Connecticut Contractor License Classifications
Connecticut's 17 seeded classifications sit across three registrations, one threshold credential and the chapter 393 families — because there is no state contractor licence to hang them on. DCP registers home improvement and new-home contractors (consumer protections, no competency test) and licenses the occupations: the electrical pair, the plumbing pair, the long heating/cooling ladder, elevator and well drilling — every one on the same statutory ladder (four-year apprenticeship → journeyman → two years → contractor) and every one expiring annually. There is no GC licence, no roofing licence and no HVAC continuing education — those absences are seeded as absences.
01 What is actually classified here
REGISTER: HIC · NHC · MAJOR|LICENSE: E · P · S/D/B/G/SM · R · W|ONE LADDER: 4-year apprenticeship → journeyman → 2 years → contractor
- No state umbrella exists — ch. 400, ch. 399a, ch. 393c and ch. 393 are four separate chapters with four separate counters; nothing aggregates them and nothing licenses general building work (§ 20-330(1) closes that list). S-CT-CGA-393
- Registration vs licence — the difference is the test — the HIC and NHC certificates carry DCP's own disclaimer that they do not endorse COMPETENCY; the ch. 393 licences demand the apprenticeship, the exam and the hours. The Major Contractor registration sits between: a threshold credential with no test, free for DAS-prequalified contractors. S-CT-CGA-400 S-CT-CGA-393
- Every trade credential binds at ANY price — ch. 393 has no dollar floor; only the registrations introduce money ($200 HIC floor, $3,500 new-home exemption, the § 29-276b size lines). S-CT-CGA-400 S-CT-CGA-393C
- Two verified absences set the frame — no statewide GC licence and no roofing licence (roofing lives in ch. 400 above $200 and ch. 393c above the thresholds) — confidence reported. S-CT-CGA-393 S-CT-CGA-400
02 DCP registrations — the consumer-protection layer and the threshold credential
| Code | Credential | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIC | Home Improvement Contractor registration (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 400 — the registration Connecticut actually requires for residential work: 'Under the Connecticut Home Improvement Act, an individual and/or business is required to register with the Department of Consumer Protection if they are contracting with a consumer to perform work on residential property' (DCP, machine-read 2026-10-12); the statutory 'home improvement' definition starts where the total price 'exceeds two hundred dollars' (§ 20-419(5)(A)) and drops a contractor whose total with all customers 'does not exceed one thousand dollars during any period of twelve consecutive months' (§ 20-419(4)(B)); $20,000 general liability proof (§ 20-421(a)(3)); $120 application + $100 Guaranty Fund = the $220 DCP charges; annual 31 March expiry; the § 20-429 contract checklist with the chapter 740 three-day cancellation; a DISCIPLINARY $15,000 bond (§§ 20-422/20-426a); unregistered contractors lose their commercial vehicle registration (§ 20-427a)) | Home Improvement Contractor registration (DCP) | § 20-420(a) verbatim: 'No person shall hold such person out to be a contractor or salesperson without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the commissioner as provided in this chapter.' The registered work is § 20-419(5)(A)'s 'home improvement' — repair, replacement, remodeling, alteration, conversion, modernization, improvement, rehabilitation or sandblasting of, or addition to, a private residence or residential rental property plus the enumerated surfaces (driveways, pools, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, sunrooms, flooring, patios, landscaping, fences, doors, windows, waterproofing, restoration and mold remediation) 'in which the total price for all work agreed upon between the contractor and owner or proposed or offered by the contractor exceeds two hundred dollars'. Registration requires proof of 'general liability insurance coverage in an amount not less than twenty thousand dollars' (§ 20-421(a)(3)) and $120 + the $100 Guaranty Fund fee (§§ 20-421(b), 20-432(b)); the certificate expires 31 March annually. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-418–20-434 (ch. 400, the Home Improvement Act) | S-CT-CGA-400 |
