Individuals seeking to do refrigeration installation, maintenance and repair need to get a license to work on an individual basis. The California Contractors State License Board issues the refrigeration license. Requirements consist of work experience, a contractor exam and a refrigeration exam. In addition to the knowledge and experience requirements, an applicant needs to possess good moral character and provide proof of financial ability and backing to get a California refrigeration license.
State contractors licenses exist for both individuals who can qualify plus companies who hire an individual who qualifies under the state licensing requirements. A company needs to continue to employ such an individual to maintain the refrigeration license.
Note on Education:
No education requirement exists for California refrigeration contractors or other specialists. However, this does not mean that training is not desirable for employment and test-taking purposes. Specialized trade schools or college courses on a variety of engineering or construction areas is a good step to develop or further a career as a California contractor.
The state focuses on work experience as the major way of acquiring the skills necessary to do refrigeration work. In fact, a full four years of job experience is required to get a license. This time must consist of work as either a supervisor, foreman, journeyman or contractor (trainee time is excluded).
Besides experience, a contractor needs to know certain business laws and management information (this applies to all state contractors) and specific refrigeration knowledge. Thus, a prospective contractor must take two exams – the refrigeration exam and the Law and Business exam.
The California Contractors State License Board issues study guides for both exams. You can access the guides in the Resources section below.
Look at the study guides to figure out the topics tested on the exam and the reference materials needed to prepare. Buy and master the material in those references to get ready for your contractor exams.
There are also a few other requirements to become a licensed refrigeration expert in California. You will have to take a criminal background check after submitting your application. It is vital that you tell the truth about any criminal record, as failure to disclose will cause immediate denial of a license. You also have financial requirements (see below).
Once you feel ready to take the tests, then download and fill out a California refrigeration license and exam application from the Resources below. As of 2010, the fee at application time is $250, and there is an additional $150 license fee before actual issuance of the refrigeration license.
But before you get a license from the California board, you have to show proof of $2500 in working capital, some surety bonds (contractor bonds) from a bonding company and workers comp insurance if you are an employer. The bonds total about $20,000, but you can submit cash in lieu of a surety bond if you have problems getting bonds.
Sources:
Study Plan for the California Law and Business Exam for Contractor Licensing
California Refrigeration License Application
Study Resources for the California Contractors’ Refrigeration Exam
California Refrigeration Contractor Blueprint
