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.
Related reading: R-410A phase-down timeline · seasonal maintenance revenue strategy · hidden revenue in customer records · See all 50 states + DC
Check another state
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delaware accept Maryland HVAC licenses?
Does Delaware require continuing education for trade licenses?
Nearby states
New to renewals? Read our guide to contractor license renewal, or check a nearby state below.