New York HVAC License Requirements
No. New York has no statewide HVAC license; cities and counties license HVAC work. Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
Local only · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
Requirements
| Local license | Varies by city |
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.
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (NYS Department of Labor) |
NYS DOL registers programs; page has Become an Apprentice and Become a Sponsor paths.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: dol.ny.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Mechanical code
| Code in force | 2025 Mechanical Code of New York State |
New York City has its own codes.
- Source: dos.ny.gov · checked November 5, 2026