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How to get an HVAC license in Massachusetts

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Massachusetts. Taken from official MA pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), Division of Occupational Licensure — Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Massachusetts licenses Refrigeration Technicians (journeyman-level) and Refrigeration Contractors/Masters through OPSI. Required for refrigeration work over 10 tons in the aggregate. Smaller HVAC/warm-air scopes may still need local permits — ask the city.)
  • Refrigeration Technician: High school diploma or equivalent, EPA §608 Universal, and (for applications on/after Nov 9, 2026) a Bureau-approved 450-hour refrigeration course plus 6,000 clock hours as a licensed Refrigeration Apprentice under a Mass. Refrigeration Contractor (DAS-registered). Older application paths with different school/hour mixes may still apply if filed before that date — read 528 CMR 11.03. Out-of-state equivalent licenses need Bureau majority vote.
  • Exam: see below, via OPSI / Bureau examination
  • Code edition: Bureau exam after OPSI approves your file (notice about 4–8 weeks out). Score posts on the OPSI site in about a week. Fail → reapply.

Requirements by license

Refrigeration Technician

ExperienceHigh school diploma or equivalent, EPA §608 Universal, and (for applications on/after Nov 9, 2026) a Bureau-approved 450-hour refrigeration course plus 6,000 clock hours as a licensed Refrigeration Apprentice under a Mass. Refrigeration Contractor (DAS-registered). Older application paths with different school/hour mixes may still apply if filed before that date — read 528 CMR 11.03. Out-of-state equivalent licenses need Bureau majority vote.Source: mass.gov · as of · License required for refrigeration work over 10 tons aggregate.
ExamOPSI / Bureau examination. Apply in MyLicenseOne or by mail with photo, diploma, Universal CFC, and hour/school proof. Bureau emails a Notice to Appear.Source: mass.gov · as of
Fees
  • Application (nonrefundable): $75
  • Technician renewal: $50
Source: mass.gov · as of · Renewal fee also on mass.gov
RenewalPer license term (renewal notices ~60 days out). Renew online with the registration code in your notice, or mail the hard-copy form. Confirmation email first; card follows in 2–3 weeks.Source: mass.gov · as of
CE to renewTechnician renewal page does not list a CE hour requirement (unlike some other trades). Bureau-approved schools may still offer update courses — not required on the renew how-to.Source: mass.gov · as of

Refrigeration Contractor / Master

ExperienceMaster/contractor path sits above the technician card — you qualify through Bureau rules after holding the technician-level experience path (or equivalent). Contractor renewal needs the firm role (owner/partner/officer/full-time management) where the Bureau asks for it on related trades; follow the contractor application on mass.gov.Not confirmedSource: mass.gov · as of
ExamOPSI / Bureau examination. Apply through OPSI for the contractor/master refrigeration license after you meet Bureau prerequisites.Not confirmedSource: mass.gov · as of
Fees
  • Master/Contractor renewal: $75
Source: mass.gov · as of
RenewalPer license term. Same MyLicense / mail renewal process as technician. Use the Master/Contractor renewal fee.Source: mass.gov · as of
CE to renewNot listed as a CE-hour renewal requirement on the shared renew how-to for Bureau licenses (sprinkler contractors have extra insurance paperwork; refrigeration renewals otherwise need no extra docs on that page).Source: mass.gov · as of

License types in Massachusetts

  • Refrigeration Apprentice
  • Refrigeration Technician (journeyman)
  • Refrigeration Contractor / Master
  • Related: Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter licenses under the same Bureau
Source: mass.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Out-of-state refrigeration technician or master cards can be considered with equivalent experience docs and a majority vote of the Bureau (528 CMR 11.03 path on the apply page).Source: mass.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does MA license HVAC statewide?

OPSI licenses Refrigeration Technicians for work over 10 tons aggregate — not a blanket warm-air HVAC card.

Technician path?

EPA Universal, Bureau-approved school hours, and 6,000 apprentice hours (450-hour course path for apps on/after Nov 9, 2026).

Already licensed? See Massachusetts HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.