Connecticut HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor (S-1) / Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson (S-2) · Issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division.

❄️ HVACCT ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Connecticut, HVAC contractors must hold the Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor (S-1) / Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson (S-2), issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Connecticut

Follow these steps to earn your Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor (S-1) / Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson (S-2). Every figure is verified against the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. S-2 Journeyperson: completion of a registered apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 hours OJT) OR equivalent experience and training. S-1 Contractor: 2 years as a licensed S-2 journeyperson OR equivalent experience and training (out-of-state equivalency requires 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT). Apprentice registration must be obtained before OJT hours count.
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: General liability insurance required as a condition of licensure; DCP does not publish a specific statutory dollar minimum for heating/cooling trade licenses. Market standard is $500,000 per occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate. Property damage: Typically included within general liability policy; no separate DCP-mandated amount for heating/cooling licenses. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.
Clear the background check. Applicants must provide documentation of criminal convictions related to the practice of the profession, including full explanation. DCP evaluates on a case-by-case basis.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division — $150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable) application fee, plus a $150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial) license fee. Processing time: Approximately 4–6 weeks for DCP application processing; status trackable through the eLicense portal.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31.

For the general path in every state, see the HVAC guide →

Connecticut HVAC contractor license lookup

To confirm an HVAC contractor is properly licensed in Connecticut — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official elicense.ct.gov database →

License types

S-1 – Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor — May perform and supervise all heating, piping, and cooling work (including sheet metal as defined in CGS § 20-330), pull permits, and contract directly with consumers.
S-2 – Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson — May perform all unlimited heating, piping, and cooling work; must be employed by a licensed contractor. Cannot pull permits or contract directly with consumers.
B-1/B-2 and B-3/B-4 – Limited Gas and Oil Burner Contractor/Journeyperson — Gas and oil burners only. B-1/B-2: domestic and light commercial burners (five gallons or less per hour, or a total heating load up to 500,000 BTU). B-3/B-4: burners of any size and capacity. Both pairs are limited licenses.
D-1/D-2 – Limited Warm Air, A/C, and Refrigeration Contractor/Journeyperson — Warm air heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	S-2 Journeyperson: completion of a registered apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 hours OJT) OR equivalent experience and training. S-1 Contractor: 2 years as a licensed S-2 journeyperson OR equivalent experience and training (out-of-state equivalency requires 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT). Apprentice registration must be obtained before OJT hours count.
Application fee	$150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable)
License fee	$150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial)
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual)
Renewal period	Annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31
Continuing education	None required. Connecticut DCP does not require continuing education for any heating, air conditioning, and piping journeyperson or contractor license renewals.
Bond required	No state surety bond required for S-1 or S-2 (or other heating/cooling) licenses at the DCP level.
Liability insurance	General liability insurance required as a condition of licensure; DCP does not publish a specific statutory dollar minimum for heating/cooling trade licenses. Market standard is $500,000 per occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate.
Property damage	Typically included within general liability policy; no separate DCP-mandated amount for heating/cooling licenses.
Workers' comp	Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.
Background check	Applicants must provide documentation of criminal convictions related to the practice of the profession, including full explanation. DCP evaluates on a case-by-case basis.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Connecticut does not maintain formal reciprocal license agreements with any other state for heating/cooling licenses. Out-of-state applicants may use the equivalency pathway if they can prove 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT (contractor) or 576 hours + 8,000 hours OJT (journeyperson). Separately, CGS 20-333a lets the Commissioner grant a license without examination to a currently practicing holder of a similar license from a jurisdiction that grants Connecticut licensees the same without examination. · compare all states
Processing time	Approximately 4–6 weeks for DCP application processing; status trackable through the eLicense portal.

What a Connecticut hvac license costs

Application fee	$150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable).
License fee	$150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial).
S-2 Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson Trade Exam	$59 per exam portion.
S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor Trade Exam	$59 per exam portion.
S-1 Business and Law Exam (contractors only)	$59.
EPA Section 608 Certification (required for refrigerant handling)	Approximately $20–$120 depending on provider and certification type.
Surety bond	No state surety bond required for S-1 or S-2 (or other heating/cooling) licenses at the DCP level.
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual).
Renewal period	Annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31.

Exams

S-2 Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59 per exam portion
S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59 per exam portion
S-1 Business and Law Exam (contractors only)	Provider: PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59
EPA Section 608 Certification (required for refrigerant handling)	Provider: EPA-approved testing organization (not PSI); Type I, II, III, or Universal · Passing: 70% · Fee: Approximately $20–$120 depending on provider and certification type

Renewing a Connecticut HVAC contractor license

The Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor (S-1) / Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson (S-2) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31
Renewal fee	$150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual)
Continuing education	None required. Connecticut DCP does not require continuing education for any heating, air conditioning, and piping journeyperson or contractor license renewals.
Where to renew	Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division

Local / municipal notes

EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement separate from the state license and must be maintained for any technician who purchases, handles, or recovers refrigerants.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Connecticut hvac license cost?

Application: $150 (contractor, non-refundable); $90 (journeyperson, non-refundable). License: $150 (contractor initial); $120 (journeyperson initial). Renewal: $150 (contractor, annual); $120 (journeyperson, annual).

How do I look up a hvac license in Connecticut?

Search the official license database at elicense.ct.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do hvacs in Connecticut need a surety bond?

No state surety bond required for S-1 or S-2 (or other heating/cooling) licenses at the DCP level.

What experience is required for a Connecticut hvac license?

S-2 Journeyperson: completion of a registered apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 hours OJT) OR equivalent experience and training. S-1 Contractor: 2 years as a licensed S-2 journeyperson OR equivalent experience and training (out-of-state equivalency requires 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT). Apprentice registration must be obtained before OJT hours count.

Is insurance required for hvacs in Connecticut?

Liability: General liability insurance required as a condition of licensure; DCP does not publish a specific statutory dollar minimum for heating/cooling trade licenses. Market standard is $500,000 per occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate. Property damage: Typically included within general liability policy; no separate DCP-mandated amount for heating/cooling licenses. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.

How long does it take to get a Connecticut hvac license?

Processing time: Approximately 4–6 weeks for DCP application processing; status trackable through the eLicense portal.

Is a background check required for hvacs in Connecticut?

Background check: Applicants must provide documentation of criminal convictions related to the practice of the profession, including full explanation. DCP evaluates on a case-by-case basis.

How often must a Connecticut hvac license be renewed?

Annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31. Continuing education: None required. Connecticut DCP does not require continuing education for any heating, air conditioning, and piping journeyperson or contractor license renewals.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-23 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Occupational and Professional Licensing Division before applying. This is not legal advice.