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North Carolina Heating Group 3 License
Heating Group 3 Licensing, Education & Exam Prep
Heating licenses in North Carolina are split into 3 groups. Heating Group 3 deals with air distribution systems having a mechanical refrigeration capacity of 15 tons or less. We offer a course with exam prep, the book for the exam, and additional services to help you obtain your license. All of our training is offered in an online self-paced format. Our exam prep is designed to help you pass your test the first time, and is backed with our no pass, no pay policy. All of our courses are available from almost any device, any time. We hope that you will make RocketCert your home to help you obtain your North Carolina Heating Group 3 License.
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$299Heating Group 3
Exam Prep -
$1606$1489Class 1
Bundle -
$1101$1019Class 2
Bundle
What type of work can be done with this license?
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Heating Group 3 Contractor
The Heating Group 3 License in North Carolina can be utilized for the installation, repair, and servicing of systems and units with a mechanical refrigeration capacity of 15 tons or less. All single-family detached residential systems are included in this group, regardless of total refrigeration capacity. Includes fuel piping qualifications.
Class 1 - Required for licensed work in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.
Class 2 - Allows work in single family detached residential dwellings only. -
Heating Group 3 Technician
Forced air heating/cooling system with cooling capacity of fifteen (15) tons or less. Must be a sub-licensee of a H3 Contractor. This is not a contracting license
What are the requirements to getting a license?
Contractor License Requirements- Two (2) years (4,000 hours) of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing systems related to the category for which a license is sought, whether or not a license was required for the work performed.
- Up to one-half (2,000 hours) (45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours) of the experience requirement may be in academic or technical training directly related to the field of endeavor for which the examination is requested.
Technician License Requirements- To be eligible to take the Plumbing, Heating Group No. 1, Heating Group No. 2 and/or Heating Group No. 3 Technician examination(s)an applicant must have 18 months (3,000 hours) on-site full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service or repair of plumbing or heating systems related to the category for which license is sought, whether or not license was required for the work performed.
- To be eligible to take the Fuel Piping Technician examination, an applicant must have 9 months (1,500 hours) on-site full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, service or repair of fuel piping systems.
How do I obtain a license?
To apply for your license, contact the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors at 919-875-3612 or visit nclicensing.org.
The Board does not require any Continuing Education for this type of license. North Carolina has no reciprocity agreements for Heating Group 3 licensees.
With RocketCert, our education is written by a combination of professional educators and industry professionals. Our exam prep is guaranteed to help you pass the exam, and is backed with our no pass, no pay policy. We pride ourselves on providing industry leading customer service. Also, if you find a better original price on any online course that we offer, we will beat it by 10%.
In order to sit for the exam, you must submit the application for licensure to the state. It must include verified education and work experience as required by the state. Upon application approval, the applicant will receive written notification which will include instructions for scheduling the examination, which must be taken within thirty (30) days of the date of the notification letter.
After studying with RocketCert, you will be on your way to passing the required State exam(s) (see below). Pre-approval is required. Testing centers are setup throughout the State in larger cities.
After completing all the steps above, it will be time to apply through the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors to obtain your North Carolina Heating Group 3 License. Have questions or concerns with this process (or just a lack of time)? Learn more about how we can assist with our Application Processing Program.
Which exam do I need to take?
North Carolina Contractors must pass two examinations: the Heating Group 3 Exam and the Business and Law exam. Business and Law is not required if the applicant holds an active contractor license with this Board and the applicant passed the Board’s Business and Law Exam after August, 2003.
Upon application approval, the applicant will receive instructions for scheduling the examination.
Exams are administered by PSI. You can contact them by calling 855-746-8173 or visiting psiexams.com.
Note: As of July 1, 2025, all plumbing, heating, and fuel gas piping exams will be based on the 2024 editions of the North Carolina codes.
North Carolina Heating Group 3 (Contractor & Technician) Exam
- Passing Score: 70% correct
- Time: 4 Hours
- OPEN BOOK
North Carolina Business and Law Exam
- Total Questions: 40
- Passing Score: 70% Correct
- Time: 90 minutes
- OPEN BOOK
Topics include: Erosion and Sedimentation Control; Licensing; Subcontractor's Pay Requirements; Liens and Bonds; One Call
How do I pass the exam?
