How to Enroll as a HEAR Contractor

Massachusetts-Specific Requirements

• Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration — required in addition to trade license
• ENERGY STAR contractor training — required before enrollment; free online modules at energystar.gov
• BPI certification (for energy auditors) — not strictly required for HVAC contractors but required if you're conducting energy assessments
• ENERGY STAR certified equipment — all equipment installed under HEAR must be ENERGY STAR certified; verify equipment eligibility before quoting
• Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater enrollment — not required for most contractors, but needed for HOMES measured pathway

Enrollment Process

1. Go to masssave.com → Partners → Trade Contractors → Apply
2. Complete the online application with business and license information
3. Upload liability insurance certificate (Mass Save as additional insured)
4. Complete ENERGY STAR training modules and upload certificate
5. Submit and await review — expect 4–8 weeks
6. Once approved, you'll receive login credentials to the Mass Save contractor portal for submitting rebate applications

New York-Specific Requirements

• NYS contractor license for your trade
• Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license issued by local municipality (required in NYC; varies by county elsewhere)
• NYSERDA-approved training — NYSERDA has a specific contractor training module; check their current requirements at nyserda.ny.gov/contractors
• Participation Agreement — NYSERDA's contractor agreement includes pricing consistency provisions; review before signing (see Issue #6 on pricing integrity)
• Liability insurance — $1M/$2M; NYSERDA as additional insured

Enrollment Process

1. Create a NYSERDA contractor account at nyserda.ny.gov
2. Complete the contractor enrollment application and upload all required documents
3. Complete the required NYSERDA training (online; allow 2–4 hours)
4. Sign and return the NYSERDA Participation Agreement
5. Submit — expect 6–10 weeks for review given program backlog
6. Upon approval, access the NYSERDA contractor portal for rebate submissions

Maryland-Specific Requirements

• Maryland HVAC, electrical, or home improvement contractor license (as applicable to your work)
• Liability insurance — $1M per occurrence
• Standard documentation (W-9, business registration)
• No special training requirement — lighter than MA or NY

Enrollment Process

1. Visit energy.maryland.gov and navigate to the HERP (Home Energy Rebate Program) contractor section
2. Complete the online enrollment form — typically 20–30 minutes
3. Upload license and insurance documentation
4. Submit — MEA processes applications in 1–2 weeks, fastest in the country
5. Once approved, you can begin submitting rebate applications immediately

Colorado-Specific Requirements

• Colorado contractor license for your trade
• Local jurisdiction permits and licensing — Colorado's permitting is county/municipality-based; confirm your local requirements
• Liability insurance — $1M/$2M
• ENERGY STAR certification requirement for certain equipment types — verify at energystar.gov
• Reasonable Cost Review readiness — CREA triggers cost review on projects where single-measure rebates exceed $5,000; maintain pricing documentation (see Issue #6)

Enrollment Process

1. Register at energyoffice.colorado.gov — create a contractor account
2. Complete application and upload documentation
3. Review and sign the CREA Contractor Agreement, including pricing consistency provisions
4. Submit — 3–5 weeks processing
5. CREA will contact you with questions if documentation is incomplete; respond promptly to avoid delays

Michigan-Specific Requirements

• Michigan contractor license — residential builder, mechanical, or electrical (as applicable)
• Liability insurance — $1M per occurrence; Michigan Saves as additional insured
• Workers' compensation or waiver
• Michigan Saves has an existing contractor network from its pre-HEAR efficiency programs; if you're already a Michigan Saves partner, HEAR enrollment is streamlined

Enrollment Process

1. Go to michigansaves.org → Contractors → Join Our Network
2. Check if you're already enrolled as a Michigan Saves contractor — if so, HEAR access may require only a program addendum, not a full new application
3. Complete the contractor application and upload documentation
4. Sign the Michigan Saves Contractor Agreement
5. Submit — 2–4 weeks for new applicants; faster for existing Michigan Saves contractors

Illinois-Specific Requirements

• Illinois contractor license — HVAC, electrical, or plumbing (as applicable)
• Liability insurance — $1M/$2M
• Illinois operates a dual-utility model — enrollment with ComEd for electric customers, Nicor for gas customers; you may need to enroll with both depending on your service area
• Random 5% project audit protocol — Illinois audits 5% of projects randomly; maintain thorough pricing documentation for all jobs (see Issue #6)

Enrollment Process

1. Determine your primary service territory (ComEd electric, Nicor gas, or both)
2. Apply through the utility program portal — comed.com/contractors or nicorgas.com/contractors
3. Upload license, insurance, and business documentation
4. Complete any utility-required training modules
5. Submit — 3–6 weeks for review

Washington-Specific Requirements

• Washington State contractor registration — must be registered with L&I (Labor and Industries)
• Washington L&I registration number — required on all applications
• Liability insurance — $1M per occurrence
• Washington has a significant number of Puget Sound Energy and Pacific Power customers; check utility rebate enrollment separately if you want to stack utility rebates

Enrollment Process

1. Confirm your L&I registration is active at lni.wa.gov
2. Apply through the WA Commerce HEAR contractor portal
3. Upload all documentation including L&I registration number
4. Sign the contractor participation agreement
5. Submit — 3–6 weeks

Arizona-Specific Considerations

• Arizona's HEAR program launched in a limited "soft launch" covering HVAC, HPWH, and panel upgrades only — insulation and cooking appliances not yet included
• Rebate processing is mail-in, not point-of-sale — clients submit paperwork post-installation; processing takes 6–10 weeks
• Arizona contractor license from ROC (Registrar of Contractors) required
• APS, SRP, and TEP utility rebates operate independently and have their own contractor enrollment processes

Enrollment Process

1. Contact Arizona Commerce Authority at azcommerce.com for current contractor enrollment instructions
2. Provide ROC license number, liability insurance certificate, and business documentation
3. Processing is currently mail-in; expect longer timelines than other states
4. Enroll separately with APS, SRP, or TEP if you want to stack utility rebates

North Carolina-Specific Requirements

• North Carolina contractor license — HVAC, electrical, or general contractor license (as applicable to your work)
• BPI or RESNET certification — required for auditors conducting energy assessments; HVAC-only contractors can enroll without it for equipment rebates
• Free contractor training — Energy Saver NC provides free training at energysavernc.org; required for HOMES pathway work
• Liability insurance — $1M per occurrence minimum
• Standard documentation: active business registration, W-9, bank account for ACH payments
• North Carolina uses categorical eligibility — clients receiving SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, or Section 8/8A automatically qualify as LMI; this simplifies income verification significantly

Enrollment Process

1. Visit energysavernc.org and navigate to the contractor section
2. Complete the online contractor enrollment form
3. Upload license, insurance certificate, and business documentation
4. Complete any required program training (free, online)
5. Submit — processing typically 2–4 weeks
6. Upon approval, you can begin submitting rebate applications through the Energy Saver NC portal

Georgia-Specific Requirements

• Georgia contractor license — HVAC, electrical, or plumbing license as applicable; Georgia requires trade-specific licensing through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
• BPI certification required — Georgia is stricter than most states; BPI Building Analyst or Envelope Professional certification is required for auditors; HVAC contractors installing eligible equipment must work with a BPI-certified energy auditor for full-scope projects
• Liability insurance — $1M per occurrence; GEFA listed as additional insured on the certificate
• GEFA-enrolled contractor agreement — review GEFA's pricing and documentation provisions before signing
• ENERGY STAR certified equipment required for all HEAR-eligible measures

Enrollment Process

1. Visit energyrebates.georgia.gov and navigate to the contractor enrollment section
2. Create a contractor account in the GEFA portal
3. Upload BPI/RESNET certification credentials, contractor license, liability insurance certificate (GEFA as additional insured), W-9, and business registration
4. Complete and sign the GEFA Contractor Participation Agreement
5. Submit — expect 3–5 weeks for review; GEFA may request additional documentation
6. Once approved, access the GEFA contractor portal for rebate submission

Indiana's Unique RGC/QC Model

Indiana uses a two-tier contractor structure that is unlike any other live HEAR state:

• Regional General Contractors (RGCs) — These are the primary entities enrolled directly with OED. RGCs manage their own network of subcontractors and are responsible for project oversight and compliance.
• Qualified Contractors (QCs) — Most energy practitioners will enter as QCs, working under an RGC in their region. QCs must complete 5 provisional projects under RGC oversight before receiving full QC status.
• The provisional project requirement exists to ensure QCs understand documentation standards before going fully independent. This is a meaningful on-ramp — plan for it.