| NHC | New Home Construction Contractor registration (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 399a — 'No person shall engage in the business of new home construction or hold such person out as a new home construction contractor unless such person has been issued a certificate of registration' (§ 20-417b(a)); covers contracts to 'construct or sell a new home or any portion of a new home prior to occupancy' on a new single-family dwelling, a two-family dwelling or a condominium/common-interest unit (§ 20-417a(7)-(8)); the certificate 'is needed before a building permit may be issued' (DCP consumer page, § 20-417h); $120 application (P.A. 21-197 cut it from $240) + $240 New Home Construction Guaranty Fund (§ 20-417i(b)) = the $360 DCP charges, annual 31 March expiry, $20,000 general liability, claims capped at $50,000) | New Home Construction Contractor registration (DCP) | § 20-417b(a) verbatim: 'No person shall engage in the business of new home construction or hold such person out as a new home construction contractor unless such person has been issued a certificate of registration by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of sections 20-417a to 20-417k, inclusive.' 'New home construction contractor' means 'any person who contracts with a consumer to construct or sell a new home or any portion of a new home prior to occupancy' (§ 20-417a(8)); 'new home' is a newly constructed single-family dwelling unit, a dwelling of not more than two units, or a condominium/common-interest unit (§ 20-417a(7)). The application carries proof of $20,000 general liability and a $120 fee (§ 20-417b(b)); certificates expire annually on 31 March (§ 20-417b(d)(1)); the New Home Construction Guaranty Fund fee is $240 annually (§ 20-417i(b), 2026 supplement) with claims capped at $50,000. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-417a–20-417k (ch. 399a) | S-CT-CGA-399A |
| MAJOR | Major Contractor registration (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393c § 20-341gg — registration for construction, structural repair, structural alteration, dismantling or demolition 'of a structure or addition that exceeds the threshold limits provided in section 29-276b', expressly including roofing, masonry and structural frame work performed under a general contractor's direction; anyone already 'prequalified as a contractor or substantial subcontractor by the Department of Administrative Services pursuant to section 4a-100' is issued the registration with NO fee; ch. 393 licensees are exempt while doing their licensed work) | Major Contractor registration (DCP) — threshold buildings only | § 20-341gg(a) verbatim: 'major contractor' means (1) any person engaged in the business of construction, structural repair, structural alteration, dismantling or demolition of a structure or addition 'that exceeds the threshold limits provided in section 29-276b', or (2) any person who, under the direction of a general contractor, performs or offers to perform any work that impacts upon the structural integrity of such a structure — 'Such work includes, but is not limited to, roofing, masonry and structural frame work.' § 20-341gg(b): no such work without a ch. 539 licence or this registration; 'Individuals licensed under chapter 393 shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter while engaging in work that they are licensed to perform'; anyone 'prequalified as a contractor or substantial subcontractor by the Department of Administrative Services pursuant to section 4a-100' is issued the registration and 'shall not be required to pay any fee for such registration'. § 29-276b(a): four stories, sixty feet, a 150-foot clear span, 150,000 sq ft of gross floor area or 1,000 persons occupancy, plus the use-group additions of § 29-276b(b). | Gen. Stat. § 20-341gg (ch. 393c); § 29-276b (threshold limits) | S-CT-CGA-393C |
Two floors, one size line, zero competency tests
HIC: residential work where "the total price … exceeds two hundred dollars" (§ 20-419(5)(A)), with the $1,000 twelve-month aggregation (§ 20-419(4)(B)) as the anti-split partner. NHC: any contract to construct or sell a new home before occupancy — with the owner-builder consequence ("all framers, foundation workers, sheetrockers, carpet installers, etc. must be registered new home contractors") and the $3,500 aggregate exemption. MAJOR: above four stories / sixty feet / 150-foot span / 150,000 sq ft / 1,000 persons — "roofing, masonry and structural frame work" included. None of the three tests competence; all three gate the permit. S-CT-CGA-399A S-CT-DCP-NHCA-CONSUMER S-CT-CGA-393C
03 Electrical (ch. 393) — E-1/E-2 plus the solar PV rung, with CONFLICT-CT-001's 720-vs-576 hours beside it
