You may be able to sit for the Va contractors test based on your degree. That is state or local law.
BTW the "EPA freon license" is only money and a very simple test you can take online. You really only need the license to buy freon (R12/R22). Newer "safe" refrigerants are exempt. In fact they are selling precharged mini-splits with "Puron" clones on the internet and through local industrial supply companies to anyone with the money. They sell R134 at the drug store.
