New York Refrigeration License Requirements

Official classification: No statewide license — NYC Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01) · Issued by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

🧊 RefrigerationNY ✔ Verified 2026-07-22

In New York, refrigeration contractors must hold the No statewide license — NYC Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01), issued by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed refrigeration contractor in New York

New York licenses refrigeration contractors at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.

Start with your city, not the state. New York has no statewide refrigeration contractor license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
Register and pay the local fees. $60 (City of New York)
Renew on your city's schedule. Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late.

New York refrigeration contractor license lookup

New York has no statewide refrigeration contractor license, so there is no state license database to search — verify a contractor's registration or license with the city or county where the work will be done.

License types

Certificate of Qualification Q-01 — Refrigerating System Operating Engineer — Required to operate any NYC refrigerating system that needs an FDNY permit. A personal, premises-related certificate held by the operating engineer — not a contractor business license.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Completion of a 200-hour FDNY-certified Refrigerating System Operating Engineer course, OR at least 1 year of practical experience with refrigerating systems. Applicants must also hold an EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certificate and a high school diploma or GED.
Application fee	$60 (City of New York)
License fee	—
Renewal fee	$15 (City of New York, online renewal)
Renewal period	Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late
Continuing education	7 hours of live (in person or virtual) A2L refrigerant training from an FDNY-approved refrigeration school, required at each renewal; holders who took the FDNY computer-based test after January 1, 2025 are exempt
Bond required	—
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None (the Q-01 is an FDNY-issued NYC certificate; no other jurisdiction's license substitutes for it) · other states' agreements
Processing time	FDNY lists applications as reviewed within 1-2 days

What a New York refrigeration license costs

Fees are set per city; the figures on this page are one city's example.

Exams

Z-51 written exam (110 multiple-choice questions)	Provider: FDNY · Passing: 70% · Fee: $60 per attempt
Z-52 practical exam (computer simulator)	Provider: FDNY · Passing: 70% · Fee: $225

Renewing a New York refrigeration contractor license

Because New York licenses refrigeration contractors locally, renewal runs through the same city office that issued the credential. The figures below are the NYC Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (Q-01) rules; other New York municipalities set their own.

Renewal period	Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late
Renewal fee	$15 (City of New York, online renewal)
Continuing education	7 hours of live (in person or virtual) A2L refrigerant training from an FDNY-approved refrigeration school, required at each renewal; holders who took the FDNY computer-based test after January 1, 2025 are exempt
Where to renew	New York City Fire Department (FDNY)

Local / municipal notes

New York State has no statewide refrigeration license — this page covers New York City, where the FDNY Q-01 certificate is the key credential. The Q-01 is premises-related: the holder must be physically present in the building while the refrigerating system operates under their personal direction and control. Other New York municipalities set their own rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New York refrigeration license cost?

Application: $60 (City of New York). Renewal: $15 (City of New York, online renewal).

Do refrigerations in New York need a surety bond?

Not stated by the board.

What experience is required for a New York refrigeration license?

Completion of a 200-hour FDNY-certified Refrigerating System Operating Engineer course, OR at least 1 year of practical experience with refrigerating systems. Applicants must also hold an EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certificate and a high school diploma or GED.

How long does it take to get a New York refrigeration license?

Processing time: FDNY lists applications as reviewed within 1-2 days.

How often must a New York refrigeration license be renewed?

Every 3 years. FDNY mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration; late renewals are accepted up to 364 days after expiration, with a $25 penalty once more than 90 days late. Continuing education: 7 hours of live (in person or virtual) A2L refrigerant training from an FDNY-approved refrigeration school, required at each renewal; holders who took the FDNY computer-based test after January 1, 2025 are exempt.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) before applying. This is not legal advice.