HVAC Technician

Full Commercial and Residential HVAC Authority

West Virginia's HVAC Technician certification, issued by the Commissioner of Labor under WV Code Chapter 21-16, authorizes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work on any residential or commercial project — with no square-footage restriction. This distinguishes it from the Residential Technician credential, which caps commercial work at 5,000 square feet.

Experience and Exam

Applicants must document at least 2,000 hours of HVAC-related work, training, and experience before sitting for the exam. The exam is administered by ProV, Inc. (provexam.com, 866-720-7768). Confirm current experience documentation requirements and exam registration at the Division's HVAC certification page.

Fees and Renewal

Both the initial certification and annual renewal cost $75. Certifications expire annually. If renewal payment arrives more than 15 days after expiration, a $25 late fee applies. No continuing education is required for renewal.

Contractor License for Larger Projects

The certification covers the work itself. For projects of $5,000 or more on a residential site, or $25,000 or more on a commercial site, the entity doing the work must also hold a Contractor License with an HVAC classification from the WV Contractor Licensing Board.

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Performing HVAC work without a valid certification violates WV Code §21-16-8. The Commissioner may issue a cease-and-desist order; continuing after that notice triggers tiered fines: first offense $200–$1,000; second $500–$2,000; third and subsequent violations $1,000–$5,000 per day.