Do I have to take the Oklahoma master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Illinois?

Yes. Oklahoma requires the trade exam on this path, plus a law or code exam.

What does it cost to get a Oklahoma master HVAC technician license from Illinois?

Published fees on this path total $514, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.

Do my Illinois work hours count in Oklahoma?

Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Oklahoma's eligibility requirements.

Does it work the other way, from Oklahoma to Illinois?

Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Oklahoma to Illinois, the mechanism is not applicable.

Illinois to Oklahoma: master HVAC technician license reciprocity

No credit· Start overVerified September 15, 2026· 9 sources

Illinois does not issue a statewide master HVAC technician license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is Oklahoma's standard path for out-of-state applicants.

Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.

Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.

Out-of-state master HVAC or mechanical contractor (all states; no published reciprocity partners)

Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.

No state has a published mechanical contractor reciprocity agreement with Oklahoma, so every out-of-state master HVAC technician or mechanical contractor uses the same route. Under OAC 158:50-9-4.1 an applicant from a state without a reciprocal agreement may request exam equivalency; if the Board has previously approved that jurisdiction's exam, the technical trade portion of the Oklahoma contractor exam is waived on a certified letter showing current good standing, the license category, a 70%+ exam score and no pending discipline, but the Mechanical Business and Law portion must still be passed. CIB does not publish the approved jurisdictions. Otherwise the applicant files the Application for Mechanical Examination with notarized experience affidavits and a copy of the out-of-state license, documents four years of verifiable experience in the category, pays $330, and must pass both portions of the contractor exam through PSI within three years of approval. To activate the license the contractor files a $5,000 bond and $50,000 general liability insurance with CIB; a contractor employed by a single business or public entity may instead file that employer's affidavit. Federal EPA Section 608 certification is required separately to handle refrigerants.

Even where a written contractor reciprocity agreement exists, OAC 158:50-9-6(e) grants only a journeyman license by reciprocity and requires the Oklahoma Business and Law portion before the contractor license issues; since no mechanical agreement is published, no agreement rows are recorded. Vendor claims of contractor reciprocity with Texas, Arkansas, Kansas or New Mexico could not be confirmed from any CIB page.

At a glance

Trade exam: Required
Law / code exam: Required
Out-of-state hours: Count toward eligibility

What you must already have

You must document at least 8,000 hours of qualifying work experience.Journeyman requirement of three years plus one additional year of verifiable experience in the mechanical trade, at 2,000 hours per year (OAC 158:50-9-1(b)(2)).
Your Illinois license must be active and in good standing.
You must have passed a licensing exam in Illinois that the destination considers comparable.

What you'll do to get licensed in Oklahoma

1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($30). Contractor application fee, non-refundable (OAC 158:50-9-2(b)).
2License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($300). Initial contractor license fee, submitted with the application; annual renewal $200.
3Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Technical trade portion of the Oklahoma HVACR Contractor exam (Unlimited or Limited) administered by PSI, 70% to pass; waived only under approved exam equivalency.
4Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. Oklahoma Mechanical Business and Law portion of the contractor exam (PSI), 70% to pass; never waived, including for reciprocity applicants.
5Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($184). PSI fee of $92 per examination portion (two portions), non-refundable.
6Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($5,000). Continuous $5,000 corporate surety bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, filed before the license is activated (OAC 158:50-5-3(a)).
7Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($50,000). Commercial general liability insurance of at least $50,000 with CIB named as certificate holder (OAC 158:50-5-3(b)).
8Other. Compliance with workers' compensation insurance laws; the licensed contractor must be a permanent employee, owner, partner or officer of the mechanical firm responsible for its work.
9Other. EPA Section 608 technician certification (Type I/II/III/Universal) to handle refrigerants; federal, does not expire; not mentioned on CIB pages but required by federal law.

Published fees on this path total $514, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.

What you'll need to buy or arrange

Exam preparation

Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.

Trade exam
Law / code exam
Exam fee · $184
Other

Surety bond

A license or contractor bond is bought from a surety, not the state. Price is a small percentage of the bond amount and depends on your credit.

