How Do I Maintain an Oklahoma HVAC License?

You’re a specialist in what you do. Whether you’re a mechanical apprentice or you have an HVAC limited or unlimited journeyman license or HVAC/R limited or unlimited contractor license, you’re skilled at your trade. But you know that skill isn’t enough. You have to work with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (OK CIB) to maintain the right license to work in HVAC in Oklahoma.

If you’re still an apprentice, you’re probably keenly aware of what the CIB of Oklahoma requires of you to reach the next step of your licensing. But don’t think that just because you’ve been granted your journeyman or contractor license that you can rest on your laurels. You need to take steps every few years to maintain your active Oklahoma HVAC license.

But don’t panic. You don’t need to take those steps very often and they’re not hard. Here’s a guide to teach you everything you need to know to keep your HVAC license active in Oklahoma.

When do I need to start my Oklahoma HVAC renewal process?

You need to renew your license every 36 months, or three years. But don’t worry. Whether you’re a journeyman or a contractor, you can start your renewal process by taking the required Oklahoma HVAC continuing education classes (more on that in a minute) at any point during that 36-month period. Pick when works for your schedule and renewing your license never has to be a source of stress.

What do I need to do to renew my HVAC license in Oklahoma?

Good news. Renewing your license is a pretty simple process. Here’s what you need to do every few years.

Take your Oklahoma HVAC continuing education classes

First things first, you need to complete six hours of courses to ensure you’re up to date on the latest in the HVAC industry. For example, your continuing education hours can teach you about the 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and the changes Oklahoma implemented when they transitioned from the 2009 IMC to that 2015 version.

But don’t just take your courses from just any institution. They’ll only count towards your license renewal if you complete them through an education provider that’s been approved by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.

You’ll notice from that list that you have two options for completing your continuing education hours. You can find a class near you and attend it in person. Or you can skip the hassle of carving time out of your schedule and sitting in a classroom by taking your CE courses online. The state has approved online Oklahoma HVAC continuing education classes so you can go through your courses on your time, at your convenience, and at your own pace.

If you choose to take your continuing education hours online from a state-approved provider, they issue you a certificate of completion for your records once you finish your classes.

In short, every 36 months you need to take six hours of Oklahoma HVAC continuing education courses from a state-approved institution.

Make sure you meet the requirements

If you’re a journeyman, you can skip this step. But if you’re a contractor, you need to make sure you have a few things in place before you can submit your license renewal.

Bond requirements. You need to have a $5,000 corporate surety bond in your name that’s payable to the OK CIB. The bond needs to be continuous and have the original signatures, seals, and Power of Attorney attached along with a 30-day cancellation notice.
Insurance requirements. As an active contractor, you need to carry at least $50,000 of commercial general liability insurance. Your insurance provider will issue you a Certificate of General Liability; make sure that your name is on that certificate and the Construction Industries Board is the certificate holder.
Meet the apprentice requirements. To start, make sure you never have more than three apprentices to every active contractor on staff. And remember that you have to keep track of all of your apprentices’ hours and sign off on their apprentice applications annually. If you get a written request from any of your apprentices regarding the documentation of their hours, get on it right away. If you don’t, the CIB could get involved and your license renewal could be compromised.
Display your license number in the right places. List your license number on all bids and contracts, plus any ads you take out. Also, make sure that any vehicles you drive for work have both the name of your firm and your license number (with “OK” in front of it) printed in characters at least two inches high on both sides. That info needs to be printed in a color that’s easy to read in an easily visible location.

You can see all of these requirements in detail on the OK CIB website.

Submit your application

Now you’re ready to send in your application! More good news: it’s a straightforward, one-page form. Fill out the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board License Renewal Application and send it in with the right fee and other paperwork. If your bond or insurance expired since your last renewal, for example, make sure you include the continuing certificate with your application.

The fee for renewal, assuming you complete it before your license expires, is:

$200 for contractors
$75 for journeymen

Make your check or money order out to the Construction Industries Board. When you’re ready, send everything in to:

Construction Industries Board

2401 NW 23rd, Suite 2F

Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Don’t wait to start working on your license renewal. Planning well ahead of your renewal date ensures you can finish your six hours of continuing education courses without stress. Plus, getting your application in on time saves you money. The late fee for contractors is $300. For journeymen, it’s $100.

Keep more money in your pocket and save yourself some stress by marking a date on the calendar to start your renewal process before your license expires. If you do, it’s easy to maintain an active license so you can work in HVAC in Oklahoma.