Illinois to Rhode Island: master HVAC technician license reciprocity
Illinois does not issue a statewide master HVAC technician license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is Rhode Island's standard path for out-of-state applicants.
Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.
Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.
Out-of-state master or contractor admitted to the Rhode Island Refrigeration Master exam (all states)
Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.
A master HVAC technician or HVAC/refrigeration contractor licensed in any other state applies to DLT for the Refrigeration Master 1 (code 002) or Master 2 (code 003) examination on the Mechanical Trade application, with a copy of the out-of-state license and an official license verification, a notarized employer statement on company letterhead detailing all work experience, a copy of government ID and the $75 non-refundable fee, filed at least 15 days before the exam date. R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10(3) accepts, in place of one year as a Rhode Island-licensed journeyperson, 'an affidavit or other reasonably satisfactory evidence showing the laws of another state specifying that person as a ... refrigeration/air conditioning ... master', and 260-RICR-30-15-2 § 2.12.C states that an out-of-state Master Class I refrigeration license 'will allow the applicant to be tested for the Refrigeration Master Class I Rhode Island license'; if the origin state has no Master Class I license, a notarized resume showing six years' experience, one as a contractor, accompanies the application (Master Class II: six years, three as a contractor). The master exam is not waived and must be passed with a score of 70 or better; the applicant is then invoiced for the $240 two-year Master I license fee ($96 for Master II). Unlike the electrical trade, an out-of-state master does not have to hold the Rhode Island journeyperson license first.
DLT publishes no separate business or law exam for the master license; the master exam is a single DLT-administered examination. Whether DLT accepts an out-of-state 'HVAC contractor' or 'master HVAC' title as the equivalent of a refrigeration/air-conditioning master under § 28-27-10(3) is decided on the license verification; no list of accepted titles is published. The DLT fee table lists both 'Refrigeration Master 1' and 'Contractor Master Refrigeration' at the same fees; the distinction between the two is not explained on any official page opened. A Master I who wants to contract as a firm also files the Mechanical Corporation application. Processing time is not published.
At a glance
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Out-of-state hours
- Count toward eligibility
What you must already have
- Your Illinois license must be active and in good standing.
- If the origin state has no Refrigeration Master Class I license: a notarized resume showing six years' experience, one of which as a contractor (Master Class II: six years, three as a contractor)
- You must have held your Illinois license for at least 1 year.Rhode Island applicants must have held the Rhode Island Refrigeration Journeyperson I license for one year; § 28-27-10(3) substitutes evidence of out-of-state master or contractor licensure for this requirement.
What you'll do to get licensed in Rhode Island
- 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($75). Non-refundable application processing fee for the refrigeration master examination (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-17).
- 2Other. Notarized application, copy of government-issued ID, notarized employer experience statement on company letterhead, copy of the out-of-state license and official license verification; filed at least 15 days before the exam date.
- 3Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Rhode Island Refrigeration Master Class I (or Class II) examination administered by DLT Professional Regulation; score of 70 or greater required.
- 4License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($240). Two-year Refrigeration Master 1 license fee, invoiced after a passing score (Master 2: $96); renews every two years on the licensee's birthday for the same amount.
- 5Other. EPA Section 608 technician certification (Type I/II/III/Universal) to handle refrigerants; federal, does not expire.
Published fees on this path total $315, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
What you'll need to buy or arrange
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Trade exam
- Other
How Rhode Island licenses master HVAC technicians
Rhode Island master HVAC technician · “Refrigeration Master Class I (RM1, unlimited)”
Statewide license
Rhode Island's master-level HVAC credential is the Refrigeration Master Class I (RM1), the unlimited refrigeration/air-conditioning master license issued by DLT to an individual after passing the master examination; a Master Class I may be self-employed and, under R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-4, a master refrigeration contractor performs refrigeration/air conditioning work through a regular place of business personally or through employed journeypersons. The Refrigeration Master Class II (RM2) is the limited version (comfort cooling to 20 tons, product cooling to 3 tons, 1 hp freezing). A Rhode Island applicant must have held a Rhode Island Refrigeration Journeyperson I license for one year (or a Master II for one year; Master II requires three years as a Journeyperson II). Rhode Island has no reciprocity agreements and no exam waiver, but R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10(3) and DLT regulation § 2.12.C allow an applicant whose out-of-state law designates them a refrigeration/air-conditioning contractor or master to sit the Rhode Island master exam directly on the strength of that license, or, where the origin state has no Master Class I license, on a notarized resume showing six years' experience including one as a contractor. Fees are a $75 application fee and a $240 two-year license fee for Master I ($96 for Master II); the DLT fee table also lists a 'Contractor Master Refrigeration' at $240 and a no-test Master Mechanical Contractor ($480) reserved for those with ten years each as Pipefitter Master I and Refrigeration Master I. Licenses renew every two years on the licensee's birthday.
Why Illinois has nothing to transfer
Illinois master HVAC technician
Licensed by cities and counties
Illinois does not issue a statewide master HVAC or mechanical contractor license and has no state mechanical board; the master-level credential exists only at the municipal level under names that vary by city. Springfield issues a Mechanical License to individuals who document 5 years (residential) or 7 years (commercial) of practical mechanical experience and pass the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (G29); Peoria licenses HVAC contractors on an ICC contractor certificate from the 2018 code cycle or newer ($150 a year); Aurora and Elgin accept the ICC Master Mechanical certification or, in Elgin, a license from any Illinois city that gives a written exam; unincorporated Cook County registers HVAC contractors for a fee with $1,000,000 in liability insurance; and Chicago has no mechanical license at all, requiring a general contractor license to pull permits. None of these jurisdictions publishes a reciprocity or endorsement path for another state's master HVAC license; Springfield's only grandfather clause is limited to licenses issued before October 2007. A master HVAC contractor arriving from another state should expect to pass the ICC Master Mechanical exam once and then license or register separately in each municipality where they will work. EPA Section 608 certification applies to anyone handling refrigerants.
How local licensing works in Illinois
How local licensing works. Illinois has no state HVAC license. Each municipality licenses or registers mechanical contractors under its own ordinance; the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (G29, formerly W29; residential W32) is the common denominator among testing cities.
Chicago. No HVAC or mechanical contractor license. Contractors obtain a General Contractor license from the Department of Buildings in Class A (unlimited project value, $3,500), B ($1,800), C ($1,300), D ($900) or E (projects up to $500,000, $300), each valid one year, with commercial general liability insurance from $1 million per occurrence (Class E) to $5 million (Class A) and a financial solvency statement, administered through Continental Testing Services; no trade exam.
Springfield. The Building and Zoning Department issues a person-held Mechanical License: Residential requires 5 years of practical experience in all types of mechanical work approved by the Mechanical Commission and proof of passing the ICC Master Mechanical Exam G29; Commercial requires 7 years and the same exam. Mechanical contractors also register with the city. A contractor licensed in another Illinois or out-of-state municipality with reciprocal testing may substitute that test only if the license was issued before 10/7/2007 (10/10/2007 in the earlier memo) and never lapsed; all others pass the ICC exam. Passing the exam does not itself guarantee a license.
Peoria. HVAC contractors must be licensed or registered ($150 non-refundable, calendar year) with an ICC contractor test certificate from the 2018 or newer code cycle; holders of current Normal or Pekin licenses register without retesting. Only the licensed contractor may pull permits and must attend inspections.
Aurora. Accepts a current ICC Master Mechanical certification (N29) in lieu of municipal testing; requires a certificate of insurance naming the City of Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured; registration through Development Services.
Elgin. Requires a mechanical contractor's license from any Illinois city that gives a written examination, or proof of passing the ICC Master Mechanical G29 exam, plus a $20,000 license and permit bond; the license is not required when an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer seals the plans and accepts responsibility.
Unincorporated Cook County. HVAC contractors register as 'all other trades' with the Department of Building and Zoning: $150 initial and $75 annual per trade, $1,000,000 general liability insurance naming the department; no exam.
Not verified. Naperville's contractor registration page was blocked when opened for this entry; Rockford publishes only electrical registration rules.
Out-of-state holders. None of these jurisdictions publishes reciprocity or endorsement for another state's master HVAC or mechanical license. The practical route is to pass the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (accepted by Springfield, Peoria, Aurora and Elgin), then license or register in each municipality where work will be performed, and obtain a Chicago general contractor license for work in Chicago.
Common questions
- Do I have to take the Rhode Island master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Illinois?
- Yes. Rhode Island requires the trade exam on this path.
- How long do I need to have held my Illinois license?
- At least 1 year before applying.
- What does it cost to get a Rhode Island master HVAC technician license from Illinois?
- Published fees on this path total $315, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
- Do my Illinois work hours count in Rhode Island?
- Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Rhode Island's eligibility requirements.
- Does it work the other way, from Rhode Island to Illinois?
- Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Rhode Island to Illinois, the mechanism is not applicable.
Sources
- EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements · 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F (Clean Air Act §608) · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Other · verified September 15, 2026Federal requirement in every state: technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified (Type I small appliances, Type II high-pressure, Type III low-pressure, Universal). Apprentices under direct supervision are exempt. Certification does not expire; the core exam must be proctored for Universal certification. State HVAC boards commonly require it before licensure, but it is not itself a state license.
- Rhode Island DLT - Mechanical Trade License (Pipefitter, Refrigeration, Sheet Metal and Fire Protection Sprinkler Fitter) Application Instructions and Application for Examination · Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulations Unit · Form · verified September 15, 2026Non-refundable $75 application processing fee; notarized application with a copy of government ID and a separate notarized employer statement on company letterhead listing all work-related experience. Verbatim: 'A valid copy of your out-of-state Mechanical Trade License and an Official License Verification from your respective state for all applicants applying for a comparable Mechanical License exam in RI.' Fee table (application / two-year license): Master Mechanical Contractor MMA no test / $480; Contractor Master Refrigeration CMR $75 / $240; Refrigeration Master 1 RM1 $75 / $240; Refrigeration Master 2 RM2 $75 / $96; Pipefitter Master 1 $75 / $240; O/B Serviceman Journeyperson II PJF Limited $75 / $144; and under the heading 'OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE HOLDERS': Refrigeration Journeyperson I RJ1 (code 006) $75 / $72, Refrigeration Journeyperson II RJ2 (code 007) $75 / $60, Pipefitter Journeyperson I/II and Sheet Metal Journeyperson I/II. Footnote: 'Individuals who achieve a passing score of 70 or greater will be invoiced for the License Fee.' Rhode Island-indentured apprentices instead attach the DLT Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship.
- Rhode Island DLT - Professional Regulation · Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Professional Regulation licenses, tests, registers and disciplines over 30,000 people in 67 trade occupations, administering exams itself for electricians, hoisting engineers, pipefitters, refrigeration technicians, fire protection sprinkler fitters, sheet metal workers, plumbers and telecommunication installers. The mechanical trades (pipefitting, refrigeration, sheet metal, sprinkler fitting) fall under the Board of Examiners of Mechanical; contact is the Chief Investigator of Mechanical, (401) 462-8535.
- 260-RICR-30-15-2 - Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, Sprinklerfitters, Sheet Metal Workers and Oil Heat Contractors (DLT regulation, effective January 4, 2022) · 260-RICR-30-15-2 §§ 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 · Rhode Island Department of State (Code of Rhode Island Regulations) · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026§2.12 Refrigeration Master Class I (unlimited, may be self-employed): must have held a Rhode Island Refrigeration Journeyperson I license for one year or a Refrigeration Master II license for one year; §2.12.C verbatim: 'An out of State Master Class I Refrigeration license will allow the applicant to be tested for the Refrigeration Master Class I Rhode Island license. A copy of the license shall be attached to the application. In the event a State does not have a Refrigeration Master Class I license available, a notarized resume showing six (6) years' experience, one of which is as a contractor, shall accompany the application.' §2.13 Refrigeration Master Class II (limited to 20-ton comfort cooling, 3-ton product cooling or 1 hp freezing): three years as a Rhode Island Journeyperson Class II; §2.13.C: an out-of-state Master Class II license allows testing, or a notarized resume showing six years' experience, three as a contractor. §2.14 Refrigeration Journeyperson Class I (unlimited, cannot be self-employed): minimum 10,000 hours OJT and 144 hours of trade-related schooling per year, with up to two years of accredited schooling deductible; §2.14.C: 'An out of State Refrigeration Journeyperson Class I license will allow the applicant to be tested for the Refrigeration Journeyperson Class I Rhode Island license. A copy of the license shall be attached to the application.' §2.15 Journeyperson Class II (limited): 4,000 hours OJT and 288 hours of schooling; §2.15.C: out-of-state Class II license allows testing, or a notarized resume showing five years' experience as a refrigeration journeyperson. The regulation contains no passing score, continuing-education or EPA certification provisions.
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10 - Master or contractor license; test fee, license fee and qualifications · R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-10 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026No master or contractor test application is accepted unless (1) it is accompanied by the § 28-27-17 test fee, (2) the license fee is paid on passing, and (3) verbatim, 'The applicant possesses a certificate of license in full force and effect from the department of labor and training specifying that person as a journeyperson licensed as such for a minimum of one year or the application is accompanied by an affidavit or other reasonably satisfactory evidence showing the laws of another state specifying that person as a pipefitter or refrigeration/air conditioning or fire protection sprinkler contractor or sprinkler fitter master.' Applications must be filed at least 15 days before the examination date.
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-14 - Examinations · R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-14 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026The department conducts examinations of applicants three times each year, administered by the division of professional regulation with the board's assistance, at places within the state convenient to applicants; test materials are preserved for three months.
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-17 - Test fees, license fees, expiration and renewal · R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-17 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026Fee table (test / license / renewal): Contractor Master $75 / $240 / $240; Refrigeration Master I $75 / $240 / $240; Refrigeration Master II $75 / $96 / $96; Refrigeration Journeyperson I $75 / $72 / $72; Refrigeration Journeyperson II $75 / $60 / $60; Pipefitter Master I $75 / $240; Pipefitter Journeyperson I $75 / $72. Licenses expire on the licensee's birthday every two years (odd birth years in odd years, even in even) and renew on payment of the fee.
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-4 - Master contractors defined · R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-4 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026'Master refrigeration contractor' means a person having a regular place of business who, personally or through a journeyperson refrigeration technician in his or her employ, performs refrigeration/air conditioning work. Also defines master pipefitting, sheet metal and fire protection sprinkler contractors. Rhode Island has no license titled 'master HVAC'.
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-4.4 - Master mechanical contractor · R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-27-4.4 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026A master mechanical contractor is a contractor with at least ten years as a Rhode Island Licensed Pipefitter Master I and ten years as a Rhode Island Licensed Refrigeration Master I; the statute sets the fee at $240 (the DLT application lists $480 for two years, no test).
Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.