District of Columbia HVAC License Requirements
Yes. District of Columbia licenses HVAC technicians through the DC Board of Industrial Trades (DLCP). It issues journeyman, master and contractor credentials. Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
State HVAC license · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Journeyman | Refrigeration & AC Mechanic |
| Master | Master Mechanic (CFC certificate required) |
| Contractor | Contractor (DC master + bond) |
Requirements
| Exam | PSI exam |
| Fees | Application $65; mechanic $110; contractor $120; renewal mechanic $155, contractor $180; late $50 |
| Renewal | 2 years (Sept 30, even years) |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | DC Board of Industrial Trades (DLCP) |
Federal: EPA 608 certification
| Rule | Federal certification required to service or dispose of refrigerant equipment and to buy refrigerant |
Who: anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant (attaching gauges, adding or removing refrigerant). Types: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high- and very high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), Universal (all types). Expiry: credentials do not expire. Buying refrigerant: sellers may sell only to certified technicians or employers of one, with limited exceptions (e.g. small cans of MVAC refrigerant). EPA does not issue cards; approved certifying organizations do. Universal requires a proctored core exam.
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for DC Board of Industrial Trades) |
Board of Industrial Trades: exams scheduled online with PSI (psiexams.com).
- Source: dlcp.dc.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (DC DOES Apprenticeship DC) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: does.dc.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Mechanical code
| Code in force | 2015 IMC with DC amendments |
- Source: dob.dc.gov · checked November 5, 2026