Construction / HVAC License / Rhode Island
- Rhode Island
- HVAC License
- Journeyperson & Master
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Rhode Island Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic License
Rhode Island licenses heating and air conditioning mechanics through a state Board of Examiners. Here’s who needs a license, how to qualify for the journeyperson license and what to expect on the exam.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics requirements
Application fee
$75
Non-refundable and covers the exam; license fee of $72 (journeyperson I) or $240 (master I) after you pass
Exam time
Not stated
State-administered, open book
Time to get license
~5 yrs
5 years of experience for journeyperson
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE before renewal
Overview
Do you need a Rhode Island HVAC license?
Yes. Rhode Island requires heating and air conditioning mechanics to be licensed before they bid on or do any work.
License required when
- You bid on heating or air conditioning work
- You install heating or air conditioning systems
- You service or repair heating and air conditioning systems
- The work is in a home or a commercial establishment
Common exceptions
- Our sources don’t list exemptions, so confirm any exemption with the Board first
- Apprentices work toward the license by filing the Application for Examination and Apprenticeship with the Board
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t list specific penalties. The Board of Examiners licenses heating and air conditioning mechanics in Rhode Island and can act against unlicensed work, so get licensed before you bid or start a job.
Your fast-track Rhode Island HVAC license checklist
The Rhode Island application, one page
- 5 years of heating and air conditioning experience
- Valid driver’s license
- Signed, completed Application for Examination and Apprenticeship
- Board approval to schedule your exam
- Passing score (70%) on the state exam
Types
Rhode Island HVAC license types and classifications
Rhode Island has journeyperson and master heating and air conditioning mechanic exams. Our sources give requirements for the journeyperson license only.
JRY
Most common
Journeyperson Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic
Install, service and repair heating and air conditioning systems in homes and commercial establishments.
Exam
State exam, 70% to pass
Limit
Not stated
MST
Higher level
Master Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanic
The state gives a master-level exam. Our sources don’t list the master’s scope or requirements, so check with the Board.
Exam
State exam, 70% to pass
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Rhode Island HVAC license requirements, class by class
The journeyperson license comes down to experience, ID, a completed application and a passing exam score.
| Requirement | Journeyperson | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 5 years | Not stated |
| Identification | Driver’s license | Not stated |
| Application | Signed, completed application to the Board | Not stated |
| Exam | State exam, 70% to pass | State exam, 70% to pass |
| Continuing education | Not required | Not required |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
Steps
How to get your Rhode Island HVAC license, step by step
- Earn your experienceBefore you apply
Build 5 years of heating and air conditioning experience before you apply for the journeyperson license. - File your applicationBefore the exam
Submit the Application for Examination and Apprenticeship to the Board of Examiners for Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics, with your driver’s license and the $75 non-refundable fee. - Get Board approvalBefore scheduling
The Board must approve you before you can schedule. Once approved, you pick a date and time to sit for the exam. - Pass the state examExam day
The exam is approved and administered by the state, it’s open book, and you need 70% to pass. - Get your licenseThrough the Board
After you pass, you’re invoiced for the 2-year license fee ($72 for journeyperson I, $240 for master I) and receive your heating and air conditioning mechanic license.
Exam
What to expect on the Rhode Island HVAC exam
Rhode Island’s journeyperson and master heating and air conditioning mechanic exams are approved and administered by the state. They’re open book, and you can tab and highlight your references.
Format
Open book
Questions
Not stated
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
State-administered
Scoring & content
- 70% required to pass
- Journeyperson and master exams are offered
- References can be tabbed and highlighted
- Print the Rhode Island State Building Code (free online) for the exam
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our sources
- Board pre-approval is required before you schedule
- Testing centers are in larger cities around the state
Exam references · Open book
The Rhode Island Journeyperson and Master Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic exams are open book. You can tab and highlight the approved references and bring them into the exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 1926 Construction Industry Regulations | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards – Metal & Flexible | 4th edition | Allowed in exam |
| Welding: Principles and Applications | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Rhode Island State Building Code | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
The Rhode Island State Building Code is free to print from the state’s regulations site, so you can bring a printed copy.
Prep
Best Rhode Island HVAC exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Rhode Island HVAC license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | Fixed | $75 |
| Exam fee | Fixed | Included in the $75 application fee |
| License fee, Journeyperson I pipefitter or refrigeration (2 years) | Fixed | $72 |
| License fee, Master I pipefitter or refrigeration (2 years) | Fixed | $240 |
| Code books and references | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes code books and references | $147 (journeyperson I) to $315 (master I) |
Fees from the RI Department of Labor and Training Mechanical Trades Application for Examination and RI.gov mechanical renewal page, checked October 2026; the Rhode Island State Building Code is free to download and print.
Reciprocity
Does Rhode Island accept out-of-state HVAC licenses?
Rhode Island has no reciprocity agreements for this license.
No reciprocity agreements
Even if you hold a license in another state, apply as a new applicant, meet the experience requirement and pass the Rhode Island exam.
Local
Do Rhode Island cities and counties have their own HVAC licensing rules?
Your heating and air conditioning mechanic license comes from the state. Local building officials still handle the job-site side.
State handles
- Heating and air conditioning mechanic licenses
- Exam approval and administration
- Apprenticeship applications
- License renewal
City & county handle
- Building and mechanical permits
- Inspections
Governance
Who regulates HVAC mechanics in Rhode Island
Licensing authority
Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation Unit
401-462-8580
Oversight responsibilities
- Approves applicants to sit for the exam
- Approves and administers the state exams
- Issues heating and air conditioning mechanic licenses
- Handles apprentice applications
Maintenance
How to renew your Rhode Island HVAC license and keep it active
Rhode Island requires no continuing education to renew. Licenses renew every 2 years, and a late fee applies for each month past expiration.
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
CE hours
Not required
Renewal fee
$72 (journeyperson I); $240 (master I)
Late penalty
$12 per month late
FAQ
Rhode Island HVAC license FAQs
Do I need a license to do HVAC work in Rhode Island?
Yes. Heating and air conditioning mechanics must be licensed before any bidding or work.
How much experience do I need for a journeyperson license?
Five years of experience, plus a driver’s license and a signed, completed application.
Is the Rhode Island HVAC exam open book?
Yes. The state-administered exam is open book, and you need 70% to pass.
How do I schedule the exam?
File the Application for Examination and Apprenticeship with the Board. Once you’re approved, you can pick a date and time.
Is continuing education required to renew?
No. Rhode Island requires no continuing education before renewal.
Will Rhode Island accept my out-of-state HVAC license?
No. Rhode Island has no reciprocity agreements, so you apply as a new applicant and take the state exam.
How much does a Rhode Island HVAC license cost?
The application is $75, non-refundable, and covers the exam. After you pass, the 2-year license fee is $72 for a journeyperson I or $240 for a master I pipefitter or refrigeration license.
Sources
Official sources for the Rhode Island HVAC license
- Rhode Island DLT Professional Regulation, Mechanicals
- Rhode Island State Building Code
- Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics, Application for Examination and Apprenticeship
- RI DLT Mechanical Trades Application for Examination (fee table)
- RI DLT Apprentice Completion & Application for Examination
- RI.gov Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, Sheet Metal, Fire Protection license renewal
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Rhode Island Board of Examiners for Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics.