Connecticut trade license reciprocity

Connecticut licenses electricians statewide through the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP); the journeyman-level license is the E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson, which allows all electrical work defined in CGS 20-330 while employed by a licensed contractor (limited journeyperson classes such as C-6, L-2, L-6, T-2 and PV-2 also exist). A new E-2 applicant qualifies through a Connecticut apprenticeship, through equivalent experience and training, or by holding an equivalent out-of-state license, and in every path must pass the PSI-administered E-2 exam (80 questions, 3.5 hours, 70%, open book on the 2020 or 2023 NEC). DCP states that Connecticut does not have reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction, even though CGS 20-333a would allow the Commissioner to waive the exam for licensees of states that reciprocate. The application fee is $90, the exam is $59 per portion, and the initial license fee is $120; licenses expire every September 30 and renew for $120.

Connecticut has no license titled 'master electrician'; the top-tier personal license is the E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor, issued by DCP to an individual (DCP licenses individuals, not companies) and permitting all electrical work under CGS 20-330, pulling permits and contracting with the public. A new E-1 applicant needs 720 classroom hours matching DCP's Exhibit A curriculum and 12,000 OJT hours (8,000 as an apprentice plus 4,000 hours, two years, 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 E-1 trade exam (100 questions, 4 hours, 70%) and the Business and Law exam (50 questions, 2 hours, 70%). 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 September 30 and renew for $150.

Connecticut licenses HVAC work statewide through the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) as 'heating, piping and cooling' work; the journeyman-level credential is the S-2 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Journeyperson, which covers all heating, piping and cooling work defined in CGS 20-330 while employed by a licensed contractor. Narrower journeyperson classes exist for technicians whose experience is limited to part of the trade, chiefly the D-2 Limited Warm Air, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Journeyperson (no oil burner servicing) and the B-2 Limited Gas and Oil Burner Journeyperson, plus D-4 cooling-only, G-2 gas piping and S-10 light heating-cooling classes. A new S-2 applicant qualifies through a Connecticut apprenticeship, through equivalent experience and training (8,000 on-the-job hours and 576 classroom hours), or by holding an equivalent out-of-state license, and in every path must pass the PSI-administered S-2 exam (70 questions, 3 hours, 70%, open book). DCP states that Connecticut does not have reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction, even though CGS 20-333a would allow the Commissioner to waive the exam for licensees of states that reciprocate. The application fee is $90, the exam is $59 per portion and the initial license fee is $120; licenses expire every August 31 and renew for $120. EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification is a separate federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerants.

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.