Who requires it
Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors
License & permit · Alabama
Alabama Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractor Bond
Active Alabama heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors file a $20,000 bond with the Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. Board Form BF-1 names the Board and lets you check heating/air conditioning, refrigeration, or both on one bond.
Common bond amount
$20,000
Fixed Board bond for active status; inactive certifications need no bond.
How you file
File Board Form BF-1 with the HVAC/refrigeration Board
Renewal
Annual active renewal; Board may require current bond proof
Who requires it
Contractors seeking or holding active Board certification to install, service, or repair heating, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration equipment. Inactive certifications that do not authorize field work do not carry this bond requirement.
How much is required
Ala. Admin. Code r. 440-X-3-.04 establishes a fixed $20,000 bond for new heating and air conditioning or refrigeration contractor applicants. The Board’s licensing page and Form BF-1 use the same $20,000 amount for active status.
How to get and file it
Have an authorized surety complete Form BF-1 in the business name that will appear on the active certification, naming the Board and checking the correct trade boxes. Upload the executed bond with your online profile or mail it with Forms AL-1 and AL-2 as the Board directs for paper filings. Active certifications renew annually; the Board may require current proof of the bond at renewal. Keep the business name on the bond aligned with the license record whenever the firm changes its legal or trade name.
Cost note
Twenty thousand dollars is the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- $20,000
- Form
- Board Form BF-1 in the business name
- Status
- Required for active certification only
Official sources
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Do I need separate bonds for HVAC and refrigeration?
Usually no. Form BF-1 lets you check heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, or both on a single $20,000 Board bond for active status.
Is an inactive HACR certification bonded?
No. Inactive status is for individuals who are not performing installation, service, or repair; the Board does not require a performance bond for that status.
Related Alabama bond guides
Residential Roofer Bond
$10,000
Alabama’s residential roofers license—the Home Builders Licensure Board tier limited to roofing—requires a ten-thousand-dollar License/Permit Bond naming the Board. Unlimited and limited home builder licenses do not use this bond; they show financial responsibility with a credit report instead.
Master Plumber / Gas Fitter Bond
$2,000
Before working as a master plumber or master gas fitter in Alabama, you must post a $2,000 bond—cash or surety—with the judge of probate in the county where your principal place of business sits. The statute conditions the bond on plumbing and gas fitting work complying with applicable state and municipal requirements.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Continue with a Alabama application
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Last verified 2026-08-11. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
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