- What Is A AL-REFRIG, Exactly?
- Who Issues the Credential and Who Administers the Exam
- Exam Format: 90 Questions, 4 Hours, 70%
- The 17 Domains and How They're Weighted
- Eligibility: Hours, Curriculum, and Documentation
- Registration, Fees, and Scheduling Mechanics
- What Happens on Test Day
- After You Pass: Licensing, Bonds, and Renewal
- Who Actually Needs This Certification
- Building a Domain-Aware Study Plan
- Frequently Asked Questions
- AL-REFRIG is the Alabama Board's Refrigeration Contractors Examination, delivered by Prov, Inc. as "Refrigeration."
- The exam has 90 multiple-choice questions, a 4-hour limit, and a 70% passing score.
- General Knowledge and Systems & Sizing each carry the most weight at 14 questions apiece.
- Eligibility requires 3,000 hours of qualifying experience or graduation from an approved HVAC/R curriculum under Code of Alabama 34-31-28(c).
What Is A AL-REFRIG, Exactly?
AL-REFRIG is the working shorthand this site uses for the Alabama Refrigeration Contractor Certification Exam - the written test the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors requires before someone can legally operate as a commercial refrigeration contractor in the state. The Board's own paperwork calls it the "Refrigeration Contractors Examination," while the testing vendor, Prov, Inc., lists the exam title simply as "Refrigeration." Both names describe the same credential; AL-REFRIG is just the identifier this site uses to keep search and navigation simple.
If you're comparing acronyms, be careful. Several unrelated credentials outside Alabama also use "AL-REFRIG" or similar shorthand. This site - and this article - deal exclusively with the Alabama Board's commercial refrigeration contractor exam. For a deeper terminology breakdown, see AL-REFRIG Meaning and What Does AL-REFRIG Stand For?.
Who Issues the Credential and Who Administers the Exam
Two organizations matter here, and candidates sometimes conflate them:
- Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors - the regulatory body that sets eligibility rules, approves applicants, issues licenses, and collects the underlying examination and licensing fees.
- Prov, Inc. - the third-party testing provider that builds and delivers the actual exam content, runs the test centers, and publishes the candidate bulletin (the current version is dated September 4, 2026) that governs exam-day rules.
You apply to the Board first. Only after the Board approves your application can you schedule the exam through Prov. This two-step relationship shapes almost everything about timing, fees, and rescheduling, which we cover below.
Exam Format: 90 Questions, 4 Hours, 70%
The AL-REFRIG written exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice test consisting of 90 questions administered within a 4-hour time limit. To pass, you need a score of 70% - full stop, no domain-by-domain minimums are published beyond the overall cut score. That single number is the entire benchmark, which is why understanding exactly what AL-REFRIG Passing Score means for your study targets matters more than chasing perfection in any one area.
Unlike some certification exams, this one is open-book. You can test at a Prov test center or remotely through Examroom after completing a system check. But "open-book" doesn't mean "open notes" - only specific reference materials are allowed, and the rules on what you can bring are strict (more on that in the test-day section).
Key Takeaway
Because the exam is open-book but time-limited to 4 hours across 90 questions, familiarity with your reference materials' organization is just as important as memorizing facts. Practice finding code sections quickly, not just knowing them.
The 17 Domains and How They're Weighted
The Prov candidate bulletin breaks AL-REFRIG into 17 content domains. Here is the official question allocation:
| Domain | Questions |
|---|---|
| 1. General Knowledge | 14 |
| 2. Piping | 13 |
| 3. Systems & Sizing | 14 |
| 4. Maintenance/Troubleshooting | 13 |
| 5. Plan Reading | 2 |
| 6. Electrical Applications for Refrigeration Systems | 8 |
| 7. Business Organization | 1 |
| 8. Risk Management | 2 |
| 9. Project Management | 2 |
| 10. Estimating | 3 |
| 11. Safety and Environmental | 2 |
| 12. Labor Laws | 2 |
| 13. Payroll and Employment Taxes | 3 |
| 14. Financial Management | 3 |
| 15. Contracts | 2 |
| 16. Lien Laws | 2 |
| 17. Licensing Laws | 4 |
Four domains dominate the exam. General Knowledge and Systems & Sizing are tied as the single largest domains at 14 questions each. Piping and Maintenance/Troubleshooting follow closely at 13 each. Combined, these four technical domains account for over half the exam - roughly 54 of the 90 questions. Everything else, including a long tail of business and legal topics, fills the remainder in small two- or three-question slices.
