Massachusetts HVAC license lookup: how to check and get a license
Massachusetts HVAC license lookup: who issues HVAC contractor licenses (Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (refrigeration/pipefitting); Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (gas heating)), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,069 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do HVAC contractors need a license in Massachusetts?
| Who licenses them | Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (refrigeration/pipefitting); Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (gas heating) |
|---|---|
| License types | Refrigeration Technician, Refrigeration Contractor, Master Pipefitter, Journeyman Pipefitter, Master Gas Fitter, Journeyman Gas Fitter |
| When a license is required | License required to work as a refrigeration technician or pipefitter, regardless of job size (M.G.L. c. 146, s. 84); gas fitting requires a gas fitter or plumber license |
Massachusetts has no single "HVAC license": air conditioning and heat pump refrigerant work falls under refrigeration licenses, and gas furnaces need a licensed gas fitter. Anyone handling refrigerant must also hold federal EPA Section 608 certification.
How do you look up an HVAC contractor's license in Massachusetts?
- Ask the HVAC contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Massachusetts HVAC license lookup run by Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (refrigeration/pipefitting); Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (gas heating).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the HVAC contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (refrigeration/pipefitting); Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (gas heating).
What HVAC licenses does Massachusetts issue?
- Refrigeration Technician
- Refrigeration Contractor
- Master Pipefitter
- Journeyman Pipefitter
- Master Gas Fitter
- Journeyman Gas Fitter
How do you get a HVAC license in Massachusetts?
Licenses are issued by the Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (refrigeration/pipefitting); Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (gas heating). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Division of Occupational Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections (refrigeration/pipefitting); Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (gas heating) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Massachusetts city is the job in?
How many HVAC contractors are there in Massachusetts?
The Census Bureau counted 3,069 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Massachusetts in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Middlesex County | 770 |
|---|---|
| Norfolk County | 358 |
| Essex County | 331 |
| Worcester County | 328 |
| Plymouth County | 318 |
| Bristol County | 278 |
| Barnstable County | 205 |
| Suffolk County | 123 |
What do Massachusetts homes mean for heating and cooling work?
The median home in Massachusetts was built in 1963, 37% of households rent and 57% of homes are single-family houses. 52% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity, and 23% with fuel oil.
How do you choose an HVAC contractor in Massachusetts?
- Check the state or local mechanical or HVAC license, and ask whether the technicians hold EPA 608 certification for refrigerant work.
- For a new system, ask for a load calculation (often called Manual J) rather than a size picked from square footage.
- Ask which rebates and tax credits apply to heat pumps and high-efficiency equipment, and whether the contractor files the paperwork.
- Compare quotes on the same equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings (SEER2, HSPF2, AFUE).
- Ask what the labor warranty covers, separately from the manufacturer's parts warranty.
HVAC Contractors in other states
Sources: Massachusetts licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.