Licensing Guides

Alaska HVAC License: How to Become an HVAC Contractor in Alaska

Table of Contents
  1. Licensing Requirements for HVAC Contractors in Alaska

  2. Types of HVAC Licenses in Alaska

  3. Steps to Get an HVAC License in Alaska

  4. Benefits of Getting an HVAC License in Alaska

  5. What Is the Mean Wage for an HVAC Technician in Alaska?

  6. How Much Does It Cost to Get an HVAC License in Alaska?

  7. How to Get an HVAC License in Alaska

  8. How Long Does it Take to Get an HVAC Contractors License in Alaska?

  9. Alaska HVAC Training Programs and Schools

  10. Alaska HVAC Licensing Exam Details

  11. How Can I Prepare for the HVAC License Exam in Alaska

  12. Who Issues HVAC Licenses in Alaska?

  13. Does My Alaska HVAC License Work in Any Other State?

  14. What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an HVAC License in Alaska

  15. HVAC Specific Requirements: EPA Certification

  16. National HVAC Certifications

  17. Other Requirements Unique to Alaska

  18. Are There HVAC Scholarships in Alaska?

  19. How Can Someone Verify My HVAC License in Alaska?

  20. When Can an HVAC License Get Suspended in Alaska?

  21. What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed HVAC Work in Alaska?

  22. Continuing Education

Learning a trade requires hard work and determination. You can’t rush the process, but the time you put into learning how to be an HVACR technician or contractor can lead to a career that is long-lasting, lucrative, and fulfilling. There are 425,200 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Alaska employs 790 of them. 

Employment is projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034 throughout the country, adding more than 40,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In Alaska, that growth rate is expected to be slightly higher — projected at 10% — according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.

» Want to grow your HVAC business? Click here to get a demo.

Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in Alaska in July 2025 totaled 19,600, an increase of 1,400 (7.7%) from July 2024 and an increase of 2,800 (17%) from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.

A large part of what HVAC contractors and technicians do is replace and repair existing systems. As more emphasis is placed on energy efficiency and reducing pollution, systems need to be retrofitted, upgraded, or replaced entirely to remain compliant with these new standards. The licensing requirements for HVAC workers and HVAC contractors vary from state to state and in some cases from locality to locality. Alaska has a little of both.

Licensing Requirements for HVAC Contractors in Alaska

Is a license required for HVAC professionals in Alaska? The answer depends upon your job description.

Alaska does not license HVAC technicians as it does journeyman plumbers or electricians. However, business owners must either hold a mechanical administrator license or employ someone who does, meaning obtaining licensure opens more doors in your career. The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing oversees the mechanical administrator program. 

You can also encounter local licensing mandates, depending on where you intend to work. Anchorage, for example, has additional licensing layered on top of the state requirements.

Types of HVAC Licenses in Alaska

What are the different types of HVAC/Mechanical licenses in Alaska?

There are five relevant HVAC categories for a mechanical administrator license:

  • Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping (HCPP) — May supervise installation, alteration, or retrofitting of large-scale hydronic heating, cooling, and process‐piping systems. This includes steam and hot water systems of any temperature/pressure, chilled water, condensing water, cooling towers, boilers, heat exchangers, fuel oil/gas piping, and fuel tanks, plus the related controls, insulation, burners, and valves.

  • Mechanical Systems Temperature Control (CNTL) — May supervise the installation, alteration, or retrofitting of controls and control wiring (pneumatic or electric) and the retrofitting of control wiring (48 volts or less) necessary for operation of mechanical systems.

  • Residential HVAC (RHVC) — May supervise HVAC work in single-family homes or duplexes up to three stories.

  • Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal (UHVCS) — May supervise sheet metal and HVAC systems work in commercial and industrial settings of any size.

  • Unlimited Refrigeration (UR) — May supervise work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment/systems without restriction on thermal capacity or type of refrigerant.

Each license has specific requirements that must be met to qualify for licensure. In most cases, an HVAC program completed through an accredited program will count for up to two years of it. 

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping (HCPP)

  • Meet one of the following experience requirements:

  • Practical hands-on experience as a journeyman in heating, cooling, and process piping work for at least four of the six years immediately before the date of application.

