Florida HVAC Exams: Class A, Class B and Mechanical Trade Knowledge

Florida heating and air-conditioning contractors take one of three trade exams, depending on the license: Air Conditioning Class B, Air Conditioning Class A, or Mechanical. Each is paired with the 120-question Business and Finance exam. The three trade exams share most of their outline and almost all of their reference books; they differ in length and in how far they go into large systems, piping and specialty systems.

Format comparison

The Class A and Mechanical exams are the longest single construction exams in Florida at 7.5 hours. If the exam includes unscored pilot questions, DBPR adds time for them.

Content outlines

From the official ECIs (all revised August 2017). Each area may vary by plus or minus 3%.

Class A and Class B

The two outlines use the same nine areas. Class A gives slightly more weight to pre-installation and system installation, consistent with its unlimited scope. The Class A ECI's system installation area lists tasks such as systems between 25 and 100 tons, systems over 100 tons, centrifugal compressors, absorption cycle systems, cooling towers, chilled water, ammonia refrigerant and DDC controls.

Mechanical

About 28% of the mechanical exam (Areas D and F) is on systems outside air-conditioning: lift stations and pumps, gasoline and other fluid handling systems, oxygen, nitrous oxide and vacuum lines, standpipes, ammonia and chemical lines, cathodic protection, monitoring and gauging systems, and pipe tightness testing. Those match the extra scope the mechanical license has under F.S. 489.105(3)(i).

What the pre-installation area covers

The Class A pre-installation list is long and design-oriented: reading plans, energy conservation, thermal resistance, EER and SEER, HVAC load, equipment and duct design, pipe sizing, controls, fan motors, pipe insulation, compressor capacity, grease duct design, pumps, boilers and piping layout. Expect calculation questions here.

Reference books

The 2026 Class A and Class B lists are identical. The Mechanical list adds two titles.

Check the current list for editions. The Trane Ductulator is a duct sizing calculator, and the list allows the 1976 or later version.

Which book answers what

Tabbing and reference rules

DBPR allows only original editions, except listed PDFs (the two SMACNA duct standards), which must be bound with rings, brads, snap binders, spiral binding or screw posts. Highlighting is allowed; notes are not. Only permanently attached tabs with normal chapter or page headings are permitted; removable tabs and Post-it flags are not. You may not write in the books during the exam.

Tips for a 130-question exam:

• Tab the code books by chapter (FBC Mechanical, Energy, Fuel Gas) and the NFPA standards by chapter.
• Tab the SMACNA standards at their duct construction tables and reinforcement tables.
• Practice with the Ductulator until sizing a duct takes seconds.
• Plan breaks in your pacing. At 7.5 hours, it helps to set checkpoints (for example, a third of the questions done by the 2.5-hour mark).

Common trouble areas

From the outlines, not from score data:

• Duct construction standards (Area B). SMACNA tables are dense, and questions often require cross-referencing gauge, reinforcement and size.
• Large systems for Class A. Chillers, towers, absorption and centrifugal systems are listed in Area C even if your work is residential.
• Non-HVAC piping for Mechanical. Lift stations, medical gas, fuel and chemical lines (Areas D and F).
• Energy calculations. Thermal resistance, EER and SEER and load questions in Areas A and H.
• Safety. OSHA 1926 lookups in Area G (A and B) or I (Mechanical).

Scheduling, fees and retakes

• Register with Professional Testing, Inc. ($135) and schedule with Pearson VUE after approval.
• PTI's 2026 instructions list trade knowledge exams at $80. DBPR's CBT fee schedule (effective January 3, 2023) lists $40 for the 7.5-hour Air A and Mechanical exams and $80 for 5-hour trade exams such as Air B. Confirm the amount when you book.
• Cancel or reschedule at least two full calendar days ahead.
• If you fail, review your missed questions within 21 days ($35). Reapply with PTI to retake, with a 21-day wait.
• Pass all parts within four years of your first scheduled exam.

Exam volume

Pearson VUE exam performance reports for the Florida DBPR construction exams:

FAQ

How many questions are on the Florida HVAC exam?

Class B: 80 questions in 5 hours. Class A: 130 in 7.5 hours. Mechanical: 130 in 7.5 hours. Each also requires the 120-question Business and Finance exam.

Is the Class A exam harder than Class B?

It is longer and its outline reaches into larger systems. In 2025 its first-time pass rate (47%) was lower than Class B's (52%).

Are the Class A and Class B references the same?

Yes, on the 2026 lists. Mechanical adds NFPA 99 and the FBC Fuel Gas volume.

Can I bring a PDF of the SMACNA standards?

Yes, the list allows a bound PDF of both SMACNA duct construction standards.

Do I need to pass Class B before Class A?

No. You can apply directly for Class A if you meet the experience requirement. A certified Class B contractor with 1 year in that license can also qualify for Class A by passing the Class A exam.

Related

See Florida HVAC license requirements. HVAC trade exam prep is in development; join the waitlist on this page. Business and Finance prep is available now: Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep, 90 days of original practice for $99.