Current PSI Class I blueprint: 100 scored questions plus 20 pretest questions, 3½ hours for the Class I portion, and a minimum final scaled score of 70. System Design alone accounts for 55 scored questions.
What Is the Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Class I Exam?
Georgia's Class I Conditioned Air Contractor license is the restricted conditioned-air contractor credential regulated by the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board's Division of Conditioned Air Contractors.
The Class I exam focuses on the real work of an HVAC contractor: sizing systems, calculating loads, designing ducts, selecting equipment, installing systems, troubleshooting equipment, complying with codes, and managing contractor responsibilities.
Current exam answer: PSI lists 100 scored questions plus 20 beta or pretest questions. The Class I portion allows 3½ hours and requires a final scaled score of 70.
Class I is restricted to systems not exceeding 175,000 BTU of heating capacity and 60,000 BTU of cooling capacity.
Georgia Conditioned Air Class I Exam Domains
Match your contractor exam prep time to the 100 scored-question PSI blueprint.
| PSI Exam Area | What to Study | Scored Questions |
|---|---|---|
| System Design | Load calculations, airflow, equipment selection, Manual J, Manual D, duct layout, combustion air, refrigerant piping, fuel piping and electrical service | 55 |
| Installation | Equipment installation, ducts, gas piping, refrigerant piping, flues, condensate, controls and field installation procedures | 25 |
| Maintain and Repair System | Refrigerant charging, leak testing, compressors, thermostats, motors, ignition systems, controls and troubleshooting | 12 |
| Regulations, Laws and Administration | Permits, OSHA, licensing, contracts, insurance, bookkeeping, scheduling, taxes, lien rights and project management | 8 |
Research Authority and Verification Snapshot
The exam and licensing details used on this page prioritize official Georgia and PSI information. Competitive prep providers were used for supporting content-gap, study-method and keyword research.
| Verified Point | Authority Status | Controlling Source |
|---|---|---|
| 100 scored + 20 pretest questions | Primary-source verified | PSI Candidate Information Handbook |
| 3½-hour Class I testing period | Primary-source verified | PSI |
| Class I capacity limits | Primary-source verified | Georgia Board / Georgia Rules |
| 55-question System Design category | Primary-source verified | PSI |
| 2024 Georgia Mechanical and Gas Codes | Primary-source verified | PSI reference list |
| Board approval before testing | Primary-source verified | Georgia Secretary of State |
Authority-count note: this page uses three controlling primary-authority groups: Georgia licensing information, Georgia administrative rules, and the PSI examination handbook. Private Search Console impressions, proprietary Domain Authority scores and private backlink counts are not publicly verifiable and are not fabricated here.
Georgia Class I Restricted Contractor Exam Breakdown
The Georgia licensing path combines Board eligibility, PSI examination approval, HVAC design expertise, open-book reference navigation, installation knowledge, service experience and contractor administration.
Class I Exam 100 scored questions + 20 pretest questions
Testing Time 3½ hours for the Class I portion
Passing Requirement Minimum final scaled score of 70
Testing Provider PSI
Licensing Authority Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors
Largest Topic System Design | 55 scored questions
Heating Limit Systems not exceeding 175,000 BTU
Cooling Limit Systems not exceeding 60,000 BTU
2026 Code References 2024 Georgia Mechanical Code and 2024 Georgia Gas Code beginning May 1, 2026
Practice like the real PSI exam. Train with the approved reference books during timed study so code lookup, Manual J, Manual D, duct calculations and equipment selection become part of your normal exam routine.
Prioritize System Design. It contains 55% of the scored examination.
Know Manual J and Manual D. Load calculations and duct design are central parts of Class I prep.
Know the current Georgia codes. Beginning May 1, 2026, PSI states that the exam uses only the 2024 Georgia Mechanical Code and 2024 Georgia Gas Code.
HVAC Load Calculations, Airflow and Duct Design
The Class I exam rewards candidates who can move from building conditions to load calculations, airflow requirements, equipment selection and duct-system design without getting lost between references.
Simplified study illustration for Georgia Class I HVAC design exam prep.
Build a repeatable design workflow: determine the job conditions, calculate heating and cooling loads, determine airflow, select equipment, size registers, lay out ducts, check combustion-air requirements and verify electrical service.
