Current Master Restricted Air Conditioning format: the PSI examination contains 50 questions, a two-hour time limit, and a 70% passing score. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning is the largest domain with 20 questions, followed by Electrical Knowledge, Motors and Controls with 15 questions.
What Is the Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Contractor Exam?
The Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning examination is a specialty HVACR contractor licensing exam administered through PSI for the Maryland State Board of HVACR Contractors. It focuses on air conditioning work instead of the full range of heating, ventilation, refrigeration and hydronic specialties covered by an unrestricted Master HVACR Contractor license.
The Master Restricted Air Conditioning license carries contractor-level responsibility within the approved specialty. Candidates should prepare for system theory, refrigeration, equipment sizing, installation, troubleshooting, motors, controls, piping and construction safety.
Exam answer: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing score and open-book testing.
Important distinction: the unrestricted Maryland Master HVACR Contractor examination has 100 questions and a four-hour limit. The Master Restricted Air Conditioning examination is a separate 50-question specialty exam.
The current blueprint puts 40% of the exam into Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Electrical Knowledge, Motors and Controls adds another 30%. Together those two subjects account for 35 of the 50 exam questions.
This page combines 2 primary authority groups and 3 visible secondary research groups, with additional competitor research used internally for study-topic discovery. Current Maryland Board and PSI requirements control whenever commercial exam-prep information conflicts.
Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Exam Domains
Match your Maryland air conditioning contractor exam prep time to the current 50-question PSI content outline.
| Exam Area | What to Study | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | Refrigeration theory, refrigerants, equipment sizing and design, components, equipment installation, system operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, testing, balancing, ventilation requirements, plans and symbols | 20 |
| Electrical Knowledge, Motors and Controls | AC and DC circuits, electrical fundamentals, electric motors, HVACR controls, control logic and equipment operation | 15 |
| Piping | Blueprints, schematics, materials, installation requirements, joints, connections, hangers, supports, valves, fittings, testing, troubleshooting and piping insulation | 10 |
| Safety | Scaffolds, ventilation, PPE, safety training, toxic materials, signs, barricades, SDS requirements, material handling, fall protection, tools, ladders and contractor responsibilities | 5 |
Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Exam Breakdown
Master Restricted AC Exam 50 questions | 2 hours | 70% to pass
Testing Provider PSI Examination Services
Licensing Authority Maryland State Board of HVACR Contractors
Exam Format Open book
Largest Topic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | 20 questions
Electrical, Motors and Controls 15 questions
Piping 10 questions
Safety 5 questions
Standard Eligibility Path 3 years in an approved Maryland HVACR license level plus qualifying supervised work and 1,875 hours before applying
Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Contractor Licensing Path
Maryland's Master Restricted HVACR license is specialty-based. For this page, the target specialty is Air Conditioning. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements before PSI approves them to sit for the examination.
Standard experience pathway: be licensed and regularly employed as a Maryland Journeyman, Limited Contractor or Master Restricted Contractor for at least three years.
Supervised experience: qualifying services must be performed under the direction and control of a licensed Maryland Master Contractor or a Master Restricted Contractor in the specialty being pursued.
Recent work requirement: the standard pathway requires at least 1,875 hours of HVACR employment before applying to take the examination.
Alternative pathway: an applicant who does not meet the standard pathway may seek eligibility by documenting at least six years of qualifying HVACR experience.
Insurance: when the contractor insurance requirement applies, Maryland requires at least $300,000 in general liability coverage and $100,000 in property damage liability coverage, with at least $400,000 combined per occurrence.
What Is on the Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Exam?
Each bar is scaled against Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, the largest 20-question category.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 20 questions
Electrical Knowledge, Motors and Controls 15 questions
Piping 10 questions
Safety 5 questions
Current Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Exam References
The current PSI bulletin lists four reference groups for the Master Restricted Air Conditioning examination. Confirm the current candidate bulletin before test day because approved editions can change.
| Reference | Primary Use | Current PSI Listing |
|---|---|---|
| International Mechanical Code | Mechanical-system requirements, installation concepts, definitions and code-compliance questions | 2012 or 2018 Edition |
| Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | Refrigeration theory, air conditioning, components, motors, controls, installation and troubleshooting | 19th, 20th or 21st Edition |
| ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation | Residential cooling-load calculations, sizing workflow, system-design concepts and equipment selection | 2006, Eighth Edition |
| Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 | Construction safety, PPE, ladders, fall protection, hazard recognition and contractor safety responsibilities | Latest available amendments or PSI selections version |
Your Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Licensing Roadmap
Confirm your restricted specialty, document qualifying experience, apply through PSI, prepare the approved books, pass the examination and complete Maryland contractor licensing requirements.
1
Confirm the Air Conditioning specialty
Make sure Master Restricted Air Conditioning matches the HVACR scope you want to perform. Maryland treats restricted specialties separately from the unrestricted Master HVACR license.
2
Verify your license history and experience
Document the Maryland HVACR license history, supervised employment and qualifying hours required for the Master Restricted pathway.
3
Apply for PSI examination eligibility
Submit the required application and supporting documentation. PSI reviews eligibility before a candidate can register for the exam.
4
Prepare the approved reference books
Practice with the exact reference editions permitted by the current PSI bulletin and organize them for efficient open-book navigation.
5
Prepare with targeted contractor exam prep
Prioritize Refrigeration and Air Conditioning first, then Electrical Knowledge, Motors and Controls, Piping and Safety.
6
Take the PSI examination
Complete the 50-question open-book examination within two hours and meet the current 70% passing requirement.
