Licensing guide · New Brunswick

How to Become a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in New Brunswick

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 72402

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in New Brunswick. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician — Red Seal — Compulsory Occupation”

From gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated..., checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Your roadmap

The New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour has no page of its own for this trade. These are the steps it gives for every designated trade in New Brunswick.

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $125
  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. Get a job in the trade and register as an apprentice.

    Source
    “obtain employment and register as an apprentice”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  2. Successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements, including on-the-job and technical training requirements and examinations, to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.

    Source
    “successfully complete all apprenticeship program requirements such as the on-the-job, technical training requirements and examinations to achieve a Diploma of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  3. After signing the apprenticeship agreement, an apprentice with previous technical training may apply to receive theory credits by submitting transcripts, curriculum content and training institution contact information to the regional apprenticeship office.

    Source
    “Upon entering in an apprenticeship program in the province, an apprentice with previous technical training may be eligible to receive theory credits.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $125

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $25 20%
Assessment $100 80%
One-time total $125 100%

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. Provide proof of a certificate of qualification from a jurisdiction outside New Brunswick along with an application to challenge the certification examination or to have the certification recognized based on equivalent standards.

    Source
    “supply proof of a certificate of qualification from a jurisdiction outside New Brunswick and application to challenge the certification examination or to recognize the certification based on equivalent standards”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $350
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. Get a job in your trade and gain local experience.

    Source
    “Start by getting a job in your trade and gaining local experience”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  2. Contact Skilled Trades NB to find out whether you can challenge the certification exam or whether the apprenticeship program is the better path.

    Source
    “contact Skilled Trades NB to see if you can challenge the certification exam or if the apprenticeship program is the better path for your success”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  3. Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward New Brunswick certification.

    Source
    “Your international education and work experience are reviewed to identify credit toward NB certification.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  4. Develop and complete a personalized learning plan created with Skilled Trades NB and your employer to address differences in language, terminology, safety, and trade practices and standards.

    Source
    “Develop and complete a plan is created with Skilled Trades NB and your employer to address differences in language, terminology and safety and trade practices and standards.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

  5. Attend training or challenge the certification exam when you are ready.

    Source
    “Attend training or challenge the exam when ready.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $350

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Assessment $100 29%
Exams $250 71%
One-time total $350 100%

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Experience

  • Trade qualifiers must work the required number of hours in the trade, supply proof of those hours and scope coverage before challenging the Certification Exam.

    Source
    “- Trade Qualification — work the required number of hours in a particular skilled trade, supply proof of those hours, scope coverage and challenge the Certification Exam.”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice...

  • The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician designation lists 7,200 apprenticeship hours and 10,800 Certificate of Qualification hours.

    Source
    “Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician | △◯♦AN | 7,200 | 10,800”
    gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fast-facts...

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Certified tradespeople with a valid out-of-province Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement can work in New Brunswick using their existing credential without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification.

Source
“This means certified tradespeople can move to New Brunswick and work in their trade without first obtaining a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification (C of Q).”
gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 72402, Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in New Brunswick and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
New Brunswick $20.50 $29.76 $45.63 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $22.00 $37.50 $56.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in New Brunswick

Wages in every province and territory

Refrigerations and air conditioning mechanics in other provinces and territories

Regulated in all 12 other jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. List of designated occupations - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/designated... · fetched October 11, 2026
  2. The apprenticeship and occupational certification program - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/apprentice... · fetched October 11, 2026
  3. Fees and forms - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fees-forms... · fetched October 11, 2026
  4. Internationally and nationally trained or certified trades people - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/trained-tr... · fetched October 11, 2026
  5. Fast facts about Skilled Trades NB - gnb.ca gnb.ca/en/topic/education-training/apprenticeship-trades/fast-facts... · fetched October 11, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in New Brunswick?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in New Brunswick. Certification is managed by the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Which exams are required?

Certification Exam, Certificate of qualification examination, Certificate of qualification challenger assessment, Practical examination, Interprovincial standards (Red Seal) examination.

Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too

Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.

Schedule a Call

Free consultation. No commitment.