Surety bond · $5,000

Liability insurance

Some states require proof of general liability or workers' compensation coverage at licensing time.

Insurance · $50,000

How Oklahoma licenses master HVAC technicians

Oklahoma master HVAC technician · “Mechanical Contractor (HVAC/R Unlimited or Limited)”

Statewide license

Verified September 15, 2026· 6 sources

Issued by Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB), Mechanical Division

Oklahoma has no 'master HVAC' license; its highest person-held HVAC credential is the Mechanical Contractor license, which CIB issues to an individual who passes the two-part contractor exam (technical trade and Mechanical Business and Law, 70% each, $92 per portion). This site maps the HVAC/R Unlimited (or Limited) Mechanical Contractor license to the master level. An applicant needs the journeyman qualifications plus one additional year, so four years (8,000 hours) of verifiable experience in the category, and pays $330 ($30 application plus $300 initial license). After passing, an inactive license issues until the contractor files a $5,000 corporate surety bond and a $50,000 commercial general liability certificate with CIB; an inactive contractor may work as a journeyman. Every mechanical firm must have a licensed contractor associated with and responsible for its work. OAC 158:50-9-6 lets CIB sign contractor reciprocity agreements, under which the applicant would still have to pass the Business and Law portion, but CIB publishes no mechanical partner states. Licenses renew annually ($200) with six hours of continuing education every 36 months.

Moving to Oklahoma Leaving Oklahoma

Why Illinois has nothing to transfer

Illinois master HVAC technician

Licensed by cities and counties

Verified September 15, 2026· 9 sources

Illinois does not issue a statewide master HVAC or mechanical contractor license and has no state mechanical board; the master-level credential exists only at the municipal level under names that vary by city. Springfield issues a Mechanical License to individuals who document 5 years (residential) or 7 years (commercial) of practical mechanical experience and pass the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (G29); Peoria licenses HVAC contractors on an ICC contractor certificate from the 2018 code cycle or newer ($150 a year); Aurora and Elgin accept the ICC Master Mechanical certification or, in Elgin, a license from any Illinois city that gives a written exam; unincorporated Cook County registers HVAC contractors for a fee with $1,000,000 in liability insurance; and Chicago has no mechanical license at all, requiring a general contractor license to pull permits. None of these jurisdictions publishes a reciprocity or endorsement path for another state's master HVAC license; Springfield's only grandfather clause is limited to licenses issued before October 2007. A master HVAC contractor arriving from another state should expect to pass the ICC Master Mechanical exam once and then license or register separately in each municipality where they will work. EPA Section 608 certification applies to anyone handling refrigerants.

How local licensing works in Illinois

How local licensing works. Illinois has no state HVAC license. Each municipality licenses or registers mechanical contractors under its own ordinance; the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (G29, formerly W29; residential W32) is the common denominator among testing cities.

Chicago. No HVAC or mechanical contractor license. Contractors obtain a General Contractor license from the Department of Buildings in Class A (unlimited project value, $3,500), B ($1,800), C ($1,300), D ($900) or E (projects up to $500,000, $300), each valid one year, with commercial general liability insurance from $1 million per occurrence (Class E) to $5 million (Class A) and a financial solvency statement, administered through Continental Testing Services; no trade exam.

Springfield. The Building and Zoning Department issues a person-held Mechanical License: Residential requires 5 years of practical experience in all types of mechanical work approved by the Mechanical Commission and proof of passing the ICC Master Mechanical Exam G29; Commercial requires 7 years and the same exam. Mechanical contractors also register with the city. A contractor licensed in another Illinois or out-of-state municipality with reciprocal testing may substitute that test only if the license was issued before 10/7/2007 (10/10/2007 in the earlier memo) and never lapsed; all others pass the ICC exam. Passing the exam does not itself guarantee a license.

Peoria. HVAC contractors must be licensed or registered ($150 non-refundable, calendar year) with an ICC contractor test certificate from the 2018 or newer code cycle; holders of current Normal or Pekin licenses register without retesting. Only the licensed contractor may pull permits and must attend inspections.

Aurora. Accepts a current ICC Master Mechanical certification (N29) in lieu of municipal testing; requires a certificate of insurance naming the City of Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured; registration through Development Services.

