New Hampshire HVAC license lookup: how to check and get a license
New Hampshire HVAC license lookup: who issues HVAC contractor licenses (OPLC), how to check one online, the license types, and 776 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do HVAC contractors need a license in New Hampshire?
| Who licenses them | no general state HVAC license; gas and oil heat work regulated by the New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (OPLC) |
|---|---|
| License types | Fuel Gas Fitter (e.g. Fuel Gas Installation Technician, Fuel Gas Service Technician, Hearth System Installation and Service Technician), voluntary Heating Equipment Installer / Service certification (oil heat) |
| When a license is required | Fuel gas fitting requires a state license; oil-heat certification is voluntary, RSA 153:16-b |
New Hampshire has no single HVAC contractor license: ask for a fuel gas fitter license for gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters, and an Electricians' Board license for wiring. Refrigerant work requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.
How do you look up an HVAC contractor's license in New Hampshire?
- Ask the HVAC contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the New Hampshire HVAC license lookup run by OPLC.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the HVAC contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact OPLC.
What HVAC licenses does New Hampshire issue?
- Fuel Gas Fitter (e.g. Fuel Gas Installation Technician, Fuel Gas Service Technician, Hearth System Installation and Service Technician)
- voluntary Heating Equipment Installer / Service certification (oil heat)
How do you get a HVAC license in New Hampshire?
Licenses are issued by the no general state HVAC license; gas and oil heat work regulated by the New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing Board (OPLC). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official OPLC source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many HVAC contractors are there in New Hampshire?
The Census Bureau counted 776 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in New Hampshire in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Rockingham County | 218 |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough County | 206 |
| Merrimack County | 99 |
| Strafford County | 51 |
| Grafton County | 48 |
| Carroll County | 43 |
| Belknap County | 42 |
| Cheshire County | 38 |
What do New Hampshire homes mean for heating and cooling work?
The median home in New Hampshire was built in 1978, 27% of households rent and 69% of homes are single-family houses. 21% of homes heat with utility gas and 11% with electricity, and 41% with fuel oil.
How do you choose an HVAC contractor in New Hampshire?
- Check the state or local mechanical or HVAC license, and ask whether the technicians hold EPA 608 certification for refrigerant work.
- For a new system, ask for a load calculation (often called Manual J) rather than a size picked from square footage.
- Ask which rebates and tax credits apply to heat pumps and high-efficiency equipment, and whether the contractor files the paperwork.
- Compare quotes on the same equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings (SEER2, HSPF2, AFUE).
- Ask what the labor warranty covers, separately from the manufacturer's parts warranty.
HVAC Contractors in other states
Sources: New Hampshire licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.