Hiring Guide March 10, 2026 6 min read

Denver HVAC License Requirements: What to Check Before You Hire

A heat pump is a $10,000–$18,000 investment. The most important thing you can do before signing a contract is verify the contractor is properly licensed and insured. Here's exactly what that means in Denver.

Colorado Has No Statewide HVAC License

This surprises many homeowners. Unlike some trades, HVAC contractor licensing in Colorado is handled at the city and county level — not by the state. There is no Colorado Department of HVAC that you can check a license against.

For Denver, the licensing authority is Denver Community Planning and Development. HVAC contractors working in Denver need a valid city-issued license.

Denver HVAC License Types

Denver issues several HVAC license categories. For residential heat pump installation, you want a contractor with a Class A Supervisor license (the highest level) or a licensed Class A Supervisor overseeing the work. The license classes are:

HVAC Class A Supervisor — Full scope residential and commercial. This is what you want.
HVAC Class B Supervisor — Residential only, limited scope.
HVAC Journeyman — Can perform work under a licensed supervisor, not independently.

EPA Section 608 Certification

In addition to the Denver city license, any technician who handles refrigerants — which every heat pump technician does — must hold an EPA Section 608 certification. This is a federal requirement, not state or city. A "Universal" 608 certification covers all refrigerant types.

This is separate from the HVAC license and worth asking about specifically.

Insurance: What's Required

Before any work begins, your contractor should provide current certificates of:

General Liability Insurance — Covers damage to your property during the job
Workers' Compensation Insurance — Covers injuries to workers on your property

Ask for the certificates, not just a verbal confirmation. Certificates are one-page documents that show coverage amounts and expiration dates. Check the expiration date.

Watch out: Some contractors carry insurance but let policies lapse between renewals. Always check the date on the certificate, not just that one exists.

✅ Pre-Hire Checklist

✓Ask for their Denver HVAC license number and verify it with Denver Community Planning and Development

✓Confirm the license class is Class A Supervisor for full residential scope

✓Ask if technicians hold EPA Section 608 Universal certification

✓Request current general liability insurance certificate — check expiration date

✓Request current workers' comp certificate — check expiration date

✓Check Google, Yelp, or BBB reviews — minimum 4.5 stars

✓Confirm they are Xcel-registered if you want the utility rebate

Why This Matters for Rebates Too

Xcel Energy's heat pump rebates require work to be done by an Xcel-approved contractor. Colorado's HEAR program requires registered contractors. If you hire an unlicensed or unregistered company to save money upfront, you lose access to thousands of dollars in rebates.

Licensing isn't just about safety — it's directly tied to your ability to claim incentives.

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