How to get licensed for HVAC work in Vermont

Licensing office Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (with the Electricians' Licensing Board and Plumber's Examining Board) · 802-479-7564 [6][14]

The license pathway in Vermont

1. 1

   Helper, trainee or registered apprentice

   No state license. You learn under licensed or certified technicians; in a registered apprenticeship your sponsor registers you with the Department of Labor. [8][15]

2. 2

   EPA Section 608 technician

   • Yes, a federal certification test

   Federal certification required to maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants. [5]

3. 3

   Gas installer or oil burner installer certification

   • AGA course of study (natural gas) or CETP/PEP modules (propane)
   • Oil: NORA Silver (or Bronze, limited) exam
   • 8 hours of related instruction every 3 years, including 2 hours on carbon monoxide prevention

   Anyone who installs, inspects or services propane or natural gas systems must be certified, and oil burner installers need a Certification of Fitness. [2][3]

4. 4

   Type-S journeyman electrician (A1 or C3)

   • 2,000 hours on the job
   • A training program recognized by the Board
   • Yes, one exam per specialty field
   • $115 per field for 3 years
   • Every 3 years; 8 hours on your specialty

   Lets you design, install, repair and replace electrical installations only in your specialty, as an employee or contractor, and only install branch circuits from an existing service. You can supervise apprentices and helpers. [1][7][8]

5. 5

   Plumbing heating system specialist (P2)

   • 4,000 hours on the job
   • 144 hours (route without a registered apprenticeship)
   • Yes
   • $50 per field
   • Every 2 years

   Covers hydronic space heating systems, including radiant and solar, and steam systems up to 15 PSI (a testing company). Qualify with 2,000 hours as a registered apprentice, or 4,000 documented hours plus at least 144 hours of instruction. [4][12][16]

No single HVAC license in Vermont

Vermont splits heating and cooling work among several credentials, all handled by the Division of Fire Safety:

• Electrical work on heating and cooling equipment needs an electrician license. The Type-S journeyman license covers one specialty: A1 is automatic gas or oil heating, including geothermal and ground-source heat pumps; C3 is refrigeration or air conditioning, including air-to-air heat pumps.
• Gas appliances: all individuals who install, inspect or service propane or natural gas systems must be certified under the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code.
• Oil burners: a Certification of Fitness is required for oil burner installers.
• Hydronic (hot-water) heating: the plumbing law's heating system specialist license.

Licensed master electricians and master plumbers can also do the work their licenses cover. Federal EPA Section 608 certification is separate and applies nationwide. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Type-S A1 and C3 licenses

To qualify for a Type-S license, you complete an accredited training and experience program the Board recognizes (or training and experience it accepts) and pass an exam in each field. The application asks for proof of the training program plus one year (2,000 hours) of experience on signed affidavits.

Type-S holders may work only in their specialty and may only install branch circuits from the existing electrical service. The license costs $115 per field for three years. Renewal needs 8 hours of approved instruction on your specialty; someone licensed only in A1 and C3 needs no more than 8 hours in total. [1][7][8]

Gas and oil certifications

• Natural gas installer: complete the American Gas Association course of study (combustion, venting, electricity, gas controls and appliances).
• Propane (LP) gas installer: complete the required National Propane Gas Association CETP sections; the newer PERC (Propane Education & Research Council) Education Program (PEP) modules are also accepted.
• Oil burning equipment installer: pass the National Oil Heat Research Alliance (NORA) Silver certificate exam; the limited certification uses the Bronze exam.

Each needs 8 hours of related instruction every three years, including at least two hours on preventing carbon monoxide leaks, and the Vermont Energy Goals module. [2][3]

Apprenticeships and training

Employers sponsor registered apprenticeships through the Vermont Department of Labor. The Department lists ReSOURCE's HVAC 101 as a certified pre-apprenticeship that feeds VHV's registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship.

UA Local 693 in South Burlington runs a five-year apprenticeship covering plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC and welding, with free classes two nights a week. It requires age 18 and a high school diploma or GED. For more, see how to get an apprenticeship. [9][10][11]

Steps to get licensed in Vermont

1. Get hired and start training

   Apply to HVAC employers with registered programs, to UA Local 693, or to a certified pre-apprenticeship listed by the Department of Labor. [10][11][13]

2. Earn EPA Section 608 certification

   Pass the EPA 608 (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's refrigerant rule) exam for the equipment types you'll work on. See our EPA 608 guide. [5]

3. Get the Vermont credential for your work

   Apply to the Division of Fire Safety for the gas installer or oil burner certification after the required training, and complete the Vermont Energy Goals module with your application. [2][3]

4. Add a Type-S electrical license

   After a recognized training program and one year (2,000 hours) of experience, apply with the electrical license application and pass the A1 or C3 exam. [1][7]

5. Keep up continuing education

   Type-S licenses need 8 hours on your specialty every 3 years; gas and oil certifications need 8 hours every 3 years, including 2 hours on carbon monoxide prevention. [1][2][3]

Where to get the hours

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

• State program

  Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program

  The Vermont Department of Labor registers programs; you're hired by a sponsoring employer, not the state. [9][13]

• Other

  ReSOURCE HVAC 101 (certified pre-apprenticeship)

  Certified by the Department of Labor as a feeder into VHV's registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship. [10]

• Union

  UA Local 693 apprenticeship

  Five years of paid work with classes two nights a week in plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC and welding, preparing apprentices for plumbing, propane, natural gas, refrigeration and oil licenses. [11]

Licensed in another state?

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