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Ohio to Delaware: master HVAC technician license reciprocity

Reciprocity· Exam waivedVerified September 15, 2026· 10 sources

Delaware has a reciprocity agreement with Ohio: a Ohio master HVAC technician can get a Delaware license without retaking the trade exam.

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

Reciprocity with Ohio (standards not substantially similar; 7 years of practice required)

A signed state-to-state agreement. The trade exam is waived; you apply, prove your history, and pay the fee.

The Board's HVACR licensure page lists Ohio among the jurisdictions whose licensure standards are not substantially similar to Delaware's. A current Ohio master-level HVACR licensee may still be licensed by reciprocity without a Delaware examination, but under 24 Del. C. § 1823(b) must submit proof of practicing for a minimum of seven years after receiving master licensure in Ohio, documented with Verification of Employment forms signed by supervisors or, for self-employment, Schedule C tax forms (W-2s or employer affidavits may substitute at the Board's discretion). The applicant pays the $173 application fee in DELPROS, has licensure verification sent to the Board from Ohio and every other jurisdiction where they have been licensed, uploads a copy of their CFC (EPA 608) certification card, and attests to the good-conduct requirements of § 1821(a)(4)-(7). Applications are reviewed at the next Board meeting once complete.

At a glance

Trade exam
Waived
Law / code exam
Not required
Agreement
Active

What you must already have

  • Your Ohio license must be active and in good standing.
  • You must have no disciplinary action or unresolved complaints on your record.
  • You must have held your Ohio license for at least 7 years.Proof of practicing at least 7 years after receiving master licensure in Ohio (24 Del. C. § 1823(b)), shown on Verification of Employment forms, W-2s or Schedule C.

What you'll do to get licensed in Delaware

  1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($173). Master HVACR (or Master Restricted HVACR) application fee, non-refundable, paid in DELPROS.
  2. 2Other. State/jurisdiction licensure verification sent directly to the Board office from each state or jurisdiction where the applicant currently holds or has ever held a license (a business license covering employees does not need verification).
  3. 3Other. EPA Section 608 technician certification (Type I/II/III/Universal) to handle refrigerants; federal, does not expire. Delaware requires a copy of the CFC certification card with every Master HVACR, Master HVACR Restricted-Refrigeration and Master HVACR Restricted-Air Conditioning application (24 Del. C. § 1821(a)(3); 24 DE Admin. Code 1800 § 3.1.3).
  4. 4Other. Verification of Employment forms (or W-2s, employer affidavits or Schedule C with an explanation) covering at least 7 years of practice as a licensed master.

Published fees on this path total $173, 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.

  • Other

How Delaware licenses master HVAC technicians

Delaware master HVAC technician · “Master HVACR”

Statewide license

Verified September 15, 2026· 8 sources

Issued by Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation)

Delaware issues a person-held Master HVACR license through the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners in the Division of Professional Regulation (the electrical trade is regulated by a separate board). A Master HVACR licensee may design, install, service and alter heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation and process systems including gas piping; a Master HVACR Restricted license covers one specialty (forced-air heating with ventilation and gas piping, hydronic heating with gas piping, commercial hood systems, refrigeration, air conditioning, or gas piping). Employees work under a master's supervision without their own license. A new master needs a journeyman certificate from a federally-registered apprenticeship plus 2 years under a master, or 7 years under a master plus the ABC Delaware Apprenticeship By-Pass exam, then passes the ProV-administered Master HVACR exam (100 questions, 4 hours, open book, 70%, $100) and pays the $173 application fee; a CFC (EPA 608) card is required. Out-of-state masters are licensed by reciprocity without a Delaware exam under 24 Del. C. § 1823: the Board has published that Connecticut and Maryland standards are substantially similar (no experience proof) and that fourteen other jurisdictions are not (7 years of licensed practice required); all other states are evaluated case by case. Licenses renew biennially with 5 hours of continuing education from 2026.

Moving to DelawareLeaving Delaware

Common questions

Do I have to take the Delaware master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Ohio?
No. The trade exam is waived on this path under the agreement with Ohio.
How long do I need to have held my Ohio license?
At least 7 years before applying.
What does it cost to get a Delaware master HVAC technician license from Ohio?
Published fees on this path total $173, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
Does it work the other way, from Delaware to Ohio?
Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Delaware to Ohio, the mechanism is experience credit.

