- The exam has 100 scored questions plus 20 unscored pretest items, split into two 3.5-hour parts (7 hours total).
- You need a final scaled score of 70 to pass, and the test is open book under PSI's approved-reference rules.
- Class II requires five years of qualifying experience on systems above the 175,000 BTU heating / 60,000 BTU cooling Class I limits.
- The initial application fee is $110, and Board approval to sit for the exam is only valid for one year.
Quick Facts Snapshot
Before you dive into the details, here is the condensed reference sheet for the Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor Class II Examination (GCA-II). Keep this section bookmarked - it's the fastest way to check a fact the night before your test date without wading through a full study guide.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulating body | Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors |
| Exam administrator | PSI (after Board approval) |
| Scored questions | 100 |
| Unscored pretest questions | 20 |
| Time allowed | 7 hours total, split into two 3.5-hour parts |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 70 |
| Reference materials | Open book, PSI approved-reference list only |
| Calculator | Silent, non-programmable only |
| Initial application fee | $110 |
| Approval validity | 1 year to schedule and sit |
| License renewal | By November 30 of odd-numbered years |
| Continuing education | 8 hours per renewal cycle |
Domain-by-Domain Cheat Sheet
The GCA-II exam is built around four content areas. Knowing what lives in each domain - and roughly how much weight it carries - is the single most efficient thing you can do before test day. System Design is the dominant domain, so it deserves the largest share of your final review hours.
Domain 1: Regulations, Laws, and Administrative Functions
Covers the statutory and administrative framework governing Class II unrestricted contractors in Georgia, including licensing board authority and contractor obligations.
- Know the role of the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board and its Division of Conditioned Air Contractors
- Understand license renewal timing tied to odd-numbered years and CE requirements
- Be able to distinguish Class II unrestricted scope from Class I limits
Domain 2: System Design
The heaviest-weighted domain. Expect load calculations, duct sizing logic, and equipment selection scenarios framed around Manuals J&D and N&Q concepts.
- Master heating and cooling load fundamentals above the 175,000 BTU heating / 60,000 BTU cooling Class I thresholds
- Review duct design principles from Manual D and load calculation principles from Manual J
- Understand ventilation calculation logic reflected in Manuals N&Q coursework
Domain 3: Installation
Focuses on correct installation practices for larger conditioned-air systems within Class II's unrestricted scope.
- Equipment placement, clearances, and code-compliant installation sequencing
- Ductwork installation practices consistent with approved design standards
- Electrical and refrigerant line set considerations at installation
Domain 4: Maintain and Repair System
Tests troubleshooting logic and maintenance procedures for systems already in service.
- Diagnostic sequencing for common system failures
- Preventive maintenance scheduling and documentation
- Repair techniques appropriate to unrestricted Class II system sizes
For the full breakdown of subtopics, sample question phrasing, and how examiners weight each area, read the complete GCA-II exam domains guide. If you're still deciding how difficult this exam actually is relative to your current experience level, the GCA-II difficulty guide walks through that honestly.
Registration & Fee Mechanics
Unlike a walk-in test, the GCA-II exam requires Board approval before PSI will let you schedule anything. Understanding the sequence prevents wasted time and avoided fee resubmissions.
- Submit your application to the Board with the $110 initial application fee, three professional references, proof of EPA certification, and documentation of Board-approved Manuals J&D and N&Q coursework.
- Wait for Board approval. Once approved, you have one year to schedule and sit for the exam through PSI.
- Schedule with PSI. The exam runs across two 3.5-hour parts (7 hours total), covering 100 scored questions plus 20 unscored pretest questions.
- Sit for the exam open book, using only materials on PSI's approved-reference list, with a silent, non-programmable calculator.
Key Takeaway
Don't submit your Board application until your reference documentation, EPA certification, and Manuals J&D/N&Q coursework proof are all fully assembled - incomplete packets slow down approval and eat into your one-year scheduling window.
For a line-item view of every cost involved - application, exam, and renewal fees - see the GCA-II Certification Cost breakdown. And if you want to lock in a testing date strategically around your work schedule, check the GCA-II exam dates guide before you apply.
Eligibility Checklist
The Class II unrestricted license sits above Class I, and eligibility reflects that. Use this checklist to confirm you're ready to apply before spending the $110 application fee.
