- Plug-in household units that need no special wiring are outside the license law, and seasonal filter changes or cleaning of them is not licensed service work.
- Journeyperson I: 10,000 hours on the job plus trade school. Journeyperson II: 4,000 hours plus trade school. Master I: one year as a Journeyperson I. Master II: three years as a Journeyperson II.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Every 24 months. Late renewals cost $12 per month.
Do you need a state license in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island licenses HVAC work at the state level through the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Plug-in household units that need no special wiring are outside the license law, and seasonal filter changes or cleaning of them is not licensed service work.
Larger heating jobs (commercial from 200,000 BTU, residential from 400,000 BTU) need permits from the state Department of Labor Boiler Division.
Rhode Island license types for HVAC work
Rhode Island splits the work into 6 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration Master I | Refrigeration and air conditioning work with no limit, may be self employed |
| Refrigeration Master II | Comfort cooling up to 20 tons and product cooling up to 3 tons, may be self employed |
| Pipefitter Master I | Pipefitting work with no limit, needed for heating jobs of 500,000 BTU and above |
| Pipefitter Master II | Heating installations up to 500,000 BTU, with boiler pressure limits |
| Sheet Metal Master I or II | Duct work, Class II limited to residential buildings |
| Journeyperson I or II | Works for a master, cannot be self employed |
Steps to get licensed in Rhode Island
- Enter a registered apprenticeship and log on the job hours plus trade school hours.
- Apply to DLT for the Journeyperson exam in refrigeration or pipefitting and pass it.
- Work as a journeyperson for the required time (one year for Class I, three years for Class II).
- Apply for and pass the master exam.
- Carry the liability insurance and workers comp the state requires to keep the license valid.
- Renew every 24 months.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Journeyperson I: 10,000 hours on the job plus trade school. Journeyperson II: 4,000 hours plus trade school. Master I: one year as a Journeyperson I. Master II: three years as a Journeyperson II.
The license to apply for. Refrigeration Master or Pipefitter Master license (Class I or II).
Rhode Island HVAC exams
Trade exam. Yes. Applicants are tested for the license class they seek, and out of state license holders can sit for the matching Rhode Island exam.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
What it costs in Rhode Island
The board lists 5 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration or Pipefitter Master I renewal | $240 |
| Refrigeration or Pipefitter Master II renewal | $96 |
| Journeyman I renewal | $72 |
| Journeyman II renewal | $60 |
| Online renewal processing fee | $6 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Licensed mechanical trade businesses must keep the liability insurance set by R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-7, at least $500,000 combined single limit, plus workers comp as state law requires.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every 24 months. Late renewals cost $12 per month.
Reciprocity. An out of state license at the same level lets you sit for the Rhode Island exam. If your state has no matching license, send a notarized resume of experience instead, for example six years for a master.
Good to know in Rhode Island
- Licensed trades working within their license scope do not also need to register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.
- Oil burner, gas service and propane licenses are separate classes under the same bureau.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for refrigerant work.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for HVAC repair near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.