  • Construction management experience in heating systems, cooling, and process piping work as a field superintendent or similar position for at least four of the six years immediately before the date of application.

  • A degree in mechanical engineering from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university, plus practical experience as a journeyman pipefitter or field engineer in heating, cooling, and process piping work for at least one of the three years immediately before the date of application.

  • A registration in the state as a professional mechanical engineer, plus management experience in the mechanical contracting industry as a field engineer or similar engineering position for at least one of the three years immediately before the date of application.

  • Submit application with applicable fees.

  • Pass exam. 

Mechanical Systems Temperature Control (CNTL)

  • Meet one of the following experience requirements:

  • Practical experience as a journeyman in mechanical systems temperature control work for at least two of the four years immediately before the date of application.

  • Management experience in mechanical systems temperature control work as a field superintendent or similar position for at least four of the six years immediately preceding the date of the application.

  • A degree in mechanical engineering from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university, or from a college, university, or trade school in mechanical systems temperature control that is regionally or nationally accredited or approved by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education.

  • Submit application with applicable fees.

  • Pass exam. 

Residential HVAC (RHVC)

  • Must demonstrate practical experience as a journeyman in residential HVAC work for at least two of the four years immediately preceding the date of the application.

  • Submit application with applicable fees.

  • Pass exam. 

Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal (UHVCS)

  • Meet one of the following experience requirements:

  • Practical experience as a journeyman in HVAC and sheet metal work for at least four of the six years immediately before the date of the application.

  • Management experience in HVAC and sheet metal work as a field superintendent or similar position for at least four of the six years immediately before the date of the application.

  • A degree in mechanical engineering from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university plus practical experience as a journeyman or field engineer in HVAC and sheet metal work for at least one of the three years immediately before the date of application.

  • A registration in the state as a professional mechanical engineer, plus management experience in the mechanical contracting industry as a field engineer or similar engineering position for at least one of the three years immediately before the date of application.

  • Submit application with applicable fees.

  • Pass exam. 

Unlimited Refrigeration (UR) 

  • Meet one of the following experience requirements:

  • Practical experience as a journeyman in refrigeration for at least two of the four years immediately before the date of application.

  • A degree in refrigeration from a college, university, or trade school that is accredited regionally or nationally or approved by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education.

  • Submit application with applicable fees.

  • Pass exam. 

Note: One year of experience is the equivalent of 12 consecutive months of work and at least 1,500 hours. 

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Steps to Get an HVAC License in Alaska

  1. Meet employer expectations by being 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED, a driver’s license, and basic math and reading skills.

  2. Enroll in a training program — either a college degree program or an apprenticeship  — to learn the trade and increase your chances of finding a job. 

  3. Work indefinitely as an HVAC tech for a licensed contractor.

  4. Or get licensed as a mechanical administrator if you would like to be a contractor yourself or work as the mechanical administrator of record for a mechanical contractor.

  5. Accumulate the required hours of education and/or experience for the category of mechanical administrator license you desire.

  6. Apply for license, paying the application and license fee for that specific license.

  7. Receive notice of eligibility to test, and take and pass the state-mandated exam.

  8. Receive your Mechanical Administrator license.

  9. Register your corporation/entity with the State of Alaska Division of Corporations to receive an Alaska Entity Number.

  10. Apply to the State of Alaska Business License Section to obtain a business license.

Benefits of Getting an HVAC License in Alaska

There are many benefits to getting your Alaska HVACR/Mechanical license:

  • A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.

  • Only licensed HVAC contractors can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.

  • Having a license protects your company and customers.

  • A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.

  • It also increases your earning potential.

What Is the Mean Wage for an HVAC Technician in Alaska?

The annual mean wage for HVAC mechanics and installers in Alaska is $81,800, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that salary can increase as you acquire more experience. An HVAC technician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median HVAC technician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.44% for entry-level workers, 3.46% for intermediate level, 3.62% for senior level HVAC professionals, and 3.53% for supervisors. In Alaska, those salary projections are:

Entry (<2 years): $55,700

Intermediate (2-4 years): $67,700

Senior (4-7 years): $79,400

Supervisor (>7 years): $93,500

The meaning of a “mean wage” and “median salary” can be confusing. Here is the difference:

  • Mean wage tells you the mathematical average.

