Massachusetts Refrigeration License Requirements

Official classification: Refrigeration Contractor / Technician / Apprentice · Issued by the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure.

🧊 RefrigerationMA ✔ Verified 2026-07-22

In Massachusetts, refrigeration contractors must hold the Refrigeration Contractor / Technician / Apprentice, issued by the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed refrigeration contractor in Massachusetts

Follow these steps to earn your Refrigeration Contractor / Technician / Apprentice. Every figure is verified against the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Apprentice: register with the state as an apprentice. Technician (journeyman), applications before Nov 9, 2026 — three pathways: 250 course hours + 6,000 apprentice work hours, OR 500 course hours + 4,000 hours, OR 1,000 course hours + 2,000 hours. On/after Nov 9, 2026: a 450-hour formal course + at least 6,000 clock hours as a licensed apprentice. Contractor: at least 2,000 hours as a Massachusetts-licensed Refrigeration Technician + 100 hours of Bureau-approved education. High school diploma or equivalency required for technician applicants; EPA Section 608 certification required separately to handle refrigerants.
Pass the Refrigeration exam (written + practical) exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152).
Clear the background check. CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check; convictions are weighed for direct relation to the trade, with no blanket disqualification
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure — Contractor $150; Technician $75; Apprentice $40 (non-refundable, exam included) application fee, plus a Included in the application fee license fee. Processing time: Applicants notified by email 4–8 weeks after filing; license arrives about 2–3 weeks after passing the exam.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years.

Massachusetts refrigeration contractor license lookup

To confirm a refrigeration contractor is properly licensed in Massachusetts — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official mass.gov database →

License types

Refrigeration Contractor — Master-level license: may maintain a regular place of business, contract for refrigeration work and employ licensed technicians.
Refrigeration Technician — Journeyman-level license for installation, repair, replacement and maintenance of refrigeration systems.
Refrigeration Apprentice — Entry-level license for those training in the trade under supervision.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Apprentice: register with the state as an apprentice. Technician (journeyman), applications before Nov 9, 2026 — three pathways: 250 course hours + 6,000 apprentice work hours, OR 500 course hours + 4,000 hours, OR 1,000 course hours + 2,000 hours. On/after Nov 9, 2026: a 450-hour formal course + at least 6,000 clock hours as a licensed apprentice. Contractor: at least 2,000 hours as a Massachusetts-licensed Refrigeration Technician + 100 hours of Bureau-approved education. High school diploma or equivalency required for technician applicants; EPA Section 608 certification required separately to handle refrigerants.
Application fee	Contractor $150; Technician $75; Apprentice $40 (non-refundable, exam included)
License fee	Included in the application fee
Renewal fee	Apprentice $20; Journeyman/Technician $50; Master/Contractor $75
Renewal period	Every 2 years
Continuing education	None found: no continuing-education requirement appears in M.G.L. c. 146 or 528 CMR 11, and the Bureau's renewal instructions ask for no further documentation beyond the renewal application and fee.
Bond required	None required — refrigeration licensees file no bond or insurance certificate with the state. (The Bureau's $500,000 liability-insurance filing requirement applies to Sprinkler Fitter Contractors, a different license under the same Bureau.)
Liability insurance	Not required as a condition of licensure, but commonly required by clients and municipalities
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152)
Background check	CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check; convictions are weighed for direct relation to the trade, with no blanket disqualification
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	No automatic recognition. As an alternative to the Massachusetts apprentice route, a Refrigeration Technician applicant may submit a refrigeration technician, master technician or equivalent license from another jurisdiction plus employer documentation of equivalent experience and certification, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Bureau (528 CMR 11.03). · other states' agreements
Processing time	Applicants notified by email 4–8 weeks after filing; license arrives about 2–3 weeks after passing the exam

What a Massachusetts refrigeration license costs

Application fee	Contractor $150; Technician $75; Apprentice $40 (non-refundable, exam included).
License fee	Included in the application fee.
Refrigeration exam (written + practical)	Included in the application fee.
Surety bond	None required — refrigeration licensees file no bond or insurance certificate with the state. (The Bureau's $500,000 liability-insurance filing requirement applies to Sprinkler Fitter Contractors, a different license under the same Bureau.).
Renewal fee	Apprentice $20; Journeyman/Technician $50; Master/Contractor $75.
Renewal period	Every 2 years.

Exams

Refrigeration exam (written + practical)	Provider: Office of Public Safety and Inspections (state-administered) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in the application fee

Renewing a Massachusetts refrigeration contractor license

The Refrigeration Contractor / Technician / Apprentice renews on a fixed cycle set by the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years
Renewal fee	Apprentice $20; Journeyman/Technician $50; Master/Contractor $75
Continuing education	None found: no continuing-education requirement appears in M.G.L. c. 146 or 528 CMR 11, and the Bureau's renewal instructions ask for no further documentation beyond the renewal application and fee.
Where to renew	Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure

Local / municipal notes

A refrigeration license is required for work on systems of 10 tons capacity or greater (smaller systems need only EPA 608 certification). Massachusetts does not recognize out-of-state refrigeration licenses — you must qualify and test in-state. Contractors must display their license number on commercial vehicles, invoices, offers and business stationery.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Massachusetts refrigeration license cost?

Application: Contractor $150; Technician $75; Apprentice $40 (non-refundable, exam included). License: Included in the application fee. Renewal: Apprentice $20; Journeyman/Technician $50; Master/Contractor $75.

How do I look up a refrigeration license in Massachusetts?

Search the official license database at mass.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do refrigerations in Massachusetts need a surety bond?

None required — refrigeration licensees file no bond or insurance certificate with the state. (The Bureau's $500,000 liability-insurance filing requirement applies to Sprinkler Fitter Contractors, a different license under the same Bureau.)

What experience is required for a Massachusetts refrigeration license?

Apprentice: register with the state as an apprentice. Technician (journeyman), applications before Nov 9, 2026 — three pathways: 250 course hours + 6,000 apprentice work hours, OR 500 course hours + 4,000 hours, OR 1,000 course hours + 2,000 hours. On/after Nov 9, 2026: a 450-hour formal course + at least 6,000 clock hours as a licensed apprentice. Contractor: at least 2,000 hours as a Massachusetts-licensed Refrigeration Technician + 100 hours of Bureau-approved education. High school diploma or equivalency required for technician applicants; EPA Section 608 certification required separately to handle refrigerants.

Is insurance required for refrigerations in Massachusetts?

Liability: Not required as a condition of licensure, but commonly required by clients and municipalities. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152).

How long does it take to get a Massachusetts refrigeration license?

Processing time: Applicants notified by email 4–8 weeks after filing; license arrives about 2–3 weeks after passing the exam.

Is a background check required for refrigerations in Massachusetts?

Background check: CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check; convictions are weighed for direct relation to the trade, with no blanket disqualification.

How often must a Massachusetts refrigeration license be renewed?

Every 2 years. Continuing education: None found: no continuing-education requirement appears in M.G.L. c. 146 or 528 CMR 11, and the Bureau's renewal instructions ask for no further documentation beyond the renewal application and fee.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler Fitters, Division of Occupational Licensure before applying. This is not legal advice.