| Code | Credential | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-2 | Electrical licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — 'E-1 UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR' and 'E-2 UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL JOURNEYPERSON' (work allowed 'and only while in the employment of a properly licensed contractor'), plus the restricted pairs C-5/C-6 (low voltage, alarm/signal, audio, telephone-interconnect), C-7/C-8 (signs), L-1/L-2 (lines), L-5/L-6 (limited low-voltage), T-1/T-2 (telephone-interconnect) and PV-1/PV-2 (solar); E-2 = 8,000 OJT + 720 classroom hours, E-1 = 12,000 OJT + 720 classroom hours incl. two years/4,000 hours of licensed work; $150/$90 application, annual 30 September expiry, 4 h/yr continuing education by 30 June (first renewal exempt); PSI examination billed separately) | Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson (DCP) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'E-2 UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL JOURNEYPERSON', with work allowed 'and only while in the employment of a properly licensed contractor'. Qualification: a bona fide apprenticeship of 'not less than four years' experience' plus the state examination (§ 20-334a(a)(2)(A)), or the equivalent-experience path — 'proof of 720 classroom hours and 8,000 hours of the job training is required' (DCP). $90 application, $120 renewal, annual expiry 30 September, 4 h/yr CE. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(2), 20-334a(a)(2), 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-ELEC-SCOPE |
| E-1 | Electrical licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — 'E-1 UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR' and 'E-2 UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL JOURNEYPERSON' (work allowed 'and only while in the employment of a properly licensed contractor'), plus the restricted pairs C-5/C-6 (low voltage, alarm/signal, audio, telephone-interconnect), C-7/C-8 (signs), L-1/L-2 (lines), L-5/L-6 (limited low-voltage), T-1/T-2 (telephone-interconnect) and PV-1/PV-2 (solar); E-2 = 8,000 OJT + 720 classroom hours, E-1 = 12,000 OJT + 720 classroom hours incl. two years/4,000 hours of licensed work; $150/$90 application, annual 30 September expiry, 4 h/yr continuing education by 30 June (first renewal exempt); PSI examination billed separately) | Unlimited Electrical Contractor (DCP) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'E-1 UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR'. Qualification: two years as a licensed electrical journeyman (§ 20-334a(a)(1)(A) — 'has served as a journeyman in the trade for which such person seeks a license for not less than two years') or the equivalent-experience path — 'If you are applying for the E-1 license, 720 classroom hours and 12,000 hours of on-the-job training is required' (DCP), which must include 8,000 apprentice hours plus two years/4,000 hours of licensed work. Every applicant sits a PSI examination (DCP: 'Every individual applicant must take an exam(s)'); $150 application; annual expiry 30 September; 4 h/yr CE by 30 June. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(2), 20-333, 20-334a(a)(1), 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-ELEC-SCOPE |
| PV-1 | Solar electric (PV) licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 § 20-340c — 'The Electrical Work Board shall recommend regulations … to establish solar electric contractor and journeyman licenses, for solar electricity work'; DCP's PV-1 contractor / PV-2 journeyperson categories sit in the electrical family and share the 30 September expiry, the $150/$90 application fees and the 4 h/yr electrical CE) | Solar Electric Contractor (DCP, PV-1) | § 20-340c verbatim: 'The Electrical Work Board shall recommend regulations consistent with the provisions of sections 20-332 and 21a-7 to establish solar electric contractor and journeyman licenses, for solar electricity work, as defined in section 20-330, which shall be adopted by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.' DCP's electrical scope page lists the PV-1 (contractor) and PV-2 (journeyperson) categories inside the electrical family; they share the electrical ladder's fees ($150/$90), the 30 September expiry and the 4 h/yr CE. | Gen. Stat. § 20-340c; DCP electrical scope page (PV-1/PV-2) | S-CT-DCP-ELEC-SCOPE |
CONFLICT-CT-001: 720 vs 576, unresolved
DCP's journeyman path page: "proof of 720 classroom hours and 8,000 hours of the job training is required"; DCP's own "Careers in the Trades" table prints 8,000 OJT with 576 related instruction. Both machine-read 2026-10-12, neither older on its face — so the E-2 entry hours are published as a TENSION, never a single number. The E-1 path (720 + 12,000 including two years/4,000 of licensed work) is single-sourced and clean, and the 24-volt lawn-sprinkler exclusion (§ 20-330(2)) keeps irrigation wiring out of the chapter. S-CT-DCP-ELEC-PATH
