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A home is more than just four walls and a roof. It’s a place where you can feel comfortable and secure. Heating and cooling systems are important parts of the equation, especially in climates that experience extreme summer or winter temperatures (or both).

As a heating and cooling professional, you have the opportunity to practice a skilled trade, earn a good living, and help your clientele maintain a comfortable interior environment. However, you’ll first have to obtain an appropriate license to practice in the state of Connecticut. 

What are your options and what are the requirements to obtain a license?

Types of Limited Heating and Cooling Licenses

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection offers two licenses in the category of Limited Heating and Cooling: S-9 Contractor and S-10 Journeyperson. As a Journeyperson, you are permitted to perform work related to the installation and servicing of hot water and steam heating systems with a total load of 500,000 BTUs or less and steam pressure of 15 pounds or less.

This license also covers the installation and servicing of oil burners (with a capacity of up to five gallons/hour), LP gas (supplied by gas containers), and natural gas piping. These activities are limited to buildings not exceeding three stories. 

While a Journeyperson must operate under the supervision/employment of a Contractor, an S-9 Contractor is allowed to work independently and may supervise/employ Journeyperson professionals.

Education, Experience, and Exam Requirements

The easiest way to obtain an S-10 Limited Heating and Cooling Journeyperson license is to complete an apprenticeship with the Connecticut Department of Labor. There is an alternative, though. You may also submit notarized proof of completed equivalency requirements, including 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction.

With two years of experience as a Journeyperson, you are eligible to apply for an S-9 Limited Heating and Cooling Contractor license. Licensed, out-of-state heating and cooling contractors may also qualify but will have to submit relevant proof as part of the application process.

In addition to these requirements, you’ll have to pass a trade exam before you can obtain your license. This exam may cover a range of relevant topics, including:

• Insulation
• Testing, adjusting, and balancing controls
• Chimneys, flues, and vents
• Refrigerants and refrigeration
• Furnaces and heaters
• Hydronics
• Heating and cooling principles
• Combustion air
• Ducts
• Sound, vibration, and seismic control
• Hangers and supports
• Ventilation and exhaust
• Fuel gas systems
• Safety
• Oil burners
• Load calculations
• AC and heat pump equipment

You will have three hours to complete the open-book exam for your S-9 or S-10 license. The S-9 Contractor exam has 80 questions, while the S-10 Journeyperson exam has 70 questions. You must answer a minimum of 70% of the questions correctly to receive a passing score.

Find a Reliable Exam Prep Program

Targeted exam prep is the key to passing your exam the first time. An accessible and convenient online program designed by industry experts and educators is ideal for working professionals.

With RocketCert, you’ll gain access to the approved programs and comprehensive materials you need to prepare for your exam and obtain a Limited Heating and Cooling license in Connecticut. Contact us today to learn more.