General Knowledge & Systems & Sizing
These tied largest domains cover the foundational refrigeration theory, equipment sizing logic, and system fundamentals a commercial refrigeration contractor is expected to apply on the job daily.
- Refrigerant behavior and cycle fundamentals
- Load calculation and equipment capacity matching
- System component selection for commercial applications
Piping & Maintenance/Troubleshooting
Together these two 13-question domains test practical field skill - correctly designing and diagnosing refrigeration piping systems and identifying common system failures.
- Line sizing, insulation, and support practices
- Diagnosing pressure, temperature, and airflow faults
- Preventive maintenance sequencing
Business and law topics are also included in this examination, spread across Domains 7 through 17. Individually each is small - often just one to four questions - but collectively they represent a meaningful chunk of the test that many technically-strong candidates underprepare for. For the complete breakdown of what each domain actually tests, see AL-REFRIG Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 17 Content Areas.
Eligibility: Hours, Curriculum, and Documentation
Before you can even register for AL-REFRIG, the Board must approve your application. Under Code of Alabama section 34-31-28(c), you qualify one of two ways:
- 3,000 hours of qualifying work experience, documented with notarized employer affidavits and the corresponding W-2s, or
- Graduation from an approved heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration curriculum, documented with your graduation paperwork.
Every applicant must also submit citizenship or lawful-presence documentation. One wrinkle worth flagging: the application packet still contains older eligibility wording, so if you're planning to qualify through an apprenticeship- or coursework-only route, confirm directly with the Board before you apply - don't assume the packet language is fully current.
Once approved, your eligibility to schedule the exam lasts one year from the date of approval. If you don't test within that window, you'll need to work with the Board again. For a full walkthrough of documentation and timing, see AL-REFRIG Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Registration, Fees, and Scheduling Mechanics
The written examination fee is $175, paid to the Board and non-refundable. If you pay by credit card, add a 4% service fee on top. Fee mechanics are one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of the process, so plan for the total cost rather than just the base $175.
Scheduling and rescheduling run through Prov, not the Board. If you need to cancel or reschedule, you must do so at least 3 business days before your appointment - miss that window and you forfeit the exam fee entirely.
If you fail the written attempt, you have two paths forward:
- Submit a re-examination request through Form EA-5 or the Board's re-examination portal and pay another $175 exam fee to retake the written test.
- Under Rule 440-X-3-.07, request Board approval for a $375 practical examination, which must be held within 6 months of your last unsuccessful written attempt. This is not a mandatory second stage - it's an alternative path some candidates request rather than retaking the written exam again.
For the full fee schedule across every stage - application, exam, retake, licensing, and renewal - see AL-REFRIG Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
What Happens on Test Day
You'll test either at a physical Prov test center or remotely via Examroom after a system check confirms your equipment meets requirements. Whichever route you choose, the reference material rules are identical and strictly enforced.
- Calculator: Only a simple four-function calculator is allowed - no scientific or programmable models.
- Allowed in your reference books: Highlighting, permanent tabs, and formulas handwritten in ink directly in the book.
- Prohibited: Handwritten notes on separate paper, movable/removable tabs, added photocopied sheets, and any exam-preparation guides brought into the testing session.
Both the Board's and Prov's reference lists include the 2021 International Mechanical Code and the 2020 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code - those two overlap and are safe bets to own. Beyond that, the two lists differ on other references and editions, so confirm exactly which books and editions Prov will accept before you spend money on materials. This is a common source of test-day surprises, and it's worth reading AL-REFRIG Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts for a condensed reference checklist.
