Nevada renewal guide
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractor (C-21)
If this license is up for renewal, this page gives you the fee, the timeline, and the items that usually hold the filing up.
Start here
What matters before you file.
Check the fee, the renewal window, and the documents or insurance records that can slow approval down.
Issuing authority
Renewal period
Every 24 months
Renewal fee
$600.00
Late penalty
$150.00
Bond requirement
Yes — $1,000.00
Insurance requirement
Yes — Workers' Compensation
Before you renew
Get the filing straight.
- 1
Make sure the bond still clears
The $1,000.00 bond requirement needs to stay active through the renewal.
- 2
Check the insurance certificates
Make sure the required policies are current and match what the board or agency expects before you file.
- 3
File with the board
File through Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) and pay the $600.00 renewal fee once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online - 4
Leave room for processing
Typical processing time is 45 days, so do not wait until the last minute.
If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $150.00.
Detailed notes
The fine print is here.
Nevada C-21 Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractor License
The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) issues the C-21 classification license for refrigeration and air-conditioning contractors. Given Nevada's extreme desert climate, HVAC is one of the most in-demand contractor specialties in the state, particularly in the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas.
What This License Authorizes
C-21 licensees may install, maintain, repair, and service refrigeration and air-conditioning systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. This includes central air conditioning, heat pumps, evaporative cooling systems, commercial refrigeration units, and ventilation systems.
Application Requirements
- Application Fee: $300 non-refundable processing fee
- License Fee: $600 biennial fee paid upon approval
- Examinations: Business and Law (CMS) exam plus HVAC trade exam at PSI testing centers in Las Vegas, Reno, or Elko
- Experience: At least 4 years of HVAC experience within the preceding 15 years
- Financial Statement: Required regardless of monetary limit
Bond and Insurance Requirements
- Surety Bond: Required in an amount between $1,000 and $500,000, determined by the Board
- Workers' Compensation Insurance: Mandatory for licensees with employees
- Residential Recovery Fund: Registration required for residential HVAC work
Renewal Process
- Renewal Period: Every 2 years
- Renewal Fee: $600
- Late Penalty: A $150 late filing fee applies to renewals submitted after the license expiration date
- No Continuing Education Required: No state-level CE requirement for license renewal, though local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements
Consequences of Operating Without a License
Performing HVAC work without a valid NSCB license is a misdemeanor on first offense (up to $1,000 fine and 6 months jail), a gross misdemeanor on second offense, and a Class E felony on third offense under NRS 624.700.
*Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements directly with the Nevada State Contractors Board.*
Official links
Check the board or agency directly.
Required documents
- Proof of Insurance
- Bond Certificate
- Financial Statement
- work_experience_forms
Source notes
Nevada State Contractors Board . Verified March 2026. https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/licensing/license-classifications/
Rules move. Check Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) again before you pay, renew, or schedule work around this requirement.
Next steps
Turn it into a handoff.
Once the rule is clear, these tools help you hand it off cleanly or turn it into a cost plan.
Printable checklist
Nevada checklist
Use the checklist when you need the board link, required documents, and renewal notes in one handoff.
Open checklistCost planning
Estimate this renewal cost
Start the calculator with this state and license selected so you can review the fee, late-risk, bond, insurance, and CE work faster.
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Keep Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractor (C-21) dates, proof, and official links with the rest of your license work.