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Gas and oil fuels and their relevant equipment are used in many places to provide the necessary heating to the air and water in various structures. Because of the specialized nature of the equipment, however, the proper installation, repair, and maintenance of these elements is considered to be a skilled trade.

In the state of Connecticut, you must obtain a license administered by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to operate as a gas and oil burner professional. Below are the kinds of licenses that are available and the ways in which you can go about obtaining them.

Types of Gas and Oil Burner Licenses

Regarding gas and oil burner work, there are four different licenses you can obtain: B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4. 

To start, a B-1 Limited Gas and Oil Burner Contractor may install, service, and repair any “domestic and light commercial” gas and oil burners that are used for residential and commercial applications and that consume five gallons or less per hour.

With a B-2 Limited Gas and Oil Burner Journeyperson license, you can perform the same work as you would with a B-1 license, but you must do so under the supervision or employment of a B-1-licensed contractor. 

A B-3 Limited Gas and Oil Burner Contractor license allows you to install, service, and repair any gas or oil-fired burners, regardless of capacity, while a B-4 Limited Gas and Oil Burner Journeyperson may perform the same work, albeit under the supervision or employment of a B-3-licensed contractor.

Requirements to Obtain a License

There are different requirements to obtain each of the licenses mentioned above, broken down into experience criteria for journeyperson versus contractor licensing. Each license also requires that you pass an associated exam.

B-2 and B-4 Licenses

B-2 and B-4 Journeyperson licenses are available to professionals who complete set requirements for training. These include completing an apprenticeship with the Department of Labor or obtaining equivalent experience and training. Equivalency for a B-2 license calls for 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 288 classroom hours, while a B-4 license necessitates 4,000 hours of training and 360 classroom hours.

B-1 and B-3 Licenses

To qualify for B-1 and B-3 Contractor licenses, you must first hold a suitable Journeyperson license for two years, though that requirement may be waived if you already hold an out-of-state license as a Heating and Cooling Contractor. Regardless, you will still be required to submit proof of suitable training and experience.

Gas and Oil Burner Exams

In addition to any experience requirements, you will have to pass an exam to obtain your Gas and Oil Burner license. All of the exams outlined below are timed open-book tests. 

The B-1 Contractor Exam is given a two-hour time limit and consists of 50 questions. The B-2 Journeyperson Exam and the B-3 Contractor Exam both run for 1.5 hours each and contain 40 questions, while the B-4 Journeyperson Exam consists of 30 questions and allows for one hour to finish. For all of these tests, you must answer a minimum of 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

An online exam prep program designed by industry professionals offers the convenient access and relevant information you need to pass your exam and obtain your license. Therefore, if you’re ready to apply for your Connecticut Gas and Oil Burner license, turn to RocketCert for the self-paced training program you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more.