Nebraska HVAC Regulatory and Licensing Guide 2026

Nebraska holds a unique position in American energy: it is the only state served entirely by publicly-owned utilities. The Nebraska Public Service Commission regulates natural gas utilities, telecommunications, grain warehouses, and transportation but does not regulate electricity rates since all electric utilities are public power districts, cooperatives, or municipal utilities. Nebraska does not require state-level HVAC licensing, instead deferring to local jurisdictions like Omaha and Lincoln. This guide provides comprehensive information for HVAC contractors operating in the Cornhusker State.

Nebraska Public Service Commission

The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) consists of five commissioners elected from five geographic districts on the partisan ballot for six-year staggered terms. The commission was established in its current form in 1972, with roots dating back to the Montana Railway Commission of 1885 and subsequent iterations including a state board of transportation and railway commission.

Current Commissioners (2025):

Commissioner Dan Watermeier represents District 1. Commissioner Christian Mirch represents District 2 and was appointed in January 2023 by Governor Jim Pillen after Crystal Rhoades was elected Douglas County Clerk of the District Court. Mirch's seat is up for election in November 2026 and represents the most Democratic-leaning district on the commission. Commissioner Tim Schram represents District 3 and serves as Chair. Commissioner Eric Kamler represents District 4. Commissioner Kevin Stocker represents District 5 and was appointed to the NARUC Gas Committee in October 2025. The commission currently consists of five Republican members.

The PSC regulates telecommunications carriers, natural gas jurisdictional utilities, major oil pipelines, railroad safety, household goods movers and passenger carriers, grain warehouses and dealers, construction of manufactured and modular homes and recreational vehicles, high voltage electric transmission lines, and private water company rates. The PSC does NOT regulate electric utility rates because Nebraska is served entirely by publicly-owned utilities.

Regulatory Environment 2026

Nebraska's energy landscape is defined by its 100% public power structure. The state has no investor-owned electric utilities, meaning electric rates are set by elected or appointed boards of public power districts, cooperatives, and municipal utilities rather than the PSC. This results in Nebraskans consistently paying some of the lowest electric rates in the nation.

Black Hills Energy Rate Case: On May 1, 2025, Black Hills Energy filed a rate review application with the PSC seeking $34.9 million in new annual revenue for its natural gas operations serving over 304,000 customers in more than 300 communities. The company operates over 8,700 miles of natural gas pipeline mains and over 1,300 miles of transmission pipeline. Since its last rate filing in 2020, Black Hills Energy has invested approximately $453 million in safety, reliability, and system integrity. The proposal would increase average residential bills by approximately $6.27 per month based on average usage of 54 therms. Interim rates took effect August 1, 2025, with a formal hearing held October 15, 2025. The PSC reached a stipulated settlement agreement for a $23.9 million rate increase, with the commission having until January 1, 2026 to make its final decision.

The PSC's Annual Cold Weather Rule began November 1, 2025, providing disconnection protections for natural gas customers during winter months. The commission also temporarily suspended an Omaha grain dealer's license in October 2025 as part of its grain warehouse oversight responsibilities.

Nebraska HVAC Licensing Requirements

State-Level Requirements

Nebraska does not require state-level HVAC licensing. The state does not mandate licenses for HVAC apprentices, technicians, or contractors. Instead, licensing requirements are established at the local level by individual cities and municipalities. All contractors doing business in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor regardless of trade.

Nebraska Contractor Registration Act: All contractors and subcontractors doing business in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor. Registration is $25-$40 annually and does not require testing or proof of experience. Contractors with one or more employees must provide a current Workers' Compensation Certificate of Insurance (ACORD 25) with the Department of Labor listed as certificate holder. If a contractor's insurance coverage expires, they will be removed from the list of registered contractors until an updated certificate is filed. Each contractor doing business under more than one name must obtain a separate registration number for each business name.