  • Median salary tells you the point at which 50% of workers make less and 50% make more, and is usually a better indicator of what most people actually earn.

Salaries can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an HVAC business, this blog can give you an idea of what you can expect to make and what factors will influence that number. 

What Business Owners Need to Know

Getting the most out of an HVAC technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one HVAC software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly. 

ServiceTitan features:

  • SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.

  • Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.

  • Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.

  • The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.

  • Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average tickets.

  • Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.

To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an HVAC License in Alaska?

How you get started will determine your upfront costs. For example, the total cost of the  Plumbing and Heating program offered through the Alaska Vocational Technical Center is listed as $12,339. 

There is also a $350 total in fees for the mechanical administrator license — $150 for the application and $200 for the license itself. The examination fee is paid directly to PSI Exams and is $150 for any of the categories of mechanical administrator.

How to Get an HVAC License in Alaska

An HVAC career path refers to the different positions you can advance to as your skills and experience in HVAC develop. In Alaska, you can get started as an HVAC technician without a license. The mechanical administrator license is a way to advance your career and allows you to own your own business. 

The most common path taken to enter the HVAC field in Alaska is enrolling in a trade school or apprenticeship program. It’s all about meeting employer expectations since there is no licensing option for entry-level journeyman technicians in Alaska.  

APPRENTICESHIP/WORK EXPERIENCE: There are many ways to get the classroom and on-the-job training you need to work in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry in Alaska, but each path combines these two elements — education and experience. You have basically three options to get it:

Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships are sometimes referred to as “The Other Four-Year Degree,” because it’s like college for the trades. If you get one of the coveted apprentice openings through your local United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs, it’s like getting a scholarship to college. Alaska has three UA local chapters that offer plumbing, pipefitting, welding, and heating apprenticeships. UA Local 367 based in Anchorage offers each of those for both Residential and Commercial. The program includes 10,000 hours (five years) of on-the-job training.

Apprentices are mentored on the job by journeymen and go to school to learn trade-specific subjects. These apprenticeships are very competitive, so you may need to distinguish yourself if this is the path you want to take. You can do that by starting on one of the other paths to licensure.

College/Trade School: Another way to begin the process of becoming an HVAC tech, and the most common in Alaska, is to get a certificate or degree in the field. There are many programs to choose from. An associate of applied science degree will take about two years, and certificate programs can take six months to a year. This can distinguish you from other candidates for one of those union apprentice openings or make you a more desirable candidate for an entry-level job with an HVAC employer. That is the entire intent of the program at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward.

Entry-level Employment: The other way to begin is to simply look for an entry-level job opening and work for a licensed mechanical contractor. Again, though, most employers state in job postings that HVAC training is preferred. Some employers will act as a sponsor in a registered apprenticeship through Alaska’s Office of Apprenticeship, which maintains a list of registered apprenticeships that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprenticeships through the Department of Labor are recognized nationwide, so your credentials will move with you. You will be required to attend classes at night or on weekends to get the requisite theoretical training, but you’ll be getting your academic instruction in tandem with your practical experience, and you probably won’t be paying for all of it.

You may work indefinitely as an HVAC journeyman technician in Alaska without pursuing a state-level license. If you do pursue a state-level license, here are the next steps:

APPLY FOR LICENSE: Once you meet experience requirements, you will need to fill out and submit a license application. There is a $150 nonrefundable application fee and $200 license fee. You will need to provide a complete resume detailing education and experience in the license category for which you are applying, including a “Certificate in Support of Applicant’s Experience and Qualifications” from three persons who are employed in the mechanical industry in any state in the category for which you are applying. Individuals completing the form must have personal knowledge of your work experience and qualifications. You should also include official transcripts from a college, university, or trade school sent directly to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing by the school (if using education to qualify). An individual applying for licensure by examination must provide all of this to obtain approval to schedule the license examination. 