04 Plumbing and pipefitting (ch. 393) — the P-1/P-2 pair, individuals only
| Code | Credential | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-1 | Plumbing and pipefitting licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — 'P-1 UNLIMITED PLUMBING CONTRACTOR' after 'two (2) years as an unlimited licensed journeyperson or equivalent experience and training', and 'P-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON PLUMBER' whose work is allowed 'only while in the employ of a contractor licensed for such work'; 'Only individuals can apply, company applications are not accepted' (DCP); P-1 = 576 classroom + 12,000 OJT hours, P-2 = 576 + 8,000; $150/$90 application, annual 31 October expiry, 5 h CE every two years for unlimited holders, 3 h for limited journeypersons, P-6/P-7/PP-1/PP-2 exempt) | Unlimited Plumbing Contractor (DCP) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'P-1 UNLIMITED PLUMBING CONTRACTOR', issued after 'two (2) years as an unlimited licensed journeyperson or equivalent experience and training'. Equivalent path: 'If you are applying for the P-1 license, 576 classroom hours and 12,000 hours of on-the-job training is required' (DCP). 'Only individuals can apply, company applications are not accepted' (DCP) — and § 20-337 lets a business be owned by anyone provided 'all the work and services set forth in section 20-330 shall be performed by persons licensed for such work'. $150 application, annual expiry 31 October, 5 h CE every two years. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(3), 20-333, 20-334a(a)(1), 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-PLUMB-SCOPE |
| P-2 | Plumbing and pipefitting licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — 'P-1 UNLIMITED PLUMBING CONTRACTOR' after 'two (2) years as an unlimited licensed journeyperson or equivalent experience and training', and 'P-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON PLUMBER' whose work is allowed 'only while in the employ of a contractor licensed for such work'; 'Only individuals can apply, company applications are not accepted' (DCP); P-1 = 576 classroom + 12,000 OJT hours, P-2 = 576 + 8,000; $150/$90 application, annual 31 October expiry, 5 h CE every two years for unlimited holders, 3 h for limited journeypersons, P-6/P-7/PP-1/PP-2 exempt) | Unlimited Journeyperson Plumber (DCP) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'P-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON PLUMBER', whose work is allowed 'only while in the employ of a contractor licensed for such work'. Equivalent path: 'proof of 576 classroom hours AND 8,000 hours of-the-job training is required' (DCP); the statutory route is the four-year apprenticeship of § 20-334a(a)(2)(A) plus the examination. $90 application, $120 renewal, annual 31 October expiry, 5 h CE every two years. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(3), 20-334a(a)(2), 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-PLUMB-SCOPE |
Individuals only
DCP is explicit: "Only individuals can apply, company applications are not accepted." P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor needs 576 classroom + 12,000 OJT hours; P-2 Unlimited Journeyperson 576 + 8,000 and works "only while in the employ of a contractor licensed for such work". § 20-330(3) draws the scope: gas, water and fixtures, treatment and pool piping, backflow connections, 24-volt sprinkler wiring — minus solar thermal, in-structure fire apparatus except standpipes, medical gas and millwright work. Annual expiry October 31; CE 5 hours every two years. S-CT-DCP-PLUMB-SCOPE
05 Heating, cooling and sheet metal (ch. 393) — the S/D/B/G/SM ladder, no statutory CE
| Code | Credential | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-1 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Warm Air, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor (DCP, D-1) | DCP scope page verbatim: the D-1/D-2 categories 'cover warm air, air conditioning and refrigeration but exclude oil-burner installation or service'. D-2 (journeyperson) requires 4,000 OJT + 432 classroom hours (DCP path page). $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry. | Gen. Stat. ch. 393 (§ 20-330(5)); DCP heating scope page | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE |
