Unlike American states, Puerto Rico does not license heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians. Instead, they have a licensing procedure solely for refrigeration and air conditioning techs (tecnico de refrigeracion y aire aconicionado).
To receive this license, you’ll need to first complete an apprenticeship and be a licensed refrigeration and AC apprentice.
Do You Need an HVAC License in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico requires anyone working with air conditioning and refrigeration (AC-R) to be licensed. If you want to work with heating or ventilation, you may need an additional electrical license depending on the type of units you plan to work on.
How to Become an AC-R Tech in Puerto Rico
Both apprentices and technicians will need to complete the following requirements for licensure in PR:
- Complete the corresponding application
- Upload evidence of a physical address in PR
- Upload a 2” x 2” passport photo
- Pay a fee
- Have a negative criminal record certificate (certificado negativo de Antecedentes Penales) from the PR police
- Have a Negative Debt Certificate (Certificado Negativo de deuda de la Administración para el Sustento de Menores – ASUME) or proof of an active payment plan
- Have a health certificate bearing the seal of the Department of Public Health attesting to your healthy state of mind and body for the work at hand
- Submit a digital copy of your birth certificate issued within the last 2 years
- Submit a signed affidavit
- Submit a copy of your Green Card, if applicable
AC-R Apprentices in PR
AC-R apprentices work and learn in PR-accredited apprenticeship programs under licensed AC-R technicians. Apprentices in PR must complete all of the requirements above, plus the following:
- Be 16+
- Pay a $30 fee
- Provide copies of the certification and license of the technician who will supervise them
- One licensed tech may supervise only 2 or fewer apprentices at a time
- Complete the Apprentice Notarized Certification (Certificacion de Aprendizaje).
- Submit a copy of their ninth-grade diploma or transcript showing that they completed at least ninth grade
- Submit the Good Conduct Certificate (Certificacion de Buena Conducta)
Apprentice licenses are good for one year. Create your account and start your application here.
Licensed AC-R Techs in PR
AC-R techs work on air conditioning and refrigeration units, also overseeing AC-R apprentices. To apply for your AC-R Technician License, you’ll need to:
- Be 18+
- Have passed a course that includes at least 800 hours in refrigeration and air conditioning at an institution that is accredited by the Department of Education of Puerto Rico OR
- Have 200+ hours of vocational training by the Apprenticeship Division of the Right to Work Administration (ADT) AND 1 year and 2 certificates of training or seminars by the College of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians
- Pay a $65 fee
- Upload your High School Diploma or official transcript
- Include a Certification of Studies (certificacion de estudios)
- Hold both the EPA 609 Certification and 608 Certification
- Be an active member of the College of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning of Puerto Rico, with an approval letter as proof
Once your application is approved, you’ll have 60 days to register with the board. AC-R Licenses are valid for four years before renewal.
To begin your application and for more information, see here.
This article can also be read in Spanish.
