New York Refrigeration License Requirements

Official classification: No statewide license — NYC Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01) · Issued by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

🧊 RefrigerationNY ✔ Verified 2026-07-22

In New York, refrigeration contractors must hold the No statewide license — NYC Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01), issued by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed refrigeration contractor in New York

New York licenses refrigeration contractors at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.

Start with your city, not the state. New York has no statewide refrigeration contractor license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
Carry the insurance your city requires. —
Post any local bond. —
Register and pay the local fees. $60 (City of New York)
Renew on your city's schedule. Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late.

New York refrigeration contractor license lookup

New York has no statewide refrigeration contractor license, so there is no state license database to search — verify a contractor's registration or license with the city or county where the work will be done.

License types

Certificate of Qualification Q-01 — Refrigerating System Operating Engineer — Required to operate any NYC refrigerating system that needs an FDNY permit. A personal, premises-related certificate held by the operating engineer — not a contractor business license.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Completion of a 200-hour FDNY-certified Refrigerating System Operating Engineer course, OR at least 1 year of practical experience with refrigerating systems. Applicants must also hold an EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certificate and a high school diploma or GED.
Application fee	$60 (City of New York)
License fee	—
Renewal fee	$15 (City of New York, online renewal)
Renewal period	Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late
Continuing education	7 hours of live BOMR (Building Operation, Maintenance and Recordkeeping) instruction from an FDNY-approved school required at each renewal, or a valid Fire Safety Director (F-58/F-25) certificate; holders who passed an FDNY computer-based test after Jan 1, 2025 are exempt
Bond required	—
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None (the Q-01 is an FDNY-issued NYC certificate; no other jurisdiction's license substitutes for it)
Processing time	—

Exams

Z-51 written exam (110 multiple-choice questions)	Provider: FDNY · Passing: 70% · Fee: $60 per attempt
Z-52 practical exam (computer simulator)	Provider: FDNY · Passing: 70% · Fee: $225

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

Local / municipal notes

New York State has no statewide refrigeration license — this page covers New York City, where the FDNY Q-01 certificate is the key credential. The Q-01 is premises-related: the holder must be physically present in the building while the refrigerating system operates under their personal direction and control. Other New York municipalities set their own rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New York refrigeration license cost?

Application: $60 (City of New York). License: —. Renewal: $15 (City of New York, online renewal).

Do refrigerations in New York need a surety bond?

—

What experience is required for a New York refrigeration license?

Completion of a 200-hour FDNY-certified Refrigerating System Operating Engineer course, OR at least 1 year of practical experience with refrigerating systems. Applicants must also hold an EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certificate and a high school diploma or GED.

Is insurance required for refrigerations in New York?

Liability: — Workers' compensation: —

How often must a New York refrigeration license be renewed?

Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late. Continuing education: 7 hours of live BOMR (Building Operation, Maintenance and Recordkeeping) instruction from an FDNY-approved school required at each renewal, or a valid Fire Safety Director (F-58/F-25) certificate; holders who passed an FDNY computer-based test after Jan 1, 2025 are exempt

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) before applying. This is not legal advice.