Florida Class A Air Conditioning Contractor License

A Florida Class A Air Conditioning Contractor is a contractor whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system if such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system; to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, piping, insulation of pipes, vessels and ducts, pressure and process piping, and pneumatic control piping; to replace, disconnect, or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the dedicated existing electrical disconnect switch; to install, disconnect, and reconnect low voltage heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air-conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system. The scope of work for a Class A Air Conditioning Contractor also includes any excavation work incidental thereto, but does not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, except for disconnecting or reconnecting changeouts of liquefied petroleum or natural gas appliances within buildings; potable water lines or connections thereto; sanitary sewer lines; swimming pool piping and filters; or electrical power wiring. A Florida Class A A/C contractor may test and evaluate central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services. If you are contractor normally involved with projects not exceeding 25 tons of cooling or 500,000 BTUs of heating, you might only need a Florida Class B Air Conditioning License. HVAC Contractors in Florida operate in a climate where there is a high demand for their services and the Class A Air Conditioning license is the license to get if you do not want to be limited in terms of the extend and nature of AC work you can handle.

Licensing Requirements

Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Class A Air Conditioning Contractor in the State of Florida:

Age

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Examination

Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Class A Air Conditioning and Business & Finance). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.

Experience / Education

A person will qualify for a Certified Class A Air Conditioning Contractor’s license by meeting one of the following requirements:

Four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years’ experience) and one year proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
One year experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
Upgrade Method: An air-conditioning Class B contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 1 year in the classification in which he or she is certified OR an air-conditioning Class C contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 4 years in the classification in which he or she is certified. If you meet this eligibility requirement you are exempted from further experience requirements.

Military Veterans

A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting on of the following:

Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

Installing an Air Conditioing Unit Requires a License in Florida

Applicants for the Certified Class A Air Conditioning Contractor License must have experience in the installation, maintenance and repair of the following:

Systems in excess of 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU heating capacity
Air Conditioning Equipment
Heating Equipment
Refrigeration Equipment
Sheet Metal Ductwork
Fabrication of Sheet Metal Ductwork

Financial / Credit

Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Fingerprints

An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.

Insurance

Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain workers compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.To download the different application forms related to the Class A Air Conditioning Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

Florida Class A Air Conditioning Contractor Exams

Florida Class A Air Conditioning Contractors must pass two exams prior to obtaining their license. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying for them!

Class A Air Conditioning Exam

This is an all-day test split into morning and afternoon sessions. The test contains 130 questions related to the following subjects: Pre-Installation; Sheet Metal Ducts; Installation of Refrigeration and HVAC Systems; Installation of Refrigeration and HVAC Equipment Components; Maintenance Analysis of Refrigeration and HVAC Systems; Maintenance Service of Refrigeration and HVAC Systems; and Safety & Equipment.

Business and Finance Exam

This is a separate test which lasts 6.5 hours, and contains 120 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations.

Florida Class A Air Conditioning Contractor Classes

The Class A A/C Contractor’s Test in Florida is a difficult exam which requires proper training and knowledge of the reference books used during testing. The ability to pass these open book exams is based on understanding how to find information within the books, as well as knowing how to answer the math questions typically encountered during testing. Our AC classes teach students how to find answers within the books and by showing them which sections of the books to tab to make sure they can quickly reach the information needed. Our Air Conditioning Exam Prep also includes videos on how to solve psychrometric problems typical of the AC tests, as well as accounting and business-related problems. Once books are highlighted and tabbed, students do practice exams to make sure they can find information within the books, just like they do during the actual AC tests in Florida. Students can opt to go to in-person review classes in Orlando, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers. A list of AC classes in Florida can be found linked to the Course descriptions below. Class A Air Conditioning Contractor Classes in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Miami, or Online. You can sign up for your classes at any time and receive access to lecture videos, practice questions, tabbing and highlighting instructions, as well as to step-by-step explanations on how to solve typical Class A AC Contractor Exam Problems. The A/C Class A Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Class A A/C Contractor Testing Schedule). You must pass all exams before applying for the AC-A Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida AC A Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida A AC Contractor Classes online, and will also enable you to attend in-person Exam Prep classes. All students have access to both online and in-person classes for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the Florida A/C A Contractor exams needed to get the Class A AC license!). The in-person classes are not mandatory and can be taken at the student's discretion. For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Class A Air Conditioning Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below.

Florida Class A Air Contractor Books

The set of books includes all required references for both the Class A Air Conditioning and Business and Finance exams. Orders placed before 2 PM are shipped the same day via UPS and a tracking number is emailed before 3 PM.