7
Complete final contractor licensing requirements
After passing, complete the Maryland HVACR Board licensing process and submit insurance documentation when the contractor insurance requirement applies.
Six-Week Maryland Air Conditioning Contractor Exam Prep Plan
Week 1
Blueprint and References
- Review all four exam domains
- Organize approved references
- Practice indexes and headings
- Take a diagnostic practice exam
Week 2
Refrigeration Fundamentals
- Refrigeration theory
- Refrigerants
- Equipment components
- System operating principles
Week 3
Air Conditioning Systems
- Equipment sizing and design
- Manual J workflow
- Equipment installation
- Troubleshooting and maintenance
Week 4
Electrical, Motors and Controls
- AC and DC circuits
- Electric motors
- HVACR controls
- Control troubleshooting
Week 5
Piping and Safety
- Piping materials and installation
- Valves and fittings
- Testing and insulation
- OSHA construction safety
Week 6
Timed Simulation
- 50-question practice exams
- Two-hour pacing
- Reference-selection drills
- Final weak-area review
Maryland Open-Book Air Conditioning Contractor Exam Prep Strategy
Do this during exam prep
- Practice with PSI-approved reference editions
- Learn which book matches each major topic
- Highlight and underline permitted reference material
- Use qualifying permanent tabs where permitted
- Practice Manual J and HVACR troubleshooting questions
- Complete full two-hour practice exams
Avoid these mistakes
- Bringing study guides into the exam room
- Writing notes inside exam-room references
- Using removable Post-it style tabs
- Adding loose or attached papers to references
- Using an unapproved book edition
- Assuming open book means easy
Open-book strategy: identify the topic first, choose the correct reference before you start searching, locate the governing rule, formula or system concept, check any conditions that change the answer, then move on. With 50 questions in 120 minutes, you average about 2.4 minutes per question.
Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Exam Prep Options
Live Virtual and Self-Study Training
Instructor-Guided Contractor Exam Prep
- Air conditioning contractor study structure
- Live virtual instruction
- Self-study support
- Reference-navigation preparation
- HVACR exam strategy
Online Air Conditioning Exam Prep Course
Flexible Online Exam Prep
- Mechanical code concepts
- Refrigeration and AC fundamentals
- Manual J sizing workflow
- OSHA safety review
- Open-book navigation practice
Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package
Reference-Navigation Exam Prep
- Air conditioning exam references
- Highlighted study locations
- Permanent navigation tabs
- Faster open-book practice
- Reference-based study support
Reference-edition reminder: some current study packages use newer editions, including a newer edition of Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. The currently posted PSI bulletin lists specific permitted exam-room editions. Use newer books for learning when helpful, but confirm that every book you plan to bring is allowed before exam day.
Master Restricted Air Conditioning Is a Specialty Contractor License
Maryland's Master Restricted license allows contractor-level work within the specialty or specialties approved on the license. An Air Conditioning restriction should not be treated as authority for every type of HVACR work.
· Restricted Air Conditioning exam: 50 questions
· Two-hour testing limit
· 70% minimum passing score
· Open-book PSI examination
· Air Conditioning is the approved specialty covered by this exam
· Ventilation and forced-air heating work can require additional HVACR authority
Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
Maryland Master Restricted Air Conditioning Exam Basics
The current PSI examination contains 50 questions.
Candidates currently receive 120 minutes, or two hours.
The current minimum passing score is 70 percent.
Yes. The current PSI examination is open book and candidates must bring permitted reference books.
PSI Examination Services administers testing for the Maryland State Board of HVACR Contractors.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning is the largest current category with 20 questions.
Electrical Knowledge, Motors and Controls accounts for 15 questions.
Piping accounts for 10 questions.
Safety accounts for 5 questions.
The current PSI bulletin lists the International Mechanical Code 2012 or 2018, Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 19th, 20th or 21st edition, ACCA Manual J Eighth Edition, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 or the PSI selections version.
Yes. Permitted references may be indexed, highlighted and underlined. PSI permits qualifying permanent tabs but does not permit removable Post-it style tabs.
No. The current PSI bulletin states that exam-room references must be unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers.
No. The current PSI rules allow listed reference books but do not allow study guides in the testing room.
Maryland Contractor Licensing and Scope
The standard pathway requires at least three years as a Maryland Journeyman, Limited Contractor or Master Restricted Contractor, qualifying work under the direction and control of an appropriately licensed Master or Master Restricted Contractor, and at least 1,875 hours of HVACR employment before applying. An alternative pathway may use at least six years of qualifying HVACR experience.
When the insurance requirement applies, Maryland requires at least $300,000 in general liability coverage and $100,000 in property damage liability coverage, with at least $400,000 combined per occurrence.
The Master Restricted Air Conditioning license authorizes work within the approved air conditioning specialty. Other HVACR specialties can require separate authority.
Current Board guidance states that ventilation and duct work requires a Master HVACR license or a Master Restricted Ventilation license. An air conditioning restriction by itself does not provide that ventilation scope.
Current Board guidance identifies a Master HVACR contractor or Master Restricted Forced Air contractor as the appropriate HVACR license for gas furnace work, with a licensed plumber or gas fitter required for the gas apparatus and connection.
The currently posted PSI bulletin lists the 19th, 20th or 21st editions for the restricted air conditioning exam. A newer edition may be useful for study, but candidates should bring only editions permitted by the current exam bulletin.
Yes. Timed practice helps improve HVACR knowledge, reference selection, calculation accuracy and pacing for the two-hour examination.
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