| B-1 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Limited Gas and Oil Burner Contractor (DCP, B-1/B-2) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'B-1 LIMITED GAS AND OIL BURNER CONTRACTOR', limited to burners 'five gallons or less per hour or for systems with a total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (the domestic/light-commercial band). B-2 (journeyperson) requires 2,000 OJT + 288 classroom hours (DCP path page). $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry. | Gen. Stat. ch. 393; DCP heating scope page | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE |
| B-3 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Gas and Oil Burner Contractor, any capacity (DCP, B-3/B-4) | DCP scope page verbatim: the B-3/B-4 categories cover burners 'of any size and/or capacity'. B-4 (journeyperson) requires 4,000 OJT + 360 classroom hours (DCP path page). $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry. | Gen. Stat. ch. 393; DCP heating scope page | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE |
| G-1 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Gas Piping Contractor (DCP, G-1/G-2) | DCP scope page verbatim: G-1/G-2 cover 'installation, repair, replacement, alteration and maintenance of gas piping systems and approved appliances/equipment for LP gas supplied by containers and/or natural gas'. $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry. | Gen. Stat. § 20-330(3) ('plumbing and piping work' includes gas); DCP heating scope page | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE |
| SM-1 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Sheet Metal Contractor (DCP, SM-1…SM-6) | DCP lists SM-1/SM-2, SM-3/SM-4 and SM-5/SM-6 contractor/journeyperson categories with differing ductwork scopes under the heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal board (§ 20-331(a)(3)); § 20-334a(e) separately provides the limited large-commercial sheet metal licences. $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(5), 20-334a(e); DCP sheet metal scope page | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE |
| S-1 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor (DCP) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR'. Equivalent path: 'If you are applying for the S-1 license, 576 classroom hours and 12,000 hours of the job training is required' (DCP); the statutory route is two years as an unlimited journeyperson (§ 20-334a(a)(1)(A)) plus the PSI examination. $150 application, annual expiry 31 August, and NO continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(5), 20-333, 20-334a(a)(1), 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE |
| S-2 | Heating, piping, cooling and sheet metal licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — the S/D/B/G/SM families on one page: 'S-1 UNLIMITED HEATING, PIPING, AND COOLING CONTRACTOR' (576 + 12,000 hours) and S-2 journeyperson (576 + 8,000); S-9/S-10 limited to buildings 'no more than three stories' with cooling 'up to 35 tons per system'; D-1/D-2 warm air, A/C and refrigeration 'but excluding oil-burner installation or service' (D-2 = 432 + 4,000 hours); B-1/B-2 gas and oil burners 'five gallons or less per hour or … total heating load not exceeding 500,000 BTU's' (B-2 = 288 + 2,000 hours); B-3/B-4 burners 'of any size and/or capacity' (B-4 = 4,000 + 360 hours); G-1/G-2 LP-gas and natural-gas piping; SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal; $150/$90 application, annual 31 August expiry, and NO statutory continuing education — § 20-334d reaches only electricians and plumbers) | Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Journeyperson (DCP) | DCP path page verbatim: 'If you are applying for the S-2 license, proof of 576 classroom hours AND 8,000 hours on the job training is required.' The statutory route is the four-year apprenticeship plus examination (§ 20-334a(a)(2)(A)). $90 application, $120 renewal, annual 31 August expiry, no CE. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(5), 20-334a(a)(2), 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-HVAC-PATH |
The longest ladder — and the CE hole
S-1/S-2 unlimited heating, piping and cooling (576 + 12,000 / 576 + 8,000), S-9/S-10 limited to three stories and 35 tons of cooling, D-1/D-2 warm air and refrigeration "but excluding oil-burner installation or service", B-1/B-2 burners up to "500,000 BTU's", B-3/B-4 any capacity, G-1/G-2 gas piping and SM-1…SM-6 sheet metal — annual expiry August 31, and no statutory CE anywhere in the family: § 20-334d is drafted for electricians and plumbers only (scoped absence, confidence reported). The gas hearth overlay (§ 20-420(d)) is the one ch. 400 job that demands a ch. 393 credential. S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE S-CT-DCP-HVAC
