The District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades licenses all refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. Here’s what you need to do to get licensed.

General Requirements for Licensure

All applicants applying for licensure in the District of Columbia must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age; and

2. Must not have been convicted of a crime which bears directly on the applicant’s fitness to be licensed; and

3. Must submit a complete and notarized New License Application, including required supporting documents and TOTAL fees.

About the Surety Bond

You must secure an original “$5,000 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Bond.”

The expiration date on the Washington DC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Bond must coincide with license expiration date which always falls on the September 30^th (9/30) on even year (e.g. 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, etc).

You can get your bond from a surety bond company. The price you pay for your bond will be very small. You can get a free quote below:

Free D.C. Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Bond quotes

Where to File

All license applications, supporting documents for bond refrigeration and air conditioning licensure, examination scheduling forms, examination fee and total licensing fees should be sent to the following address:

• Here are all of the Necessary Forms for the bond refrigeration and air conditioning licensure process.

• Here are the general instructions for attaining licensure as a DC Refrigerator and Air Conditioning Bond and Licensure process.

• If you have any questions, call Pearson VUE’s toll-free Customer Service line at 1-877-540-5834 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

The Application Process

Upon submission of all the required application documents, the DC Board of Industrial Trades – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Bond and Licensure Division will review your application.

If the Board has any questions or needs more information, they will contact you directly. Once approved, you will receive your license (for apprenticeship, waiver, or contractor) or be authorized to sit for the District of Columbia Refrigeration and Air Mechanic Exam.

Details on the exam.

For more information, view the District of Columbia Handbooks/Applications/Forms page.