Omaha Licensing Requirements

The City of Omaha Planning Department Air Conditioning/Air Distribution (ACAD) Board oversees local HVAC licensing. Omaha requires one of several types of Air Control and Distribution licenses to perform HVAC work:

ACAD Apprentice License: Required to perform installation work under the supervision of a journeyman or master licensee. Employment with a master ACAD contractor is required and must be verified to obtain the license.

ACAD Journeyman License (Commercial and Residential): Required for independent work in the applicable job category; must still be employed by a licensed contractor. Requires 5 years related experience OR 4 years experience as a licensed apprentice. Up to 2 years experience may be credited from a post-secondary HVAC education program or NATE Core installation certifications. Commercial license required for commercial property work, residential license for residential work.

ACAD Master/Contractor License: Required to bid and administrate jobs involving installing or servicing HVAC systems. Divided into commercial/residential specializations. Requires 8 years experience OR 4 years experience as a licensed journeyman.

Renewal and Continuing Education: ACAD Master license renewal is $50 with 4 continuing education hours required. ACAD Journeyman renewal is $35 with 4 continuing education hours. All licenses expire December 31 each year with $30 annual renewal fee for registrations.

Reciprocity: Omaha has reciprocal licensing agreements with the city of Bellevue and the state of Iowa. Omaha may waive exam requirements for license holders from other states or municipalities who can demonstrate their initial licensing exam was equal to the Omaha exam.

Lincoln Licensing Requirements

The City of Lincoln Department of Building and Safety issues HVAC licenses. Candidates can pursue apprentice license, journeyman mechanical technician license, or master mechanical contractor license.

Apprentice Registration: Register apprenticeship with the City of Lincoln. Apprentices need to demonstrate three years of work experience to become eligible for journeyman level. No fee to register as apprentice.

Journeyman Mechanical Technician License: After completing required apprentice training, candidates apply via VisualVault. $15 registration fee plus $100 examination fee. Exam covers Lincoln Fuel Gas Code, Lincoln Gas Piping Code, and International Code Council requirements.

Master Mechanical Contractor License: Permits the licensee to own an HVAC business and train up to three apprentices. Requires at least one year as licensed journeyman. $150 registration fee plus $350 examination fee. Must hold minimum liability insurance coverage of $500,000 and complete at least 8 hours of continuing education annually.

EPA Section 608 Certification

Federal EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require certification for technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants. The exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions to be completed within 3 hours. A score of 70% is required to pass. Exam fee is approximately $120. Certification types include Type I (small appliances under 5 pounds refrigerant), Type II (high pressure appliances), Type III (low pressure appliances), and Universal (all types). Certification is transferable among all states and does not expire.

Nebraska Utility Directory

Electric Utilities (Public Power)

Utility	Type	Service Area	Customers
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)	Public Power District	84 of 93 counties (wholesale and retail)	~600,000+ (via partners serving ~530,000 Nebraskans)
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)	Public Power District	13 counties, southeast Nebraska including Omaha	~855,000 people
Lincoln Electric System (LES)	Municipal Utility	Lincoln metro area	~140,000
25 Rural Public Power Districts	Public Power Districts	Statewide rural areas	Varies
Municipal Utilities	Municipal	Various cities/villages	Varies

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD): NPPD is the largest electric utility in Nebraska, serving all or parts of 84 of 93 counties. Formed January 1, 1970, from the merger of Consumers Public Power District, Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District, and Nebraska Public Power System. NPPD is a public corporation and political subdivision governed by an 11-member Board of Directors popularly elected from within its chartered territory. NPPD serves 35 municipalities and 23 public power districts and/or cooperatives at wholesale, plus approximately 81 communities directly at retail (about 93,000 customers). Over 5,200 miles of transmission lines deliver power to over 600,000 customers. Corporate headquarters is in Columbus, Nebraska. NPPD operates nuclear, coal, natural gas, wind, and hydroelectric generation facilities including Gerald Gentleman Station (largest coal-fired plant in Nebraska) and participates in the Southwest Power Pool. NPPD gave back nearly $33 million in contractual and tax payments to communities in 2023.

