ALASKA · hvac
Mechanical Administrator — Residential HVAC
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development — Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing →Scope of Work
The Mechanical Administrator license under AS 08.40 is the supervisory license that a contracting firm must have in its employ in order to perform mechanical work (HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, process piping) in Alaska. Mechanical Administrator categories issued by the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing include: Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping (HCPP); Mechanical Systems Temperature Control (CNTL); Residential HVAC (RHVC); Residential Plumbing and Hydronic Heating (RPHH); Unlimited Commercial and Industrial Plumbing (UCIP); Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal (UHVCS); and Unlimited Refrigeration (UR). Source: Alaska Mechanical Administrators (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/MechanicalAdministrators.aspx).
Two-Track Regulation
The Mechanical Administrator license is a supervisory credential only. It does not authorize the license holder to perform mechanical work that is otherwise governed by a Certificate of Fitness requirement. Individuals performing the mechanical work (where a CoF is required, such as plumbing, gas fitting, and refrigeration) hold a Certificate of Fitness issued by the Alaska Department of Labor's Mechanical Inspection Section (https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/mihome.htm).
Who Must Employ an Administrator
A construction contractor registered in Alaska that performs mechanical work within any of the Administrator scopes must have at least one Mechanical Administrator as an owner, officer, or full-time employee in each scope the firm works in. Source: Alaska Mechanical Administrators (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/MechanicalAdministrators.aspx).
Experience, Exam, and CE. Specific experience, examination, and continuing education requirements are set out in the Mechanical Administrator Statutes and Regulations (linked from the Mechanical Administrators program page). Applicants should download the current statutes and regulations PDF from the program page and verify experience, exam, and CE requirements before applying.
Applications and Renewal
Applications, renewals, and status changes are processed through the My License portal linked from the program page. License numbers contain either six numbers or four letters plus at least one number. Processing time for mailed renewal applications may take up to 4 to 6 weeks. Source: Alaska Mechanical Administrators (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/MechanicalAdministrators.aspx).
Construction Contractor Registration
Holding a Mechanical Administrator license does not by itself authorize the firm to contract for work. The business also needs an Alaska Construction Contractor registration (General, Residential, Specialty, Electrical, Mechanical, or Handyman category) administered by the Construction Contractors program. Handyman contractors are limited to an aggregate contract of $10,000 or less per project, including labor and materials. General contractors that oversee new home construction or perform residential work greater than 25% of the value of a structure being altered must obtain a Residential Contractor license. Source: Alaska Construction Contractors (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/ConstructionContractors.aspx).
EPA Section 608
HVAC technicians who work on equipment containing regulated refrigerants must hold a valid EPA Section 608 Technician Certification under 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F. EPA certification is a federal requirement separate from state licensure.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity is handled case-by-case through the Mechanical Administrators program. Confirm current reciprocity with the program directly before applying on the strength of an out-of-state credential.