Elgin. Requires a mechanical contractor's license from any Illinois city that gives a written examination, or proof of passing the ICC Master Mechanical G29 exam, plus a $20,000 license and permit bond; the license is not required when an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer seals the plans and accepts responsibility.

Unincorporated Cook County. HVAC contractors register as 'all other trades' with the Department of Building and Zoning: $150 initial and $75 annual per trade, $1,000,000 general liability insurance naming the department; no exam.

Not verified. Naperville's contractor registration page was blocked when opened for this entry; Rockford publishes only electrical registration rules.

Out-of-state holders. None of these jurisdictions publishes reciprocity or endorsement for another state's master HVAC or mechanical license. The practical route is to pass the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (accepted by Springfield, Peoria, Aurora and Elgin), then license or register in each municipality where work will be performed, and obtain a Chicago general contractor license for work in Chicago.

Moving to Illinois Leaving Illinois

Common questions

Do I have to take the Oklahoma master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Illinois?: Yes. Oklahoma requires the trade exam on this path, plus a law or code exam.
What does it cost to get a Oklahoma master HVAC technician license from Illinois?: Published fees on this path total $514, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
Do my Illinois work hours count in Oklahoma?: Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Oklahoma's eligibility requirements.
Does it work the other way, from Oklahoma to Illinois?: Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Oklahoma to Illinois, the mechanism is not applicable.

