District of Columbia HVAC License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

Every District of Columbia refrigeration and air conditioning license from the DC Board of Industrial Trades (apprentice, journeyman, master, limited and contractor) expires on September 30 of an even-numbered year, whenever it was issued. The last deadline was September 30, 2026, and the next is September 30, 2028. You renew online through DLCP (the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) before the license expires. DLCP's fee schedule lists two-year renewals at $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor, with a $50 late renewal fee; ask DLCP how long a late renewal stays open. A contractor and its designated master each keep a $5,000 surety bond that must run to the same September 30.

At a glance

Who needs it: DC law defines a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic as a person who designs, installs, maintains or alters mechanical systems for refrigeration or air conditioning of any public or private building. Unless licensed, nobody may use words like "air conditioning mechanic", "refrigeration mechanic" or "master mechanic" to imply they're licensed to do that work in DC
Licenses: Apprentice, journeyman and master licenses, regular or limited (limited licenses cover work on equipment at or below 25 compressor horsepower), and contractor licenses for companies. Apprentices work only under the direct personal supervision and control of a licensed master mechanic
Renews every: 2 years. Regardless of when it was obtained, every refrigeration and air conditioning license expires on September 30 of an even-numbered year. Last: September 30, 2026. Next: September 30, 2028
Renewal notice: DC law has DLCP mail a renewal notice by first class mail to your last known address at least 30 days before the license expires. DLCP also posts a renewal notice on the Board's page
Deadline: By the September 30 expiration date: DLCP's 2026 notice said renewal applications must be submitted by then. Under DC law a license can be renewed for another term before it expires if you apply on time, pay the renewal fee and meet the other requirements
Renewal fee: DLCP's fee schedule lists two-year renewals at $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor. It lists no separate apprentice or journeyman rate
Late renewal fee: DLCP's fee schedule lists a $50 late renewal fee. Ask DLCP how long a late renewal stays open and what it needs from you, and don't work in the meantime: DC's refrigeration rules say an expired license that hasn't been renewed doesn't let you keep working as if it were valid
Continuing education: DC law lets the Board set continuing education as a condition of renewal, and a renewal must show you met any it has set. None of DLCP's refrigeration pages we checked names any hours: ask DLCP before you renew whether any apply to your license
Renew: Online through DLCP's renewal application for occupational and professional licenses, signing in with a free Access DC account (create one first if you don't have one, and confirm it for email verification). Once the renewal is approved, your license is under "My Licenses" in the Occupational and Professional Licenses platform, where you can download or print it
Bonds: A master mechanic designated to a refrigeration/air conditioning contractor company needs a $5,000 bond, and the company another $5,000 bond, submitted with the renewal. Bonds must expire with the license, on September 30 of an even year, so renew them with it
Designated master: A contractor license needs a designated DC-licensed master, who supervises the work and confirms the designation from their own account
If it expires: Don't work on an expired license. DC law reinstates a license if you apply within 5 years after it expired, meet the current renewal requirements, pay the reinstatement fee and meet the Board's reinstatement requirements (DLCP lists $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor). After 5 years you apply as a new applicant. DLCP's form is the Industrial Trades Reinstatement Application
Inactive status: You can ask to go inactive (DLCP lists $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor). You pay no renewal fee and may not practice while inactive. Under 5 years inactive you can come back by paying the fee and meeting the current renewal requirements; after 5 years you're treated as a new applicant unless the Board finds reasonable cause or excusable neglect
Display: DC law asks every licensee to display the license conspicuously, or keep it on file, at each place of business or employment, and to tell DLCP of a change of home, business or employment address
Contact: DLCP Occupational and Professional Licensing, 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Phone (202) 671-4500

DC's electricians (November 30 of odd years) and plumbers and gasfitters (March 31 of even years) renew with the same Board on their own dates.

How to renew

Check your license: every DC refrigeration and air conditioning license expires September 30 of an even year, so the next deadline is September 30, 2028. Watch for DLCP's renewal notice, and keep your address current with DLCP so it reaches you.
Ask DLCP whether any continuing education applies to your license this cycle: none of its refrigeration pages names any hours.
Contractors and designated masters: renew the company's and the master's $5,000 surety bonds so they run to the same September 30, and confirm your designated master's license is current too.
Renew online through DLCP with your Access DC account before September 30, and pay $155 for a mechanic or $180 for a contractor.
Missed it? Stop refrigeration and air conditioning work and ask DLCP right away whether you can still renew with the $50 late fee or must file the Industrial Trades Reinstatement Application. DC law allows reinstatement within 5 years after the license expired; after that you start over as a new applicant.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

July (even years)Ask DLCP whether any continuing education applies, check your address with DLCP and your Access DC sign-in, and contractors: line up the company and master bond renewals.
September 1Renew online through DLCP, whether or not the renewal notice has arrived.
September 30Every DC refrigeration and air conditioning license expires today. After this, renewing costs a $50 late fee if DLCP still allows it, and you may not work until it's renewed or reinstated.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your company's and designated master's refrigeration and air conditioning bonds, which must expire with the license on September 30 of an even year
Your apprentices' and journeymen's licenses, which expire on the same September 30
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do DC HVAC licenses expire?

Regardless of when it was obtained, every DC refrigeration and air conditioning license expires on September 30 of an even-numbered year. The last deadline was September 30, 2026, and the next is September 30, 2028.

How much does it cost to renew a DC refrigeration and air conditioning license?

DLCP's fee schedule lists two-year renewals at $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor, plus a $50 late renewal fee if you're late. Ask DLCP how long a late renewal stays open.

Do DC HVAC mechanics need continuing education to renew?

DC law lets the Board set continuing education as a condition of renewal, and a renewal must show you met any it has set. None of DLCP's refrigeration pages we checked names any hours: ask DLCP before you renew whether any apply to your license.

I missed the September 30 deadline. What now?

Don't work on an expired license. Ask DLCP right away whether you can still renew with the $50 late renewal fee. Otherwise DC law reinstates a license if you apply within 5 years after it expired, meet the current renewal requirements, pay the reinstatement fee and meet the Board's reinstatement requirements. After 5 years you apply as a new applicant.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Board of Industrial Trades

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other District of Columbia guides

All District of Columbia guides on one page

HVAC guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for HVAC techs

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

District of Columbia HVAC License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: DC law defines a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic as a person who designs, installs, maintains or alters mechanical systems for refrigeration or air conditioning of any public or private building. Unless licensed, nobody may use words like "air conditioning mechanic", "refrigeration mechanic" or "master mechanic" to imply they're licensed to do that work in DC
Licenses: Apprentice, journeyman and master licenses, regular or limited (limited licenses cover work on equipment at or below 25 compressor horsepower), and contractor licenses for companies. Apprentices work only under the direct personal supervision and control of a licensed master mechanic
Renews every: 2 years. Regardless of when it was obtained, every refrigeration and air conditioning license expires on September 30 of an even-numbered year. Last: September 30, 2026. Next: September 30, 2028
Renewal notice: DC law has DLCP mail a renewal notice by first class mail to your last known address at least 30 days before the license expires. DLCP also posts a renewal notice on the Board's page
Deadline: By the September 30 expiration date: DLCP's 2026 notice said renewal applications must be submitted by then. Under DC law a license can be renewed for another term before it expires if you apply on time, pay the renewal fee and meet the other requirements
Renewal fee: DLCP's fee schedule lists two-year renewals at $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor. It lists no separate apprentice or journeyman rate
Late renewal fee: DLCP's fee schedule lists a $50 late renewal fee. Ask DLCP how long a late renewal stays open and what it needs from you, and don't work in the meantime: DC's refrigeration rules say an expired license that hasn't been renewed doesn't let you keep working as if it were valid
Continuing education: DC law lets the Board set continuing education as a condition of renewal, and a renewal must show you met any it has set. None of DLCP's refrigeration pages we checked names any hours: ask DLCP before you renew whether any apply to your license
Renew: Online through DLCP's renewal application for occupational and professional licenses, signing in with a free Access DC account (create one first if you don't have one, and confirm it for email verification). Once the renewal is approved, your license is under "My Licenses" in the Occupational and Professional Licenses platform, where you can download or print it
Bonds: A master mechanic designated to a refrigeration/air conditioning contractor company needs a $5,000 bond, and the company another $5,000 bond, submitted with the renewal. Bonds must expire with the license, on September 30 of an even year, so renew them with it
Designated master: A contractor license needs a designated DC-licensed master, who supervises the work and confirms the designation from their own account
If it expires: Don't work on an expired license. DC law reinstates a license if you apply within 5 years after it expired, meet the current renewal requirements, pay the reinstatement fee and meet the Board's reinstatement requirements (DLCP lists $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor). After 5 years you apply as a new applicant. DLCP's form is the Industrial Trades Reinstatement Application
Inactive status: You can ask to go inactive (DLCP lists $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor). You pay no renewal fee and may not practice while inactive. Under 5 years inactive you can come back by paying the fee and meeting the current renewal requirements; after 5 years you're treated as a new applicant unless the Board finds reasonable cause or excusable neglect
Display: DC law asks every licensee to display the license conspicuously, or keep it on file, at each place of business or employment, and to tell DLCP of a change of home, business or employment address
Contact: DLCP Occupational and Professional Licensing, 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Phone (202) 671-4500

DC's electricians (November 30 of odd years) and plumbers and gasfitters (March 31 of even years) renew with the same Board on their own dates.

How to renew

Check your license: every DC refrigeration and air conditioning license expires September 30 of an even year, so the next deadline is September 30, 2028. Watch for DLCP's renewal notice, and keep your address current with DLCP so it reaches you.
Ask DLCP whether any continuing education applies to your license this cycle: none of its refrigeration pages names any hours.
Contractors and designated masters: renew the company's and the master's $5,000 surety bonds so they run to the same September 30, and confirm your designated master's license is current too.
Renew online through DLCP with your Access DC account before September 30, and pay $155 for a mechanic or $180 for a contractor.
Missed it? Stop refrigeration and air conditioning work and ask DLCP right away whether you can still renew with the $50 late fee or must file the Industrial Trades Reinstatement Application. DC law allows reinstatement within 5 years after the license expired; after that you start over as a new applicant.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

July (even years)Ask DLCP whether any continuing education applies, check your address with DLCP and your Access DC sign-in, and contractors: line up the company and master bond renewals.
September 1Renew online through DLCP, whether or not the renewal notice has arrived.
September 30Every DC refrigeration and air conditioning license expires today. After this, renewing costs a $50 late fee if DLCP still allows it, and you may not work until it's renewed or reinstated.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your company's and designated master's refrigeration and air conditioning bonds, which must expire with the license on September 30 of an even year
Your apprentices' and journeymen's licenses, which expire on the same September 30
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do DC HVAC licenses expire?

How much does it cost to renew a DC refrigeration and air conditioning license?

DLCP's fee schedule lists two-year renewals at $155 for a mechanic and $180 for a contractor, plus a $50 late renewal fee if you're late. Ask DLCP how long a late renewal stays open.

Do DC HVAC mechanics need continuing education to renew?

I missed the September 30 deadline. What now?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Board of Industrial Trades

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other District of Columbia guides

All District of Columbia guides on one page

HVAC guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for HVAC techs

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet