Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Georgia's official board.
The 175,000/60,000 BTU ceiling on Class I is the practical dividing line between residential and light commercial work in Georgia: a Class I licensee who takes a job above it is working outside their license, and the class is what an inspector checks, not the job's label.
| Requirements | GEORGIA CALLS HVAC "CONDITIONED AIR", AND THE CLASS IS SET BY EQUIPMENT SIZE (Rule 121-3-.04). A Class I license is restricted to conditioned air systems or equipment NOT EXCEEDING 175,000 BTU of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling. Class II is non-restricted. EXPERIENCE. Class I requires four years; Class II requires five. The division asks for a specific breakdown of that time rather than a single total, covering work as a lead mechanic and as a service technician, supervisory experience, EPA certification, and coursework in heat loss and heat gain calculation. EXAMINATION. A minimum score of seventy (70) on the appropriate examination. REFERENCES. Three, from an architect, a professional engineer, an inspector, or a licensed contractor. |
| Reciprocity | There is no conditioned air reciprocity in force. The division has described its conditioned air reciprocity agreements as under review, so an out-of-state applicant should assume the Georgia examination is required and confirm current status with the division before applying. |
| Renewal | Licenses renew BIENNIALLY by the expiration date set by the Joint Secretary (Rule 121-4-.02(1)); master and journeyman plumbers renew by 30 November of even-numbered years. A license not renewed by the deadline is invalid, and may be renewed during the established late-renewal period on payment of the late fee published on the board's fee schedule ($100 within 30 days of expiration). Reinstatement of a lapsed license is at the division's discretion, and a license lapsed MORE THAN THREE YEARS requires retaking and passing the licensing examination (Rule 121-4-.02(5)). Conditioned air contractors must complete FOUR hours of continuing education per year, eight per renewal period (Rule 121-4-.03). Continuing education is NOT required of a conditioned air contractor who is also a licensed professional engineer. |
| Notes | The 175,000/60,000 BTU ceiling on Class I is the practical dividing line between residential and light commercial work in Georgia: a Class I licensee who takes a job above it is working outside their license, and the class is what an inspector checks, not the job's label. |
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Sources: rules.sos.ga.gov, rules.sos.ga.gov, sos.ga.gov, sos.ga.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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