Proposed EPA Section 608 Changes
October 25, 2018
The EPA proposed changes to Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. You can read the proposed revisions here.
One of the main changes removes the management requirements for substitute refrigerants that are not on the list of class I or class II substances here. Many common refrigerants would be legal to buy without certification and legal for big box stores and online retailers to sell. This could have a negative impact on refrigeration manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors.
You can comment on the proposed changes here, but you must do so before November 15, 2018.
Renewals for 2019
October 11, 2018
The License Renewal Notices for 2019 have been mailed out. If you need to update your mailing address or do not receive a renewal notice in the next week, please contact our office.
New Electrical Code Book
October 4, 2018
The Electrical Code section of the exam will start using references from NEC 17 starting on November 1, 2018.
CFC Certifications Now on the Website
July 26, 2018
The EPA requires all CFC testing organizations to list the people who passed the CFC examination or received CFC cards. There is a new section on the website, CFC Test Results, which shows all the cards issued by year. If you want to opt-out of the list, please call the board or send us an email requesting to be left off the list including your first and last name and social security number.
New Contractor's Exam Booklet
July 12, 2018
The Exam Application for Refrigeration Contractors has been updated with the latest General Statutes and Administrative Code.
EPA Regulations Document Added to CFC Section
July 6, 2018
The Changes to the EPA's Section 608 program have been added to the CFC Section to the left. Click on Section 608 EPA Changes to the left or here to view the PDF.
Here and There
December 18, 2017
License renewals/reinstatements are due in the Board office by December 31, 2017. Reinstatements after January 1, 2018 have been increased to $120.00.
Other changes effective January 1, 2018 include:
1. The name of the Board is changed to State Board of Refrigeration Contractors.
2. The Board member positions to be filled by academia have been expanded to include "any accredited college or university located in this State."
3. Two new classes of licensure for refrigeration contractors are added:
a. Industrial – All persons, firms or corporation engaged in refrigeration contracting with the use of ammonia as a refrigeration gas.
b. Service – All persons, firms, or corporations engaged in the maintenance, servicing, and repairing of refrigerating machinery, equipment, devices and components.
Current commercial contractors' licenses will continue to include service and transport. Additionally, current commercial contractors will hold both a commercial and industrial license and their license number will be modified to reflect both classifications upon 2018 renewal. The 2018 $40 renewal/$75 reinstatement fee will cover both classifications.
The following fees will be charged beginning January 1, 2018:
1. Examination fee - $100;
2. Initial Licensure fee - $80;
3. Renewal fees - $80 annually;
4. Reinstatement fees - $120 annually.
Also effective January 1, the following officers have been elected to serve during 2018:
Chairman – W.D. Frye
Secretary – B.R. Cook
Treasurer – T. F. Welch
Board Proposes Rule Changes
July 21, 2017
The State Board of Refrigeration Examiners has filed proposed new rules, rule amendments and rule repeals for implementation on January 1, 2018 with the Rules Review Commission.
Click here for a PDF of the proposed changes.
A public hearing will be held on September 13, 2017 at 2PM in the Board Office (1027 US Hwy 70 W., Suite 221, Garner, NC 27529). Public comments will be accepted until October 16, 2017 and may be mailed to:
Barbara Hines, SBRE
1027 US Hwy. 70 W.
Suite 221
Garner, NC 27529
NC Sales and Use Tax Notice
July 6, 2017
The NC Sales and Use Tax Division published the following notice regarding repair, maintenance, and installation services. Page three of the notice contains a section on Commercial Refrigeration Equipment. The Board is drawing attention to the notice, but cannot offer legal advice.
2017 Notice
June 16, 2017
Senate Bill 131, Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-2017, was signed into law by Governor Cooper on May 4, 2017.
This bill includes amendments as follows to Article 5, Section 87, Board of Refrigeration Examiners:
- The name of the Board is changed to State Board of Refrigeration Contractors.
- The Board member positions to be filled by academia have been expanded to include "any accredited college or university located in this State."
