Licensing Guides
Montana HVAC License: How to Become an HVAC Contractor in Montana
HVAC, MT
Table of Contents
How Long Does it Take to Get an HVAC Contractors License in Montana?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an HVAC License in Montana
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 Montana employs 1,050 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 Montana, that growth rate is expected to be much higher — projected at 26% — according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
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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 Montana in July 2025 totaled 38,300, an increase of 600 (1.6%) from July 2024 and an increase of 7,400 or 24% 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 HVAC systems and refrigeration systems. As more emphasis is placed on energy efficiency and reducing pollution, systems need to be retrofitted, upgraded or replaced entirely to comply with these new standards. Licensing requirements for HVAC contractors vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. Here’s what you need to know about HVAC license requirements in Montana.
Licensing Requirements for HVAC Contractors in Montana
Is an HVAC contractor license required to work as an HVAC/Mechanical contractor in Montana?
No, HVAC professionals are not licensed at the state level in Montana, but there are other state-mandated regulations.
You are required to register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry if you are going to own your own HVAC business. Even though HVAC technicians don’t need to be licensed by the state, if you handle refrigerants as part of your job, you will need Environmental Protection Agency certification under federal law, which will require passing an examination that is uniform nationwide.
Montana doesn’t require a statewide HVACR test to demonstrate competency in the field as it does with plumbers and electricians. Rather, Montana places a lot of the responsibility of finding a quality contractor on the person or entity hiring a commercial or residential HVAC contractor. That hiring party is encouraged to:
Obtain references and check them out to ensure they are experts in their field of work.
Check periodically to confirm that they have valid Construction Contractor Registration and workers’ compensation insurance on their employees.
Ask for proof of their Contractor Registration and verify it is in good standing by searching on the state website or calling the office at (406) 444-7734.
Also, always be sure to check with each municipality where you will be working for any additional local requirements in those jurisdictions. Great Falls, Billings, and Missoula, for example, all require anyone doing business in their areas to have a city-issued business license.
Types of HVAC Licenses in Montana
In Montana, technicians must work for a registered contractor or be registered as a contractor instead. There are two types of registrations: Construction Contractor or Independent Contractor.
Construction Contractor Registration (CCR)
Is required for business owners that form corporations and construction manager-managed LLCs.
Costs $70 and is valid for two years.
Requires proof of workers’ compensation insurance.
Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC)
Is required for sole proprietors who do not have employees and wish to take contract work and not be bound by Montana’s workers’ compensation laws, opting out of coverage for themselves.
Costs $125 and is valid for two years.
Requires notarized application and documentation verifying the independent business entity.
Since the state doesn’t have any entry-level licensing, the first license requirement you will encounter as a technician is the need for EPA Section 608 Certification under federal law. You will need to pass an examination for certification. We’ll explain more about that a little later.
Steps to Get an HVAC License in Montana
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.
Enroll in a training program to become a more attractive job candidate.
Get EPA Certification if you will be handling refrigerant.
Work indefinitely as an HVAC tech for a registered contractor.
Or register as a contractor yourself if you would like to own your own business.
Apply and provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance coverage or apply for the independent contractor exemption certificate if you will not have any employees.
Register your business with the Secretary of State’s Office and pay all application fees.
Renew your license every two years.
Benefits of Getting an HVAC License in Montana
There are many benefits to contractor registration in Montana:
Most important, it is required by law in Montana to be licensed through the state to operate your own heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration work business.
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 Montana?
The annual mean wage for HVAC mechanics and installers in Montana is $60,190, 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 Montana, those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $50,800
Intermediate (2-4 years): $61,700
Senior (4-7 years): $72,500
Supervisor (>7 years): $85,300
The meaning of a “mean” and “median salary” can be confusing. Here is the difference:
Mean 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 like 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.
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 Montana?
How you get started will determine your upfront costs. If you start by getting some kind of college degree or certificate, you’ll have tuition expenses.
The cost to take the EPA Section 608 Certification Examination can be as low as $20 for the Type I exam and upwards of $150 for the Universal exam. If you start with a program, that may be included. You can then work as a technician without any licensing or testing fees.
If you choose to become an HVAC contractor, you will spend either $125 for the Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate or $70 for the Construction Contractor Registration. You’ll also have additional business registration and insurance expenses.
Depending upon where you do business, you may have additional licensing expenses in certain municipalities like Great Falls, Billings, and Missoula. In Great Falls, the license application is $128 for each full-time employee and each additional owner/employee beyond four is $32 per person. Background checks are $53 per person.
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How to Get an HVAC License in Montana
An HVAC career path refers to the different positions you can advance to as your skills and experience in HVAC develop. In Montana, the process includes:
EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE: You need training and experience to work in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. You have basically three options to acquire it:
Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships are like college for the trades. You can apply for one of the coveted apprentice openings through your local United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs. Montana has three UA chapters: UA Local 30 out of Billings, UA Local 41 out of Butte, and UA Local 459 out of Missoula. They offer apprenticeships for HVACR, plumbing, steamfitting, and welding. The apprenticeships are five-year programs where apprentices are mentored on the job by journeymen and go to school to learn the fundamentals. These apprenticeships are very competitive, so you may need to distinguish yourself if you don’t get selected immediately for one of these openings. You can do that by starting in one of the other paths to licensure.
College/Trade School: Another way to begin the process of becoming an HVAC tech in Montana is to get a certificate or degree in the field. Many employers express a desire for job applicants to have formal education in the trade and EPA certification before being hired. There are many programs from which to choose. An associate of applied science degree will take about two years, and certificate programs can take six months to a year. Often these programs will include the EPA Certification. These programs 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.
