How to Verify an HVAC Contractor Is Licensed in Ontario

Before you let anyone touch your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump, you need to know one thing: in Ontario, HVAC contractors who work on gas appliances must hold valid certification from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Hiring someone without it isn't just risky — it can void your home insurance and leave you liable for any damage.

Why HVAC Licensing in Ontario Is Different From Other Trades

HVAC sits at the intersection of several regulatory bodies, which makes it one of the more complicated trades to verify. Here's the breakdown:

No single licence covers all of this. A legitimate HVAC company will be able to show you credentials across each applicable category without hesitation.

The Five Checks to Run Before You Hire

Don't rely on a business card or a website badge. Here's a practical checklist Ontario homeowners can run through in under 20 minutes.

1. Verify TSSA Gas Technician certification

Go to tssa.org and use the licence search tool. Enter the technician's name or licence number. Confirm the licence class (G1 or G2) and that it is currently active — not expired or suspended. Ask the company which technician will be on-site and verify that specific individual, not just the company name.

2. Confirm WSIB coverage

Request the contractor's WSIB Clearance Certificate. You can verify it yourself at wsib.ca using the certificate number. A valid certificate means the contractor's workers are covered if someone is injured on your property. Without it, you could be held responsible. This step applies to every trade, but it's especially important for HVAC work, where technicians often work in confined spaces like crawlspaces and mechanical rooms.

3. Ask about liability insurance

A reputable HVAC contractor carries general liability insurance — typically at least $2 million in Ontario. Ask for a certificate of insurance naming your address, and call the insurer to confirm it's active if you have any doubt.

4. Check for required permits

Most HVAC replacements and new installations in Ontario require a building permit from your municipality and, for gas work, a TSSA inspection. A contractor who tells you permits aren't necessary for a furnace replacement or heat pump install is either misinformed or cutting corners. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell your home or make an insurance claim.

5. Look at their Trust Index score

Before you call anyone, search the contractor on ProScore and check their Trust Index score. ProScore blends verified credentials, reputation signals, customer sentiment, and business transparency into a single score — shown publicly as a tier from Elite down to Caution. It's a fast way to see whether a company's track record lines up with what they're telling you on the phone. You can browse HVAC contractors across Ontario or search by city — for example, HVAC contractors in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, or London.

What HVAC Scams Look Like in Ontario

Ontario Provincial Police and consumer protection agencies have noted that contractor fraud — including HVAC scams — tends to spike in spring and summer. Common patterns to watch for:

The best defence is doing your verification before anyone sets foot in your home.

Heat Pumps and Rebates: Why Credentials Matter Even More Right Now

With Ontario homeowners increasingly looking at heat pumps to replace aging gas furnaces, the stakes around contractor credentials have gone up. Provincial and federal rebate programs — including the Home Retrofits program and federal energy efficiency incentives — require that equipment be installed by a qualified contractor to be eligible. If the technician isn't properly certified or the installation isn't inspected, you may not qualify for the rebate even if you bought an eligible unit.

Before committing to any heat pump installation:

A contractor who can't answer these questions clearly is not the right contractor for the job.

How the ProScore Trust Index Helps

Verifying credentials yourself is essential — but it only tells you whether a contractor is technically allowed to do the work. It doesn't tell you whether they actually do good work, respond to problems, or treat customers fairly.

That's the gap the ProScore Trust Index is built to fill. ProScore has scored 16,420+ contractors across 880+ Ontario cities, analyzing 40,000+ reviews and pulling from 10+ data sources covering 20+ trust signals. The result is a public score — from Elite to Caution — that reflects not just credentials, but real-world reputation and business transparency.

You can learn more about how the Trust Index works or browse all HVAC contractors to compare scores in your area before you call anyone.

For contractors: if your TSSA certification, insurance, and customer record are solid, your ProScore should reflect that. If you haven't claimed your profile yet, list your business on ProScore so homeowners can find and verify you.

FAQ

Do all HVAC contractors in Ontario need a TSSA licence?

Any technician performing work on gas appliances — including furnaces, boilers, and gas lines — must hold a valid TSSA Gas Technician licence (G1 or G2). Work on air conditioners and heat pumps that doesn't involve gas or refrigerant may not require TSSA certification, but refrigerant handling requires separate federal F-Gas certification. Always ask which licences apply to your specific job.

Can I verify an HVAC contractor's TSSA licence myself?

Yes. The TSSA maintains a public licence lookup at tssa.org. You can search by technician name or licence number and confirm whether the licence is active, what class it is, and whether there are any restrictions. It takes about two minutes and is worth doing before any gas work begins.

What happens if an unlicensed HVAC contractor does work on my home?

Beyond the safety risks, unlicensed gas work can void your homeowner's insurance policy if a claim arises from that work. Unpermitted installations can also create legal complications when you sell the property, as buyers' inspectors and lawyers will flag work that was done without required permits or inspections. In serious cases, you may be required to have the work removed and redone at your own expense.