TAKE LICENSING EXAM: Once the department has approved you for testing, you will receive an eligibility notice instructing you on how to schedule and pay for your examination. Included with your letter will be an identification number assigned to you by the state for this testing program. You must use this identification number when scheduling for your examination. You have one year from your approval date to pass the examination. 

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS: If you wish to own your own business in the HVAC field in Alaska, you will need to be licensed as a Mechanical Administrator and as a Mechanical contractor. Mechanical contractors may perform any of the mechanical disciplines for which their Mechanical Administrator license allows (plumbing, heating, sheet metal, or refrigeration). A mechanical contractor may perform only mechanical work; the installation of mechanical controls requires both an Electrical Administrator license and a Mechanical Administrator license. You will then need to register your corporation/entity with the State of Alaska Division of Corporations to receive an Alaska Entity Number, and apply to the State of Alaska Business License Section to obtain a business license. Business License fees are $50 per year and may be purchased for one year ($50) or two years ($100). 

You will need general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. 

Check out our blog post to learn about the 11 Key HVAC Skills Every Technician Should Have. And, if you choose to pursue owning your own business, you’ll need to stay on top of the changing regulations.

How Long Does it Take to Get an HVAC Contractors License in Alaska?

Because there is no entry-level state licensing for HVAC technicians, it will take as much time as it takes to meet employer expectations. Most employers prefer some kind of post-secondary training. Certificate programs vary in length. Some are only six months. Most associate degree programs in applied science will take about two years. Apprenticeships are typically five years long. Beyond that, each of the categories of Mechanical Administrator license takes a minimum of two to four years of experience in the discipline for which you are applying.

As a licensed mechanical administrator and contractor, you can start your own HVAC business, be your own boss, and grow your business as much as you want. The sky’s the limit.

Alaska HVAC Training Programs and Schools

There are many programs to get the training you need to become an HVAC technician or mechanical contractor in Alaska. There are also many more options for online training.

As previously stated, most HVAC technicians hold some kind of post-secondary degree or certificate. There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

Currently, HVAC Excellence has not accredited any programs in the state. PAHRA has accredited one school in Alaska:

Here's a great list of the best HVAC schools in Alaska:

  • Niche: 2026 Best Colleges with HVAC and Refrigeration Engineering Technician Degrees in Alaska

Tuition: According to Community College Review, the average community college tuition in Alaska is approximately $3,990 per year for in-state students and $4,007 for out-of-state students (2025-26).

Apprenticeship: The alternative to a college education program is to look for an apprenticeship. There are several formal apprenticeship opportunities to get the training you need in Alaska. Local United Association union chapters are a great place to start your search because they are considered the gold standard in apprenticeships in the trades. The UA Chapters are listed here. Each has a slightly different way of doing things. You will want to apply to the local chapter where you live. Local 367 in Anchorage offers Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, Welding, and Heating Apprenticeships.  Each is a five-year program consisting of 10,000 hours. The apprentice is paid while working, with raises of 10% given upon satisfactory completion of 12 months and 2,000 hours of work. Classroom and shop training is a mandatory six weeks each year. You are not paid while attending class, but if qualified, you can collect unemployment.

You will work with and will be trained by expert experienced journeymen, who have extensive field experience. The cost of training is paid by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), composed of the Union and Union Contractors, as a part of each member’s fringe packet. 

The minimum requirements are:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Must have either a high school diploma, GED, or a two-year minimum secondary/college degree

  • Requires a valid Alaska driver’s license with no DUI or DWI on your driving record in the last three years from application closing date

  • Must have I-9 Employment Verification Documentation

  • Requires taking WorkKeys tests (ACT Assessment tests)

The apprenticeships offered through Local 375 out of Fairbanks include a minimum of 250 hours per year of classroom training in related technical and theoretical aspects of the trade and 8,500 to 10,000 hours of on-the-job training. You will earn money while you learn your trade in a tuition-free program. UA Local 262 in Juneau started in 1937 and trains apprentices and journeymen in plumbing, pipefitting, welding, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and all aspects of the commercial and residential plumbing trade.

There are other ways to find an apprenticeship. The Alaska Workforce Investment Board website offers information to job seekers as well as employers and veterans to help apprentices find openings and help employers find apprentices. 

