Who can legally install or replace heating and air conditioning in California?
Furnace, heat pump, central air, mini-splits, ductwork.
Check a specific contractor for this job
Their license page will open with this job selected and the verdict shown.
Licensed for this work
C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning is the license for this work.
Licensed, with a condition
A B General Building license may take a single-trade job like this only if the contractor also holds the C-20 or subcontracts the HVAC work to a licensed C-20. Ask who will actually do the work and check their license too. (§7057(b))
Looks like it should cover this — but doesn’t
A B-2 may not install or extend electrical, plumbing or heating systems — only make minor alterations to existing ones to swap fixtures in place. (§7057.5) A B-2 may not take a contract involving fewer than three unrelated trades, and this is one trade. (§7057.5)
Basis: B&P Code §7057(b); B&P Code §7057.5; B&P Code §7058. A California contractor may only contract for work within their classification (B&P Code §7059), with an exception for work incidental and supplemental to their own trade (16 CCR §831). This page reads the classification rules; it is not legal advice and says nothing about quality of work. Confirm with CSLB before signing.