06 Elevator and well drilling — the two remaining read surfaces
| Code | Credential | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 | Elevator licence (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — 'R-1 UNLIMITED ELEVATOR CONTRACTOR', 'R-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON ELEVATOR' plus the R-5…R-10 accessibility, conveyor, hoist/crane and lift categories; $150/$90 application, $150/$120 renewal, annual 31 August expiry) | Unlimited Elevator Contractor (DCP, R-1…R-10) | DCP scope page verbatim: 'R-1 UNLIMITED ELEVATOR CONTRACTOR' and 'R-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON ELEVATOR', plus the R-5…R-10 accessibility, conveyor, hoist/crane and lift categories. $150/$90 application, $150/$120 renewal, annual expiry 31 August. | Gen. Stat. §§ 20-331(a)(4), 20-333, 20-335 | S-CT-DCP-ELEVATOR |
| W-1 | Well drilling registration (DCP, Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — W-1 through W-10 registrations including water-supply, non-water-supply, casing-extension and geothermal categories; $88 application ($50 for W-5/W-6); 'The applicant must achieve a passing score on the written examination for this registration offered by the Department'; annual 30 April expiry) | Well Drilling registration (DCP, W-1…W-10) | DCP verbatim: 'The application fee for all well drilling registration types is $88.00, with the exception of the W-5 and W-6' (those are $50.00); 'All well drilling registrations expire annually on April 30th.'; and on the scope page: 'The applicant must achieve a passing score on the written examination for this registration offered by the Department.' The W-1…W-10 categories cover water-supply, non-water-supply, casing-extension and geothermal work. | Gen. Stat. ch. 393 (well drilling registrations under the plumbing and piping board) | S-CT-DCP-WELL |
The remaining two surfaces
Elevator (R-1/R-2 unlimited plus R-5…R-10) prices $150/$90 application and $150/$120 renewal, expiring August 31; well drilling (W-1…W-10 registrations) costs $88 (W-5/W-6: $50) behind a written DCP exam and expires April 30. Both are read surfaces, not inference: DCP published the schedules machine-readable on 2026-10-12. S-CT-DCP-ELEVATOR S-CT-DCP-WELL
08 Deterministic scope limits
- ct:nhc — contracts under 3500 aggregate per home (Gen. Stat. § 20-417j(a)(4)) S-CT-CGA-399AThe mirror of the home improvement Act's $1,000/12-month aggregate — one chapter aggregates by home, the other by customer-year.
- ct:hic — residential alteration repair remodel above 200 (Gen. Stat. § 20-419(5)(A)) S-CT-CGA-400The single widest credential in Connecticut residential construction — and the answer to 'what licence does a remodeler need': the registration, at $200 and up.
- ct:hic — new home construction (Gen. Stat. § 20-419(5)(B)(i)) S-CT-DCP-HIC-APPS
- ct:nhc — new single family two family or condo home (Gen. Stat. §§ 20-417a, 20-417b, 20-417h) S-CT-CGA-399A
- ct:hic — work under a chapter 393 licence (Gen. Stat. § 20-428(4)) S-CT-CGA-400
- ct:s1 — unlimited heating piping and cooling (Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(5), 20-334a(a)) S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE
- minor-work — trade work in the own occupied single family home (Gen. Stat. § 20-340(11) (2026 supplement)) S-CT-CGA-393-SUPThe owner's door in Connecticut trade law — narrow, inspected, and entirely separate from the home improvement registration question.
- ct:sm1 — hood dryer radon and stove vents in six units or less (Gen. Stat. § 20-340(16) (2026 supplement)) S-CT-CGA-393-SUP
- ct:e2 — electrical work as an independent contractor (Gen. Stat. § 20-334a(a)) S-CT-DCP-ELEC-SCOPEThe same employment restriction appears on the P-2 plumbing scope page — Connecticut's journeyperson licences are work permits, not business licences.
- ct:p1 — gas water piping and fixture work statewide (Gen. Stat. § 20-330(3)) S-CT-DCP-PLUMB-SCOPE
- ct:d1 — oil burner installation or service (Gen. Stat. ch. 393 (DCP scope page)) S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPE
- ct:b1 — burners above 5 gph or 500000 btuh (Gen. Stat. ch. 393 (DCP scope page)) S-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPEThe cleanest capacity line in Connecticut's trade family — and the one that decides whether a commercial boiler job needs B-3.
- roof-replacement — home improvement registration for residential roofing (Gen. Stat. §§ 20-419(5)(A), 20-341gg(a)(2)) S-CT-CGA-400Connecticut's roofing answer in one line: the registration follows the contract, and the threshold regime follows the building.
