Delaware HVAC License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

The Renewal Cycle

Individual Master HVACR and Master HVACR Restricted licenses expire on October 31 of even-numbered years. The next renewal deadline is October 31, 2026. Missing that deadline triggers a late renewal process with additional fees and a mandatory 100% continuing education audit — not the 5% random audit that timely renewals face.

Renewals are processed through the DELPROS portal. You submit your renewal application, pay the renewal fee, and certify that you have completed the required continuing education hours.

The Five-Hour CE Requirement

For a full two-year renewal cycle, a licensee must complete five hours of Board-approved continuing education. The five hours must follow a specific distribution:

• 3 hours in current mechanical code changes (updated International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code provisions)
• 1 hour in safety (workplace safety, jobsite practices, or OSHA-related content)
• 1 hour in the Energy Code (International Energy Conservation Code or ASHRAE 90.1 updates)

All five hours must come from Board-approved providers. Courses from non-approved providers do not count, regardless of their quality or relevance. Check the Board's approved provider list before enrolling. Typical costs for the full five-hour package run $170 to $200.

The Dual-License Rule

If you hold both a Plumbing license and an HVACR license from the Delaware Board, you need six total CE hours instead of five. The extra hour accommodates a rotation requirement: your three-hour code changes segment alternates between plumbing code and mechanical code each renewal cycle. The safety and energy code hours remain the same.

What Happens If You Renew Late

Filing your renewal after October 31 triggers two consequences:

Late fees. The Board assesses additional fees for late renewals. The exact penalty depends on how late you file.

Mandatory 100% CE audit. Timely renewals face only a 5% random audit — the Board selects 5% of all on-time renewals for documentation verification. Late renewals face a 100% audit rate. Every single late renewal is audited for CE compliance. If you renewed late because you had not yet completed your five hours, this audit will catch it.

If an audit identifies a CE deficiency, follow the Board's instructions for resolving it. Do not assume an audit gives you extra time to complete missing hours; complete the required hours before you submit the renewal.

First-Renewal Prorating

If you received your license partway through a renewal cycle, your CE requirements may be prorated for the first renewal. The Board calculates the prorated hours based on how much of the two-year cycle remained when your license was issued. Contact the Board's administrative office to confirm your prorated requirement before enrolling in courses.

Tracking Your CE in DELPROS

DELPROS includes a continuing education tracker where you can log completed hours. Verify that your hours appear in the tracker before the renewal deadline. If a completed course does not show up in the system, contact the provider and the Board for instructions on getting it recorded.

Keep your own copies of all CE completion certificates and supporting records. In an audit, you may need to provide documentation for every hour claimed.

Planning for the 2026 Renewal

The October 31, 2026 deadline is firm. If you have not started your CE hours, the window is narrowing. Board-approved course providers include First State Inspection Agency and other organizations listed on the DPR website.

The Delaware HVAC License Guide includes a CE renewal tracker that maps each required hour to the approval category, tracks your progress, and calculates your personal deadline based on your license issue date.

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