Nevada's C-21 contractor license requires 4 years of experience and a 75% passing score on both trade and business/law exams. Reciprocity with California, Arizona, and Utah makes it accessible for Western contractors.
4 years of experience as a journeyman, supervising employee, or contractor. Up to 3 years may be substituted by an accredited college, university, or board-approved training program.
Yes — Business and Law exam plus trade exam, both administered by PSI. 75% passing score. Exam fees: $140 for B&L + first trade exam; $95 for each additional.
Not required for C-1 or C-21 renewal
Yes — Nevada has reciprocity agreements with California, Arizona, and Utah. Out-of-state licensees may apply by endorsement without certifying experience or taking the trade exam.
Reciprocity agreements can change. Always verify current status directly with Nevada State Contractors Board before relying on reciprocity for licensure.
Nevada licenses only contractors, not individual technicians. A technician working under a licensed Nevada contractor does not need a personal state HVAC license. License renewal is every 2 years at $600. Nevada's 75% passing score is higher than most states.
EPA 608 Certification — Required in All 50 States
Regardless of Nevada's state licensing rules, any technician who purchases, handles, or works with regulated refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification. This is a federal requirement under the Clean Air Act that no state law can waive. EPA 608 Universal (covering Type I, II, and III) is the most versatile credential for most HVAC roles.
Browse EPA 608 Universal jobs in NevadaNevada's State Contractors Board (NSCB) requires passing two separate PSI-administered exams: the Business and Law exam and the trade exam (C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning or C-1 Plumbing and Heating). Both require a 75% passing score — a meaningfully higher bar than most states. The combined exam fee is $140 for the B&L plus the first trade exam; additional trade exams cost $95 each. Nevada licenses only the contracting business, not individual technicians — a technician employed by a licensed Nevada contractor needs no personal state HVAC license. Renewal is every two years at $600. The state's geography spans Las Vegas's extreme hot-dry desert (regularly exceeding 115°F) and Reno's high-altitude climate with genuine cold winters, so both cooling and heating system knowledge matter.
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Last verified: 2026 · Always confirm current requirements with your state licensing board before starting work or submitting an application.
Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB)
Visit official board websiteApproximate first-attempt pass rate: ~60% first-attempt pass rate; the 75% threshold and dual-exam requirement contribute to a lower initial success rate than neighboring states
