HVAC Contractor Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

2. EPA Section 608 Certification (for refrigerants)

   Technicians who purchase, recover, or handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification. Required by federal law regardless of state.

   Official government source

   $20–$100 (exam)·1–2 days

   $20–$100 (exam)

   1–2 days

1. West Virginia Division of Labor — HVAC Technician Certification

   Individuals performing HVAC work in West Virginia must hold an HVAC Technician Certification from the WV Division of Labor (WV Code §21-16). The business itself must separately hold a Heating, Ventilating and Cooling contractor license from the independent WV Contractor Licensing Board once a job exceeds $5,000 residential or $25,000 commercial. EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for handling refrigerant.

   Official government source

   $75 HVAC Technician, $50 HVAC Residential Technician, or $25 HVAC Technician in Training (same fee initial and renewal); WV Contractor Licensing Board contractor license is $90/year (statutory cap $150)·4–8 weeks

   $75 HVAC Technician, $50 HVAC Residential Technician, or $25 HVAC Technician in Training (same fee initial and renewal); WV Contractor Licensing Board contractor license is $90/year (statutory cap $150)

   4–8 weeks

2. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

3. City of Charleston Mechanical (HVAC) Permit (per project)

   A mechanical/HVAC permit must be obtained from the City of Charleston Building Department (915 Quarrier St, Suite 5; 304-348-6833) for each installation or major repair, with inspections required. Combo, split and package units are counted as two separate units. Projects over $10,000 require a copy of the executed contract. Working without a permit draws a minimum $100 penalty or double the normal fee, whichever is greater, plus at least a 3-month city license suspension. HVAC contractors must also hold a City of Charleston Contractor's License ($90/year) and register for the 2% contracting B&O tax.

   Official government source

   Itemized per equipment: $15.00 new or replacement furnace/air handler; heat pump $15.00 (1–2 tons), $25.00 (3–4 tons), $35.00 (5+ tons, plus $5.00 per ton over 7); air conditioning $15.00 (24,001–59,000 BTU), $20.00 (60,000–99,999 BTU), $25.00 (100,000+ BTU plus $1.00 per ton over); exhaust vent/flue/VAV box $5.00; diffusers and grilles $0.50 each. Duct and refrigeration work billed per the Building Permit Schedule of Fees.·1–5 business days

   Itemized per equipment: $15.00 new or replacement furnace/air handler; heat pump $15.00 (1–2 tons), $25.00 (3–4 tons), $35.00 (5+ tons, plus $5.00 per ton over 7); air conditioning $15.00 (24,001–59,000 BTU), $20.00 (60,000–99,999 BTU), $25.00 (100,000+ BTU plus $1.00 per ton over); exhaust vent/flue/VAV box $5.00; diffusers and grilles $0.50 each. Duct and refrigeration work billed per the Building Permit Schedule of Fees.

   1–5 business days

Official Sources

• West Virginia Division of Labor — HVAC Contractor License
• City of Charleston Business License Division

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