- Two new classes of licensure for refrigeration contractors were added:
- Industrial – All persons, firms or corporation engaged in refrigeration contracting with the use of ammonia as a refrigeration gas.
- Service – All persons, firms, or corporations engaged in the maintenance, servicing, and repairing of refrigerating machinery, equipment, devices and components.
Current commercial contractors' licenses will continue to include service and transport. Additionally, current commercial contractors will hold both a commercial and industrial license and their license number will be modified to reflect both classifications upon 2018 renewal. The 2018 $40 renewal/$75 reinstatement fee will cover both classifications
- Fees: The Board has been authorized to charge the following fees beginning in 2018:
- An examination fee of $100 was established;
- Initial Licensure fee will be $80;
- Renewal fees will increase to $80 annually;
- Reinstatement fees will increase to $160 annually.
These changes are effective January 1, 2018 and will apply to all fees collected after that date.
Board News
June 9, 2016
As of June 1st, the board office has been relocated from its former address of 889 US Hwy 70 W, Garner, NC, 27529. The new office is located in Hartwell Plaza. The office's new physical address is:
1027 US 70 Hwy W, Suite 221
Garner, NC 27529
Spring 2016 Legislative Update
March, 11 2016
In 2013, at the direction of the General Assembly, the Program Evaluation Division (PED) staff conducted an analysis of our state’s approximately 55 occupational licensing boards. The report recommended to the Joint Legislative Administrative Oversight Committee (APO), that the General Assembly consider abolishing 12 licensing boards and consolidating 10 licensing boards. Unfortunately, the Refrigeration Licensing Board is one of the 12 recommended for further study of its continued existence. Since the release of the report, throughout 2014 and 2015, the Occupational Licensing Board Subcommittee of the APO has held meetings and occasionally heard presentations by occupational licensing representatives and other interested parties on the report’s recommendations.
There have been several APO and Subcommittee meetings in 2016. State statutes bar the use of-board funds to “promote or oppose” legislation, but, like other boards, the Refrigeration Board and its licensees can, as citizens, answer questions, correct is information and assist policy makers to make better informed decisions about these important matters.
As the Subcommittees’ agendas and focus evolves over the coming months, licensed refrigeration contractors who are aware of this review believe it is important for other license holders to contact legislators, especially any they may personally know, to answer any questions they might have of about the importance to the public of continuing to require licensure of refrigeration contractors who work with materials and equipment which can be harmful if not properly handled. It is imperative that our legislators understand the potential harm to the public if the Board is eliminated.
Points for discussion could include:
Board Member Retires
March 4, 2016
The board would like to give a huge thank you to Leonard Lynch for his many years of service and significant contributions to the Refrigeration Industry. Mr. Lynch served on the board from 2012 to 2015 under Governors Beverly Purdue and Patrick McCrory.
Board Chairman Zeke Smith (right) presents former board member
Leonard Lynch with a certificate of appreciation.
Refrigeration Up-Date 2016
February 19, 2016
The board would like to thank everyone who came out to Winston-Salem for making Refrigeration Up-date 2016 a success. Registrants were able to meet and network with industry experts and leading vendors from all across North Carolina who were there to showcase their latest products and services.
The board would especially like to thank all of the exhibitors that make the show possible:
ACR Supply
Air Oasis
Baker Distributing
C.C. Dickson
Cannon Marketing
Chemours
Cooper-Atkins
Engineering Equipment Sales
E. V. Dunbar
Hillpheonix
Hudson Technologies
Inficon
Intermatic/Grasslin
Mueller
NC DOL OSH Division
NDL
Rectorseal Corp
RefPlus
Steve Lee & Associates
Spectronics
Sporlan Valve, Division of Parker
Triad One Enterprises, Inc.
True Food Service Equipment
United Refrigeration
Arcoaire
Bally
Bosch Water Source Heat Pump
Daikin
IRP, NRP and PSG
Manitowoc
Testo
Thermal Zone
Trenton