Entry-level Employment: The other way to begin is to simply look for an entry-level job opening and work for a registered construction contractor. Again, though, most employers state in job postings that HVAC training is preferred. Some employers will act as a sponsor in a Montana Registered Apprenticeship that meets 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 technician in Montana.
CONSIDER BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: Technicians must work for a registered contractor or be registered as a contractor themselves. If you intend to work alone and not hire any staff, you can apply for an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) and waive the workers’ compensation coverage. If you plan to have employees working with you, you must obtain a Construction Contractor Registration (CCR) and provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for your employees as required under the Montana Workers’ Compensation Act.
As stated on the website, a construction contractor is defined, simply, as anyone who adds to or takes away from a structure, project, development, or improvement attached to real estate.
You will need to complete and submit an application form with a non-refundable $70 fee to the Department of Labor and Industry for your CCR, or submit the ICEC with a $125 fee. Applications must be mailed to:
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Registration Section P.O. Box 8011 Helena, MT 59604-8011
You can send a check to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) or you can submit your payment online.
You will also need to register your business through the Montana Secretary of State website and pay the business registration fees.
RENEW: You will need to maintain your registration as well, renewing it every two years by the same method as the original application.
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 Montana?
Because there is no entry-level state licensing for HVAC technicians in Montana, it will take as much time as it takes to meet employer expectations.
Most employers prefer some kind of postsecondary training. Certificate programs vary in length. Some are only six months; others are about a year long. Most Associate of Applied Science degree programs will take about two years. Apprenticeships are typically five years.
The great news is that as an apprentice, you begin earning a wage from the very beginning, and that compensation goes up each year as you acquire more training and knowledge. As a licensed contractor you can start your own HVAC business, be your own boss, and grow your business as much as you want.
Montana HVAC Training Programs and Schools
Most HVAC technicians hold some kind of postsecondary 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, one program is accredited in Montana by either of these organizations.
HVAC Excellence has accredited:
HVACRedu.net based out of Heron is an online program.
Here's a great list of the best HVAC schools in Montana:
Niche: 2026 Best Colleges with HVAC and Refrigeration Engineering Technician Degrees in Montana
Tuition: According to Community College Review, the average tuition at Montana community colleges is approximately $4,139 per year for in-state students and $8,788 for out-of-state students.
Apprenticeship: The alternative to beginning your HVACR training with a college education certificate or degree program is to look for an apprenticeship. You can look for a union or non-union apprenticeship.
The Montana Registered Apprenticeship website offers apprenticeship information to job seekers as well as employers to help apprentices find openings and help employers find apprentices. The site includes a list of registered apprenticeship programs with dozens of HVACR openings. Many employers will also sponsor you in an apprenticeship. You can seek them out through job boards like Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
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 Montana, check out our Ultimate Guide to HVAC Schools in Montana.
Montana HVAC Mechanical Licensing Exam Details
There’s no exam requirement for HVAC contractors in the state of Montana.
How Can I Prepare for the HVAC License Exam in Montana?
Since there’s no required exam, you won’t need to prepare for one.
Who Issues HVAC Licenses in Montana?
While there is no licensing board that requires testing for HVAC professionals in Montana, contractors offering HVACR services must be registered with the Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) to legally offer those services.
Does My Montana HVAC License Work in Any Other State?
Every state has different professional 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 Montana.
Your EPA Certification and other certifications will stand, and a registered apprenticeship through the U.S. Department of Labor will transfer from state to state even if there is not reciprocity. You may still need to take an examination and apply for a license in your new home state.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an HVAC License in Montana?
Montana does not reciprocate with any other state for its contractor registrations, so anyone entering the construction industry in Montana must register with DLI. Montana does have reciprocal agreements for its journeyman plumbing and electrical licensing for several states though.
HVAC Specific Requirements: EPA Certification
Throughout the country, including in Montana, federal-level 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 Montana
To keep your contractor registration current, you’ll need to maintain workers’ compensation insurance if you have any employees and show proof of it with a new application every two years for renewal. You can pay for the renewal online, but you will need to mail the application in to be processed.
Are There HVAC Scholarships in Montana?
Yes, there are HVAC scholarships available in Montana. They include:
Gianforte Trade and Technology Scholarship: Offers $1,500 per semester for full-time students, or $750 for part-time students, enrolled in technical and trade programs, including HVAC.
Montana State Fund Trade & Industry Scholarship: Awards $4,000 to students pursuing trade fields and focusing on safety.
Northwest Montana United Way Workforce Development Scholarship: Awards $500 to individuals pursuing careers in the trades, which can be used for tools or schooling.
In addition to these scholarships, HVAC students in Montana can explore financial aid opportunities by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submitting the FAFSA gives you access to federal grants like the Pell Grant, subsidized student loans, and work-study programs—all of which can help cover tuition, tools, and other training costs. Many Montana community colleges and trade programs also use FAFSA data to award institutional aid or state-based grants.
How Can Someone Verify My HVAC License in Montana?
Your contractor registration can be verified by potential clients or employees in Montana through the Montana Department of Labor & Industry’s online search. Users can search by business name, last name, registration number, and certificate number.
When Can an HVAC License Be Suspended in Montana?
A suspended HVACR/Mechanical license means that the license holder is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that Montana contractor registrations 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 Montana plumbing license regulations you can refer to the official Montana Code.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed HVAC Work in Montana?
Independent contractors and registered construction contractors can be fined up to $5,000 per violation for performing work without the appropriate certification, performing work with a revoked or suspended certification, transferring their certification to another person, or misrepresentation.
Continuing Education
While there is no continuing education requirement for Montana HVAC contractors, you’ll still want to stay current with HVAC industry news.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all HVAC industry news several ways:
Check top HVAC blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top HVAC podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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