Delaware HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Biennial — expires October 31 of even years
- CE hours
- No state CE requirement for HVAC
- Initial cost
- ~$153
- License types
- Master HVACR
- Experience
- 2 years minimum relevant experience
- Exam
- HVACR trade exam required
- Bond
- Not required
- Insurance
- General liability recommended; workers' comp with employees
- Reciprocity
- Accepts licenses from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland as substantially similar (reciprocity by endorsement). Other states evaluated case-by-case — may require proof of 7 years experience.
- Board
- Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, AC & Refrigeration Examiners
- Notes
- Delaware's HVAC and plumbing boards are combined. Reciprocity with Maryland is a significant advantage for MD-based contractors.
- Renewal
- Biennial — October 31 of even years
- CE hours
- No state CE requirement
- Initial cost
- ~$150–$200
- License types
- Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber
- Experience
- 4 years apprenticeship for journeyman; additional for master
- Exam
- State plumbing exam required
- Bond
- Not required
- Insurance
- Workers' comp with employees
- Reciprocity
- Same board — reciprocity with CT, IA, MD for substantially similar licenses
- Board
- Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, AC & Refrigeration Examiners
- Notes
- Same combined board as HVAC.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- No state CE requirement for electrical
- Initial cost
- ~$100–$200
- License types
- Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician
- Experience
- 8,000 hours (4 years) for journeyman
- Exam
- State electrical exam (NEC-based)
- Bond
- Not required
- Insurance
- Workers' comp with employees
- Reciprocity
- Evaluated case-by-case through the Electrical Board
- Board
- Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners
- Notes
- Electrical licensing is handled by a separate board from HVAC/plumbing.
Delaware licenses trade contractors through two boards: the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, AC & Refrigeration Examiners (handles both HVAC and plumbing) and the Board of Electrical Examiners (handles electrical). All licenses renew biennially.
A standout feature of Delaware's system is its reciprocity program. The HVAC/plumbing board accepts licenses from Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland as "substantially similar" — allowing those contractors to apply by endorsement without re-submitting full experience documentation. Licenses from other states are evaluated case-by-case and may require proof of 7 years of experience. For Maryland-based contractors especially, this reciprocity makes Delaware an easy expansion market.
Delaware requires no continuing education for any trade license renewal — HVAC, plumbing, or electrical. This is unusual and simplifies compliance, though contractors should still stay current on code changes independently.
If you're a Maryland-based contractor, TradesIQ can track your Delaware reciprocity renewal alongside your Maryland license — making cross-state compliance effortless.
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Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
Delaware
Full Delaware guide →- Renewal
- Biennial — expires October 31 of even years
- CE
- No state CE requirement for HVAC
- Cost
- ~$153
- Board
- Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, AC & Refrigeration Examiners
- Renewal
- Biennial — October 31 of even years
- CE
- No state CE requirement
- Cost
- ~$150–$200
- Board
- Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, AC & Refrigeration Examiners
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- No state CE requirement for electrical
- Cost
- ~$100–$200
- Board
- Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.