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In North Carolina, there are three types of heating licenses for soon-to-be contractors to choose from. If you know that you want to become a heating contractor but are unsure about which type of license is best for the career you have envisioned, you’ve come to the right place. 

This article will help you better understand each license type and decide which is best for your situation. Get ready to do a deep dive into North Carolina’s Groups 1, 2, and 3 Heating licenses.

About Heating Group 1 Licenses

The first type of heating license to consider is known as a Group 1 License. With this type of license, you will be able to work on a range of building types, including:

• Residential 
• Institutional
• Industrial 
• Commercial

You can further specify the work you want to do by obtaining a Class 1 or Class 2 license. With a Class 1, Heating Group 1 license, you can work on residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. With a Class 2, Heating Group 1 license, you can only perform work on single-family detached residential dwellings. 

What Can You Do with a Group One License?

With a Group One license, you may perform any services, repairs, or installations upon heating systems in most types of buildings. (Again, depending upon the class of license.) 

Essentially, this means you are permitted to work on mechanical equipment, piping, and ducts related to comfort heating. You will also be permitted to work on any fuel piping projects.

What Experience Do You Need to Apply for a Group One License?

Before you can apply for or obtain your Group One heating license, you must meet the required qualifications. Specifically, you must be able to verify that you have at least two years of full-time experience with repairing/installing/maintaining/servicing plumbing systems. 

Of that time, up to one-half must qualify as academic or technical training. And all experience must be directly related to the license type for which you are applying.

How Do You Obtain Your Group 1 License?

To successfully apply for and obtain your Group 1 license, you must be able and willing to take the following important steps:

1. Submitting an application for pre-approval to the state
2. Studying for and passing the state or national exams
3. Applying for your license with proof that you have passed the necessary exams

There are two exams that you must pass to obtain your Group 1 license. They include the NC Heating Group 1 Exam and the NC Business and Law Exam. You’ll want to invest in appropriate materials to prepare for each.

About Heating Group 2 Licenses

Heating Group 2 is a bit less traditional than Heating Group 1. Still, it might be the perfect fit for you, depending upon your experience. Essentially, what makes Group 2 different is that with this license, you can perform work on mechanical refrigeration systems that weigh more than 15 tons. 

What Can You Do with a Group 2 License?

Specifically, with a Group 2 license, you may perform services, repairs, or installations for HVAC systems of buildings that have interacting components for the production and movement of conditioned air. (As long as the system weighs more than 15 tons.) Again, fuel piping privileges are included in this type of heating license. 

What Experience Do You Need to Apply for a Group 2 License?

The experience needed for a Group 2 license is similar to the experienced needed for a Group 1 license. Essentially, you must have two years of related plumbing experience with up to one year including technical or academic training.

How Do You Obtain Your Group 2 License?

To obtain your license, you must obtain pre-approval from the state to start your application. Then, you must study for the related exams and pass them before submitting your formal application to the state.

You must be able to pass both of the following exams with at least a 70% grade. Fortunately, both exams are open-book. So you may bring your course materials with you as you take the:

• NC Heating Group 2 Exam
• NC Business and Law Exam

Make sure to fully prepare for each exam so that you can secure a passing grade.

About Heating Group 3 Licenses

Heating Group 3 licenses are very similar to Group 2 licenses. But in this case, you will only have permission to work on refrigeration systems that weigh 15 tons or less. Essentially, with a Heating Group 3 license, you may get a successful residential refrigeration company up and running.

What Can You Do with a Group 3 License?

With a Group 3 License, you can contract to perform repairs, installations, and other services involving refrigeration systems that weigh 15 tons or less. This means that you can perform work on any and all single-family detached residential systems, regardless of their refrigeration capacity.

What Experience Do You Need to Apply for a Group 3 License?

As with the other license types, you must be able to provide proof that you have two years of full-time, related experience to the license you are applying for. Of that time, up to one year must qualify as academic or technical training.

How Do You Obtain Your Group 3 License?

As with the other types, Group 3 licenses require preapproval from the state. Then you must pass both the North Carolina Heating Group 3 and Business and Law exams with a 70% or higher.

From there, you will need to submit your exam scores to the state licensing board for approval. Visit the website of the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors to learn how.

Why Should You Choose RocketCert When Applying for a Heating License in North Carolina?

Are you ready to apply for a heating license in North Carolina so you can embark upon the next phase of your career? Choose RocketCert as your helpful resource and you’ll find that preparing for and passing your exams has never been easier.