AC and Heating Contractors in Florida: What to Know

Florida's Construction Industry Licensing Board, part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, licenses air-conditioning and mechanical contractors. A certified contractor can work anywhere in the state; a registered contractor only in the local jurisdiction that qualified them. Verify the license on DBPR's license search, and know that replacing an AC system is mechanical work that Florida does not exempt from permits.

Who licenses ac and heating providers in Florida

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board. Florida law defines Class A air-conditioning contractors (unlimited), Class B (limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system), Class C (servicing only, limited to people certified or registered as of October 1, 1988) and mechanical contractors (unlimited, with added scope such as fuel lines). Certified contractors may work in any Florida jurisdiction; registered contractors only where their registration was issued. Consumers can verify a license on DBPR's search by name, license number, city or county, or license type, or by calling 850-487-1395.

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Key facts for Florida

A Florida Class B air-conditioning contractor is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system.
Florida limits the service-only Class C air-conditioning license to people who were certified or registered as of October 1, 1988.
DBPR says certified contractors' license codes begin with "C" and they can work in any Florida jurisdiction; registered contractors' codes begin with "R" and they may contract only where registered.
DBPR says contractors it licenses must include their license number in all advertising.
Florida's permit exemption for single-family work valued under $7,500 does not cover mechanical work, and it does not apply in flood hazard areas.
A Florida contractor who takes more than 10 percent of the price up front on a residential job must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits issue, unless the owner agreed in writing to longer.
Florida residential contracts above $2,500 in labor and materials must include a written statement of the consumer's rights under the state recovery fund.
DBPR's Unlicensed Activity Hotline is 1-866-532-1440.

Which Florida license covers home air conditioning?

Florida Statutes 489.105 defines several contractor types that can work on home cooling and heating:

Class A air-conditioning contractor: unlimited scope for central heating, cooling and refrigeration systems.
Class B air-conditioning contractor: the same type of work, limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system.
Class C air-conditioning contractor: limited to servicing systems. Only people certified or registered as of October 1, 1988, can hold it.
Mechanical contractor: unlimited scope that also covers items such as fuel lines and liquefied petroleum gas lines inside buildings.

DBPR's brochure lists air-conditioning among the construction trades that require a state license. It also warns that a local occupational license, or registration as an Inc. or LLC, does not qualify anyone to act as a contractor.

Certified or registered: what is the difference?

A certified contractor holds a certificate of competency from DBPR and may work in any Florida jurisdiction. DBPR says these license codes begin with "C."

A registered contractor has met a local jurisdiction's competency requirements and registered with DBPR. These codes begin with "R," and DBPR says registered contractors may contract only in those jurisdictions. If your contractor's license starts with R, confirm it covers your city or county. DBPR also tells consumers to check with the local building department for any local license requirements.

Do you need a permit to replace an AC system in Florida?

Florida Statutes 553.79 makes it unlawful to construct, alter, repair or modify a building without a permit from the local enforcing agency. The law lets owners of single-family homes skip permits for some work valued under $7,500, but that exemption does not cover electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work. It also does not apply in flood hazard areas.

DBPR lists one warning sign of an unlicensed contractor as someone who tries to convince you a permit is not necessary, or that it is cheaper if you get it yourself.

How does Florida law protect your deposit?

Under Florida Statutes 489.126, a contractor who receives more than 10 percent of the contract price as an initial payment on residential work must apply for necessary permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits are issued. The exceptions are just cause or a written agreement by the person who paid to allow more time.

Under 489.1425, residential contracts above $2,500 in labor and materials must include a written statement of the consumer's rights under the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund.

DBPR also flags contractors who want all or most of the money up front, accept only cash, or ask you to write the check to them personally or to "cash."

Can a Florida homeowner act as their own contractor?

Florida's owner-builder exemption lets owners work on one- or two-family homes for their own use. The owner must personally supervise on site any work not done by licensed contractors, appear in person to sign the permit application, and sign a disclosure statement before the permit issues.

If the owner sells or leases the home within one year after completion, the law presumes the work was done for sale or lease, which falls outside the exemption. Refrigerant handling also falls under federal EPA certification rules.

How to choose a provider in Florida

Verify the license on DBPR's license search or by calling 850-487-1395.
Check whether the license is certified ("C") or registered ("R"), and that a registered license covers your area.
Confirm the license class fits the job; Class B is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating per system.
Look for the license number on ads, trucks and estimates; DBPR says licensees must include it in all advertising.
Get written estimates from several licensed contractors that list the work, materials, completion date and total.
Confirm the contractor will pull the mechanical permit; Florida's small-job exemption does not cover mechanical work.
If you pay more than 10 percent up front, note the 30-day permit and 90-day start deadlines.
Look for the recovery fund notice on residential contracts above $2,500.
Avoid cash-only demands, checks made out to a person or to "cash," and post office box addresses.
Report suspected unlicensed activity to DBPR at 1-866-532-1440.

AC and heating in Florida cities

Questions people ask

How do I check an AC contractor's license in Florida?

Use DBPR's license search at myfloridalicense.com. You can search by name, license number, city or county, or license type. DBPR's Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395 can also verify a license.

What is the difference between a Class A and Class B AC license in Florida?

A Class A air-conditioning contractor has unlimited scope. A Class B contractor does the same type of work but is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system.

Does a Florida AC replacement need a permit?

Florida law requires permits to alter or repair a building. The exemption for single-family work valued under $7,500 does not cover mechanical work. Your local building department sets the process.

What does a license number starting with R mean?

DBPR says registered contractors' license codes begin with R. They met a local jurisdiction's competency requirements and may contract only in those jurisdictions. Certified contractors, with codes starting with C, can work statewide.

Can I hire someone with just a local business license to install my AC?

No. DBPR says an occupational license does not qualify a person to act as a contractor, and neither does registering a company as an Inc. or LLC. Air-conditioning work requires a state license.

What if my contractor took a deposit and never started?

Florida law requires a contractor who received more than 10 percent up front on residential work to apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90 days after permits issue, unless there is just cause or you agreed in writing to more time. You can file a complaint with DBPR.

How do I report an unlicensed AC contractor in Florida?

DBPR asks Floridians to report suspected unlicensed activity by email to ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1-866-532-1440.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you hire a licensed AC and heating contractor in Florida?