On-the-Job Experience: While on the job you will need good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have some mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces.

For more detailed information about HVAC school options in Alaska, check out our  Ultimate Guide to HVAC Schools in Alaska.

Alaska HVAC Mechanical Licensing Exam Details

The state of Alaska has contracted with PSI, a third-party testing service, to conduct its licensing examinations. Each of the mechanical administrator license exams costs $150.

The Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping exam consists of 100 questions on the following topics: 

  • Piping systems 

  • Boilers 

  • Chillers and refrigeration 

  • Chimneys, flues, and vents 

  • Combustion air 

  • Alaska Statutes and Regulations 

  • Controls 

  • Testing and troubleshooting

The Mechanical Systems Temperature Control exam includes 60 questions on the following topics: 

  • Electricity and electronics 

  • Alaska Statutes and Regulations 

  • HVAC unit controls 

  • Pneumatics 

  • Terminology 

  • Piping and tubing 

  • Sizing and estimating 

  • Testing and inspecting

The Residential HVAC exam consists of 65 questions on the following topics:

  • Alaska Statutes and Regulations 

  • Burners 

  • Controls 

  • Air conditioning systems 

  • Fuel piping 

  • Chimneys, flues, and vents 

  • Sheet metal and duct systems

  • Testing and inspections 

  • Evaporative cooling

The Unlimited HVAC and Sheet Metal exam includes 100 questions on the following topics: 

  • Boilers and burners 

  • Chimneys, flues, and vents 

  • Fuel piping and storage 

  • Controls and electrical 

  • Duct systems and sheet metal 

  • Alaska Statutes and Regulations 

  • Steam and hot water piping 

  • Air conditioning systems 

  • Refrigeration piping and tubing 

  • Chillers 

  • Pneumatics 

  • Evaporative cooling 

  • Heat pumps

The Unlimited Refrigeration exam consists of 100 questions on the following topics:

  • Component knowledge 

  • Testing and troubleshooting 

  • Piping and tubing 

  • Commercial refrigeration systems 

  • Alaska Statutes and Regulations 

  • Controls 

  • Refrigerants and sizing

How Can I Prepare for The HVAC License Exam in Alaska?

To prepare, PSI suggests:

  • Start with a current copy of the Candidate Information Bulletin and use the examination content outline as the basis of your study.

  • Read/study materials that cover all the topics in the content outline and take practice tests.

  • Take notes on what you study. Putting information in writing helps you commit it to memory, and it is also an excellent business practice. Discuss new terms or concepts as frequently as you can with colleagues. This will test your understanding and reinforce ideas.

  • Your studies will be most effective if you study frequently, for periods of about 45 to 60 minutes. Concentration tends to wander when you study for longer periods of time.

Each exam is described in detail, including the number of questions and the time limit to complete it.

The Bulletin will also specify which reference materials you may use and what items are not allowed in the testing center. There are six PSI testing centers in Alaska. Two are in Anchorage. The others are in Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Kodiak.

If the city or county where you intend to work has additional HVACR, gas piping, gas fitting or other mechanical-related licensing, you will need to apply to the jurisdiction for licensure and will most likely have to complete additional local testing. Always check with your local governing agency to be sure to meet its requirements.

Who Issues HVAC Licenses in Alaska?

HVAC licenses are called Mechanical Administrator Licenses in the state of Alaska and are issued by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing – Contractor Licensing Section.

Does My Alaska HVAC License Work in Any Other State?

Alaska does not reciprocate with any other state for its Mechanical Administrator license. Every state has different licensing requirements. Minimum work experience thresholds will vary, and many will require that you document that experience and pass a licensing exam. Be sure to check those mandates before beginning work as an HVAC professional in another state, even if you’ve been doing HVAC work in Alaska.

What Are The Reciprocity Requirements for an HVAC License in Alaska

There are no reciprocity agreements, but applicants may apply for licensure by credentials. Passing an exam in another state does not guarantee qualification of an applicant for an Alaska license. Additionally, all other requirements under statute and regulation must be met. The following documents must be submitted before an applicant will be considered for licensure by credentials:

  • Completed, notarized application.

