Delaware HVAC License Lookup — How to Verify a Contractor

Before hiring an HVAC contractor in Delaware — or before a general contractor adds one to a project team — verifying the license takes about two minutes. The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation maintains a public registry through the DELPROS portal that shows real-time license status, credential type, and disciplinary history for every licensed HVAC professional in the state.

Where to Look

The public license verification database is at delpros.delaware.gov. You do not need an account to search — the verification tool is open to anyone.

Search by the contractor's name or license number. The results show:

• License type: Master HVACR (unrestricted) or Master HVACR Restricted (limited to a specific specialty like refrigeration, air conditioning, or gas piping)
• License status: active, expired, suspended, or revoked
• Expiration date: all HVACR licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years
• Disciplinary actions: any Board findings, fines, or practice restrictions

What the Lookup Does Not Show

The DELPROS registry only covers the state trade license issued by the Division of Professional Regulation. It does not verify:

• Division of Revenue business license — checked separately through the DOR
• DOL Contractor Registration — the Department of Labor maintains its own registry of registered contractors
• County or municipal licenses — New Castle County's Permit Endorsed License, Wilmington's business license, and other local credentials are verified through each jurisdiction's own office
• Insurance and bonding — request a current Certificate of Insurance directly from the contractor

A contractor who shows as "active" in DELPROS has passed the technical competency requirements. But technical competency and business authorization are separate in Delaware — an active DPR license does not guarantee the contractor has their business registrations, insurance, and local permits in order.

Why License Type Matters

Delaware issues two categories of HVAC credentials, and the distinction matters for the scope of work:

Master HVACR (unrestricted) covers the full range of HVAC work: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and gas piping. A contractor with this credential can legally perform any mechanical trade work in the state.

Master HVACR Restricted limits the contractor to a specific specialty — for example, refrigeration only, or air conditioning only. A restricted licensee performing work outside their designated category is practicing illegally, regardless of their field experience.

When verifying a license for a specific project, check that the credential type matches the work being performed. A contractor with a Restricted-Air Conditioning credential cannot legally install a gas furnace.

Checking Contractor Registration

For a thorough verification, cross-reference the DELPROS lookup with the DOL contractor registry. The Department of Labor's Office of Contractor Registration at 302-761-8200 can confirm whether a contractor holds an active registration under the Contractor Registration Act.

A contractor who appears in DELPROS but is missing from the DOL registry has a trade license but is not legally registered to perform construction services in Delaware. This gap is more common than you might expect — many contractors complete the DPR licensing process but overlook or delay the DOL registration.

For Contractors: Verify Your Own Listing

If you are a licensed HVAC contractor, periodically check your own DELPROS listing. Verify that your license type, status, and expiration date display correctly. Errors in the public registry — a wrong specialty designation, an incorrectly displayed status — can cost you bids when general contractors or property managers run verification checks.

If you find a discrepancy, contact the Board's administrative office at 302-744-4500 or [email protected] to request a correction.

The Delaware HVAC License Guide includes the complete list of verification portals for every agency — DPR, DOR, DOL, and county offices — so you can run a full credential check in one sitting.

See more Delaware guides →