Construction / HVAC License / District of Columbia
- District of Columbia
- HVAC License
- Journeyman & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your District of Columbia Refrigeration & Air Conditioning License
DC licenses HVAC work as Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, at the Journeyman and Master levels. Here’s what each license covers, how to qualify and what to expect on the PSI exams.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades requirements
Application fee
$65
Plus $52 PSI exam fee and $110 license fee
Exam time
2–3.5 hrs
Journeyman 2 hrs, Master 3.5 hrs
Time to get license
Varies
5 yrs of experience, an exam, or a Board-approved mix
Continuing ed
Not required
For Journeyman and Master
Overview
Do you need a District of Columbia HVAC license?
Yes. In the District, refrigeration and air conditioning work is licensed by the Board of Industrial Trades. A Journeyman license covers systems up to 25 compressor horsepower, and a Master license covers systems of any size.
License required when
- Installing refrigeration or air conditioning systems
- Maintaining, repairing or replacing refrigeration or air conditioning systems
- Supervising that work for others
- Working on systems over 25 compressor horsepower or the equivalent tons (Master license)
Common exceptions
- Our sources don’t list exemptions, so confirm with the Board before you take on work
- Both licenses are subject to the limitations in §301 of the District’s rules
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t list specific penalty amounts. The Board can refuse or discipline licenses, so wait until your license is issued before doing refrigeration or air conditioning work in DC.
Your fast-track District of Columbia HVAC license checklist
The District of Columbia application, one page
- Choose Journeyman (up to 25 HP) or Master (any size)
- Proof of 5 years’ experience, or a qualifying exam
- Board of Industrial Trades account and exam pre-approval
- PSI exam booked and passed
- License application submitted online
Types
District of Columbia HVAC license types and classifications
DC has two refrigeration and air conditioning license levels. The difference is the size of the systems you can work on.
JRY
Smaller systems
Journeyman Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
Supervise or perform installation, maintenance, repair or replacement of refrigeration and air conditioning systems up to 25 compressor horsepower or the equivalent tons in the aggregate.
Exam
Journeyman exam
Limit
Up to 25 HP
MST
Any size
Master Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
Supervise or perform installation, maintenance, repair or replacement of any refrigeration or air conditioning system and its components, regardless of size.
Exam
Master exam
Limit
No size limit
Requirements
District of Columbia HVAC license requirements, class by class
You qualify by experience, by exam or by a combination the Board accepts. Either way, you still pass the license exam for your level.
| Requirement | Journeyman | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Experience option | 5 years on systems over 25 HP, right before you apply | 5 years on systems over 25 HP, right before you apply |
| Exam option | Practical and theory exam on systems over 25 HP | Practical and theory exam on systems over 25 HP |
| Combination | Any mix the Board finds sufficient | Any mix the Board finds sufficient |
| License exam | 60 questions, 2 hours | 80 questions, 3.5 hours |
| System size you can work on | Up to 25 HP | Any size |
| Minimum age | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your District of Columbia HVAC license, step by step
- Pick your levelBefore you start
Choose Journeyman for systems up to 25 compressor horsepower, or Master for systems of any size. - Document your qualificationsBefore you apply
Gather proof of 5 years of work on systems over 25 HP immediately before you apply, or plan to qualify by exam or a Board-approved combination. - Get exam pre-approvalBefore you test
Create an account with the Board of Industrial Trades and apply for approval to sit for the exam. - Schedule with PSIBook online or by phone
Book at candidate.psiexams.com or call 855-557-0616. Test centers are located throughout the District. - Pass your examExam day
Journeyman is 60 questions in 2 hours; Master is 80 questions in 3.5 hours. Both are open book. - Apply for your licenseAfter you pass
Submit your license application online through the DC professional licensing site.
Exam
What to expect on the District of Columbia HVAC exam
Both DC refrigeration and air conditioning exams are open book and cover the same topic areas. The Master exam is longer and goes deeper.
