Rhode Island HVAC License Requirements
Yes. Rhode Island licenses HVAC technicians through the RI DLT, Pipefitters & Refrigeration Technicians. It issues apprentice, journeyman, master and contractor credentials. A journeyman license takes 6,000 hours of work experience. Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
State HVAC license · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | Apprentice |
| Journeyman | Refrigeration/AC Journeyperson I/II |
| Master | Master I/II |
| Contractor | Master |
Requirements
| Journeyman experience | 6,000 (some classes) |
| Classroom hours | 432 related training |
| Exam | State exam |
| Fees | Renewal: master $240, journeyman I $72 |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | RI DLT, Pipefitters & Refrigeration Technicians |
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 | RI DLT Professional Regulation |
- Source: dlt.ri.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Mechanical code
| Code in force | 2021 IMC with state amendments (SBC-4) |
Effective Dec 1, 2025 with RI amendments (510-RICR-00-00).
- Source: ribcc.ri.gov · checked November 5, 2026