New Hampshire Refrigeration License
There Is No State Refrigeration License
This is the single most important thing to understand about refrigeration and air conditioning work in New Hampshire: the state does not issue a refrigeration license, an air conditioning license, or a general HVAC license.
The OPLC Mechanical Licensing Board regulates fuel gas fitting and plumbing. If your work is limited to cooling systems — commercial refrigeration units, residential AC systems, ductless splits, or chillers — and you never touch a gas line, the OPLC has no jurisdiction over your work.
That doesn't mean you can work unregulated. Two separate frameworks apply.
Federal: EPA Section 608 Certification
Any technician who handles refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification under the Clean Air Act. This is a federal requirement that applies nationwide, not a New Hampshire rule.
Section 608 has four certification types:
| Type | Scope |
|---|---|
| Type I | Small appliances (5 lbs or less of refrigerant) |
| Type II | High-pressure systems (residential AC, commercial refrigeration) |
| Type III | Low-pressure systems (centrifugal chillers) |
| Universal | All of the above |
Most HVAC technicians doing residential and light commercial work in New Hampshire need at least Type II. Universal certification costs the same and opens every door — there's no practical reason not to test for it.
The exam is administered by EPA-approved testing organizations. It's a one-time certification with no renewal requirement, though the EPA periodically updates the regulations governing refrigerant handling practices.
Local: Municipal Permits
While the state doesn't license refrigeration work, municipalities maintain their own permitting requirements for HVAC installations. The specifics vary by jurisdiction.
In Nashua, ductless mini-split systems that don't involve gas lines require an electrical permit rather than a mechanical permit. The installation still requires a permit — it's just categorized differently.
In Manchester, residential cooling installations carry separate permit requirements from heating work. A standard AC condenser replacement or mini-split installation requires a mechanical permit application through the Building Division.
Unincorporated areas or towns without local code enforcement fall under the State Fire Marshal's building permit program, which charges 1.2% of the first $100,000 of contracted construction cost.
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When Gas Fitter Credentials Become Necessary
The regulatory picture changes completely the moment your refrigeration or AC work touches gas-fired equipment. Common scenarios that trigger the state licensing requirement:
Dual-fuel heat pump systems. A heat pump paired with a gas furnace backup is one of the fastest-growing residential HVAC configurations in New Hampshire. The heat pump side is EPA-608-only territory. The gas furnace component requires a fuel gas fitter license from the OPLC.
Gas-fired absorption chillers. Commercial refrigeration systems that use natural gas as the energy source require gas fitter credentials for the gas piping and burner work.
System replacements involving gas disconnection. Even if the new equipment is all-electric, disconnecting existing gas lines and capping them requires a licensed gas fitter.
If your work scope ever crosses into gas territory, you need either the appropriate OPLC credential yourself or a licensed gas fitter on your team to handle those portions.
Running a Refrigeration Business in New Hampshire
Since the state doesn't license refrigeration-only work, you don't need an OPLC Mechanical Business Entity license to operate a cooling-only business. However, you'll still need standard business infrastructure:
- LLC or corporation registration with the Secretary of State ($102 online)
- Commercial general liability insurance (industry standard: $1,000,000 per occurrence)
- Workers' compensation if you form an LLC and perform on-site work (the active construction site rule applies regardless of trade)
- Municipal business licenses as required by your operating jurisdiction
The OPLC business entity license becomes necessary only if you expand into gas fitting or plumbing work.
The Bottom Line
For pure refrigeration and AC work in New Hampshire, your credential stack is EPA 608 + local permits + standard business formation. The state licensing layer only applies when gas or plumbing enters the picture.
The New Hampshire HVAC License Guide maps out exactly where the refrigeration-only path ends and state licensing begins, so you know when to add credentials as your business scope grows.
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