Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from District of Columbia's official board.
The District licenses individuals at apprentice, journeyman and master level and separately licenses the business through a trade contractor license that must name a DC-licensed master and post a bond. The Limited versus Regular split at 25 compressor horsepower is the scope trigger that decides which credential a technician actually needs. Federal EPA Section 608 certification is effectively built into the process, since the board requires CFC Universal Certification of both journeyman and master applicants.
| Requirements | Apprentice requires no experience, only employment verification or school enrollment. Journeyman by examination requires 3 years of experience evidenced by tax records, an employment verification letter signed by a master, and CFC Universal Certification; the journeyman exam is waived on proof of completion of a nationally certified apprenticeship, described by the board as classroom work plus 8,000 or more hours (4 years) of on-the-job training under a master. Master by examination requires 5 years of experience plus tax records, CFC Universal Certification and an employment verification letter. Limited means work at or below 25 compressor horsepower. The exam is open book. Trade contractor applicants must provide proof of registration or a certificate of good standing, designate a DC-licensed master tradesperson, and post a refrigeration and air conditioning bond. |
| Reciprocity | Not specified on the official pages reviewed for refrigeration and air conditioning. The board's notices list a licensure reciprocity item for Maryland plumbing professionals only. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. Regardless of when they were issued, refrigeration and air conditioning licenses expire September 30 of even-numbered years, as do steam and operating engineer licenses. No continuing education requirement is stated on the official pages reviewed. |
| Notes | The District licenses individuals at apprentice, journeyman and master level and separately licenses the business through a trade contractor license that must name a DC-licensed master and post a bond. The Limited versus Regular split at 25 compressor horsepower is the scope trigger that decides which credential a technician actually needs. Federal EPA Section 608 certification is effectively built into the process, since the board requires CFC Universal Certification of both journeyman and master applicants. |
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Sources: dlcp.dc.gov, dlcp.dc.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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