  • Fees: $150 nonrefundable application fee and $200 license fee.

  • Complete resume detailing education and experience in the license category for which you are applying.

  • “Certificate in Support of Applicant’s Experience and Qualifications” from three persons who are employed in the mechanical industry in any state in the category for which you are applying. Individuals completing the form must have personal knowledge of your work experience and qualifications.

  • Official transcripts from a college, university, or trade school sent directly to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing by the school (if using education to qualify).

  • Verification of a current, active license from another state, sent directly to the division by that state, that identifies any relevant license category.

  • Verification of an examination passed in another state, sent directly to the division by that state. The verification must include the examination content outline.

HVAC Specific Requirements: EPA Certification

Throughout the country, including in Alaska, federal-level Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.  EPA Section 608 HVAC Certification is required for any professional who conducts refrigerant line-pressure tests or handles or adds refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems.

Most training programs can direct you to how and where to get that certification, or your employer will require you to get it before handling refrigerant. You can also go to EPA.gov and key in 608 Certification in the search bar to find out which institutions in your state offer certification programs. All apprenticeships will include this preparation and testing.

Take Certification Exam: You must acquire your EPA Certification from an approved organization. A list of these organizations can be found on the EPA’s website. There are four types of EPA Certifications for Refrigerants. They allow for different levels of certification for different scopes of work.

  • Type I – for servicing small appliances containing five pounds of refrigerant or less.

  • Type II – for servicing high-pressure units that contain five pounds or more of refrigerant (including most small commercial and residential systems).

  • Type III – for servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.

  • Universal – for servicing all systems and appliances covered under Types I, II, and III. Generally more useful than targeting any one specific certification.

Core Exam

For all certifications, you must pass the “Core Section” of the EPA certification exam. It covers the following topics:

  • Ozone depletion

  • Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol

  • Section 608 regulations

  • Substitute refrigerants and oils

  • Refrigeration

  • The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)

  • Recovery techniques

  • Dehydration evacuation

  • Safety

  • Shipping

National HVAC Certifications

Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) certification, and other professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.

Other Requirements Unique to Alaska

Alaska mechanical administrators must renew their license every two years by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. You can submit a renewal application online at alaska.gov or to the following mailing address:

Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

P.O. Box 110806

Juneau, AK 99811-0806

The cost for biennial license renewal is $200. 

Are There HVAC Scholarships in Alaska?

Yes, there are HVAC scholarships in Alaska. Local 367 in Anchorage offers a scholarship that covers all of the required training costs, so long as the candidate follows the rules of the program. The Alaska Education Grant provides up to $4,000 per year for Alaska students, including those in vocational and trade school programs.

You can also apply for national scholarships through organizations such as the EGIA Foundation and Women in HVACR, which can be used at institutions in Alaska.

How Can Someone Verify My HVAC License in Alaska?

To verify an HVAC license in Alaska, use the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development's Professional License Search Tool. You can also search all disciplinary actions from 2017 to date for all professional licenses regulated by the Division.

Once you navigate to the Search Tool, you can search by name or license number.

When Can an HVAC License Be Suspended in Alaska?

Suspending a HVACR/Mechanical license means that the license holder is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that Alaska HVACR/Mechanical licenses can be suspended  are:

  • Fraud

  • Professional incompetence

  • Misleading or deceptive practices

  • Criminal convictions

  • Aiding unlicensed individuals

  • Failure to comply with regulations

  • Practicing on a lapsed license

  • Willful or repeated violations of regulations governing HVACR professionals

Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Alaska mechanical license regulations, you can refer to the Mechanical Administrators Statutes and Regulations.

What Are The Penalties for Unlicensed HVAC Work in Alaska?

Performing HVAC work in Alaska without a license is illegal. It is considered a misdemeanor, and incurs a fine up to $5,000 on the first offense.

Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Alaska mechanical license regulations, you can refer to the Mechanical Administrators Statutes and Regulations.

Continuing Education

You must complete eight hours of continuing education during the two-year license cycle to be eligible for renewal. You can search for approved continuing education courses online. 

Resources

You can stay up to date on all HVAC industry news several ways: