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HVAC

How to get licensed for HVAC in California

Each row links to the controlling §statute on our laws mirror. The ↗ icon links to the original California source.

License CategoriesCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7027.5
ExaminationCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6759 — Section 6759
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.4 — Section 7065.4
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.2 — Section 7065.2
Experience RequiredCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6730 — Section 6730
Insurance & BondingCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7027.4 — Section 7027.4
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7071.9 — Section 7071.9
FeesCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6799 — Section 6799
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7137 — Section 7137
Penalties for Unlicensed WorkCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7058.7 — Section 7058.7
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7123.5 — Section 7123.5
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7118.6 — Section 7118.6
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7118.5 — Section 7118.5
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7027.3 — Section 7027.3

HVAC laws & codes that apply in California

California Statutes (6 sections)
  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7015

    Section 7015

    The board shall adopt a seal for its own use. The seal shall have the words “Contractors State License Board, State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs,” and the care and custody thereof shall be in the hands of the registrar. (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 312, Sec. 52. (SB 1474) Effective January 1, 2021.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.4

    Section 7065.4

    The registrar may accept the qualifications of an applicant who is licensed as a contractor in a similar classification in another state if that state accepts the qualifications of a contractor licensed in this state for purposes of licensure in that other state, and if the board ascertains, on a case-by-case basis, that the professional qualifications and conditions of good standing for licensure and continued licensure are at least the same or greater in that state as in California. The registrar may waive the trade examination for that applicant if the applicant provides written certification from that other state in which he or she is licensed, that the applicant’s license has been in good standing for the previous five years. (Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1326, Sec. 2. Effective September 26, 1990.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7026.11

    Section 7026.11

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the permissible scope of work for the General Manufactured Housing Contractor (C-47) license classification set forth in Section 832.47 of Division 8 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations shall include manufactured homes, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code, mobilehomes, as defined in Section 18008 of the Health and Safety Code, and multifamily manufactured homes, as defined in Section 18008.7 of the Health and Safety Code. (Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 540, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7040

    Section 7040

    (a) This chapter does not apply to an authorized representative of the United States government, the State of California, any federally recognized tribe or participating tribe acting within tribal jurisdiction, or any incorporated town, city, county, irrigation district, reclamation district, or other municipal or political corporation or subdivision of this state when the entity or its representative is acting within the scope of the entity’s or representative’s official capacity. (b) Nothing in this section authorizes the entity or its authorized representative thereof either to enter into or authorize a contract with an unlicensed contractor for work that is required by this chapter to be performed by a licensed contractor. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 485, Sec. 5. (SB 1455) Effective January 1, 2025.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7000

    Section 7000

    This chapter constitutes, and may be cited as, the Contractors State License Law. (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 312, Sec. 46. (SB 1474) Effective January 1, 2021.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6730

    Section 6730

    In order to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare, any person, either in a public or private capacity, except as in this chapter specifically excepted, who practices, or offers to practice, civil engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering, in any of its branches in this state, including any person employed by the State of California, or any city, county, or city and county, who practices engineering, shall submit evidence that he or she is qualified to practice, and shall be licensed accordingly as a civil engineer, electrical engineer or mechanical engineer by the board. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 95. Effective January 1, 2007.)

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California Business and Professions Code (14 sections)
  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.4 Section 7065.4

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.4 — Section 7065.4

    The registrar may accept the qualifications of an applicant who is licensed as a contractor in a similar classification in another state if that state accepts the qualifications of a contractor licensed in this state for purposes of licensure in that other state, and if the board ascertains, on a case-by-case basis, that the professional qualifications and conditions of good standing for licensure and continued licensure are at least the same or greater in that state as in California. The registrar may waive the trade examination for that applicant if the applicant provides written certification from that other state in which he or she is licensed, that the applicant’s license has been in good standing for the previous five years. (Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1326, Sec. 2. Effective September 26, 1990.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7026.11 Section 7026.11

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7026.11 — Section 7026.11

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the permissible scope of work for the General Manufactured Housing Contractor (C-47) license classification set forth in Section 832.47 of Division 8 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations shall include manufactured homes, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code, mobilehomes, as defined in Section 18008 of the Health and Safety Code, and multifamily manufactured homes, as defined in Section 18008.7 of the Health and Safety Code. (Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 540, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7034 Section 7034

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7034 — Section 7034

    (a) No contractor that is required to be licensed under this chapter shall insert in any contract, or be a party, with a subcontractor that is licensed under this chapter to any contract which contains a provision, clause, covenant, or agreement which is void or unenforceable under Section 2782 of the Civil Code. (b) No contractor that is required to be licensed under this chapter shall require a waiver of lien rights from any subcontractor, employee, or supplier in violation of Section 8122 of the Civil Code. (Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 697, Sec. 1. (SB 189) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2012, by Sec. 105 of Ch. 697.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7026.3 Section 7026.3

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7026.3 — Section 7026.3

    For the purpose of this chapter, “contractor” includes any person who installs or contracts for the installation of carpet wherein the carpet is attached to the structure by any conventional method as determined by custom and usage in the trade; except that a seller of installed carpet who holds a retail furniture dealer’s license under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 19000) of Division 8 shall not be required to have a contractor’s license if the installation of the carpet is performed by a licensed contractor and the seller so certifies in writing to the buyer prior to the performance of the installation, which certification shall include the name, business address, and contractor’s license number of the licensed contractor by whom the installation will be performed. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1160, Sec. 9.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6730 Section 6730

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6730 — Section 6730

    In order to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare, any person, either in a public or private capacity, except as in this chapter specifically excepted, who practices, or offers to practice, civil engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering, in any of its branches in this state, including any person employed by the State of California, or any city, county, or city and county, who practices engineering, shall submit evidence that he or she is qualified to practice, and shall be licensed accordingly as a civil engineer, electrical engineer or mechanical engineer by the board. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 95. Effective January 1, 2007.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7155 Section 7155

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7155 — Section 7155

    (d) The following shall not be required to be registered as home improvement salespersons: (1) An officer of record of a corporation licensed pursuant to this chapter, or a manager, member, or officer of record of a limited liability company licensed pursuant to this chapter. (2) A general partner listed on the license record of a partnership licensed pursuant to this chapter. (3) A qualifying person, as defined in Section

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7040 Section 7040

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7040 — Section 7040

    (a) This chapter does not apply to an authorized representative of the United States government, the State of California, any federally recognized tribe or participating tribe acting within tribal jurisdiction, or any incorporated town, city, county, irrigation district, reclamation district, or other municipal or political corporation or subdivision of this state when the entity or its representative is acting within the scope of the entity’s or representative’s official capacity. (b) Nothing in this section authorizes the entity or its authorized representative thereof either to enter into or authorize a contract with an unlicensed contractor for work that is required by this chapter to be performed by a licensed contractor. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 485, Sec. 5. (SB 1455) Effective January 1, 2025.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7044.1 Section 7044.1

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7044.1 — Section 7044.1

    This chapter does not apply to a real estate licensee acting within the course and scope of his or her license pursuant to the Real Estate Law (Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4). However, nothing in this section shall authorize a real estate licensee or a property manager to act in the capacity of a contractor unless licensed by the board. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 361, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6737.3 Section 6737.3

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6737.3 — Section 6737.3

    A contractor licensed under Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 is exempt from the provisions of this chapter relating to the practice of electrical or mechanical engineering so long as the services he or she holds himself or herself out as able to perform or does perform, which services are subject to the provisions of this chapter, are performed by, or under the responsible charge of a registered electrical or mechanical engineer insofar as the electrical or mechanical engineer practices the branch of engineering for which he or she is registered. This section shall not prohibit a licensed contractor, while engaged in the business of contracting for the installation of electrical or mechanical systems or facilities, from designing those systems or facilities in accordance with applicable construction codes and standards for work to be performed and supervised by that contractor within the classification for which his or her license is issued, or from preparing electrical or mechanical shop or field drawings for work which he or she has contracted to perform. Nothing in this section is intended to imply that a licensed contractor may design work which is to be installed by another person. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 607, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 2004.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7057 Section 7057

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7057 — Section 7057

    (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a landscape contractor performing work under the Landscape Contractor (C-27) classification, as set forth in Section 832.27 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, may design and install all exterior components of a rainwater capture system, as defined in Section 10573 of the Water Code, that are not a part of, or attached to, a structure. (d) A violation of this section shall be cause for disciplinary action. (e) Nothing in this section authorizes a landscape contractor to engage in or perform activities that require a license pursuant to the Professional Engineers Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700)). (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 537, Sec. 1. (AB 1750) Effective January 1, 2013.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7015 Section 7015

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7015 — Section 7015

    The board shall adopt a seal for its own use. The seal shall have the words “Contractors State License Board, State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs,” and the care and custody thereof shall be in the hands of the registrar. (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 312, Sec. 52. (SB 1474) Effective January 1, 2021.)

