How to check an hvac contractor's license in Suffolk or Nassau

What New York State and federal rules say

• Federal Section 608 rules require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants to be certified. EPA does not issue the certification cards itself.
• Heating and cooling work that disturbs painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home falls under the EPA lead rule, which requires anyone paid for that work to be certified.

In Suffolk County

• Suffolk's restricted license application lists Oil Burner and HVAC categories under Restricted Plumbing, and an Oil and Gas Burner category under Restricted Electrical.
• Anyone who intends to do electrical, plumbing or duct work in Suffolk homes must also apply for the required licenses among Restricted Electrical (HVAC), Restricted Plumbing (HVAC) and Home Improvement, the county's application says.
• Suffolk's home improvement law covers heating and ventilation ductwork but leaves out work in the electrical and plumbing fields.
• Suffolk charges a non-refundable $200.00 application fee for a restricted license.

1. 1Step 1In Suffolk's License and Complaint Violation Look Up, pick Restricted Plumbing License or Restricted Electrical License to find an HVAC company's restricted license.
2. 2Step 2For duct work in a Suffolk home, search the same lookup under Home Improvement License as well.
3. 3Step 3Call Suffolk Consumer Affairs at (631) 853-4600 to verify an HVAC contractor's license.

In Nassau County

• Air conditioning and heating systems are on Nassau County Consumer Affairs' list of who must be licensed.
• Nassau's Administrative Code counts central heating and air conditioning systems as home improvement work, which no one may do as a business without a county license.
• Nassau's home fuel oil rules apply to every contract for the maintenance and repair of oil burners and boilers, as well as to fuel oil sales and delivery.
• The Nassau County Department of Health's tank certification does not include contractors who install or remove heating oil tank systems.

1. 1Step 1Enter the HVAC company's license number or company name in one field of Nassau's Valid Business License Search, then click Search.

Towns with a license of their own

• City of Long Beach: The City issues building permits only to a City of Long Beach licensed contractor or the homeowner, and a licensed contractor must complete an affidavit that they alone are doing the work.
• City of Long Beach: The City Code lists a $200.00 license fee for HVAC contractors.
• Town of Huntington: Any gas work in the Town must be done by a plumber licensed by the Town of Huntington.
• Town of Huntington: Huntington's master plumber license covers performing and supervising the installation, alteration, modification or repair of plumbing and heating systems.
• Town of Southampton: Southampton requires its own Home Improvement Contractor's License for home improvement work, and its licensing covers every village except the Village of Westhampton Dunes. A builder of a new home needs no town license for now, but the builder's subcontractors must be licensed.
• Town of Southampton: A Southampton home improvement license is valid for one year. A new application costs $250.00 by cash or check or $257.50 by credit, and an on-time renewal costs $175.00, or $180.25 by credit.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island requires home improvements to be performed by a licensed contractor holding a Shelter Island license.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island's notice to contractors says every contractor or subcontractor working on the island, landscapers included, needs a town license.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island takes home improvement license applications online, and a new license needs a $250 check to the town, a liability certificate naming the town as certificate holder and, if applicable, a workers' compensation certificate.

Beyond the license

• Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you by the insurer, naming you as the certificate holder.
• Ask who files the permit and books the inspections, and get it in the contract.
• Get the price, the scope, the start and finish dates and the payment schedule in a written contract.