Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not provide, attempt to provide, or offer to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services unless issued a master license by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not assist, attempt to assist, or offer to assist in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services unless issued a master restricted license by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not exclusively maintain or repair heating systems, cooling systems, refrigeration systems, ventilation systems, or hydronic systems in the State unless issued a limited license by the Board.

This subsection does not apply to a person who: sells construction materials other than materials involved in the installation of heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration equipment; and derives less than 25% of the person’s revenues from the sale of heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration equipment. A person may not knowingly sell or offer to sell heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration equipment to another person, unless the individual purchasing the equipment: holds a master license, a master restricted license, or a limited license or employs an individual who holds a master license, a master restricted license, or a limited license issued by the Board to provide or assist in providing heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration services; operates a business that resells heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration equipment to individuals licensed by the Board; or is not required to be licensed under § 9A–103 of this title. A person that sells heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration equipment shall, at the time of sale, provide a written notice to the individual purchasing the equipment that contains information prescribed by the Board regarding the requirement that an individual be licensed by the Board before providing or assisting in providing heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration services in the State, including the installation of heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration equipment. On or before January 1, 2026, the Board shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.

Except as otherwise provided in this title, a holder of a master, master restricted, or limited heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, and refrigeration license, or other person who engages in the business of providing heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration services, may not employ an individual to provide or assist in providing heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration services unless the individual is licensed by the Board. A person may not employ an individual to provide or assist in providing heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration services under a public work contract subject to Title 17, Subtitle 2 of the State Finance and Procurement Article unless the individual is licensed by the Board. A person may not classify an employee under a public work contract subject to Title 17, Subtitle 2 of the State Finance and Procurement Article who is licensed under this title at a specific work classification that is higher than the employee’s license type.

Except as otherwise provided in this title, regardless of whether a person is engaged in the business of providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services, the person may not knowingly employ an individual to provide or assist in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services in the State unless the individual is licensed by the Board.

Unless licensed to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under this title, a person may not represent to the public by use of the titles “heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration license holder”, “registered heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor”, by other title, or by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the person is licensed to provide or to assist in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services.

In this section, “officer” includes a superintendent, manager, or agent of a corporation regardless of whether the corporation provides heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, or refrigeration services. Any person, including an officer, who violates § 9A–501, § 9A–502, § 9A–503, or § 9A–504 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both and, on a second or subsequent conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both. Any person, including an officer, who violates § 9A–501.1 of this subtitle is subject to: for a first violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000; and for a second or subsequent violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000. Any person who violates any provision of § 9A–402 of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both. Except as otherwise provided by this title, the Board may impose on a person who violates any provision of this title a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation. In setting the amount of the penalty, the Board shall consider: the seriousness of the violation; the harm caused by the violation; the good faith of the violator; any history of previous violations by the violator; and any other relevant factors. The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this subsection into the General Fund of the State.

Any subdivision of the State which required a local license to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services on or before January 1, 1990 may continue to require a local license for services performed within that subdivision. A subdivision of the State which requires a local license to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services may not discriminate against applicants who are not residents of the subdivision. A subdivision of the State which requires a local license to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services shall issue a local license to any individual licensed by the Board on receipt from the individual of any application and fee required by the subdivision of the State. A subdivision of the State may not require an applicant for a local license to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services to take an examination if the applicant is licensed by the Board. In the event that any subdivision which requires a local license discontinues that requirement after the effective date of this Act, that subdivision may not thereafter adopt a license requirement. A State license is required to provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services anywhere within the State, whether or not the individual holds a local license.