Alabama HVAC License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

Alabama heating and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration contractor certifications from the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors expire every December 31, so the next deadline is December 31, 2026. Renewing costs $220 a year for an active certification and $110 for an inactive one. Every certified contractor needs 4 hours of continuing education a year, with proof at the Board before November 1. A certification not renewed by 11:59 pm on December 31 lapses: the Board's rules allow renewing it until December 31 of the following year with a $250 late fee, though the law lets the Board remove a certification not renewed by March 1. After a year unlicensed, you must pass the written exam again.

At a glance

Who needs it: No person may advertise, solicit, bid, obtain permits, do business as, or perform the function of a certified contractor unless the person in responsible charge is a certified contractor. The Board's rules also require certification for air duct cleaning, filter changing, test and balance services, and cleaning heating, air conditioning or refrigeration equipment or systems
Certifications: Heating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor and refrigeration contractor, each active or inactive. A duct air tightness testing (DATT) registration also renews every year
Renews every: 1 year. A license expires on December 31 annually and lapses automatically if it isn't renewed before 11:59 pm on December 31. Next: December 31, 2026
Renewal fee: $220 a year for an active HVAC or active refrigeration certification, $110 for an inactive one, paid for each certification you hold. The Board takes credit cards, money orders or cashier's checks, and card payments carry a 4% convenience fee
Continuing education: 4 hours every year from Board-approved providers, with proof submitted to the Board before November 1. Hours are awarded in two-hour increments, up to 8 hours a year, and you can carry up to 4 hours over to the next year. A course can't be repeated for credit within the same earning period. Not required during the first year you hold a certification
Late CE: Missing CE stops your renewal until you submit proof. The Board may grant a deficiency extension until December 31: the deficiency application must reach it before December 31, and hours taken after November 1 but before January 1 carry a $25 deficiency plan fee. Education from a provider not on the Board's list can be submitted as a non-traditional CE request, which must reach the Board before November 1
Inactive: An inactive contractor can't buy local licenses or permits until returning to active status. An inactive contractor who is 65 or older is exempt from CE from the year after they turn 65, and needs 8 hours of CE before returning to an active license
Renew: Online through the Board's Online Renewals link (pick the license type and enter the last 5 digits of your license number and of your Social Security number), or by mailing the Board's Annual Renewal Form, which can't be used to change your business name or status. Every renewal needs your citizenship or lawful presence declaration. The Board may reject a renewal that is inaccurate or incomplete, or from someone with unpaid fees or past due administrative fines
Bond: New HVAC and refrigeration contractor applicants provide a $20,000 performance bond to the Board, and proof of bond may be required annually during renewal
If it lapses: Under the Board's rules a lapsed certification can be renewed until 11:59 pm on December 31 of the following year with a $250 late fee, without retesting: $470 for an active certification, $360 for an inactive one. The law also lets the Board remove the certification of anyone who hasn't renewed by March 1 and require a new certificate, and it may require retesting, so don't count on the extra time
After a year: A contractor unlicensed for one calendar year (365 days) or more is expired, isn't eligible for late fees, and must sit for and pass the written prelicensure exam before applying again as a new applicant
On the job: Display your certification number and company name on all documentation, advertising, and service and installation vehicles
Contact: Board office: 100 N. Union Street, Suite 986, Montgomery, AL 36104. Mail: P.O. Box 305025, Montgomery, AL 36130-5025. Toll free (866) 855-1912, local (334) 242-5550, staff@hacr.alabama.gov

Using a third-party licensing service? The Board's renewal form warns it can delay your application, and the Board discusses your application only with you.

How to renew

Take 4 hours of continuing education from a Board-approved provider (unless it's your first year), and make sure the Board has your proof before November 1.
Renew through the Board's Online Renewals link, or mail the Annual Renewal Form with your citizenship or lawful presence declaration.
Pay $220 for each active certification ($110 inactive) before 11:59 pm on December 31.
Check that you owe the Board no unpaid fees or past due fines: it may reject a renewal until they're paid.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

SeptemberBook your 4 CE hours with a Board-approved provider if you haven't taken them this year (or use hours carried over from last year).
Before November 1Make sure the Board has your CE proof. After that, the Board may grant a deficiency extension until December 31, for a $25 deficiency plan fee, with the application in before December 31.
DecemberRenew online or by mail: $220 for each active certification, $110 inactive.
December 31Last day: the certification lapses at 11:59 pm. Under the Board's rules late renewals cost $250 more, and after a year unlicensed you retake the written exam.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your Duct Air Tightness Testing (DATT) registration, if you hold one: it renews by December 31 every year too
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When does an Alabama HVAC license expire?

Every December 31. A license lapses automatically if it isn't renewed before 11:59 pm on December 31, so the next deadline is December 31, 2026.

How much does it cost to renew an Alabama HVAC license?

$220 a year for an active HVAC or active refrigeration certification and $110 for an inactive one. A late renewal adds a $250 late fee: $470 active, $360 inactive.

How many CE hours do Alabama HVAC contractors need?

4 hours every year from Board-approved providers, with proof submitted to the Board before November 1. You can carry up to 4 hours over to the next year, and CE isn't required during the first year you hold a certification.

