Why now is a good time to start
If you're a technician in Jacksonville noticing more work orders than you can keep up with, that's not a fluke. Florida's heating and air conditioning contractors take in somewhere around $9 billion a year, per IBISWorld. And the state runs second in the country for cooling degree days, behind only Hawaii. Cooling here isn't a season. It's the whole year.
Jacksonville's housing stock is aging into its first or second major HVAC replacement cycle at the same time the region keeps growing, so there's more equipment to service and more of it failing at once. That's the opportunity. The rest of this guide covers what it actually takes to legally start the company.
Get your Florida HVAC contractor license
Before you can operate as a business (not just an employee), you need a state contractor license from the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). There are two classes worth knowing:
- Class A (CAC): unlimited size and capacity of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment.
- Class B (CBC): limited to systems of 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU/hour heating or less, per unit, per system.
Experience requirements
You'll need to document at least four years of HVAC work experience at the journeyman level or higher, verified through employer affidavits. A construction-related college degree can count toward part of that requirement combined with proven field experience.
The exams
Two exams are required: a Trade Knowledge exam (Class A is 130 questions over 7.5 hours; Class B is 80 questions over 5 hours) and the Florida Business and Finance exam (120 questions, 70% to pass), which covers financial management, contract administration, Florida lien law, and payroll.
Background and eligibility
You must be at least 18 with a valid Social Security Number, and CILB runs a moral character review along with a mandatory FDLE/FBI Level 2 background check via Livescan fingerprinting.
EPA 608 refrigerant certification
Separate from the state license, federal law requires anyone who services, maintains, or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant to hold EPA Section 608 certification. Most residential and commercial AC work falls under Type II. The exam is 25 multiple-choice questions per certification type, and once you pass, it doesn't expire or need renewal. If you're already working as a technician, there's a good chance you already have this - if not, get it before you're licensed, not after.
Form the business
Once you're eligible to hold the license, you'll need an actual legal entity to hold it under. Most technicians in this position form an LLC through Sunbiz, Florida's Division of Corporations. Filing Articles of Organization costs $125, you'll need a registered agent with a Florida street address (a P.O. Box doesn't qualify), and the LLC has to file an annual report by May 1 each year ($138.75) to stay active. If you plan to hire anyone, you'll also need an EIN from the IRS - the online application is free and issues the number immediately.
Insurance and bonding
Air conditioning falls under CILB's Division II, which carries lower insurance minimums than the Division I trades. You need at least $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage coverage, with the board named as certificate holder. You will see $300,000 and $50,000 quoted a lot online. Those are the Division I numbers, for general and building contractors, and they don't apply to you. Workers' compensation coverage is required once you have employees, unless you file an officer exemption within 30 days of forming the business.
Duval County and Jacksonville registration
The state license lets you do the work; local registration is what lets you legally operate in Duval County. Before you take your first job, you'll need a Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) from the Duval County Tax Collector, whether you're based out of a shop or working out of a home office. Receipts run October 1 through September 30 each year, and the office is downtown at 231 E. Forsyth St.
2nd
Florida's rank among states for cooling degree days, behind only Hawaii. Air conditioning here isn't a seasonal trade. That is the demand this business is built on.
Getting your first jobs
Most new HVAC companies in Jacksonville start the same way: word of mouth from past customers and coworkers, a Google Business Profile so people can actually find and call you, and a simple website that makes it obvious what you do and how to reach you. None of that needs to be complicated on day one - it just needs to exist before your first slow week, because that's when you'll need it.
Once you're licensed and the business is formed, marketing is the next step: see my guide to HVAC marketing in Jacksonville for what that actually looks like.
Common questions
What license do I need to start an HVAC company in Florida?
A state contractor license from the CILB, either Class A with no size limits or Class B for smaller systems. You'll need four years of documented journeyman-level experience, two exams, and a Level 2 background check. EPA 608 certification is separate and federal. Most working techs already have it.
How much insurance does an HVAC contractor need?
Air conditioning falls under CILB's Division II, so the minimums are $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage, with the board named as certificate holder. The $300,000 and $50,000 figures quoted all over the internet are Division I numbers for general and building contractors. They don't apply to you.
Do I need anything from Duval County besides the state license?
Yes, a Local Business Tax Receipt from the Duval County Tax Collector before your first job, even if you work from home. And if you plan to take jobs in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, or Neptune Beach, check whether that city wants its own receipt too. It varies and it's easy to miss.
Is Jacksonville a good market for a new HVAC company?
The demand case is real. Florida runs second in the country for cooling degree days, behind only Hawaii, so cooling here is a year-round trade. And Jacksonville's housing stock is aging into its first or second major replacement cycle while the region keeps growing, which means more equipment failing at once.