Sources

EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements · 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F (Clean Air Act §608) · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Other · verified September 15, 2026Federal requirement in every state: technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified (Type I small appliances, Type II high-pressure, Type III low-pressure, Universal). Apprentices under direct supervision are exempt. Certification does not expire; the core exam must be proctored for Universal certification. State HVAC boards commonly require it before licensure, but it is not itself a state license.
Oklahoma CIB - Active Contractor Requirements (bond and insurance) · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026'An Active (Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical) Contractor is required to carry a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) Corporate Surety Bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board' and 'must provide a certificate of insurance evidencing a minimum of $50,000.00 commercial general liability insurance' with CIB as certificate holder; an affidavit form waives bond and insurance for a contractor employed by a single entity.
Oklahoma CIB - Mechanical Industry · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Overview of the apprentice, journeyman and contractor mechanical licenses. 'All Journeymen and Contractors are required to have received six (6) hours of continuing education within the preceding thirty-six (36) months of their license expiration.' Bond and insurance must be filed with CIB to activate a contractor license and a lapse makes the license inactive. Unlike the CIB electrical page, this page and its sub-pages contain no reciprocity partner list and no reciprocity guidelines page.
Oklahoma CIB - Mechanical Application Information and Application for Mechanical Examination · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Form · verified September 15, 2026Text extracted from the PDF locally; this is the form linked from the CIB Mechanical Forms page. Fees that must accompany the application: Mechanical Contractor $330.00 (license $300.00 + application $30.00); Mechanical Journeyman $75.00 (license $50.00 + application $25.00); Limited Residential Journeyman $75.00. Journeyman experience: three years of verifiable experience in the category, with approved education substituting for up to two years. Contractor: journeyman requirements plus one year. The contractor exam is one exam with a technical trade part and a business and law part, both to be passed within three years of approval; an inactive license issues until a $5,000 corporate surety bond and a certificate of $50,000 commercial general liability insurance (CIB as certificate holder) are received. Failing candidates wait 30 days after a first failure and 90 days after subsequent failures. Question 5 asks whether the applicant holds a mechanical license in another state and requires a copy of the current license; a notarized experience affidavit is required for each certifier.
Oklahoma CIB - Mechanical Contractor · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Contractor categories: HVAC/R Unlimited, HVAC/R Limited, Refrigeration, Natural Gas Piping, Process Piping, Sheet Metal and Ground Source Piping, each with its scope. 'Applicants for a contractor license must meet the same requirements as a journeyman with an additional one (1) year of experience in the mechanical trade.' Links to the active contractor requirements (bond and insurance). No reciprocity language.
Oklahoma CIB - Mechanical Forms · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Lists the Mechanical License Application, endorsed apprentice, limited residential installer, fueled hearth, medical gas, ground source piping, refinery and temporary journeyman (state of emergency) applications and renewal forms. No mechanical reciprocity application or exam-equivalency form is published, in contrast to the plumbing program's Arkansas reciprocal application.
Oklahoma Mechanical Licensing Act, 59 O.S. §§ 1850.1 et seq. · 59 O.S. §§ 1850.6, 1850.7, 1850.8, 1850.8A · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Statute · verified September 15, 2026Text extracted from the PDF locally. 1850.7: no person may engage in mechanical work as a journeyman or contractor without a valid CIB license, and no business entity may act as a mechanical firm unless a contractor is associated with and responsible for its mechanical work. 1850.8: CIB issues a journeyman or contractor license to a person certified by the Committee of Mechanical Examiners as having passed the appropriate examination who pays the license fee; licenses are non-transferable, issued for no more than one year, expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month, and cannot be renewed without the required continuing education; contractors may go inactive and drop bond and insurance. 1850.6: failing candidates wait 30 days, then 90 days. 1850.8A: after a governor-declared disaster, a journeyman licensed in another state may receive a one-year temporary journeyman license while sitting for the Oklahoma exam. The Act contains no reciprocity section; reciprocity is governed by rule.
OAC Title 158, Chapter 50 - Mechanical Industry Regulations (permanent rules effective 10/1/2020) · OAC 158:50-5-2, 158:50-5-3, 158:50-9-1, 158:50-9-2, 158:50-9-4.1, 158:50-9-6, 158:50-9-7 · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026Text extracted from the PDF locally. 158:50-9-1: journeyman applicants need three years of verifiable experience in the category (2,000 hours per year) or approved education plus experience; experience in Oklahoma counts only while registered as an apprentice; contractors need one additional year; a contractor license cannot issue until both the business/law and trade portions are passed. 158:50-9-2(b) fee schedule: contractor application $30, initial contractor license $300, renewal $200; journeyman application $25, initial license $50, renewal $75. 158:50-9-4.1 Exam equivalency: a journeyman or contractor 'from a state without an Oklahoma reciprocal agreement or statewide licensing' may be eligible for exam equivalency if the Board has previously approved that jurisdiction's exam as substantially similar; if approved, the journeyman exam or the technical trade section of the contractor exam is waived, but the business and law section is still required; the applicant supplies a certified letter from the home jurisdiction showing current good standing, the license category, a passing score of 70% or higher and no pending discipline. 158:50-9-6 Reciprocity: the applicant must first 'confirm that a written reciprocity agreement exists between the applicant's state and Oklahoma for the license the applicant is seeking'; must pay the application and initial license fee (non-refundable); must show substantially equivalent requirements, one year of lawful practice under the current license, no pending discipline, and that the license was obtained by examination; contractor applicants under a written contractor agreement are granted a journeyman license by reciprocity and receive the contractor license only after passing the Oklahoma Mechanical Contractor Business and Law portion and meeting bond and insurance requirements. 158:50-5-3: $5,000 continuous corporate surety bond and $50,000 general liability insurance, waived for inactive contractors and for contractors employed by a single entity that files an affidavit. 158:50-9-7: six hours of CE every 36 months; new licensees exempt for three years after passing the exam.
State of Oklahoma Electrical, Mechanical, Roofing and Plumbing Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, effective 12/18/2025) · Oklahoma Construction Industries Board / PSI Services · Other · verified September 15, 2026Text extracted from the PDF locally. 'Each Examination Portion $92', non-refundable, charged per registration whether first attempt or repeat; 30-day wait after a first failure. HVACR Journeyman Limited: 60 questions, 70% (42 correct) to pass, 180 minutes, open book on the 2018 International Mechanical Code and 2018 International Fuel Gas Code with Oklahoma revisions, Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and ACCA Manual J. HVACR Journeyman Unlimited, HVACR Contractor Limited and Unlimited, Refrigeration, Sheet Metal and Process Piping exams are also outlined, plus the separate Mechanical Business and Law portion for contractors.

Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.

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