Delaware HVAC Continuing Education Requirements for 2026

If you have seen older articles claiming Delaware does not require continuing education for HVAC license renewal, those articles are wrong. The Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners updated its CE regulations, and the 2026 renewal cycle carries a mandatory 5-hour requirement with specific topic allocations.

Completing the wrong type of CE hours — or completing them late — can trigger a full audit that turns a routine renewal into a multi-month ordeal.

The 5-Hour Requirement

Every Master HVACR and Master HVACR Restricted licensee must complete 5 hours of Board-approved continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. The 5 hours are not interchangeable — each hour must fall into one of three designated categories:

• 3 hours: current mechanical code changes
• 1 hour: safety
• 1 hour: Energy Code

Generic HVAC training, manufacturer product seminars, or NATE certification prep courses do not count unless the Board has specifically approved them. Check the Board's approved provider list before enrolling in any CE course — paying for a course that does not count means taking another one under deadline pressure.

Dual Licensees

Contractors who hold both a Plumbing license and an HVACR license through the same Board face a slightly different requirement: 6 total CE hours per cycle. The 3-hour code changes block alternates between plumbing and HVACR topics each renewal cycle. If your last renewal covered plumbing code changes, the 2026 cycle requires HVACR code changes.

Track which topic you completed last cycle. The Board does not send reminders about the alternating schedule — it is your responsibility to complete the correct specialty.

The October 31 Deadline

All Master and Master Restricted HVACR credentials expire on October 31 of even-numbered years. The 2026 renewal deadline is October 31, 2026. All 5 CE hours must be completed and documentable before that date.

Do not wait until October. Approved CE providers schedule most courses in the spring and summer months, and popular sessions fill up. If you need a specific topic to complete your 5-hour requirement and the only available session is after October 31, you are looking at a late renewal.

Late Renewal Consequences

Filing a late renewal triggers two penalties:

A late renewal fee that adds to your standard biennial renewal cost.

A mandatory 100% CE audit. This is the consequence most licensees do not anticipate. The Board conducts random compliance audits on 5% of all standard renewals — but every late renewal gets audited automatically. A 100% audit means you must produce certificates of completion for all 5 CE hours, with dates, provider names, and topic categories. If your documentation does not match the Board's requirements, your renewal is held until the discrepancy is resolved.

Random Audits

Even if you renew on time, there is a 5% chance of being randomly audited. The Board selects audited licensees after the renewal period closes and sends a written notice requesting documentation.

Keep your CE certificates for at least one full renewal cycle beyond the period they cover. Digital copies stored outside your email inbox — a dedicated folder, cloud storage — ensure you can respond to an audit notice quickly. Providers sometimes go out of business or change systems between the time you take a course and the time an audit notice arrives.

DELPROS CE Tracking

The DELPROS portal includes a continuing education tracking feature that allows you to log completed hours. While this is a convenient personal tracker, do not rely on it as a substitute for retaining your actual certificates for an audit.

Some Board-approved providers submit completion records directly to DELPROS, which can streamline an audit response. Confirm whether your provider does this before enrolling — it saves paperwork later.

CE Hardship Waivers

If you cannot complete your CE hours before the October 31 deadline due to documented hardship, you may request a written waiver from the Board. Submit the request before the deadline.

The Delaware HVAC License Guide includes the complete CE planning calendar and renewal checklist, so you can schedule your hours early and avoid the late-renewal audit trap.

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