- System Design: 55 scored questions
- Manual J: residential heating and cooling loads
- Manual D: residential duct design
- Mechanical Code: equipment and installation requirements
- Gas Code: piping, venting and combustion air
Your Georgia Class I Contractor Licensing Roadmap
Seven steps take you from Class I eligibility through Board approval, PSI testing and licensure.
1
Confirm Class I experience requirements
Verify the required residential installation, service, supervision, EPA certification and approved load/duct-design training.
2
Gather application documentation
Prepare professional references, experience documentation, background information, EPA certification and required Manual J and Manual D training documentation.
3
Apply for Board approval
Georgia requires Board approval before you can schedule the Conditioned Air Contractor examination.
4
Study the PSI blueprint
Give the largest share of study time to System Design, then Installation, Maintain and Repair, and contractor regulations.
5
Prepare the reference books
Practice with Manual J, Manual D, the current Georgia codes, NEC requirements, HVAC technical references and business-law material.
6
Complete timed contractor exam prep
Practice under a 3½-hour Class I testing limit with mixed design, installation and service questions.
7
Take the PSI exam and complete licensing
Follow the current Georgia Board process after receiving your examination results.
What Is on the Georgia Conditioned Air Class I Exam?
Each bar is scaled against the 55-question System Design category.
System Design 55 questions
Installation 25 questions
Maintain and Repair System 12 questions
Regulations, Laws and Administrative Functions 8 questions
Georgia Conditioned Air Class I Exam References
Verify the newest PSI reference list before testing. Beginning May 1, 2026, PSI states that the examination uses only the 2024 Georgia Mechanical Code and 2024 Georgia Gas Code for those code references.
| Reference | Primary Exam Use | Study Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Georgia Mechanical Code | Mechanical systems, equipment, ducts, ventilation and installation | High |
| 2024 Georgia Gas Code | Fuel-gas piping, venting, appliances and combustion air | High |
| ACCA Manual J | Residential heating and cooling load calculations | High |
| ACCA Manual D | Residential duct design and airflow | High |
| Georgia State Electrical Code / 2023 NEC | HVAC electrical systems and equipment requirements | High |
| HVAC Technical Text | Refrigeration, service, equipment and troubleshooting | High |
| Georgia Contractors Guide | Business law, administration, contracts and project management | Medium |
| OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 | Construction and workplace safety | Medium |
| Carrier System Design Manuals | HVAC system design and engineering reference | Medium |
How to Prepare for the Open-Book Georgia HVAC Exam
Winning reference habits
- Practice with the current PSI-listed reference books
- Learn the index and table structure of every major code
- Use permanent tabs where current PSI rules permit them
- Practice Manual J calculations before exam day
- Practice Manual D and ductulator calculations
- Run full timed 3½-hour Class I simulations
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Studying from outdated Georgia code editions
- Assuming seven hours applies only to the Class I portion
- Ignoring business-law and administrative questions
- Trying Manual J for the first time during the exam
- Memorizing practice answers instead of learning references
- Spending equal time on every category despite PSI weighting
Georgia Class I Restricted vs Class II Unrestricted
Class I is Georgia's restricted Conditioned Air Contractor license. Class II is unrestricted.
Class I covers systems that do not exceed 175,000 BTU of heating or 60,000 BTU of cooling. Candidates whose contracting work requires larger commercial or unrestricted systems should review the Class II licensing path instead.
Choose the license classification first, then make sure your contractor exam prep, reference books and application experience match that classification.
Georgia Class I Licensing Preparation
Class I Applicant
Licensing Preparation
- Document qualifying conditioned-air experience
- Complete required professional references
- Maintain required EPA certification
- Complete approved heat-loss/gain and duct-design training
- Submit required Georgia application documentation
PSI Exam Candidate
Exam Prep Focus
- 100 scored questions
- 20 beta or pretest questions
- 3½-hour Class I testing period
- 55 System Design questions
- Open-book reference navigation
Contractor Skill Set
Field and Business Knowledge
- Load calculations and equipment selection
- Duct design and airflow
- Mechanical, gas and electrical codes
- Troubleshooting and repair
- Contracts, scheduling and business administration
Six-Week Georgia Class I Contractor Exam Prep Plan
Put the most study time where PSI puts the most scored questions.
