HVAC Licensing in St. Marks, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, any person who installs, repairs, or maintains air conditioning and refrigeration systems must hold a valid license issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.[^1] This includes work on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Under Florida law, HVAC work is classified as a construction trade requiring licensure. The specific scope includes installation, repair, and maintenance of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.[^2]

How to Get Licensed

Step 1: Meet Qualifications
You must meet one of the following under Fla. Stat. § 489.113:
- Four years of work experience in HVAC under a licensed contractor, or
- A combination of formal education in HVAC and related work experience (as defined in state law)

Step 2: Apply to the Construction Industry Licensing Board
The Construction Industry Licensing Board administers all contractor licenses in Florida.[^3] You must apply directly to the state board, not to St. Marks or Wakulla County.

Step 3: Pass the Licensing Examination
You must pass the state HVAC licensing exam covering technical knowledge and Florida construction law.

Step 4: Obtain Liability Insurance
Florida requires contractors to maintain proof of workers' compensation and liability coverage.

Contact the Construction Industry Licensing Board through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for current application procedures, exam schedules, and fees.

Local Requirements

Once licensed by the state, HVAC contractors performing work in St. Marks must:

• Obtain local permits from the St. Marks Building Department before beginning work
• Comply with St. Marks Municipal Code — review the code at https://library.municode.com/fl/st._marks for any local permitting, inspection, or safety amendments that apply to HVAC work

Contact the St. Marks Building Department to confirm current local permit requirements, fees, and inspection procedures.

Exemptions

The following are exempt from HVAC licensing requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.103:
- Owners performing work on their own residential property (not for compensation)
- Employees of licensed contractors working under direct supervision
- Equipment manufacturers performing warranty work on their own products
- Certain maintenance activities as specifically defined in state law

Any work performed for compensation or on commercial property requires a valid state license, regardless of exemption status for other work.

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Website: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/

References

[^1]: Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
[^2]: Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
[^3]: Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

• Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• St. Marks Municipal Code

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)