- bathroom-remodel — municipal building permit signed by the licensed contractor (Gen. Stat. §§ 20-338a–20-338c, 20-417h, 29-263) S-CT-DCP-BUILDING
- ct:major — structures above the 29 276b thresholds (Gen. Stat. §§ 20-341gg, 29-276b) S-CT-CGA-393C
- home-addition — no statewide general contractor credential exists (Gen. Stat. §§ 20-330(1), 20-420, 20-417b, 20-341gg) S-CT-CGA-393`C_not_determined` on the LOCAL half only: the state half of the answer is firm (no GC credential), but which town requires its own registration was never read.
These limits feed the deterministic rules (CT-NO-STATE-GC, CT-HIC-REGISTRATION, CT-NEW-HOME-REGISTRATION, CT-TRADE-LICENSE, CT-ELECTRICAL, CT-PLUMBING, CT-HVAC, CT-CONTINUING-EDUCATION, CT-TRADE-EXEMPTIONS, CT-LOCAL-PERMITS, CT-MAJOR-CONTRACTOR) that project pages evaluate — missing facts return NOT_DETERMINED, never a forced answer.
09 Sources
S-CT-CGA-393statute
Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — Electricians, Plumbers, Solar, Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractors and Journeymen, Elevator and Fire Protection Sprinkler Craftsmen, Irrigation Contractors and Journeymen, Gas Hearth Installer Contractors and Journeymen and Residential Stair Lift Technicians (base revision to 2026-01-01)
https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_393.htmS-CT-CGA-393-SUPstatute
Gen. Stat. ch. 393 — 2026 SUPPLEMENT (operative text of §§ 20-332b, 20-332e, 20-333, 20-340, 20-341 as amended by P.A. 25-47, 25-111 eff. 2025-06-24 and 25-168)
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_393.htmS-CT-CGA-393Cstatute
Gen. Stat. ch. 393c — Major Contractors (§ 20-341gg registration above the § 29-276b threshold limits)
https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_393c.htmS-CT-CGA-399Astatute
Gen. Stat. ch. 399a — New Home Construction Contractors (§§ 20-417a–20-417k, base revision)
https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_399a.htmS-CT-CGA-400statute
Gen. Stat. ch. 400 — Home Improvement Contractors (the Home Improvement Act, §§ 20-418–20-434, base revision)
https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_400.htmS-CT-DCP-BUILDINGfaq
DCP — Building consumer facts (permits in the hand before the work; § 29-263; the State Building Code under § 29-252)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/common-elements/consumer-facts-and-contacts/buildingS-CT-DCP-ELEC-SCOPEboard page
DCP — Electrical License Types and Scope of Work (E-1/E-2 and the C-5/C-7/L-1/L-5/T-1/PV restricted pairs)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/occupational-and-professional-division/occupational--profess/electrical-license-types-and-scope-of-workS-CT-DCP-ELEVATORfee schedule
DCP — Elevator Work License ($150/$90 application; annual expiry August 31; R-1…R-10 scope page)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/elevator-work-licenseS-CT-DCP-HIC-APPSboard page
DCP — Home Improvement Applications (registration duty + the exclusion list)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/home-improvement-applicationsS-CT-DCP-HVAC-PATHboard page
DCP — Heating Contractor and Journeyperson equivalent-experience paths (S-1 12,000 + 576; S-2 8,000 + 576; B-2 2,000 + 288; B-4 4,000 + 360; D-2 4,000 + 432)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/heating-contractor---equivalent-experience-and-trainingS-CT-DCP-HVAC-SCOPEboard page
DCP — Heating, Piping and Cooling License Types and Scope of Work (S-1/S-2, S-9/S-10, D-1/D-2, B-1…B-4, G-1/G-2)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/occupational-and-professional-division/occupational--profess/heating-piping-and-cooling-license-types-and-scope-of-workS-CT-DCP-PLUMB-SCOPEboard page
DCP — Plumbing Licenses and Scope of Work (P-1/P-2; the two-year journeyman rule; employment restriction)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/occupational-and-professional-division/occupational--profess/plumbing-licenses-and-scope-of-workS-CT-DCP-WELLfee schedule
DCP — Well Drilling registrations (W-1…W-10; $88, W-5/W-6 $50; annual expiry April 30; Department written exam)
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/well-drilling