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 S-2 Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson Trade Exam and S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor Trade Exam and S-1 Business and Law Exam (contractors only) and EPA Section 608 Certification (required for refrigerant handling) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need 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.), and workers' compensation coverage.
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. Renew annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31.

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 – Gas and Oil Burner Contractor/Journeyperson — Gas and oil burner installation and service (unlimited under B-3/B-4; limited under B-1/B-2).
D-1/D-2 – 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 their license required 576 classroom hours + 12,000 hours OJT (contractor) or 576 hours + 8,000 hours OJT (journeyperson).
Processing time	Approximately 4–6 weeks for DCP application processing; status trackable through the eLicense portal.

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

Preparing for the HVAC exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

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).

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. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.

How often must a Connecticut hvac license be renewed?

Annually – all heating, cooling, and sheet metal work licenses expire August 31.

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.