Change In Mechanical and Air Conditioning Contractor Licensing Exams

Starting in August, the Mechanical and Air Conditioning “Class A” contractor exams with no longer be given in pencil and paper format; there will be a switch to a computer test. This is great news! People can now take the tests whenever they want, as long as they schedule it. Before, people had to go to certain locations and the exams ran only once every 2 months.

However, construction license exams in pencil and paper format still exist, but they have been cut back to one day exams.  The exam schedule is as follows:

  • Wednesday, August 16, 2017 – Deadline, July 16, 2017
  • Wednesday, October 18, 2017 – Deadline, September 17, 2017
  • Wednesday, December 13, 2017 – Deadline, November 12, 2017

 

If you have questions about any of the exams, our team is here to help. Every type of contractor license requires a different type of testing. If you are unsure about what exams or other requirements that are needed for the type of license you’re trying to acquire, visit our Contractor Licenses page or gives us a call at 239-777-1028.

 

For example, a mechanical contractor has the following requirements and experience needed for a person to obtain a license.

 

  • A person needs to have at least 4 years of experience working for a licensed contractor, or
  • A person needs a combo of college credits or military experience,
  • 12 months of this experience, at least, have to be has a foreman

 

During this experience, a person must do sheet metal ductwork, piping for lift stations, install systems more than 25 tons for cooling and 500,000 BTU for heating, install ACs, install heating equipment, install refrigeration equipment, install boilers, install condensate piping, install digital control wiring and direct it, and more!

 

Like stated above, these requirements are different for each specialty of contracting, but all contractors must pass the exams. Let us help you get your license! Click here to contact us.

 

What is an AC Contractor?

From plumbing and swimming pools to mechanical and air conditioning, there are all kinds of contractors. The trade of contracting is important and hard work. These jobs require a lot of skill, and often put people in potentially dangerous situations, because work sites, machinery and tools can all cause harm.  In this article, we will focus on a class A air-conditioning contractor.

What is a class A air-conditioning contractor? According to the Florida Department of Business & Regulation, a specialty contractor is a contractor “whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems.”

Class A Contractors can execute “contracts requiring experience in the installation, maintenance, repair, fabrication, alteration, extension or design of duct work in connection with a complete system but only to the extent that such duct work is performed by the contractor as is necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection with them.”

This class cannot perform work such on liquefied petroleum or natural gas lines within buildings, potable water lines/connections, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping/filters, or electrical power wiring.

They are often referred to as HVAR technicians because they work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems. These individuals work in homes, schools, office builds, hospitals, factories, and other buildings. Because they work with broken or dysfunctional heating and cooling systems, their worksites may be very warm or cold; they often work in cramped spaces and have irregular hours. These machines can break at any time!

To become an HVACR technician/contractor, a person needs a state license and a postsecondary education. The median pay for this career in 2015 was $36,630 per year. From 2004-2014, the job outlook for this position is at a 14 percent growth with is much faster than the average.

If you think this career is right for you, it’s time to look into getting your Florida contractor’s license. Let us do the application for you. We may the process very simple and streamlined. We get your application approved fast. To contact us, click here or call 239-777-1028.