Rhode Island Refrigeration License Requirements

Official classification: Refrigeration License (Master I/II, Journeyperson I/II) · Issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Division of Professional Regulation.

🧊 RefrigerationRI ✔ Verified 2026-07-22

In Rhode Island, refrigeration contractors must hold the Refrigeration License (Master I/II, Journeyperson I/II), issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Division of Professional Regulation, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed refrigeration contractor in Rhode Island

Follow these steps to earn your Refrigeration License (Master I/II, Journeyperson I/II). Every figure is verified against the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Division of Professional Regulation; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyperson II: 4,000 hours on-the-job + 288 hours of trade schooling in an RI-registered apprenticeship. Journeyperson I: 10,000 hours on-the-job + 144 hours/year of trade schooling (2 years of accredited schooling may be credited). Master II: 3 years as an RI Journeyperson II. Master I: 1 year as an RI Journeyperson I (or as a Master II). Out-of-state applicants with an equivalent license may sit for the RI exam; without an equivalent class, a notarized resume showing 5 years as a refrigeration journeyperson (for journeyperson exams) or 6 years including contractor experience (for master exams) is required.
Pass the Refrigeration license examination (separate exam per class) exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (—), and workers' compensation coverage.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Division of Professional Regulation — $75 non-refundable test/application fee application fee, plus a Master I $240; Master II $96; Journeyperson I $72; Journeyperson II $60 license fee. Processing time: Not published — exam applications must be filed at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10).
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years, expiring on the licensee's birthday (odd birth years renew in odd years, even in even). A license lapsed more than 2 years requires re-examination.

Rhode Island refrigeration contractor license lookup

To confirm a refrigeration contractor is properly licensed in Rhode Island — 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 dltweb.dlt.ri.gov database →

License types

Refrigeration Master Class I — Unlimited — No restriction on work size; may be self-employed and contract. Requires 1 year as an RI Refrigeration Journeyperson I or 1 year as a Master II (260-RICR-30-15-2.12).
Refrigeration Master Class II — Limited — Installations up to 20-ton comfort cooling, 3-ton product cooling or 1-horsepower freezing; may be self-employed. Requires 3 years as an RI Journeyperson II (260-RICR-30-15-2.13).
Refrigeration Journeyperson Class I — Unlimited — Unlimited work scope (any size system, diagnosis, controls wiring) but may not be self-employed (260-RICR-30-15-2.14).
Refrigeration Journeyperson Class II — Limited — Up to 20-ton comfort cooling, 3-ton product cooling or 1-horsepower freezing; may not be self-employed (260-RICR-30-15-2.15).

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyperson II: 4,000 hours on-the-job + 288 hours of trade schooling in an RI-registered apprenticeship. Journeyperson I: 10,000 hours on-the-job + 144 hours/year of trade schooling (2 years of accredited schooling may be credited). Master II: 3 years as an RI Journeyperson II. Master I: 1 year as an RI Journeyperson I (or as a Master II). Out-of-state applicants with an equivalent license may sit for the RI exam; without an equivalent class, a notarized resume showing 5 years as a refrigeration journeyperson (for journeyperson exams) or 6 years including contractor experience (for master exams) is required.
Application fee	$75 non-refundable test/application fee
License fee	Master I $240; Master II $96; Journeyperson I $72; Journeyperson II $60
Renewal fee	Same as the license fee ($240 / $96 / $72 / $60) + $6 processing fee; $12/month late penalty after expiration
Renewal period	Every 2 years, expiring on the licensee's birthday (odd birth years renew in odd years, even in even). A license lapsed more than 2 years requires re-examination
Continuing education	None required for refrigeration licenses (Rhode Island mandates CE for electricians and plumbers, but not this trade)
Bond required	None — no bond requirement in R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 28-27 or 260-RICR-30-15-2
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	No certificate required for licensure, but masters must demonstrate knowledge of RI workers' compensation obligations (260-RICR-30-15-2.12)
Background check	None published — the application requires government-issued photo ID and notarized employer statements of experience, not a criminal background check
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None (no automatic reciprocity — out-of-state license holders with an equivalent class may sit for the RI exam without repeating the apprenticeship)
Processing time	Not published — exam applications must be filed at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10)

Exams

Refrigeration license examination (separate exam per class)	Provider: RI DLT Division of Professional Regulation (state-administered) · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: $75 test fee (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-17)

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

Local / municipal notes

Masters must maintain a regular place of business and display their license class and number on vehicles and premises in lettering at least 3 inches high. General construction contracting over $500 additionally requires registration with the RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (crb.ri.gov).

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Rhode Island refrigeration license cost?

Application: $75 non-refundable test/application fee. License: Master I $240; Master II $96; Journeyperson I $72; Journeyperson II $60. Renewal: Same as the license fee ($240 / $96 / $72 / $60) + $6 processing fee; $12/month late penalty after expiration.

How do I look up a refrigeration license in Rhode Island?

Search the official license database at dltweb.dlt.ri.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do refrigerations in Rhode Island need a surety bond?

None — no bond requirement in R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 28-27 or 260-RICR-30-15-2

What experience is required for a Rhode Island refrigeration license?

Journeyperson II: 4,000 hours on-the-job + 288 hours of trade schooling in an RI-registered apprenticeship. Journeyperson I: 10,000 hours on-the-job + 144 hours/year of trade schooling (2 years of accredited schooling may be credited). Master II: 3 years as an RI Journeyperson II. Master I: 1 year as an RI Journeyperson I (or as a Master II). Out-of-state applicants with an equivalent license may sit for the RI exam; without an equivalent class, a notarized resume showing 5 years as a refrigeration journeyperson (for journeyperson exams) or 6 years including contractor experience (for master exams) is required.

Is insurance required for refrigerations in Rhode Island?

Liability: — Workers' compensation: No certificate required for licensure, but masters must demonstrate knowledge of RI workers' compensation obligations (260-RICR-30-15-2.12)

How often must a Rhode Island refrigeration license be renewed?

Every 2 years, expiring on the licensee's birthday (odd birth years renew in odd years, even in even). A license lapsed more than 2 years requires re-examination.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Division of Professional Regulation before applying. This is not legal advice.