HVAC Schools in Maryland: Classes & Salary Info (2024 Updated)

HVAC Programs in Maryland

The HVAC work is highly complex, requiring a high level of technical skills and extensive knowledge.

Because of this, most employers will prefer to hire candidates who completed approved HVAC programs or apprenticeships.

In the table below, you’re given a list of accredited HVAC schools in Maryland that you can check out.

13 HVAC Schools in Maryland

School Name	Address
Ashworth College	6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092
All-State Career School HVAC Training	2200 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224
CCBC-Catonsville Campus	800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21222
Cecil Community College	105 Railroad Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921
Cecil Community College	One Seahawk Drive, North East, MA 21901
Chesapeake College	1000 College Lane, Wye Mills, MD 21679
College of Southern Maryland - Industrial Training Center	5825 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646
Frederick Community College	7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
hvacredu.net (Online Training)	P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844
Lincoln College of Technology	9325 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia, MD 21046
Montgomery College	51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850
North American Trade Schools	6901 Security Blvd. #16, Baltimore, MD 21244
Test College of Technology	1520 South Caton Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21227

How to Get Licensed in Maryland

In Maryland, HVAC professionals at all levels must have state-level licenses to perform HVAC services.

The Maryland Board of HVAC/R Contractors will issue the following licenses:

Apprentice
Journeyman
Journeyman Restricted, can work in any of these specialties:
- Heating – Forced Air
- Heating – Hydronic
- Ventilation
- Air Conditioning
- Refrigeration
Limited Contractor
Master Restricted, can work in any of these specialties:
- Heating – Forced Air
- Heating – Hydronic
- Heating – Combined (Forced Air and Hydronic)
- Ventilation
- Air Conditioning
- Refrigeration
Master Contractor

Application Requirements for Licensing

To obtain a license, you must meet the following:

Apprentice
- Must work under the supervision of a licensed HVAC/R contractor within the scope of work allowed
- Complete and submit the HVACR – Apprentice License Application online form
- Payment of the license application fee of $10
- Exempt from taking the licensure exam
Journeyman/Journeyman Restricted
- Holds a current apprentice license
- Completed at least 1,875 hours of training for at least 3 years under the supervision of a licensed HVAC/R contractor
- Successfully pass the journeyman exam
  - Exempt from taking the exam if you meet both conditions:
    - Hold an apprentice license for at least 3 years
    - Graduated from an apprenticeship program approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council
- Complete and submit the Original Journey/Journey Restricted License Application online form
  - Exempt examinees must submit and mail the Journey Application Without Exam form to the Board prior to completing the online license application
- Payment of the license application fee of $20
Limited Contractor
- Holds a current journeyman-level or higher license
- At least 2 years of field experience as a licensed journeyman under a licensed HVAC/R master
- Completed at least 1,000 hours of HVAC/R work in the year prior to application
- Successfully pass the limited contractor exam
- Complete and submit the HVACR – Original License Application online form
- Payment of the license application fee of $75
Master Restricted
- Holds a current journeyman-level or higher license
- At least 3 years of field experience as a licensed journeyman under a licensed HVAC/R master
- Completed at least 1,875 hours of HVAC/R work in the year prior to application
- Successfully pass the master restricted contractor exam
- Complete and submit the HVACR – Original License Application online form
- Payment of the license application fee of $25 per specialty, capped at $75
Master Contractor
- Holds a current journeyman-level or higher license
- At least 3 years of field experience as a licensed journeyman under a licensed HVAC/R master
- Completed at least 1,875 hours of HVAC/R work in the year prior to application
- Successfully pass the master contractor exam
- Complete and submit the HVACR – Original License Application online form
- Payment of the license application fee of $75

For all three contractor licenses, you need to also obtain a certificate of insurance with the following coverage:

General liability insurance of at least $300,000
Property damage insurance of at least $100,000
Combined insurance of at least $400,000

Taking the Licensure Exam

The Board has contracted with PSI to administer the licensure exams.

To take the exam, you must first submit an exam application with the fees to PSI.

Upon approval, you can schedule and sit for the designated exam.

Here are the details about the exam you should know about:

Exam content and duration
- Journeyman – 100 questions in 240 minutes
- Master Restricted/Journeyman Restricted
  - Air conditioning – 50 questions in 120 minutes
  - Forced air – 50 questions in 120 minutes
  - Hydronic – 50 questions in 120 minutes
  - Refrigeration – 50 questions in 120 minutes
  - Ventilation – 40 questions in 90 minutes
- Limited Contractor – 50 questions in 120 minutes
- Master Contractor – 100 questions in 240 minutes
Exam fees
- Journeyman, Limited Contractor, and Master Contractor – $150
- Master Restricted/Journeyman Restricted – $50
It’s a computer-based exam
It’s an open-book exam with only the approved reference materials allowed for use
Passing score is 70%
If you fail, you can only apply for retesting after 30 days

Reciprocity

Maryland allows reciprocity applicants from Delaware and Virginia only.

To be accepted, you must meet the following:

Complete and mail the Reciprocity Application for Maryland HVAC/R License form to the Board
Must meet Maryland’s HVAC/R qualifications
Holds an active license in good standing in the other state
Holds a license that is equivalent to the Maryland HVAC/R license
Have met the licensure requirements of the other state that are equivalent to those of Maryland (e.g, years of experience)

Renewal Requirements

Your license is only valid for 2 years.

To renew, you must complete the following:

Complete and submit the HVACR – Renewal Application online form
Pay the renewal fee of $20

EPA Certification

The Environmental Protection Agency requires technicians working with refrigerant-containing equipment to get certified.

Holding an EPA Section 608 Technician Certification ensures that you can safely and properly service and dispose of these harmful chemicals.

This certification has 4 types that you can apply for:

Type I
Type II
Type III
Universal

To learn which type to certify for, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

Per BLS, HVAC technicians in Maryland can earn an average of $63,420 annually as of May 2021.

If you’re a new technician, you can have $37,280, whereas if you’re a senior expert, $96,520.

The table below shows the salaries in 10 of Maryland’s cities that you can use for reference.

Annual Salary Range:

$37K

$63K

$96K

Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Maryland

City Name	Salary
Baltimore	$48,037
Frederick	$50,166
Gaithersburg	$51,836
Bowie	$51,867
Rockville	$51,914
Hagerstown	$47,416
Annapolis	$49,497
College Park	$51,976
Salisbury	$49,801
Cumberland	$42,878

* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

Region	Employed	Avg. Annual Salary	Avg. Hourly Pay	Top 10% Annual Salary	Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	3,060	$65,080	$31.29	$94,220	$46,620
California-Lexington Park, MD	200	$65,240	$31.37	$93,420	$44,910
Cumberland, MD-WV	60	$52,620	$25.3	$72,260	$36,840
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	270	$54,120	$26.02	$73,760	$35,600
Salisbury, MD-DE	650	$55,220	$26.55	$75,340	$38,410

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, OCC 49-9021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

HVAC Schools by City

Baltimore3 Schools

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