How to get licensed for HVAC work in New York

Journeyman level Licensed by cities or counties, not the state What's a journeyman?

The license pathway in New York

1. 1

   HVAC helper or apprentice (no license)

   • Registered apprenticeships include related classroom instruction

   You work for a contractor while you learn. New York's registered Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Mechanic and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic apprenticeships each have a 48-month term. [12][13]

2. 2

   Limited Gas Work Qualification (NYC)

   • 16-hour DOB-sponsored gas course, or registration in a DOL-approved plumbing apprenticeship
   • $50 registration
   • Expires after 5 years; can't be renewed

   Lets you do gas work in NYC under the personal and immediate supervision of a Full qualification holder or a licensed master plumber. You need six months of full-time plumbing work under a master plumber. [7]

3. 3

   Full Gas Work Qualification (NYC)

   • Yes: 50 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass, open book (references provided)
   • $585 exam; $50 registration
   • Doesn't expire

   Lets you do gas work in NYC under a master plumber's direct and continuing supervision. You qualify as a registered journeyman plumber, after a DOL-approved apprenticeship plus 1 year under a master plumber, or with 5 years of gas work (1 in NYC). [3]

4. 4

   Class B Oil Burner Equipment Installer (NYC)

   • 3 years of experience
   • Yes: written ($585, no reference materials, 70% to pass) and practical ($530)
   • $500 background investigation; $100 license + $100 seal
   • Every 3 years; $75 + $75 seal

   Licensed to install oil-burning equipment that uses domestic grade fuel oils No. 1 to 4. You need 3 years within 5 installing oil-burning equipment under a DOB-licensed installer. [2][10]

5. 5

   Class A Oil Burner Equipment Installer (NYC)

   • 4 years of experience
   • Yes: written ($585, no reference materials, 70% to pass) and practical ($530)
   • $500 background investigation; $100 license + $100 seal
   • Every 3 years; $75 + $75 seal

   Licensed to install any type of oil-burning equipment. You need 4 years within 7 under a DOB-licensed Class A installer in NYC, including 1 year on equipment for No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils. [2][10]

Who regulates HVAC work in New York

HVAC licensing in New York comes from local governments, and it's split by the kind of work. New York City's Department of Buildings (DOB) list of license types has no HVAC license. It covers oil burner equipment installers, master plumbers and Gas Work Qualifications, among others.

In Suffolk County, the home improvement license law defines home improvement contracting to include "ductwork for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems," while excluding electrical and plumbing work. It's unlawful to do that business in the county without a license.

If you'll work somewhere else in New York, ask that city's, town's or county's building department or consumer affairs office what it requires. [1][5]

Gas work in NYC

Local Law 150 of 2016 requires anyone doing gas work in NYC to hold a DOB master plumber license or a Gas Work Qualification. Gas work without one can bring a $5,000 violation, an order to remove and reinstall the appliance or system, and a stop work order.

• Limited Gas Work Qualification: gas work under the personal and immediate supervision of a Full qualification holder or master plumber. You need six months of full-time plumbing work under a master plumber plus a DOB-sponsored gas course of at least 16 hours or registration in a DOL-approved plumbing apprenticeship. Six months is what the law (NYC Administrative Code 28-423.3.2, added by Local Law 150) and DOB's rule (1 RCNY 104-12) set, but DOB's application page also asks for employer affidavits showing at least one year of plumbing experience, so confirm with DOB what proof it will accept. It expires after five years and can't be renewed.
• Full Gas Work Qualification: gas work under a master plumber's direct and continuing supervision. You need to pass a 50-question, 2-hour exam (70% to pass; open book since August 1, 2024, with references provided on screen) and be a registered journeyman plumber, have finished a DOL-approved apprenticeship with 1 year under a master plumber, or have 5 years of gas work (1 in NYC). It doesn't expire.

See our New York plumber page for the journeyman and master plumber route. [3][7][8][9]

NYC oil burner equipment installer license

DOB licenses two classes. Class A installers can install any type of oil-burning equipment; Class B installers can install equipment that uses domestic grade fuel oils No. 1 to 4. You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, fit to do the work and of good moral character.

