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Kentucky HVAC License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Journeyman HVAC Mechanic (Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet) renews every year, has a renewal fee of about $50 and requires 6 hours of continuing education. The Master HVAC Contractor (Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet) renews every year, has a renewal fee of about $250 and requires 6 hours of continuing education. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details
Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Journeyman HVAC Mechanic

Journeyman HVAC · State license · Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet

Renewal cycle
Every year
Continuing education
6 hours
Show CE rules6 hours of DHBC-approved CE in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010); excess hours carry forward up to 12 total; no more than 2 hours of safety topics count; 1 hour = 50 minutes. Topics: business, job safety, HVAC codes or HVAC trade subjects.
Deadline rule
Renewal no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month each year (815 KAR 8:010 Sec. 7).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
60 days after expiration, with $25 restoration fee.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $50
Late fee
Renewal within 60 days after expiration with about $25 restoration fee added (total about $75).
Reinstatement
Within 3 years of termination: about $50 per 12-month period, max about $150, plus renewal requirements. Inactive about $20; reactivation about $20.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Not required
Reciprocity
815 KAR 8:010 Section 3 allows licensing by reciprocity under an agreement between Kentucky and the state where the applicant is licensed. The regulation does not list partner states; ask DHBC.
Notes

Individual journeyman license, listed for completeness. Fees from 815 KAR 8:010 and Form DHBC L-1. Renewals can be filed online through the DHBC HBC Online portal (a license must be within 60 days of expiration to appear for renewal) or by mailing Form DHBC L-1; fees are payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. DHBC main phone (502) 573-0365; licensing phone (502) 573-2002.

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Master HVAC Contractor

Master HVAC · State license · Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet

Renewal cycle
Every year
Continuing education
6 hours
Show CE rules6 hours of DHBC-approved CE completed in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010); excess hours carry forward up to 12 total; max 2 hours safety topics; 1 hour = 50 minutes; licensee submits proof with Form DHBC L-1; approved providers/courses per 815 KAR 2:020.
Deadline rule
Renewal application must be filed no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month each year. A license not timely renewed immediately expires (815 KAR 8:010 Sec. 7).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
60 days after expiration, with $125 restoration fee.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $250
Late fee
Renewal filed within 60 days after expiration is accepted with a $125 restoration fee added (total about $375).
Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)Terminated license may be reinstated within 3 years of termination: about $250 per 12-month period, max about $750, plus renewal requirements. After 3 years must meet initial licensure requirements. Inactive status about $20; reactivation about $20.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
General liability of at least $500,000 and property damage of at least $300,000, from a carrier licensed and approved by the Kentucky Department of Insurance (KRS 198B.668). Proof must be submitted before issuance or renewal, with DHBC as certificate holder (Form DHBC L-1). The license is not valid without the insurance. Proof also exempts the licensee from separate insurance requirements in local jurisdictions.
Reciprocity
815 KAR 8:010 Section 3 allows licensing by reciprocity under an agreement between Kentucky and the state where the applicant is licensed. The regulation does not list partner states; ask DHBC.
Notes

Fees from 815 KAR 8:010 and DHBC Form L-1 (April 2023 edition). Initial licenses may be prorated for 7 to 18 months and expire on the last day of the applicant's birth month. Renewals can be filed online through the DHBC HBC Online portal (a license must be within 60 days of expiration to appear for renewal) or by mailing Form DHBC L-1; fees are payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. DHBC main phone (502) 573-0365; licensing phone (502) 573-2002. Louisville Metro also issues its own local HVAC contractor license ($200, term March 1 to end of February) that requires a Kentucky Master HVAC Contractor License; local licensing varies by city.

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Kentucky HVAC continuing education page.

How to renew

  1. 1Check your Journeyman HVAC Mechanic deadline: Renewal no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month each year (815 KAR 8:010 Sec. 7).
  2. 2Complete 6 continuing education hours before renewing. 6 hours of DHBC-approved CE in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010); excess hours carry forward up to 12 total; no more than 2 hours of safety topics count; 1 hour = 50 minutes. Topics: business, job safety, HVAC codes or HVAC trade subjects.
  3. 3Renew online at https://dhbc.ky.gov/HBCOnline/login
  4. 4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $50, but fees change.
  5. 5If you miss the deadline: Renewal within 60 days after expiration with about $25 restoration fee added (total about $75).
  6. 6Check your Master HVAC Contractor deadline: Renewal application must be filed no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month each year. A license not timely renewed immediately expires (815 KAR 8:010 Sec. 7).
  7. 7Complete 6 continuing education hours before renewing. 6 hours of DHBC-approved CE completed in the 12 months before renewal (815 KAR 2:010); excess hours carry forward up to 12 total; max 2 hours safety topics; 1 hour = 50 minutes; licensee submits proof with Form DHBC L-1; approved providers/courses per 815 KAR 2:020.
  8. 8Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
  9. 9Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $250, but fees change.
  10. 10If you miss the deadline: Renewal filed within 60 days after expiration is accepted with a $125 restoration fee added (total about $375).

Kentucky HVAC renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Kentucky HVAC license expire?

Journeyman HVAC Mechanic: renews every year. Renewal no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month each year (815 KAR 8:010 Sec. 7). Master HVAC Contractor: renews every year. Renewal application must be filed no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month each year. A license not timely renewed immediately expires (815 KAR 8:010 Sec. 7). Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Kentucky HVAC license need?

Journeyman HVAC Mechanic: 6 hours per renewal. Master HVAC Contractor: 6 hours per renewal. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Kentucky HVAC license?

60 days after expiration, with $25 restoration fee. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Kentucky HVAC license?

Journeyman HVAC Mechanic: About $50. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Kentucky HVAC license expires?

Renewal within 60 days after expiration with about $25 restoration fee added (total about $75). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Kentucky accept HVAC licenses from other states?

815 KAR 8:010 Section 3 allows licensing by reciprocity under an agreement between Kentucky and the state where the applicant is licensed. The regulation does not list partner states; ask DHBC. Check with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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