Format
Open book
Questions
60 or 80
Passing score
Not stated
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Journeyman: 60 questions, 2 hours
- Master: 80 questions, 3.5 hours
- Topics: theory and system types, refrigerant and condensate piping, compressors, condensers, chillers, cooling towers and heat pumps, air distribution and ducts, electrical controls, refrigerants, safety, maintenance and repairs
- References include the 2012 International Mechanical Code and Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- References must be bound; tabs and highlighting are allowed
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our sources
- Check with PSI at 855-557-0616 before you rebook
- You need Board pre-approval before you can schedule
Exam references · Open book
The District of Columbia Journeyman and Master Refrigeration & Air Conditioning exams are open book. You can tab and highlight the references below and use them during the test, as long as they’re bound.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2012 | Allowed in exam |
| Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | 22nd edition | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best District of Columbia HVAC exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a District of Columbia HVAC license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $65 |
| PSI exam fee | Fixed | $52 |
| License fee | Fixed | $110 |
| Code books and references | Variable | Varies |
| DC fees and exam | Excludes code books and any retake fees | $227 |
Fees from the DLCP Board of Industrial Trades fee schedule and the PSI Washington D.C. Contractor/Trades candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does District of Columbia accept out-of-state HVAC licenses?
DC doesn’t have reciprocity for Journeyman or Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning licenses.
No reciprocity agreements
Out-of-state mechanics apply as new applicants, meet DC’s experience or exam requirements and pass the PSI exam.
Local
Do District of Columbia cities and counties have their own HVAC licensing rules?
DC is a single jurisdiction, so the District handles both licensing and permits. There’s no separate county layer.
State handles
- Journeyman and Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning licenses
- Exam pre-approval through the Board of Industrial Trades
- Discipline of licensees
City & county handle
- Mechanical permits and inspections, handled by the District itself
- No separate city or county license
Governance
Who regulates HVAC mechanics in the District of Columbia
Licensing authority
District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades
1-866-270-9817
Oversight responsibilities
- Approves applicants to sit for the exam
- Issues Journeyman and Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning licenses
- Decides which experience and exam combinations qualify
- Disciplines licensees
Maintenance
How to renew your District of Columbia HVAC license and keep it active
DC doesn’t require continuing education for Journeyman or Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning licenses. Licenses run up to 2 years and expire September 30 of even-numbered years. Renewal is $155, with a $50 late fee.
Renewal cycle
Up to 2 years
CE hours
Not required
Renewal fee
$155
Late penalty
$50
FAQ
District of Columbia HVAC license FAQs
What’s the difference between a Journeyman and Master HVAC license in DC?
A Journeyman can work on refrigeration and air conditioning systems up to 25 compressor horsepower. A Master can work on systems of any size.
How do I qualify for a DC refrigeration and air conditioning license?
Show 5 years of work on systems over 25 horsepower right before you apply, pass a practical and theory exam, or meet a combination the Board accepts. You also pass the license exam for your level.
Is the DC HVAC exam open book?
Yes. You can bring bound references that are tabbed and highlighted. The Journeyman exam is 60 questions in 2 hours and the Master exam is 80 questions in 3.5 hours.
Who runs the DC HVAC exams?
PSI. You can schedule online at candidate.psiexams.com or by calling 855-557-0616 after the Board approves you.
Does DC accept HVAC licenses from other states?
No. DC has no reciprocity agreements for Journeyman or Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning licenses.
Is continuing education required in DC?
No. DC doesn’t require continuing education for these licenses.
Sources
Official sources for the District of Columbia HVAC license
- DC Professional Licensing, Board of Industrial Trades
- PSI Exams, DC candidate scheduling
- DC Board of Industrial Trades, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic rules (§301)
- DLCP Board of Industrial Trades, fee schedule
- PSI Washington D.C. Contractor/Trades Candidate Information Bulletin
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades.