HVAC Technician in Georgia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Georgia
To become a licensed HVAC Technician in Georgia, individuals must obtain a Conditioned Air Contractor license from the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. Key steps include accumulating 4-5 years of documented work experience depending on the license class (Class I Restricted or Class II Non-restricted), passing the Conditioned Air Contractor Exam, and submitting a comprehensive application with references and proof of EPA 608 certification. Licensees must also complete 8 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. Georgia currently has a reciprocity agreement with Louisiana for conditioned air contractor licenses.
HVAC Technician Requirements in Georgia
| Detail | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent. |
| Exam | Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I or II) ($267) |
| Application Fee | $30 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 8.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Class I (Restricted) requires 4 years of experience, including specific time in residential installation as a lead mechanic, service technician (with EPA 608 license), and residential supervisory experience, plus a board-approved heat loss and gain and duct design course. Class II (Non-restricted) requires 5 years of experience, including specific time in installation as a lead mechanic (at least one year commercial), service technician or supervisor (with EPA 608 license), and commercial supervisory experience, plus board-approved heat loss and gain and duct design courses. Education from a technical school can substitute for some experience (diploma for up to 2 years, certificate for up to 1 year). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, obtain EPA 608 certification, and pass a background check. Three professional references are required. The exam is open book, 140 questions, and requires a 70% passing score. Applications are valid for 12 months. |
Source: Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors
License Tiers
Georgia offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Class I (Restricted) | 8,000 |
| Class II (Unrestricted) | 10,000 |
HVAC Technician Salary in Georgia
The median hvac technician salary in Georgia is $55,020 per year, which is 8.0% below the national median of $59,810.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,250 |
| 25th | $45,280 |
| 50th (median) | $55,020 |
| 75th | $62,780 |
| 90th (experienced) | $77,580 |
Georgia employs approximately 12,210 hvac technicians.
HVAC Technician Job Outlook
AI Impact on HVAC Technicians
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.85/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming an HVAC Technician in Georgia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Georgia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.