The North Carolina Heating Group 3 and Business and Law exams are open book. These references are permitted to be tabbed and highlighted! Unfortunately, our online course is NOT permitted to be accessed during the State exam.
Online Exam Prep Includes:
- Calculation Lessons - Here, we teach you load calculations for sizing HVAC ducts, and heating & cooling systems.
- Highlighting Guides - Introduce the critical information in your book(s). This will familiarize you with each book’s content and its layout.
- Quizzes - These practice quizzes are based on each individual book/reference. They reinforce key concepts.
- Test Simulation / Practice Exam - Comprehensive exams randomly generated from our database of questions. Test simulations are restricted by time, and hints are disabled. Test simulations are as close to the real exam as you can get.
- Guide to Tabbing - This section includes tabbing books and other test taking strategies to keep calm and focused during the exam.
North Carolina Heating Group 3 (Class 1 & Technician) Bundle
Includes the following courses:
- Heating Group 3 (Class 1 & Technician) Online Exam Prep
Plus the following:
- All the books to use during the exam
- Permanent/Pre-Printed Tabs
- Free Shipping!
- Instructor Support
- No Pass No Pay Policy
- Lifetime Access from nearly any device
North Carolina Heating Group 3 Class 2 Bundle
Includes the following courses:
- Heating Group 3 Class 2 Online Exam Prep
Plus the following:
- All the books to use during the exam
- Permanent/Pre-Printed Tabs
- Free Shipping!
- Instructor Support
- No Pass No Pay Policy
- Lifetime Access from nearly any device
The Following References are Allowed to be Used During the Heating Group 3, Class I Exam:
North Carolina Heating Group 3 (Class 1 Contractor & Technician) Online Exam Prep
Manual J - Residential Load Calcs (Full Edition)
Manual Q - Low Pressure, Low Velocity Duct System Design
Manual D - Residential Duct Systems, 3rd Edition
ACCA Duct Calculation Slide Rule
Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
North Carolina State Building Code: Energy Conservation Code 2018
Manual N - Commercial Load Calculation for Small Commercial Buildings
North Carolina State Building Code: Fuel Gas Code 2018
North Carolina State Building Code: Mechanical Code 2018
North Carolina State Building Code: Administrative Code and Policies 2018
North Carolina State Building Code: Residential Code 2018
NC Board Laws and Rules for Plumbing, Heating, and Sprinklers
The Following References are Allowed to be Used During the Heating Group 3, Class II Exam:
North Carolina Heating Group 3 Class 2 Online Exam Prep
Manual J - Residential Load Calcs (Full Edition)
Manual D - Residential Duct Systems, 3rd Edition
ACCA Duct Calculation Slide Rule
Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
North Carolina State Building Code: Administrative Code and Policies 2018
North Carolina State Building Code: Residential Code 2018
NC Board Laws and Rules for Plumbing, Heating, and Sprinklers
North Carolina Plumbing, Heating, Sprinkler Business and Law Bundle
North Carolina Plumbing, Heating, Sprinkler Business and Law Online Exam Prep
North Carolina Contractors Guide to Business and Project Management for Plumbing, Heating, and Sprinklers
11-12 Book Tab Bundle
Permanent Blank Tabs - 375 Pack
Why should I choose RocketCert?
At RocketCert, we strive to be the best (while having fun in the process). This means having not only the best quality of education, but also industry leading technology. Best yet, we are here for you 7 days a week. Have a question or comment? Give us a call or contact us to send us a message. Ready to begin? Select your State above and start immediately. Of course, you can resume later!
Why pay for something knowing your time with it is limited? At RocketCert, we believe in offering lifetime access to your training, even though it will not be needed.
Our education is written industry experts. We believe in helping you with your career, and that help begins with offering best in class education.
We are here for you. Have a question? Need support? Our team is available 7 days a week for technical support. We pride ourselves in taking care of you.
Fail your exam? Prefer a different style of course? Other events taking place in your life? Give us a call and we can process a refund within 30 days of purchase for any reason. Exam prep courses are backed with our No Pass, No Pay guarantee.