HVAC Technician in Rhode Island
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for RI
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island
To become an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island, individuals must obtain a license through the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. The primary path is through a state-approved apprenticeship program, requiring either 5 years (10,000 hours) of on-the-job training with 144 hours of classroom instruction per year for a Journeyperson Class I license, or 4,000 hours of on-the-job training with 288 hours of classroom education for a Journeyperson Class II license. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants must pass the relevant Journeyperson exam and pay the application fee. Rhode Island does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for HVAC licenses, and all individuals handling refrigerants must also hold an EPA Section 608 Certification.
HVAC Technician Requirements in Rhode Island
| Detail | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Journeyperson Class I (Unlimited): 144 hours of related classroom instruction per year of apprenticeship (5 years total) OR 432 hours of HVAC schooling (3 years total). Journeyperson Class II (Limited): 288 hours of classroom education. |
| Experience Required | 10,000.0 hours |
| Exam | RI Refrigeration Journeyperson Class I Exam ($75) |
| Application Fee | $72 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. Journeyperson Class I requires 5 years (10,000 hours) of on-the-job training. Journeyperson Class II requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Master licenses require additional experience as a licensed journeyperson. All individuals handling refrigerants must also hold an EPA Section 608 Certification. Rhode Island does not offer reciprocity for mechanical or refrigeration licenses. |
Source: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation
License Tiers
Rhode Island offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyperson | 10,000 |
| Master | 2,000 |
HVAC Technician Salary in Rhode Island
The median hvac technician salary in Rhode Island is $63,580 per year, which is 6.3% above the national median of $59,810.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,180 |
| 25th | $47,660 |
| 50th (median) | $63,580 |
| 75th | $78,830 |
| 90th (experienced) | $86,290 |
Rhode Island employs approximately 1,320 hvac technicians.
HVAC Technician Job Outlook
AI Impact on HVAC Technicians
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.85/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island Worth It?
Factors to consider: Rhode Island's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.