Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (6187)

Last Updated: 30 Mar 2023
Focussing on the practical skills and knowledge required to install, service and maintain refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, on successful completion of this qualification the learner will be well equipped to start or progress their career in the refrigeration & air-conditioning industry. 
Ideal for anyone working, or wishing to work, in the installation and maintenance of refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You can choose the qualification that demonstrates the specialist knowledge and skills you have developed such as:

  • Installing and commissioning Halocarbon 'fluorinated' air conditioning and heat pump systems
  • Understanding and carrying out site preparation and pipework fabrication techniques for RAC systems
  • Installing, testing and maintaining refrigeration systems.

You will learn on the job in the work environment and also at college.

Assessment will be by performance evidence for the performance units and online multiple-choice test and assignments for the combination/knowledge units.

Which Level is right for me?

Level 2
You are working, or would like to start working, in installing and maintaining refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised.

Level 3
You are an experienced refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems engineer and have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety, fault correction and ensuring work meets the required standard.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress within the industry as a refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump system engineer.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

You will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

Centres currently offering the Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Refrigeration & Air-conditioning (6087) can gain fast-track approval. For all other centres, please download and complete the qualification approval form and send it to your local City & Guilds office.

To find all the requirements for assessment and delivery, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

There are no eligibility requirements.

Level 2

This will suit you if you are working, or would like to start work, in installing and maintaining refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised.

There are two qualifications available at Level 2:

  • NVQ Diploma in Installing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems
  • NVQ Diploma in Installing, Testing and Maintaining Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems.

These comprise mandatory units, including:

  • Apply safe working practices in building services engineering working environment
  • Understand how to apply scientific principles within MES
  • Understand and carry out electrical work on RAC systems and components
  • Install and commission Halocarbon 'fluorinated' refrigeration systems.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress within the industry as a refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump system engineer.

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Installing, Testing and Maintaining Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems (6187-01)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in installing, testing and maintaining air conditioning and heat pump systems

  • Accreditation No: 600/0912/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 66 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 660 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £233.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Installing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems (6187-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in installing and maintaining refrigeration systems

  • Accreditation No: 600/0913/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 66 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 660 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £243.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

This level is ideal if you are an experienced refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems engineer and have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety.

There are four qualifications available at Level 3:

  • NVQ Certificate in Servicing and Maintaining Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
  • NVQ Certificate in Installing and Commissioning Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
  • NVQ Diploma in Servicing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems
  • NVQ Certificate in Installing and Commissioning Refrigeration Systems.

Each comprises four mandatory units, including:

  • Understand Halocarbon 'fluorinated' refrigeration system service and maintenance techniques
  • Understand and carry out electrical work on RAC systems and components
  • Understand how to organise resources within BSE.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to progress within the industry as a refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump system engineer.

Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Servicing and Maintaining Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems (6187-04)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Servicing and Maintaining Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems

  • Accreditation No: 600/0909/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 34 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 282 - 282 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 340 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £168.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Servicing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems (6187-06)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Servicing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems

  • Accreditation No: 600/0991/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 37 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 312 - 312 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 370 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £168.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

6187 Level 2

Additional documents

Purpose and Recognition

Assessment materials

Centre documents

6187 Level 3

Additional Documents

Purpose and recognition

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Additional documents

Centre documents

Purpose and Recognition

19 Plus

Purpose

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

Find out more

For Learners

Related Qualifications

Browse some of our related qualifications:

> (2079) F GAS and ODS Regulations

> (7189) Refrigeration and Air-conditioning