HVACR Licensure
General Information
The application asks you to select whether you are applying by examination or reciprocity.
- If you hold a current license in another state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia, apply by Reciprocity.
- If you do not hold a current license in another state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia, apply by Examination.
Whether you are applying by Examination or Reciprocity determines the types of documents you are required to submit and which sections on this page pertain to you.
Definitions
Plumbing services - The design, installation, construction, replacement, service, repair, alteration, or modification of the pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus used for bringing the water supply into a building and removing liquid and water-carried wastes from a building. Plumbing services also includes the installation and connection of gas piping.
HVACR services - The design, installation, construction, maintenance, service, repair, alteration, or modification of a product or of equipment including gas piping in heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation, or process cooling or heating systems.
HVACR restricted services - HVACR services that are limited to one of the following specialties:
- Heating - Forced Air Systems, Ventilation, and Gas Piping
- Heating - Hydronic Systems and Gas Piping
- Commercial Hood Systems
- Refrigeration
- Air Conditioning
- Gas Piping
Requirements for All Applicants
These requirements apply to both Reciprocity and Examination applications.
Submit a completed, signed and notarized Application for Plumber or HVACR Licensure.
Enclose the non-refundable processing fee by check or money order made payable to "State of Delaware.
If you have ever held an individual Master Plumber, Master HVACR, or Master HVACR Restricted license in another state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia, arrange for the Delaware Board office to receive a Verification of Licensure (included in this packet) from each jurisdiction, sent directly from the Board office in the other jurisdiction(s).
If you have never been issued a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), submit a Request for Exemption from Social Security Number Requirement
.If you are applying for a Master HVACR, Master HVACR Restricted-Refrigeration, Master HVACR Restricted-Air Conditioning, submit a copy of your CFC Certification card.
Additional Requirements for Examination Applications
The following requirements apply to applications by Examination in addition to the requirements in the Requirements for All Applicants section above.
Whether you have a "Journeyman Certificate" determines what other proof you must submit.
IF you... | THEN these proofs are required: |
| have a Journeyman Certificate | Submit:
|
| do not have a Journeyman Certificate |
|
- A "Journeyman Certificate" is issued by a federally-approved plumbing/HVACR apprenticeship program such as the Delaware Department of Labor.
- To prove your experience, arrange for your supervisor(s) to complete the Verification of Employment form included in the application packet.
- If you cannot obtain the required form from the supervisor, you may substitute tax form W-2 or an affidavit of the employer or officer of the employing company. You must also enclose a statement explaining why you cannot obtain the Verification of Employment form from the supervisor. Acceptance of proof of experience is at the discretion of the Board.
When the Board approves you to sit for the master exam, the Board office will send you a candidate information packet. For more information about the Master exam, click Testing.
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity Applications
The following requirements apply to applications by Reciprocity in addition to the requirements in the Requirements for All Applicants section above.
If none of the states where you hold a current license has licensure standards that are "substantially similar" to those of Delaware, proof of experience is required. The tables below show whether to submit proof of experience.
| IF you hold a current HVACR license in any of these states... | THEN the licensure standards... | AND you... |
| Connecticut, Maryland | are substantially similar | do not need to submit any proof of experience. |
| Michigan, Rhode Island, Virginia | are not substantially similar | must submit proof of your experience under the supervision of a master licensee for a minimum of seven years after licensure. |
| any state not listed above, a U.S. territory or the District of Columbia | must be evaluated by the Board | must submit a copy of the other jurisdiction's law and regulations for evaluation. |
Note: The determination of substantial similarity may change based, for example, on changes in the other jurisdiction's law.
- To prove your work experience for periods of employment, arrange for your supervisor(s) to complete the Verification of Employment form included in the application packet. If you cannot obtain the required Verification of Employment form from the supervisor, you may substitute tax form W-2 or an affidavit of the employer or officer of the employing company. You must also enclose a statement explaining why you cannot obtain the Verification of Employment form from the supervisor.
- To prove your work experience for periods of self-employment, you may submit tax form Schedule C.
- Acceptance of proof of experience is at the Board's discretion.