• Class B: at least 3 years within the last 5 installing oil-burning equipment under a DOB-licensed installer.
• Class A: at least 4 years within the last 7 under a DOB-licensed Class A installer in NYC, including at least 1 year on equipment for No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils.

You pass a written exam ($585; multiple choice on the NYC Administrative Code, no reference materials, 70% to pass) and then a practical exam ($530) within 24 months. Practical exams aren't held in July and August. Then you file a background investigation with experience verification forms from your supervisors and a certified Social Security earnings history, and pay a $500 investigation fee, a $100 license fee and a $100 seal fee. The license term is 3 years, with a $75 renewal fee plus $75 for the seal. [2][10]

FDNY refrigerating system certificate (Q-01)

In NYC, any refrigerating system that needs an FDNY permit must be supervised by a holder of the Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01) while it runs. The certificate is tied to a specific location and person. The exam has two parts: a $60 computer exam (Z-51) and a $225 practical exam (Z-52). Renewal is $15 every 3 years. Read the FDNY Certificate of Qualification page for the current notice of exam. [4]

Union and open-shop apprenticeships

The New York State Department of Labor posts recruitments for registered apprenticeship programs by region, and keeps a list of active sponsors you can search by trade. Its Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Mechanic and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic trades each run 48 months.

Union HVAC training comes from sheet metal workers' locals (for example Local 46 in Rochester, which recruits HVAC mechanic apprentices) and some plumbers and steamfitters locals (for example Local 81 in the Syracuse area, and Local 7 near Albany, whose last recruitment closed September 30, 2026). Compare routes in union vs. non-union and how to get an apprenticeship. [11][12][13][14][15][16]

If you're licensed in another state

What matters is the rules of the city or county where you'll work. For NYC gas work, experience gained under a license outside NYC must come with a verification letter from the jurisdiction that issued that license. Your EPA Section 608 certification is federal, so it goes with you.

See our license reciprocity guide and reciprocity map. [3][6]

Steps to get licensed in New York

1. Get hired or join an apprenticeship

   Start as a helper with a contractor or apply to a registered HVAC apprenticeship. Open recruitments are on the NYS Department of Labor announcements page. [11][12]

2. Get EPA Section 608 certified

   You need it before you maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants. See EPA's Section 608 certification page and our EPA 608 guide. [6]

3. Check the local rules where you'll work

   In NYC, gas work needs a Gas Work Qualification, oil burner installation needs a DOB license, and operating a permitted refrigerating system needs an FDNY Q-01 certificate. In Suffolk County, a contractor doing ductwork on homes needs a home improvement license. [2][3][4][5]

4. Apply for an NYC oil burner installer license (if you install oil equipment)

   After 3 years (Class B) or 4 years (Class A) under a licensed installer, pass the written ($585) and practical ($530) exams, then submit the background investigation documents in the DOB NOW portal and pay the $500 investigation fee, $100 license fee and $100 seal fee. [10]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train HVAC technicians in or for New York, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• State program

  NYS Department of Labor registered apprenticeships

  The state agency approves and registers apprenticeship programs and posts recruitments by region. Its HVAC mechanic and refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic trades each run 48 months. [11][12][13]

• Union

  SMART sheet metal workers' apprenticeships

  Sheet metal locals train HVAC mechanics and sheet metal workers. Examples: Local 46 (Rochester) recruits both trades, and Local 83 covers the Capital District. [14][17]

• Union

  UA plumbers and steamfitters locals

  Some UA (United Association, the plumbers' and pipefitters' union) locals recruit HVAC mechanic apprentices alongside plumbers and steamfitters, such as Local 81 (Syracuse area) and Local 7 (Albany area), whose 2025-26 recruitment closed September 30, 2026. [15][16]

• State program

  Direct Entry pre-apprenticeship programs

  NYS DOL-approved programs that prepare you to meet a registered apprenticeship's minimum requirements and connect you with sponsors. They can't charge tuition. [18]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask