çay

Quick answer: The Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors requires an HVAC company to obtain Conditioned Air Company Business Registration and associate a full-time qualifying Conditioned Air Contractor licensed in Class I (Restricted) or Class II (Unrestricted). The Secretary of State guide lists no fee for company registration and a $110 initial contractor application fee. Confirm the separate PSI exam charge.

Georgia’s conditioned air path has two distinct pieces. The company registers with the board and receives a business registration number. A licensed Conditioned Air Contractor serves as its full-time qualifying licensee. Plan both pieces before marketing installation or service work under the company name. Registration alone does not substitute for the individual’s class-specific authority, and an individual credential alone does not supply the company’s registration number.

Class I limits each system to 175,000 BTU for heating and 60,000 BTU for cooling. Class II is unrestricted. A per-system limit matters when a service business adds larger replacements or commercial work. Compare the proposed equipment list with the class before quoting, then make sure the qualifying licensee follows the needed application path. The board FAQ is an entry point for current credential and examination instructions.

Licensing in Georgia

Jurisdiction: state

Authority: Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors

Conditioned air companies must register with the board and associate a licensed, full-time qualifying Conditioned Air Contractor.

Conditioned Air Company Business Registration

BUSINESS Registers company with its qualifying licensee and obtains business registration number.

FeeAmountPeriod (years)
Conditioned Air company business registration$0 OFFICIAL FEE Source — sos.ga.gov—

Conditioned Air Contractor Class I (Restricted) or Class II (Unrestricted)

INDIVIDUAL Qualifying licensee for the company; Class I limits each system to 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling; Class II unrestricted.

FeeAmountPeriod (years)
Initial Class I or Class II Conditioned Air Contractor application by examination$110 OFFICIAL FEE Source — sos.ga.gov—

Exam: Provider: PSI · Source

Experience: Class I: Four years, including two years as a residential lead mechanic, one year as a service technician and one year supervising residential work. Class II: Five years, including two lead mechanic years with one in commercial work, one service technician or supervisor year, and two commercial supervisory years.

Renewal and CE: Renewal period: 2 years · Continuing education: 8 hours · Source

Local note: Business registration number must appear on commercial vehicles, specified advertisements, invoices and proposal forms under Rule 121-3-.05; local permit requirements may apply.

Verified: 2026-09-24

Show the required experience and training

Class I requires four years of experience: two years as a residential lead mechanic, one year as a service technician, and one residential supervisory year. Class II requires five years: two lead mechanic years including one commercial year, one service technician or supervisor year, and two commercial supervisory years. Job titles alone may not show whether the work fits these categories. Organize evidence by duties, dates, and whether the system was residential or commercial.

The qualification rule also calls for a board-approved heat loss and gain and duct design course and EPA certification. A technical diploma can credit up to two years of experience; a vocational certificate can credit up to one year. The application requires a background check from a local law enforcement agency, and PSI administers the exam. The record confirms the $110 contractor application fee and no fee for company registration, but it does not confirm the current PSI price.

Display the number and maintain the credential

Georgia requires the business registration number on commercial vehicles, specified advertisements, invoices, and proposal forms under Rule 121-3-.05. Add the number to those materials after registration instead of treating it as an internal filing detail. Local permit requirements may still apply to individual projects. Ask the authority for each job address about permits and inspections when scheduling equipment changes.

The contractor license renews every two years with eight hours of continuing education under the renewal rules. Record the qualifier’s license and education dates alongside the company’s registration details. The current renewal fee could not be confirmed on the official pages. No statewide bond or insurance amount is listed there either; obtain coverage quotes suited to the work and verify separate local or contract terms.

Budget for both licensing pieces

No-fee company registration does not mean opening without a state licensing expense. The qualifying contractor’s initial application costs $110, while exam and possible local charges need current figures. The calculator below places those items beside equipment and operating needs. The HVAC startup cost guide explains budget categories, and the HVAC business hub organizes other launch steps.

For broader credential context, read the HVAC license guide. The Texas and Florida state pages show different systems; Georgia’s registration and qualifier rules govern work here.

Startup Cost Calculator

Estimated startup cost: $8,050–$10,500

Estimated startup cost: $8,050–$10,500. Break-even at about 7 jobs per month.

Licensing & exam fees$110 OFFICIALLicense details
Business formation (state filing)$110 OFFICIAL
Insurance (first year)$910–$1,200 MARKET ESTIMATEGeneral liability
Coverage sources
Vehicle acquisition$0 YOUR INPUTYour existing vehicle; acquisition cost $0
Vehicle price sources
Tools & equipment$250 MARKET ESTIMATE
Starter kit items
  • Manifold gauges: $820
  • Refrigerant scale: $240
  • Vacuum pump: $540
  • Multimeter: $300
  • Safety gear: $10
  • Fieldpiece VP87 8 CFM vacuum pump: $830
  • Appion G5Twin recovery machine: $970
  • Fieldpiece MR45 digital recovery machine: $1,150
  • Leak detector: $570
Software (first year)$590–$2,250 MARKET ESTIMATEPublished monthly list price × 12
Software price sources
Launch marketing$1,500 YOUR INPUTYour input — default: 3 months × $500
Payroll reserve$0 CALCULATEDBLS median wage × 173 hours/month × employees × employer taxes and ECEC benefits × working-capital months
Working capital$4,600–$5,100 CALCULATEDMonthly overhead excluding payroll (shown separately) × working-capital months
Permits & compliance$0 YOUR INPUTYour input — default $0; local requirements may apply

Monthly overhead: $1,550–$1,700 · Annual operating: $18,400–$20,400 · Break-even: 7 jobs/month

Vehicle operating per month: $760 CALCULATED

Phone and admin per month: $150 YOUR INPUT

Show formula

Startup total is the sum of available first-year cost lines. Monthly overhead includes insurance, software, marketing, vehicle operating, phone and admin, and payroll. Break-even jobs = monthly overhead ÷ (average ticket × gross margin).


Official sources

Market sources


Frequently asked questions

Does a Georgia conditioned air company need board registration?

Yes. It registers the company, receives a business registration number, and associates a full-time licensed qualifying Conditioned Air Contractor.

What initial state fees are confirmed?

The Secretary of State guide lists no fee for company registration and $110 for the Class I or Class II contractor application by examination.

Can a Class I qualifier cover any system size?

No. Class I limits each system to 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling; Class II is unrestricted.

Where must the registration number appear?

The researched rule calls for it on commercial vehicles, specified advertisements, invoices, and proposal forms.

How often does the contractor license renew?

Every two years with eight hours of continuing education.


Last updated: October 21, 2026