Mandatory Requirements

• Refrigeration Technician/Contractor Licenses:
  
  • Refrigeration Apprentice:
    
    • Requirements: Must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, be registered with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS), and licensed with the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI). Must be employed by a Massachusetts Refrigeration Contractor under supervision.
    • Fee: $40.
  • Refrigeration Technician (Journeyman Equivalent): Required for anyone working with refrigeration systems with a capacity over 10 tons (often in commercial/industrial settings or larger homes).
    
    • Experience/Education (Choose ONE of these combinations):
      
      • 6,000 hours as a licensed Refrigeration Apprentice under a licensed Refrigeration Contractor AND 250 hours of refrigeration education (100 hours refrigeration theory, 150 hours MA electrical code).
      • 4,000 hours as a licensed Refrigeration Apprentice AND 500 hours of refrigeration education (250 hours shop work, 100 hours theory, 100 hours MA electrical code).
      • 2,000 hours as a licensed Refrigeration Apprentice AND 1,000 hours of refrigeration education (700 hours shop work, 100 hours theory, 100 hours MA electrical code).
    • Examination: Pass the Refrigeration Technician examination.
    • Fee: $75.
  • Refrigeration Contractor (Master Equivalent): Allows you to operate a business and pull permits for refrigeration work.
    
    • Experience: At least 2,000 hours of work experience as a Massachusetts Refrigeration Technician.
    • Education: Complete 100 hours of additional Bureau-approved refrigeration training.
    • Examination: Pass the Refrigeration Contractor examination.
    • Fee: $150.
• Pipefitter Licenses:
  
  • Apprentice Pipefitter:
    
    • Requirements: Must be registered with the Department of Labor Standards and DAS, and enrolled in a DAS-registered apprenticeship program under a Master Pipefitter.
  • Journeyperson Pipefitter:
    
    • Experience/Education (Choose ONE of these combinations for applications before Nov 9, 2026):
      
      • 6,000 hours as a licensed Apprentice Pipefitter under a Master Pipefitter AND 350 hours of Pipefitter's course study (ASME Code).
      • 4,000 hours as a licensed Apprentice Pipefitter AND 500 hours of Pipefitter's course study (250 hours shop work).
      • 2,000 hours as a licensed Apprentice Pipefitter AND 1,000 hours of Pipefitter's course study (700 hours shop work).
    • For applications on or after Nov 9, 2026: 6,000 hours as a licensed Apprentice Pipefitter AND a formal 450-hour course of study.
    • Examination: Pass the Journeyperson Pipefitter examination.
    • Fee: $75.
  • Master Pipefitter: Allows you to operate a business and pull permits for pipefitting work.
    
    • Experience: At least 2,000 hours of work experience as a Massachusetts Journeyperson Pipefitter.
    • Education: Complete 200 hours of Bureau-approved education (100 hours ASME Code, 100 hours additional Pipefitter theory).
    • Examination: Pass the Master Pipefitter examination.
    • Fee: $100.
• Sheet Metal Worker Licenses:
  
  • Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker:
    
    • Requirements: Must be a licensed Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker with OPSI and hold a valid DAS registration, employed by a Master Sheet Metal Worker.
  • Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker (J-1 Unlimited or J-2 Restricted):
    
    • J-1 (Unrestricted): 8,000 hours of licensed apprentice training and 750 hours of Board-approved training classes over at least five years.
    • J-2 (Restricted): 4,800 hours of licensed apprentice training and 450 hours of Board-approved training classes over at least three years. (Limited to residential 3-stories or less and commercial 10,000 sq ft or less within 2-story buildings).
    • Examination: Pass the Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker examination (specific to J-1 or J-2).
    • Fee: $155.
  • Master Sheet Metal Worker: Allows you to operate a business and pull permits for sheet metal work.
    
    • Experience: Must meet Journeyperson (J-1 or J-2) criteria AND 2,000 hours of sheet metal work with a journeyperson license OR complete a Board-approved 40-hour Master's Course.
    • Examination: Pass the Master Sheet Metal Worker examination.
    • Fee: Check with the Board; often similar to Journeyperson.
• EPA Section 608 Certification: Federally required for anyone handling refrigerants (Type I, II, III, or Universal depending on equipment).
• Business Registration:
  
  • If you operate a business, you'll need a state-issued business license and a Federal Tax ID (EIN).
  • Local business licenses are also required in most cities/towns where you operate.
• Insurance:
  
  • General Liability Insurance: Highly recommended and often required by local municipalities for permits.
  • Workers' Compensation Insurance: Mandatory if you have employees.
• High School Diploma/GED: Generally required for all Journeyperson and Master level licenses.
• Age: 18+ for Apprentice, 18+ for Journeyman/Technician, 21+ for Contractor/Master.

How to Get an HVAC Contractor License in Massachusetts

1. Choose Your Path: Determine which specific licenses (Refrigeration, Pipefitter, Sheet Metal) are necessary for the type of HVAC work you intend to perform. Most comprehensive HVAC contractors hold Master licenses in at least Refrigeration and Pipefitting/Sheet Metal.
2. Gain Apprentice & Journeyperson Experience/License:
   
   • Enroll in and complete a state-approved apprenticeship program (e.g., Refrigeration Apprentice, Pipefitter Apprentice, Sheet Metal Apprentice).
   • Accumulate the required on-the-job training hours under a licensed Master in the respective trade.
   • Complete the required classroom education hours from an approved school.
   • Apply for and pass the relevant Journeyperson/Technician exam for each trade.
3. Obtain EPA Section 608 Certification: Pass the EPA exam. Know more
4. Accumulate Master-Level Experience: Work for the required period as a licensed Journeyperson/Technician in each trade under a licensed Master.
5. Apply for Master Licenses:
   
   • Submit separate applications for each Master license (Refrigeration Contractor, Master Pipefitter, Master Sheet Metal Worker) to the respective boards/bureaus (Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections for Refrigeration/Pipefitters, Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers for Sheet Metal).
   • Include all required documentation (proof of experience, education, previous licenses, passport photo, etc.) and application fees.
6. Schedule and Pass Master Exams: Once your applications are approved, schedule and pass the Master-level examination for each trade.
7. Register Your Business:
   
   • Obtain a state business registration and EIN.
   • Register for local business licenses in the cities/towns where you will operate.
8. Obtain Required Insurance: Secure general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
9. Receive Your Licenses: Upon successful completion of all requirements, the respective Boards will issue your Master licenses.

Additional Considerations

• Complexity: Massachusetts has a highly specialized licensing system. It's crucial to understand which specific licenses cover the work you plan to do (e.g., is it just refrigeration, or also heating/piping/ductwork?).
• Inter-Trade Work: HVAC often involves aspects of all three trades (refrigeration for AC, pipefitting for hydronic heating/gas lines, sheet metal for ductwork). To be a comprehensive HVAC contractor, you'll likely need licenses in multiple areas.
• Continuing Education: All licenses typically require continuing education for renewal. Check with each specific board for exact requirements.
• License Renewal: Licenses generally have a renewal cycle (e.g., every 2 years).
• Reciprocity: Massachusetts generally has very limited or no reciprocity for these HVAC-related licenses with other states. Out-of-state applicants often need to meet Massachusetts' specific education and experience requirements and pass the exams.
• Local Permits: Even with state licenses, you will need to obtain permits from local building departments for most HVAC installations and major repairs.

This information has been referenced from the following sites 1, 2