New Jersey HVAC License Lookup

Before you hire an HVAC contractor in New Jersey — or before you subcontract one onto a project — you can verify their license status through the Division of Consumer Affairs' public lookup tool. It's free, takes about 30 seconds, and tells you whether the person actually holds an active Master HVACR Contractor license or is operating without one.

The tool matters because New Jersey has no dollar-amount exemption for HVACR work. Any HVAC job performed for compensation requires a licensed Master HVACR Contractor, regardless of project size.

How to Use the License Verification Tool

1. Go to the NJ License Verification portal at https://newjersey.mylicense.com/verification/Search.aspx?facility=Y
2. Select "Facility" search if checking a business, or "Individual" for a specific contractor
3. Enter the contractor's name, license number, or business name
4. Review the results

The search returns the license holder's name, license number, license type (Master HVACR Contractor), status (active, inactive, or suspended), and expiration date.

What the Status Fields Mean

Active: The lookup shows a current, active Master HVACR Contractor license. Confirm the required bond and insurance separately before relying on the listing for a project.

Inactive: The lookup shows that the license is not currently active. Check with the board for the reason and whether the record is in a renewal or other administrative status.

Suspended: The license has been administratively suspended — either for failure to renew past the 30-day grace period, lapsed insurance/bonding, or disciplinary action. A suspended contractor cannot legally perform or advertise HVACR services.

Revoked: The board has revoked the license. Review the board's disciplinary-actions records for the reason.

Checking Disciplinary History

The license lookup shows current status, but it doesn't always show the full disciplinary record. For that, go to the HVACR board's Disciplinary Actions page on njconsumeraffairs.gov, which publishes administrative complaints, consent agreements, and license suspensions or revocations.

If you're a general contractor bringing on an HVAC sub for a large project, checking disciplinary history is worth the extra minute.

Why Contractors Should Check Their Own Listing

If you hold a Master HVACR license, verify your own listing periodically — especially after renewal, after changing your business entity structure, or after updating your insurance. Municipal building departments check against the board's active license database when you pull permits. If there's a data lag between your renewal payment and the board's records update, you could get denied at the permit counter.

Some contractors discover their license shows as inactive or suspended because of an insurance notification gap — their GL carrier sent a cancellation notice to the board during a policy switch, and the new policy's certificate of insurance hadn't been filed yet. Checking your own listing catches these problems before they block a permit application.

What the Lookup Doesn't Tell You

The DCA license verification confirms state trade licensure, but it doesn't cover two other credentials a residential HVAC contractor should have:

• Home Improvement Contractor Business (HICB) registration: Required for residential HVACR work. The HICB has a separate registration lookup through the DCA's Home Improvement section.
• EPA Section 608 certification: Required for refrigerant handling. There's no centralized state lookup for this — you'd need to ask the contractor for their card or certificate.

For a complete due-diligence check on a residential HVAC contractor, verify both the HVACR license and the HICB registration.

The New Jersey HVAC License Guide covers the full credential stack — state license, HICB registration, EPA certification, municipal permit authority — and explains which combinations are required for residential versus commercial work.

See more New Jersey guides →