Week 1
Blueprint and References
- Review PSI categories
- Organize permitted books
- Take a diagnostic test
- Start an error log
Week 2
Manual J and Loads
- Heating loads
- Cooling loads
- Building conditions
- Equipment selection
Week 3
Manual D and Airflow
- Duct sizing
- Airflow
- Static pressure
- Registers and returns
Week 4
Codes and Installation
- 2024 Georgia Mechanical Code
- 2024 Georgia Gas Code
- 2023 NEC
- Installation requirements
Week 5
Service and Contractor Rules
- Refrigeration
- Controls and motors
- Troubleshooting
- Business law and OSHA
Week 6
Simulation
- Full mixed-topic practice
- 3½-hour pacing
- Weak-area review
- Final reference check
How Hard Is the Georgia Conditioned Air Class I Exam?
The exam is challenging because it combines field knowledge, code lookup, load calculations, duct design, mechanical systems, fuel gas, electrical work, refrigeration, service, business law and time management.
The biggest mistake is treating the test like a simple HVAC troubleshooting exam. More than half of the scored questions are in System Design.
Georgia Class I Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Follow current PSI check-in instructions
- Bring required identification
- Bring only permitted reference materials
- Know where major Manual J and Manual D procedures are located
- Know the current Georgia Mechanical and Gas Codes
- Manage time against the 3½-hour Class I limit
Do not do this
- Rely on an old 2018-only code list
- Assume every question is scored
- Ignore business-law questions
- Spend too long on one Manual J calculation
- Bring unapproved reference materials
- Wait until exam day to learn your duct calculator
Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Class I Exam Prep Options
Class I Online Course
Structured Contractor Exam Prep
- Georgia Class I exam topics
- System Design review
- HVAC calculations
- Reference navigation
- Exam strategy
Ultimate Exam Prep Package
Complete Class I Prep
- Reference-focused preparation
- Book-navigation practice
- Manual J and Manual D support
- Calculation review
- Practice exam preparation
Contractor Study Strategy
PSI-Focused Review
- 55-question System Design priority
- Installation review
- Service and troubleshooting
- Business and regulations
- Timed exam simulations
Choose the Correct Georgia Conditioned Air License
Class I is the restricted Conditioned Air Contractor license. Class II is unrestricted.
· Class I: up to 175,000 BTU heating
· Class I: up to 60,000 BTU cooling
· Board approval is required before PSI testing
· System Design is the largest scored exam category
Choose the license first, then prepare for the exact PSI blueprint and reference list.
Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Class I Exam Prep FAQ
Georgia Class I Exam Basics
PSI currently lists 100 scored questions plus 20 beta or pretest questions, giving candidates 120 questions in the Class I testing session.
PSI currently allows 3½ hours for the Class I portion. Seven hours refers to both examination parts together.
The current PSI handbook lists a minimum final scaled score of 70.
Yes. Candidates may use the reference materials identified on the PSI reference list and must follow PSI testing rules.
Class I is restricted to conditioned-air systems or equipment not exceeding 175,000 BTU of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling.
System Design is the largest category with 55 scored questions.
Installation accounts for 25 scored questions.
Maintain and Repair System accounts for 12 scored questions.
Regulations, Laws and Administrative Functions account for 8 scored questions.
Codes, References and HVAC Calculations
PSI states that beginning May 1, 2026 the exam is based only on the 2024 Georgia Mechanical Code with Georgia amendments.
PSI states that beginning May 1, 2026 the exam is based only on the 2024 Georgia Gas Code with Georgia amendments.
The current PSI reference list includes the Georgia State Electrical Code based on the 2023 National Electrical Code or NEC Handbook.
Yes. Manual J is a listed PSI reference for residential heating and cooling load calculations and supports the heavily weighted System Design category.
Yes. Manual D is a listed PSI reference covering residential duct design, airflow and duct-sizing work.
Yes. Georgia requires the Board to approve applicants before PSI examination scheduling.
Georgia rules require an applicant who fails twice to provide documentation of a Board-approved review course before being scheduled for a third examination.
Yes. Timed practice helps improve code navigation, Manual J and Manual D speed, HVAC calculations, topic recall and exam pacing.
Start with System Design because it contains 55 of the 100 scored questions. Then move into Installation, Maintain and Repair, and Regulations and Administration.
Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Class I Exam Prep Video
Explore Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Use current Georgia Board and PSI information together with structured contractor exam prep.
Ready to Prepare for the Georgia Conditioned Air Class I Exam?
Build Manual J load-calculation skill, Manual D duct-design speed, mechanical-code knowledge, gas-code navigation, installation knowledge, troubleshooting ability and full-length testing endurance for the Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Class I Restricted exam.
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Georgia Class I Contractor Exam Prep
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