How to become an HVAC technician in Florida
Licensing details from the official agency pages, updated November 11, 2026. Confirm current fees with the agency before you apply.
1. Florida licensing: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board
- To become a certified Class A air conditioning contractor, an individual must first pass a state certification examination. DBPR says applicants must have four years of experience or a combination of college and experience, and lists full details on the application instruction page. Military experience may count toward the requirements.
Official sources: DBPR: CILB 5-G certified Class A air conditioning contractor checklist.
2. Federal EPA Section 608 certification
In every state, 40 CFR 82.161 requires technicians who could reasonably be expected to violate the integrity of a refrigerant circuit to pass an EPA-approved exam. See our EPA 608 guide.
3. Training: 72 HVAC schools in Florida
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says HVAC programs at technical schools and community colleges generally last 6 months to 2 years, and apprenticeships usually last several years with paid on-the-job training (search apprenticeship.gov).
Florida schools with the most HVAC programs:
- Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford (Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Atlantic Technical College, Coconut Creek (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years)
- First Coast Technical College, Saint Augustine (Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Haney Technical College, Panama City (Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Lake Technical College-CSCF, Eustis (Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Lively Technical College, Tallahassee (Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years; Certificate, 12 weeks to less than 1 year)
- Manatee Technical College, Bradenton (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years)
- Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth (Associate's degree; Certificate, 1 to less than 2 years)
See all 72 HVAC schools in Florida, including published program prices from $4,313 to $21,500.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be an HVAC technician in Florida?
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board handles licensing. To become a certified Class A air conditioning contractor, an individual must first pass a state certification examination. DBPR says applicants must have four years of experience or a combination of college and experience, and lists full details on the application instruction page. Military experience may count toward the requirements. Federal EPA Section 608 certification applies in every state to anyone who handles refrigerants.
Where can I go to HVAC school in Florida?
72 schools in Florida offer HVAC programs, across 48 cities. Browse the full list on our Florida HVAC schools page.