Virginia to Maryland: master HVAC technician license reciprocity
Maryland has a reciprocity agreement with Virginia: a Virginia master HVAC technician can get a Maryland license without retaking the trade exam.
Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.
Reciprocal agreement with Virginia (master)
A signed state-to-state agreement. The trade exam is waived; you apply, prove your history, and pay the fee.
The Board of HVACR Contractors lists Virginia as one of its two reciprocal-agreement states. A Virginia master HVACR licensee who holds an active license in good standing, holds a license equivalent to Maryland's master (or master restricted) license, and became licensed after meeting requirements at least equivalent to Maryland's, including the 3 years of experience required by Bus. Reg. §9A-302(b), receives a Maryland master license without taking the Maryland master exam. File the two-page reciprocity application by email with a copy of the Virginia license and an original letter of verification from the Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR); the form states that no fee is required with the application. The Board's fee schedule lists $94.50 for the master license ($31.50 per area for master restricted), and a master who will sign or approve HVACR contracts must file a certificate of insurance ($300,000 general liability, $100,000 property damage, Board as certificate holder) before the license is issued.
The Board publishes no effective date for the Virginia agreement. Bus. Reg. §9A-305(d) separately mandated waivers for Virginia licensees relocating as BRAC family members who applied before July 1, 2012; that window has closed.
At a glance
- Trade exam
- Waived
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Agreement
- Active
What you must already have
- Your Virginia license must be active and in good standing.
- Origin license is equivalent to the Maryland license applied for
- Became licensed in the origin state after meeting requirements at least equivalent to Maryland's, including the years of work experience required by Maryland law (Bus. Reg. §9A-305(b))
- You must have no disciplinary action or unresolved complaints on your record.
What you'll do to get licensed in Maryland
- 1Other. Reciprocity Application for Maryland HVACR License (Master box, reciprocating from Virginia) with a copy of the current Virginia license, emailed to the Board.
- 2Other. Original letter of verification (good standing) from the Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR).
- 3License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($94.50). Master license fee per the Board's July 1, 2025 fee schedule (master restricted $31.50 per area licensed); the reciprocity form itself carries no application fee.
- 4Insurance. Carry the required insurance. Certificate of insurance if the licensee will sign or approve HVACR contracts: general liability at least $300,000 and property damage at least $100,000, State Board of HVACR Contractors named as certificate holder (Bus. Reg. §9A-402).
- 5Other. Hold EPA Section 608 technician certification to handle refrigerant; federal law requires it, but it is not a condition of this state license (if applicable).
Published fees on this path total $94.50, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
What you'll need to buy or arrange
Liability insurance
Some states require proof of general liability or workers' compensation coverage at licensing time.
- Insurance
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 · if applicable
How Maryland licenses master HVAC technicians
Maryland master HVAC technician · “Master HVACR Contractor”
Statewide license
Maryland's highest person-held HVACR credential is the Master HVACR Contractor license issued by the Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors; it authorizes installation and maintenance in all areas of HVACR work and is the license under which HVACR contracting is done. The Board also issues Master Restricted (one or more areas: forced air, hydronic, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration) and Limited Contractor (maintenance and repair only) licenses. A new master must have been licensed as a journeyman (or journeyman restricted, limited or master restricted) and regularly and principally employed providing HVACR services under a master for at least 3 years, with 1,875 hours in the year before applying, and pass the PSI master exam (100 questions, 70%, 240 minutes, open book, $150); the license fee is $94.50. A master, master restricted or limited licensee who signs or approves HVACR contracts must carry $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage insurance with the Board as certificate holder. The Board reciprocates only with Delaware and Virginia; licensees of those states who qualify are licensed without the Maryland exam.
Common questions
- Do I have to take the Maryland master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Virginia?
- No. The trade exam is waived on this path under the agreement with Virginia.
- What does it cost to get a Maryland master HVAC technician license from Virginia?
- Published fees on this path total $94.50, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
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, 2026
- Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-101 - Definitions (HVACR licenses) · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-101 · Maryland General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026
- Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-302 - Qualifications of applicants · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-302 · Maryland General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-305 - Waiver of examination for out-of-state licensees (reciprocity) · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-305 · Maryland General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026
- Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-309 - Term and renewal of licenses · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-309 · Maryland General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- Md. Code, Business Regulation §9A-402 - Insurance requirement for contractor licensees · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-402 · Maryland General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Apply for an Original License (license categories) · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR) - Home · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. Title 9A; COMAR 09.15 · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Licensing Frequently Asked Questions · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Faq · verified September 23, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Fees (COMAR fee schedule effective July 1, 2025) · COMAR 09.15.01.03 · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Insurance Requirements · Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §9A-402 · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Licensing Requirements (master, master restricted, limited, journeyman) · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Apply for a Reciprocal License · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026
- Maryland HVACR Board - Reciprocity Application for Maryland HVACR License (Word form) · Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing · Form · verified September 15, 2026
- Maryland State Board of HVACR Contractors - Qualification Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 9/1/2024) · Maryland Department of Labor / PSI Services LLC · Other · verified September 23, 2026
Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.