After You Pass: Licensing, Bonds, and Renewal
Passing AL-REFRIG doesn't automatically make you a licensed contractor - you must submit a separate licensing application afterward. From there, you choose between two certification statuses:
| Status | Initial/Annual Cost | Bond Required | Authorizes Contracting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Refrigeration Certification | $220 | $20,000 performance bond | Yes |
| Inactive Refrigeration Certification | $110 | None | No |
Note that $20,000 is the bond amount, not the premium you pay - your actual bond premium depends on your bonding company and credit. Active status also requires a business name on file with the Board.
Renewal is due annually by December 31; miss it and a $250 late fee applies on top of your renewal cost. Alabama normally requires 4 Board-approved continuing-education hours per year, with up to 4 hours bankable toward the following cycle and a first-renewal exemption under Rule 440-X-4-.10. CE proof is due before November 1; hours submitted between November 1 and January 1 trigger a $25 deficiency fee under Rule 440-X-4-.03 (effective July 14, 2025), and deficiency-extension requests must reach the Board before December 31.
One more distinction worth remembering: your Alabama contractor certification and any EPA Section 608 technician certification are entirely separate credentials with different issuing bodies and different scopes.
Who Actually Needs This Certification
AL-REFRIG exists specifically for people planning to operate or bid work as a commercial refrigeration contractor in Alabama - walk-in coolers, supermarket refrigeration racks, cold-storage warehouses, ice machines at commercial scale, and similar systems. If you're a field technician working under someone else's active license, you may not need this exam yourself, but understanding it still matters for career advancement.
Typical candidates include experienced refrigeration technicians moving into business ownership, HVAC/R graduates entering the commercial refrigeration trade, and existing contractors adding refrigeration to an existing license portfolio. If you're weighing whether the investment in time and fees makes sense for your situation, Is the AL-REFRIG Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and AL-REFRIG Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis dig into that question, while AL-REFRIG Jobs covers where certified contractors typically find work.
Building a Domain-Aware Study Plan
Given the domain weights, a smart study sequence front-loads the four heaviest domains before touching the smaller business-law topics. Generic study techniques like spaced repetition work fine here, but only when mapped to AL-REFRIG's actual point distribution rather than applied evenly across all 17 domains.
General Knowledge & Systems & Sizing
- Drill refrigeration cycle theory and load/sizing calculations - these two domains alone are 28 of 90 questions
- Practice locating relevant sections in your IMC and NEC references quickly
Piping & Maintenance/Troubleshooting
- Work through line-sizing scenarios and common fault-diagnosis patterns
- These add another 26 questions of coverage
Electrical Applications & Licensing Laws
- Electrical Applications (8 questions) and Licensing Laws (4 questions) are the next-largest blocks after the top four domains
Remaining Business & Legal Domains
- Sweep the smaller domains - Estimating, Payroll and Employment Taxes, Financial Management (3 each), plus the 1-2 question domains
- Do a full open-book timed practice run under the 4-hour limit
If you want a structured walkthrough of this exact sequencing with more detail on source material, AL-REFRIG Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt expands on each week. And if you're still deciding how much runway to give yourself, How Hard Is the AL-REFRIG Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 and AL-REFRIG Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows are useful companion reads. You can also start running realistic questions right now on our AL-REFRIG practice test platform to see where your gaps actually are before committing to a fixed schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. AL-REFRIG is the Alabama Board's state contractor examination for commercial refrigeration contracting. EPA Section 608 technician certification is a separate federal credential covering refrigerant handling, issued by a different body entirely.
The exam has 90 multiple-choice questions with a 4-hour time limit, and you need to score 70% to pass.
No. Handwritten notes on separate paper, movable tabs, photocopied sheets, and exam-prep guides are all prohibited. You may only highlight, use permanent tabs, and write formulas in ink directly inside your approved reference books.
You can retake the written exam by submitting Form EA-5 or using the Board's re-examination portal and paying another $175 fee. Alternatively, under Rule 440-X-3-.07, you can request Board approval for a $375 practical exam, which must occur within 6 months of your failed written attempt.
Only if you choose active status. Active refrigeration certification requires a $20,000 performance bond and a business name, and costs $220 initially and annually. Inactive certification costs $110, requires no bond, but does not authorize contracting work.