- Five years of qualifying conditioned-air experience, documented
- Direct work history on systems exceeding the Class I limits of 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling
- Three professional references who can verify your experience
- Current EPA certification
- Completion of Board-approved Manuals J&D and N&Q coursework
If any of these boxes aren't checked yet, the full GCA-II requirements and eligibility guide explains how to document experience and where to find Board-approved coursework providers.
Exam Day Format & Rules
Test-day logistics catch more candidates off guard than the technical content does. Here's exactly what to expect.
| Format Element | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Question count | 100 scored + 20 unscored pretest questions mixed in, indistinguishable from each other |
| Total time | 7 hours, delivered as two separate 3.5-hour parts |
| Reference policy | Open book - but only materials on PSI's approved-reference list are allowed |
| Calculator policy | Silent, non-programmable calculators only |
| Passing threshold | Scaled score of 70 |
Because the exam is scored on a scale rather than raw percentage correct, don't try to reverse-engineer how many questions you can miss. Focus instead on domain mastery. The GCA-II passing score guide explains how the scaled score works in more depth, and GCA-II pass rate data gives useful context on what the scoring pattern tends to look like.
One-Week Final Review Plan
If you've already done your primary studying and just need a structured final push, allocate your last week around domain weight rather than splitting time evenly across all four areas.
System Design deep review
- Re-work load calculation problems referencing Manual J logic
- Practice duct sizing scenarios tied to Manual D
- Review ventilation calculations from Manuals N&Q
Installation and Maintain/Repair drills
- Run through installation sequencing checklists
- Review common diagnostic pathways for system failures
Regulations and Administrative Functions
- Review Board authority, license classes, and renewal rules
- Confirm you understand Class I vs. Class II BTU thresholds cold
Timed practice under real constraints
- Simulate the two 3.5-hour parts using only your approved references
- Practice with a silent, non-programmable calculator so it feels automatic
This weighting mirrors real exam emphasis rather than generic study advice - System Design gets the most days because it's the dominant domain. For a longer-horizon study plan that starts weeks or months out, see the GCA-II Study Guide for passing on your first attempt.
Common Mix-Ups to Avoid
- Confusing Class I and Class II thresholds. Class I tops out at 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling - Class II is unrestricted above that, and exam questions test this boundary directly.
- Assuming any reference book is allowed. The exam is open book only under PSI's specific approved-reference rules, not a free-for-all.
- Bringing the wrong calculator. Programmable calculators are not permitted - silent, non-programmable models only.
- Letting Board approval expire. Approval to sit for the exam lasts one year; don't delay scheduling once approved.
- Forgetting continuing education after licensure. Eight CE hours are required per renewal cycle, timed to the November 30 odd-year renewal deadline.
After the Exam: Approval, Renewal, and CE
Passing the exam with a scaled score of 70 or higher is only part of the process. Once licensed as a Class II unrestricted contractor, you'll need to keep the license current.
- Renewal deadline: Licenses renew by November 30 of odd-numbered years.
- Continuing education: 8 hours are required per renewal cycle.
- Scope: Your license covers conditioned-air work without the Class I BTU restrictions, opening up larger commercial and industrial project eligibility.
Curious whether the license translates into more job opportunities or better pay? The GCA-II jobs overview and GCA-II salary guide cover what employers typically look for, while the ROI analysis on whether GCA-II certification is worth it weighs the licensing investment against the unrestricted scope you gain.
To keep practicing against realistic question formats before you commit to a test date, work through timed sets on our GCA-II practice test platform - it's built around the same four-domain structure covered above, so your practice time maps directly onto exam content rather than generic HVAC trivia.
FAQ
There are 100 scored questions plus 20 unscored pretest questions, for 120 total. You get 7 hours across two separate 3.5-hour parts.
A final scaled score of 70 is required to pass. See the GCA-II passing score guide for more on how scaled scoring works.
The exam is open book, but only under PSI's approved-reference rules - you cannot bring any material you choose. Confirm the approved list before test day.
Five years of qualifying conditioned-air experience, including work on systems above the Class I limits of 175,000 BTU heating and 60,000 BTU cooling, plus three references, EPA certification, and Board-approved Manuals J&D and N&Q coursework. Full detail is in the GCA-II requirements guide.
Exam approval is valid for one year from the date the Board approves your application, so schedule your PSI exam promptly after approval.
Keep this cheat sheet handy as a quick-reference companion, but pair it with deeper domain study - especially in System Design - using the exam domains guide and hands-on practice through our practice test platform before you sit for the real thing.