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7027.5 Section 7027.5

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7027.5 — Section 7027.5

    (a) A landscape contractor working within the classification for which the license is issued may design systems or facilities for work to be performed and supervised by that contractor. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a landscape contractor working within the classification for which the license is issued may enter into a prime contract for the construction of any of the following: (1) A swimming pool, spa, or hot tub, provided that the improvements are included within the landscape project that the landscape contractor is supervising and the construction of any swimming pool, spa, or hot tub is subcontracted to a single licensed contractor holding a Swimming Pool (C-53) classification, as set forth in Section 832.53 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, or performed by the landscape contractor if the landscape contractor also holds a Swimming Pool (C-53) classification. The contractor constructing the swimming pool, spa, or hot tub may subcontract with other appropriately licensed contractors for the completion of individual components of the construction. (2) An outdoor cooking center, provided that the improvements are included within a residential landscape project that the contractor is supervising. For purposes of this subdivision, “outdoor cooking center” means an unenclosed area within a landscape that is used for the cooking or preparation of food or beverages. (3) An outdoor fireplace, provided that it is included within a residential landscape project that the contractor is supervising and is not attached to a dwelling. (4) A rainwater capture system, as defined in Section 10573 of the Water Code, used exclusively for landscape irrigation or as a water supply for a fountain, pond, or similar decorative water feature in a landscaping project. (c) (1) Work performed in connection with a landscape project specified in paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (b) that is outside of the field and scope of activities authorized to be performed under the Landscape Contractor (C-27) classification, as set forth in Section 832.27 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, may only be performed by a landscape contractor if the landscape contractor also either holds an appropriate specialty license classification to perform the work or is licensed as a General Building contractor. If the landscape contractor neither holds an appropriate specialty license classification to perform the work nor is licensed as a General Building contractor, the work shall be performed by a Specialty contractor holding the appropriate license classification or by a General Building contractor performing work in accordance with the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6738 Section 6738

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6738 — Section 6738

    (a) This chapter does not prohibit one or more civil, electrical, or mechanical engineers from practicing or offering to practice, within the scope of their license, civil (including geotechnical and structural), electrical, or mechanical engineering as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, firm, or corporation (hereinafter called business), if all of the following requirements are met: (1) A civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer currently licensed in this state is an owner, partner, or officer in charge of the engineering practice of the business. (2) All civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering services are performed by, or under the responsible charge of, a professional engineer licensed in the appropriate branch of professional engineering. (3) If the business name of a California engineering business contains the name of any person, then that person shall be licensed as a professional engineer, a licensed land surveyor, a licensed architect, or a geologist registered under the Geologist and Geophysicist Act (Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 7800)). Any offer, promotion, or advertisement by the business that contains the name of any individual in the business, other than by use of the name of an individual in the business name, shall clearly and specifically designate the license or registration discipline of each individual named. (b) An out-of-state business with a branch office in this state shall meet the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (h) and shall have an owner, partner, or officer who is in charge of the engineering work in the branch in this state, who is licensed in this state, and who is physically present at the branch office in this state on a regular basis. However, the name of the business may contain the name of any person not licensed in this state if that person is appropriately registered or licensed in another state. Any offer, promotion, or advertisement that contains the name of any individual in the business, other than by use of the names of the individuals in the business name, shall clearly and specifically designate the license or registration discipline of each individual named. (c) The business name of a California engineering business may be a fictitious name. However, if the fictitious name includes the name of any person, the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall be met. (d) A person not licensed under this chapter may also be a partner or an officer of a civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering business if the requirements of subdivision (a) are met. This section does not permit a person who is not licensed under this chapter to be the sole owner of a civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering business, unless otherwise exempt under this chapter. (e) This section shall not prevent the use of the name of any business engaged in rendering civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering services, including the use by any lawful successor or surviv

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  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7042.1 Section 7042.1

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7042.1 — Section 7042.1

    (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, gas, heat, or electrical corporations and their subsidiaries that are regulated as public utilities by the Public Utilities Commission shall not conduct work for which a contractor’s license is required, except under any one or more of the following conditions: (1) The work is performed upon the gas, heat, or electrical corporation’s properties. (2) The work is performed through a contract with a contractor or contractors licensed pursuant to this chapter or the work is performed for low-income citizens pursuant to a program authorized by order of the Public Utilities Commission. (3) The work is undertaken by the gas, heat, or electrical corporation in furtherance of the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity, gas, or steam, whether within or without the service area of the corporation, if any work performed within a structure and beyond a customer’s utility meter is necessary to protect the public safety or to avoid interruption of service. (4) The work is otherwise exempt from the provisions of this chapter. (5) The work is performed to comply with programs or procedures ordered or authorized by the Public Utilities Commission not inconsistent with the objectives expressed in Chapter 984 of the Statutes of 1983. (b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Gas, heat, or electrical corporation properties” means properties which a gas, heat, or electrical corporation owns or leases, or over which it has been granted an easement for utility purposes, or facilities which a gas, heat, or electrical corporation owns or operates for utility purposes. (2) “Subsidiaries” means subsidiaries of a gas, heat, or electrical corporation regulated as public utilities by the Public Utilities Commission which carry out activities solely for utility purposes. (c) It is the intention of the Legislature in enacting this section that public utility regulations be clearly based on the principle that the energy conservation industry should be allowed to develop in a competitive manner, as declared in Chapter 984 of the Statutes of 1983. (Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 29, Sec. 1.)

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