Sources

  1. 24 DE Admin. Code 1800 - Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (regulations) · 24 DE Admin. Code 1800 §§ 3.0, 5.0 · Delaware Registrar of Regulations · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026Fetched through the r.jina.ai text proxy. § 3.1.1: Board approval before the HVACR exam, offered quarterly, 70% to pass. § 3.1.2: with a journeyman's certificate, 2 years of post-apprenticeship experience under a master HVACR licensee 'or an individual holding a similar level of licensure in another state'; without one, 7 years of such experience plus the Bypass Exams (restricted applicants take only the relevant sections, § 3.1.2.2.3). § 3.1.3: CFC card. § 3.1.5: certificates of good standing from every jurisdiction where licensed. § 3.1.6: three exam attempts, then a one-year wait. § 3.2: a reciprocity applicant must demonstrate that the origin state's standards are equivalent and provide its HVACR laws and regulations. § 5.0: 5 hours of continuing education per biennium from the 2026 renewal (3 hours code changes, 1 hour safety, 1 hour energy code for HVACR licensees).
  2. 24 Del. C. ch. 18, subch. I - Board of Plumbing, HVACR Examiners: objectives and definitions · 24 Del. C. § 1802 · Delaware General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026§ 1802(10): 'License' means a Board document certifying that the holder is a master plumber, master HVACR licensee or master HVACR restricted licensee; (11)-(12) define Master HVACR licensee and the six restricted specialties; (18) 'Supervision' means control and oversight by a master licensee who is an owner or full-time employee of the entity providing services. No journeyperson HVACR license is defined.
  3. 24 Del. C. ch. 18, subch. III - License: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration · 24 Del. C. §§ 1820, 1821, 1823, 1825 · Delaware General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026§ 1820(a) requires a master HVACR or master HVACR restricted license to provide HVACR services; § 1820(c)(1) exempts 'an apprentice, journeyman, mechanic or other person providing such services under the supervision of a master HVACR licensee or master HVACR restricted licensee' who is the employer or a full-time employee of the same business. § 1821(a): journeyman's certificate from a federally-approved apprenticeship issued in any state plus 2 years under a master (Delaware or a similar-level licensee in another state), or 7 years under such supervision plus the apprenticeship equivalency test; pass the Board exam; hold EPA-approved CFC certification; no administrative penalties, pending discipline, impairment or substantially related conviction. § 1823(a): the Board shall grant a license to an applicant with current licensure in good standing in a state, DC or territory whose standards are substantially similar, on the § 1821(a)(3)-(7) evidence and the fee; § 1823(b): if the standards are not substantially similar the applicant must have practiced at least 7 years after licensure. § 1825: biennial renewal with continuing education.
  4. Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners - Home · 24 Del. C. ch. 18 · Delaware Division of Professional Regulation · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Fetched through the r.jina.ai text proxy because dpr.delaware.gov rejects direct fetches. 'The Board issues master plumber, master HVACR and master restricted HVACR licenses'; restricted licenses limit practice to a specialty such as air conditioning. Notes the March 11, 2025 regulation update (restricted candidates take only the relevant bypass exam sections; continuing education clarified for the 2026 renewal). Board meets the second Tuesday monthly and reviews only complete applications.
  5. Delaware DPR - Plumbing and HVACR Examinations (ProV and ABC Delaware) · Delaware Division of Professional Regulation · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Fetched through the r.jina.ai text proxy. ProV administers the licensure exams (in person in Wilmington, Newark and Dover or online via Examroom); ABC Delaware administers the Apprenticeship By-Pass exam (NCCER materials) when the Board requires it. Board staff forward approved candidates to ProV, which emails the Candidate Information Bulletin. Minimum passing score 70%; candidates who fail three times must wait one year before reapplying.
  6. Delaware DPR - Plumbing and HVACR Frequently Asked Questions · Delaware Division of Professional Regulation · Faq · verified September 15, 2026Fetched through the r.jina.ai text proxy. Anyone licensed in another state still needs a Delaware Board license to do HVACR work in Delaware. 'Does Delaware have reciprocity? Yes. If you hold a current license in another jurisdiction ... where the licensure requirements are substantially similar to Delaware's requirements, you may be licensed by reciprocity.' Applications are reviewed for approval on or before the next Board meeting once complete.
  7. Delaware DPR - Plumbing and HVACR Fee Schedule · Delaware Division of Professional Regulation · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Fetched through the r.jina.ai text proxy. Application fees: Master HVACR $173; Master Restricted HVACR $173; Plumber or HVACR Temporary $40. Commercial Hood System Examination $50; Verification of Licensure $35 ($45 with exam scores/hours/history). Renewal fee is announced at renewal; late renewal adds 50%. All fees are non-refundable and paid in DELPROS.
  8. Delaware DPR - Master HVACR and Master HVACR Restricted Licensure (examination and reciprocity) · 24 Del. C. §§ 1821, 1823 · Delaware Division of Professional Regulation · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Fetched through the r.jina.ai text proxy. Defines Master HVACR and the six Master HVACR Restricted specialties. All applicants apply in DELPROS, must have licensure verification sent from every jurisdiction where they hold or held a license (a Pennsylvania municipal license does not qualify; those applicants apply by exam), submit a CFC certification card (Master, Restricted-Refrigeration, Restricted-Air Conditioning), and prove experience with Verification of Employment forms or W-2/Schedule C. Examination: journeyman certificate from a federally-approved apprenticeship plus 2 years under a master, or 7 years under a master and the ABC Delaware Apprenticeship By-Pass Exam; pass the Master exam with 70%. Reciprocity table: Connecticut and Maryland are substantially similar (no proof of experience); Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia are not substantially similar (proof of practicing at least 7 years after master licensure); any other state must be evaluated by the Board from a copy of its law and regulations. Applications must be completed within six months.
  9. Delaware Division of Professional Regulation - Candidate Information Bulletin (ProV, 2022.03.09) · Delaware Division of Professional Regulation / Prov, Inc. · Other · verified September 15, 2026Linked from the DPR examinations page; read through the r.jina.ai text proxy. Exams cost $100 each, are computer-based, open book and timed; Master HVACR exam is 100 questions in 4 hours (general knowledge, piping, equipment, system sizing and installation, ventilation and exhaust, testing and inspection); HVACR and plumbing exams require 70%; retakes after 7 days, limited to three attempts per application. Lists the Master HVACR Restricted exams by specialty.
  10. 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.

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

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