Which Nebraska Cities Require an HVAC License?

Nebraska doesn't issue a statewide HVAC license. That means the answer to "do I need a license?" depends entirely on which city the job is in — and the requirements vary dramatically from one municipality to the next. Some cities run full licensing boards with multi-tier exams. Others defer to county authority. A few have almost no mechanical licensing framework at all.

Cities With Full HVAC Licensing Programs

Omaha

Omaha runs the most structured HVAC licensing system in the state through its Air Conditioning and Air Distribution (ACAD) Board. Three tiers — apprentice, journeyman, master — each with specific experience requirements and ICC-administered exams. Apprentice registration costs $27 and requires a sponsoring master. The journeyman exam needs five years of experience (or four as a registered apprentice, with up to two years creditable from an accredited HVAC program or NATE certification). Master candidates need eight years of experience or four years as a licensed Omaha journeyman. Masters must carry a $10,000 surety bond and $300,000 general liability. Full breakdown in the Omaha HVAC license guide.

Lincoln

Lincoln's Department of Building and Safety oversees mechanical licensing through its Board of HVAC Examiners. The apprentice-journeyman-master track is similar but the specifics differ. Apprentice registration is free (annual renewal is $15). Journeyman requires three years of practical experience — with education credits available for associate degrees (1 year credit), engineering degrees (2 years), or PE registration (3 years). Lincoln's exam is city-administered through VisualVault, covering Lincoln Fuel Gas Code, Lincoln Gas Piping Code, and ICC mechanical baselines. Master candidates need at least one year as a licensed Lincoln journeyman. Master renewal runs $350/year and requires 8 hours of annual continuing education. Details in the Lincoln mechanical contractor license post.

Bellevue

Bellevue requires separate mechanical licenses administered through its Buildings Division. Exam candidates register through Pearson VUE under "Contractor/Trade Licensing." The city enforces the 2021 International Mechanical Code and Fuel Gas Code. Bellevue has its own fee schedule distinct from both Omaha and Lincoln.

Grand Island

Grand Island runs its licensing through the Chief Building Official. Apprentices must register before hours count toward journeyman eligibility. Journeyman candidates need to be at least 20 years old and pass an exam with a 70% minimum score. Master candidates need four years as a journeyman under an active master and must score 80% on a 125-question IAPMO exam based on the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code. Exams are open-book, but only original, bound code books matching the exam year are permitted — no handwritten notes or loose sheets. Failed candidates wait 30 days before retaking.

Fremont

Fremont maintains its own contractor licensing requirements for mechanical work. Like other Nebraska cities that exercise home rule authority, Fremont's licensing operates independently from the state and from neighboring municipalities.

Cities With Reciprocity

A few Nebraska cities recognize licenses from neighboring jurisdictions, which saves time if you're already licensed elsewhere:

La Vista accepts current Bellevue or Omaha licenses in the same class. You'll need to submit a copy of your active license card and post a local $5,000 bond — but you can bypass the examination requirement entirely.

Reciprocity is the exception, not the rule. Most cities require you to apply, submit experience verification, and pass their own exam regardless of what you hold elsewhere.

Unincorporated Areas

If a project falls outside any city's corporate boundaries, the county planning department holds jurisdiction. Some counties — like Sarpy County for unincorporated areas outside Papillion, Gretna, Bellevue, Springfield, and La Vista — act as the authority having jurisdiction. Other counties delegate inspections or have no separate mechanical licensing protocols, but you still need to check county permitting and state requirements, including the NSED specialty license for electrical work above 25 volts.

The key question is always: does this address fall within a city's corporate limits or its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)? If yes, that city's licensing applies. If no, check with the county planning department.

The Statewide Layer Still Applies Everywhere

Regardless of which city you work in — or whether you work in unincorporated territory — the statewide layer can include:

1. NDOL Contractor Registration (required if a contractor earns more than $5,000 annually or employs one or more workers; the research lists $25/year with a scheduled increase to $40 effective August 1, 2026 — confirm the current amount with NDOL; proof of insurance and workers' comp if employees)
2. NSED specialty license if you perform any electrical work above 25 volts on HVAC equipment

These don't replace municipal licenses. They stack on top of them.

Planning Multi-City Coverage

If you serve the greater Omaha metro area, you could realistically need active licenses in Omaha, Bellevue, La Vista, and Papillion, plus county permits or other requirements for unincorporated Sarpy County — as well as your statewide NDOL registration and NSED specialty credential. Each license has its own renewal cycle, CE requirements, and fee schedule.

The Nebraska HVAC License Guide includes a municipal comparison worksheet that maps every city's requirements side by side — experience thresholds, exam formats, bond amounts, insurance minimums, and renewal deadlines — so you can plan your credential stack before committing to a service territory.

See more Nebraska guides →