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD): OPPD is the 12th-largest public power utility in the U.S., serving over 855,000 people across 5,000 square miles in Omaha and 13 surrounding counties in southeastern Nebraska. Created December 2, 1946, by the Nebraska Unicameral as a division of state government, acquiring the privately owned Nebraska Power Company for $42 million. Governed by a publicly elected eight-member Board of Directors. In December 2019, the board committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. The Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station was shut down October 25, 2016, after 42 years of operation and is being decommissioned. In 2021, a storm caused OPPD's largest-ever outage affecting 188,000 customers. OPPD was named "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Midsize Utilities in the Midwest" by J.D. Power in 2009.

Natural Gas Utilities

Utility	Service Area	Customers	Contact
Black Hills Energy	300+ communities statewide	~304,000	888-890-5554
Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD)	Omaha metro area	~230,000	402-554-6666
Northwestern Energy	Select communities	Varies	800-245-6977

Black Hills Energy: Serves over 304,000 natural gas customers in more than 300 communities across Nebraska. Operates over 8,700 miles of pipeline mains, approximately 327,300 service lines, and over 1,300 miles of transmission pipeline. Since last rate filing in 2020, the company has invested approximately $453 million in system safety, reliability, and integrity. May 2025 rate case seeks $34.9 million increase (approximately $6.27/month residential increase). Interim rates effective August 1, 2025. System Safety and Integrity Rider (SSIR) supports accelerated pipeline replacement projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nebraska require a state HVAC license?
No. Nebraska does not require state-level HVAC licensing. Licensing requirements are established by individual cities such as Omaha and Lincoln. However, all contractors must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor.
What are the contractor registration requirements?
All contractors doing business in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor ($25-$40 annually). Contractors with employees must provide a Workers' Compensation Certificate of Insurance. Registration does not require testing or proof of experience.
What licenses do I need to work in Omaha?
Omaha requires ACAD (Air Conditioning and Air Distribution) licenses through the City of Omaha Planning Department. Options include apprentice, journeyman (commercial or residential), and master/contractor licenses with varying experience requirements.
What licenses do I need to work in Lincoln?
Lincoln requires licenses through the City of Lincoln Department of Building and Safety. Options include apprentice registration, journeyman mechanical technician license (3 years experience, $115 total fees), and master mechanical contractor license (1 year as journeyman, $500 total fees, $500K liability insurance).
Why doesn't the PSC regulate electric rates in Nebraska?
Nebraska is the only state served entirely by publicly-owned utilities (public power districts, cooperatives, and municipal utilities). Electric rates are set by elected or appointed boards of these utilities rather than the PSC. This structure results in Nebraskans paying some of the lowest electric rates nationally.
What does the Nebraska PSC regulate?
The PSC regulates natural gas utilities, telecommunications carriers, major oil pipelines, railroad safety, household goods movers, passenger carriers, grain warehouses and dealers, manufactured/modular home construction, high voltage electric transmission lines, and private water company rates.
Is EPA Section 608 certification required in Nebraska?
Yes. Federal EPA regulations require Section 608 certification for technicians who work with refrigerants. The certification requires passing an 80-question exam (70% passing score) within 3 hours. Cost is approximately $120. Certification does not expire and is valid in all states.
Does Omaha have reciprocity with other jurisdictions?
Yes. Omaha has reciprocal licensing agreements with Bellevue and Iowa. Omaha may waive exam requirements for license holders from other states or municipalities with equivalent licensing exams.
What insurance is required for HVAC contractors?
Contractors with employees must have workers' compensation insurance on file with the Department of Labor. Lincoln requires master mechanical contractors to maintain minimum $500,000 liability insurance coverage.
What continuing education is required?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Lincoln master mechanical contractors must complete at least 8 hours annually. Omaha ACAD license holders need 4 continuing education hours for renewal.