What if my Alabama HVAC license lapsed?

Under the Board's rules you can renew it until 11:59 pm on December 31 of the following year with a $250 late fee, without retesting, though the law lets the Board remove a certification not renewed by March 1. A contractor unlicensed for one calendar year (365 days) or more must pass the written prelicensure exam and apply as a new applicant.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, Licensees

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Alabama guides

All Alabama guides on one page

HVAC guides for other states

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for HVAC techs

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Alabama HVAC License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: No person may advertise, solicit, bid, obtain permits, do business as, or perform the function of a certified contractor unless the person in responsible charge is a certified contractor. The Board's rules also require certification for air duct cleaning, filter changing, test and balance services, and cleaning heating, air conditioning or refrigeration equipment or systems
Certifications: Heating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor and refrigeration contractor, each active or inactive. A duct air tightness testing (DATT) registration also renews every year
Renews every: 1 year. A license expires on December 31 annually and lapses automatically if it isn't renewed before 11:59 pm on December 31. Next: December 31, 2026
Renewal fee: $220 a year for an active HVAC or active refrigeration certification, $110 for an inactive one, paid for each certification you hold. The Board takes credit cards, money orders or cashier's checks, and card payments carry a 4% convenience fee
Continuing education: 4 hours every year from Board-approved providers, with proof submitted to the Board before November 1. Hours are awarded in two-hour increments, up to 8 hours a year, and you can carry up to 4 hours over to the next year. A course can't be repeated for credit within the same earning period. Not required during the first year you hold a certification
Late CE: Missing CE stops your renewal until you submit proof. The Board may grant a deficiency extension until December 31: the deficiency application must reach it before December 31, and hours taken after November 1 but before January 1 carry a $25 deficiency plan fee. Education from a provider not on the Board's list can be submitted as a non-traditional CE request, which must reach the Board before November 1
Inactive: An inactive contractor can't buy local licenses or permits until returning to active status. An inactive contractor who is 65 or older is exempt from CE from the year after they turn 65, and needs 8 hours of CE before returning to an active license
Renew: Online through the Board's Online Renewals link (pick the license type and enter the last 5 digits of your license number and of your Social Security number), or by mailing the Board's Annual Renewal Form, which can't be used to change your business name or status. Every renewal needs your citizenship or lawful presence declaration. The Board may reject a renewal that is inaccurate or incomplete, or from someone with unpaid fees or past due administrative fines
Bond: New HVAC and refrigeration contractor applicants provide a $20,000 performance bond to the Board, and proof of bond may be required annually during renewal
If it lapses: Under the Board's rules a lapsed certification can be renewed until 11:59 pm on December 31 of the following year with a $250 late fee, without retesting: $470 for an active certification, $360 for an inactive one. The law also lets the Board remove the certification of anyone who hasn't renewed by March 1 and require a new certificate, and it may require retesting, so don't count on the extra time
After a year: A contractor unlicensed for one calendar year (365 days) or more is expired, isn't eligible for late fees, and must sit for and pass the written prelicensure exam before applying again as a new applicant
On the job: Display your certification number and company name on all documentation, advertising, and service and installation vehicles
Contact: Board office: 100 N. Union Street, Suite 986, Montgomery, AL 36104. Mail: P.O. Box 305025, Montgomery, AL 36130-5025. Toll free (866) 855-1912, local (334) 242-5550, staff@hacr.alabama.gov

Using a third-party licensing service? The Board's renewal form warns it can delay your application, and the Board discusses your application only with you.

How to renew

Take 4 hours of continuing education from a Board-approved provider (unless it's your first year), and make sure the Board has your proof before November 1.
Renew through the Board's Online Renewals link, or mail the Annual Renewal Form with your citizenship or lawful presence declaration.
Pay $220 for each active certification ($110 inactive) before 11:59 pm on December 31.
Check that you owe the Board no unpaid fees or past due fines: it may reject a renewal until they're paid.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

SeptemberBook your 4 CE hours with a Board-approved provider if you haven't taken them this year (or use hours carried over from last year).
Before November 1Make sure the Board has your CE proof. After that, the Board may grant a deficiency extension until December 31, for a $25 deficiency plan fee, with the application in before December 31.
DecemberRenew online or by mail: $220 for each active certification, $110 inactive.
December 31Last day: the certification lapses at 11:59 pm. Under the Board's rules late renewals cost $250 more, and after a year unlicensed you retake the written exam.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your Duct Air Tightness Testing (DATT) registration, if you hold one: it renews by December 31 every year too
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When does an Alabama HVAC license expire?

Every December 31. A license lapses automatically if it isn't renewed before 11:59 pm on December 31, so the next deadline is December 31, 2026.

How much does it cost to renew an Alabama HVAC license?

$220 a year for an active HVAC or active refrigeration certification and $110 for an inactive one. A late renewal adds a $250 late fee: $470 active, $360 inactive.

How many CE hours do Alabama HVAC contractors need?

What if my Alabama HVAC license lapsed?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, Licensees

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Alabama guides

All Alabama guides on one page

HVAC guides for other states

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for HVAC techs

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet