Do I have to take the Connecticut master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Nebraska?

Yes. Connecticut requires the trade exam on this path, plus a law or code exam.

What does it cost to get a Connecticut master HVAC technician license from Nebraska?

Published fees on this path total $418, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.

Do my Nebraska work hours count in Connecticut?

Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Connecticut's eligibility requirements.

Does it work the other way, from Connecticut to Nebraska?

Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Connecticut to Nebraska, the mechanism is not applicable.

Nebraska to Connecticut: master HVAC technician license reciprocity

No credit· Start overVerified September 15, 2026· 8 sources

Nebraska does not issue a statewide master HVAC technician license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is Connecticut'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.

Contractor (S-1) by equivalent out-of-state license (all states)

Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.

A master HVAC technician or HVAC/mechanical contractor licensed in any other state applies under DCP's 'Heating Contractor - Equivalent Out of State License' path. DCP reviews a single out-of-state license for equivalency to the S-1: it must have required 576 classroom hours with a curriculum matching Exhibit A and 12,000 on-the-job hours (8,000 as an apprentice plus two years as a licensed journeyperson); the limited D-1 class needs 8,000 OJT and 432 classroom hours and the B-1 needs 6,000 and 288. The applicant submits a copy of the license, an official license verification, the laws and regulations that set the requirements met to obtain it, and the scope of work for that license, with the non-refundable $150 application fee. If approved, the applicant must pass both the S-1 trade exam and the Business and Law exam through PSI ($59 per portion) and then pay the $150 initial license fee; the out-of-state license does not waive either exam because Connecticut has no reciprocal agreements. An applicant whose license is not found equivalent must document the classroom and OJT hours directly under the equivalent experience and training path, where out-of-state journeyman service counts if DCP finds it comparable (CGS 20-334a(a)(1)(A)).

The out-of-state license page does not restate the exam requirement; it follows from the Heating, Cooling and Sheet Metal Work Licenses page, CGS 20-334a(a)(1)(A) and the PSI bulletin, which states that all contractors must pass a Business and Law examination and a trade examination. CGS 20-333a allows licensure without examination only where the other state reciprocates for Connecticut licensees, and DCP states no such agreements exist. Whether DCP treats an out-of-state 'master HVAC' license (rather than a contractor license) as the S-1 equivalent depends on the hour and curriculum comparison; DCP publishes no list of accepted titles. EPA Section 608 is not mentioned on the DCP pages but applies federally to anyone handling refrigerants.

At a glance

Trade exam: Required
Law / code exam: Required
Out-of-state hours: Count toward eligibility

What you must already have

Your Nebraska license must be active and in good standing.
The out-of-state license must be equivalent: it required 576 classroom hours matching Exhibit A and 12,000 OJT hours for the S-1 (D-1: 432 classroom / 8,000 OJT; B-1: 288 / 6,000)Only one out-of-state license is reviewed for equivalency.
You must document at least 12,000 hours of qualifying work experience.8,000 hours as an apprentice plus 2 years (4,000 hours) working as a licensed journeyperson; journeyman service outside Connecticut counts if DCP finds it comparable.

What you'll do to get licensed in Connecticut

1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($150). Contractor application fee, non-refundable (CGS 20-333).
2Other. Copy of the out-of-state license, official license verification, the laws/regulations listing the requirements met to obtain it, and the scope of work for that license.
3Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor trade exam administered by PSI: 80 questions, 3 hours, 70% to pass, open book (D-1: 70 questions, 3 hours; B-1: 50 questions, 2 hours).
4Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. Connecticut Business and Law exam (PSI): 50 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass, based on the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Connecticut 6th edition.
5Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($59). PSI fee for the trade portion (same fee for retakes).
6Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($59). PSI fee for the Business and Law portion (same fee for retakes).
7License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($150). Initial license fee for a contractor's license after passing both exams (CGS 20-335); renews annually for $150, expiring August 31.
8Other. EPA Section 608 technician certification (Type I/II/III/Universal) to handle refrigerants; federal, does not expire.

Published fees on this path total $418, 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
Law / code exam
Exam fee · $59
Exam fee · $59
Other

How Connecticut licenses master HVAC technicians

Connecticut master HVAC technician · “S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor”

Statewide license

Verified September 15, 2026· 6 sources

Issued by Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational and Professional Licensing (Heating, Piping, Cooling and Sheet Metal Work Examining Board)

Connecticut has no license titled 'master HVAC'; the top-tier personal credential is the S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor, issued by DCP to an individual (DCP licenses individuals, not companies) and permitting all heating, piping and cooling work under CGS 20-330, pulling permits and contracting with the public. Limited contractor classes cover narrower scopes, chiefly the D-1 Limited Warm Air, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor and the B-1 Limited Gas and Oil Burner Contractor. A new S-1 applicant needs 576 classroom hours matching DCP's Exhibit A curriculum and 12,000 OJT hours (8,000 as an apprentice plus two years, 4,000 hours, working as a licensed journeyperson), reachable through two years as a Connecticut journeyperson, equivalent experience and training, or an equivalent out-of-state license, and must pass both the PSI S-1 trade exam (80 questions, 3 hours, 70%) and the Business and Law exam (50 questions, 2 hours, 70%). CGS 20-334a(a)(1) expressly allows journeyman service performed outside Connecticut to count if DCP finds it comparable. DCP states that Connecticut does not have reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction. Fees are a $150 application fee, $59 per exam portion and a $150 initial license fee; licenses expire every August 31 and renew for $150.

Moving to Connecticut Leaving Connecticut

Why Nebraska has nothing to transfer

Nebraska master HVAC technician

Licensed by cities and counties

Verified September 15, 2026· 16 sources

Nebraska does not issue a statewide master HVAC or mechanical contractor license; the state only requires contracting businesses to register with the Department of Labor under the Contractor Registration Act ($40 per year, no exam), and it licenses no construction trade at the state level except electricians. The master-level HVAC credential exists only at the city level: Omaha's Master Air Conditioning/Air Distribution (ACAD) contractor license, Lincoln's Mechanical Master Contractor license, Bellevue's master mechanical license and Grand Island's master mechanical license, each requiring the city's exam (Lincoln and Bellevue reference the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam) plus liability insurance and, in Omaha, a bond. An out-of-state master HVAC license carries no state-level recognition; Omaha waives its exam only for Bellevue and State of Iowa master ACAD licensees, and Lincoln allows any out-of-state master licensed by exam to sit its contractor exam without further qualifications. A contractor working in several cities must be licensed in each and registered with the Department of Labor.

How local licensing works in Nebraska

How local licensing works. Nebraska has no state HVAC license and no state mechanical board. The Contractor Registration Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-2104) requires every contractor to register with the Department of Labor before performing construction work ($40 per year from August 1, 2026, plus a workers' compensation certificate if there are employees); registration is not a license and involves no exam. Master and contractor licensing comes from each city's ordinance.

Omaha. The Master ACAD license (Omaha Municipal Code ch. 40, art. II) is the credential that lets a person contract for and pull permits for air conditioning and air distribution work. Applicants need eight or more years of verifiable experience installing ACAD systems, or four or more years employed by a licensed master after obtaining an Omaha (or equivalent) journeyman ACAD license (one year = 1,750 hours), must appear before the ACAD Board, and pass a Pearson Vue exam with 75% or greater. After passing they file a $10,000 surety bond and $300,000 liability insurance with the Planning Department. Fees: $81.00 application, $50 license plus $4.00 technology fee; renewal $160 plus $12.80 every two years (December 31 of odd years) with 8 hours of continuing education. Reciprocation: the board may waive the exam for a holder of a valid Bellevue, Nebraska or State of Iowa master ACAD contractor license with an exam score of 75% or greater (ACAD Reciprocation Application, $81.00). Sec. 40-40 of the code also allows licensees of comparable cities to apply without re-examination, but the city's page names only Bellevue and Iowa.

Lincoln. The Mechanical Master Contractor license requires holding a valid mechanical journeyman license for at least one year and passing the city master exam ($400 filing fee, given quarterly), which has four parts (ACCA Manual J, duct sizing, Lincoln Gas Code and Lincoln Adopted Amendments) plus the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam G29 taken at the applicant's cost. Annual registration is $350 (inactive master $50; a separate Refrigeration Master Contractor registration is $250) with 8 hours of continuing education, and the contractor must carry $500,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance naming the City of Lincoln as additional insured and register with the Department of Labor. Transfers: a holder of a valid contractor/master mechanical license obtained by examination in another state or municipality may take the Lincoln contractor exam without submitting additional qualifications; the exam is not waived.

Bellevue. Only a licensed mechanical master may contract for mechanical work in the city (Bellevue Municipal Code ch. 27, Division 2). Master applicants must submit a current journeyman license with its original issue date and state whether they have already passed the Thompson Prometric, ICC or Experior exam for the license applied for. Fee amounts could not be read from the city's scanned fee schedule.

Grand Island. Mechanical contracting companies must be licensed with the Building Services Division and their tradespersons individually licensed as master or journeyman; the CitizenServe portal offers applications to take the licensing exam or to apply for license reciprocity, but the accepted jurisdictions and fees are not published on the page.

Out-of-state holders. Apart from Omaha's recognition of Iowa master ACAD licenses, no Nebraska city publishes reciprocity with another state's HVAC license. A master arriving from another state should expect to sit the city exam (Lincoln) or present ICC National Standard Master Mechanical results where accepted, obtain the city's insurance and bond, license the business in each city where it will pull permits, and register with the Department of Labor. EPA Section 608 certification is federal and applies to anyone personally handling refrigerants.

Moving to Nebraska Leaving Nebraska

Common questions

Do I have to take the Connecticut master HVAC technician exam if I'm licensed in Nebraska?: Yes. Connecticut requires the trade exam on this path, plus a law or code exam.
What does it cost to get a Connecticut master HVAC technician license from Nebraska?: Published fees on this path total $418, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
Do my Nebraska work hours count in Connecticut?: Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Connecticut's eligibility requirements.
Does it work the other way, from Connecticut to Nebraska?: Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Connecticut to Nebraska, the mechanism is not applicable.

Sources

Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 393 - Occupational Licensing (Electrical, Plumbing and Piping, Heating, Cooling...) · CGS §§ 20-333, 20-333a, 20-334a, 20-335 · Connecticut General Assembly · Statute · verified September 15, 2026§20-333: non-refundable application fee of $90 for limited licenses and journeyman-type licenses under 20-334a(a)(2)-(3) and $150 for unlimited contractor licenses under 20-334a(a)(1); competency is shown by examination. §20-333a Reciprocity: the Commissioner may grant a license without examination to a currently practicing, competent person holding a similar license from another state with substantially similar or higher requirements, but only if that state grants the same privilege to Connecticut licensees; DCP reports no such agreements exist. §20-334a(a)(1)(A): an unlimited contractor's license may be issued to a person who served as a journeyman in the trade for at least two years 'and, if such service as a journeyman was outside this state, has furnished evidence satisfactory to the appropriate state board or the department that such service is comparable to similar service in this state', and has passed the examination; (a)(2)(A): an unlimited journeyman's license requires a bona fide apprenticeship including not less than four years' experience and passing the state licensure examination. §20-335: initial license fee $150 for a contractor's license and $120 for any other license; licenses expire annually; renewal $150 contractor / $120 other. The page returned a TLS certificate error to the fetch tool on 2026-09-15 and was downloaded directly with curl to read the section text.
Connecticut DCP - Heating Contractor: Equivalent Experience and Training · Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026S-1 needs 576 classroom hours matching Exhibit A ('Required courses for heating, cooling and sheet metal, hearth product and fuel gas license types') and 12,000 OJT hours; D-1 8,000/432; B-1 6,000/288. Verbatim: 'Classroom hours are required. On the job training and work experience will not be considered in lieu of the classroom requirement.' Same accepted and rejected document lists as the journeyperson page.
Connecticut DCP - Heating Contractor: Equivalent Out of State License · Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Same equivalency definition as the journeyperson page. Table: S-1 12,000 OJT hours and 576 classroom hours; S-3 12,000/576; S-7 12,000/576; S-9 10,000/576; D-1 8,000/432; D-3 8,000/396; B-1 6,000/288; B-3 8,000/360; G-1 5,000; PP-1 8,000. Classroom hours must match the courses in Exhibit A. Same one-license rule and non-refundable fee statement; does not itself state exam requirements or fee amounts.
Connecticut DCP - Heating, Cooling and Sheet Metal Work Licenses (application paths, fees, renewal) · Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Landing page for the heating, piping and cooling trades. Lists the three contractor paths (2+ years as a journeyperson, equivalent experience and training, equivalent out-of-state license) and the three journeyperson paths (Connecticut apprenticeship completion, equivalent experience and training, equivalent out-of-state license). Application fee: contractor $150, journeyperson $90, non-refundable; renewal contractor $150, journeyperson $120; licenses expire annually on August 31. States that DCP licenses individuals only, that every individual applicant must take an exam with separate fees due to the exam vendor, that the department does not pre-approve applications, and, verbatim, 'Connecticut does not have reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction.'
Connecticut DCP - Heating, Piping, Cooling and Sheet Metal Work Examining Board · Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Twelve-member board (contractors, journeypersons and public members) that advises DCP on licensing and examination of heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal contractors and journeypersons under CGS 20-330 et seq.
Connecticut DCP - Heating, Piping and Cooling License Types and Scope of Work · Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor: all heating, piping and cooling work as defined in CGS 20-330. S-2 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Journeyperson: same scope, working for a licensed contractor. Also defines the limited classes: D-1/D-2 Limited Warm Air, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (no oil burner servicing), D-3/D-4 Limited Cooling, B-1/B-2 Limited Gas and Oil Burner (domestic and light commercial, up to 5 gal/hr or 500,000 BTU), B-3/B-4, G-1/G-2 gas piping, S-3/S-4, S-7/S-8, S-9/S-10 (heating and cooling up to 35 tons in buildings of 3 stories or less), PP-1/PP-2 and OE-2.
Connecticut DCP Occupational Licensing - Heating, Piping and Cooling Trades Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 2/4/2026) · Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection / PSI Services LLC · Other · verified September 15, 2026Eligibility for examination is determined by the State (DCP approves the application, then PSI schedules); eligibility is valid for one year from State approval. Fee: $59 per examination portion, not refundable or transferable. S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor: 80 questions, 3 hours, 70%, open book. S-2 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Journeyperson: 70 questions, 3 hours, 70%, open book. D-1: 70 questions, 3 hours; D-2: 60 questions, 2 hours; B-1: 50 questions, 2 hours; B-2: 40 questions, 1.5 hours; all 70%, open book. Business and Law (all contractors): 50 questions, 2 hours, 70%, open book, based on the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Connecticut 6th edition. References include the 2015, 2018 and 2021 International Codes, NFPA 54 (2012), NFPA 31 (2006/2011) and NFPA 58 (2014). The PDF was opened on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy because the direct fetch returned unreadable binary content.
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.

Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.

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