Indiana-Specific Requirements

• Indiana contractor license — HVAC, electrical, or plumbing as applicable
• BPI or RESNET certification — strongly preferred; required for HOMES pathway documentation
• Liability insurance — $1M per occurrence minimum
• 5 provisional projects under RGC supervision — required to achieve full QC status
• Standard documentation: W-9, business registration, bank account for ACH payments

Enrollment Process (6 Steps)

1. Visit IndianaEnergySaver.com/contractors/qualified-contractors/ and review the QC application requirements
2. Identify which RGC serves your county — OED assigns regions; the website lists current RGCs by service area
3. Contact the RGC for your region to confirm they are accepting new QCs — some RGC networks have capacity constraints
4. Submit the QC application to OED through the IndianaEnergySaver.com portal with all required documentation
5. Upon provisional approval, complete 5 supervised projects under your assigned RGC; OED reviews documentation from each project
6. Receive full QC status after provisional project review — now eligible to submit rebate applications independently through your RGC

How Wisconsin HEAR Works

Wisconsin's HEAR program is administered by Focus on Energy, the statewide energy efficiency program. Contractors must be registered Focus on Energy Trade Allies with IRA-HEAR designation to participate. The existing Trade Ally network from non-IRA Focus on Energy programs is a significant advantage — contractors already enrolled in Focus on Energy's efficiency programs have a streamlined path to HEAR designation.

Wisconsin-Specific Requirements

• Wisconsin contractor license — HVAC, electrical, or plumbing as applicable by measure
• ENERGY STAR certification for all installed equipment (cold-climate ASHP requirements apply in climate zones 5A–6A)
• BPI Building Analyst or RESNET HERS Rater — required for HOMES pathway; not required for HEAR equipment-only measures
• Focus on Energy Trade Ally agreement — includes pricing and documentation standards
• General liability insurance — $1M per occurrence standard
• W-9, business registration, and ACH payment authorization

Enrollment Process (4 Steps)

1. Visit focusonenergy.com/trade-ally and complete the Trade Ally application; existing Trade Allies request IRA-HEAR designation through the same portal
2. Upload required documents: contractor license, insurance certificate, ENERGY STAR training completion (if not already a Trade Ally)
3. Sign the Focus on Energy Trade Ally agreement and IRA-HEAR addendum
4. Receive approval and access to the Trade Ally project submission portal — you can now apply HEAR rebates at point-of-sale for enrolled measures

How Rhode Island HEAR Works

Rhode Island's HEAR program is unique in New England: it uses Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies as the intake point. Eligible households contact their regional CAP agency, which schedules the energy assessment and connects the household with an enrolled contractor. Contractors do not receive direct client applications — the CAP agency manages homeowner intake.

Rhode Island-Specific Requirements

• Email Energy.HEAR@energy.ri.gov to initiate contractor enrollment — there is no online portal; all enrollment is email-based
• Standard RI contractor license (HVAC, electrical, or plumbing as applicable)
• Insurance requirements published by OER — verify current minimums before submitting
• Mandatory completion of the "HEAR Program Contractor Approval Steps" document provided by OER
• Build relationships with regional CAP agencies — they are your referral source

CAP Agency Network (Rhode Island)

The CAP agency is your pipeline in Rhode Island. Key agencies serving LMI households:

• Community Action Partnership of Providence (CAP Providence)
• Community Action Program of Bristol County (CAPBC)
• Community Action Program of Southern Rhode Island (CAPSRI)
• In-Sight (formerly RI Community Action Association)

Contact each agency to introduce your HEAR credentials and get onto their referral list. The HEAR program in RI is mediated — you cannot market directly to homeowners in the same way as other states.

How New Mexico HEAR Works

New Mexico operates a dual-delivery model: point-of-sale retail rebates (for appliances at enrolled retailers) and contractor-installed rebates (for heat pump HVAC, panel upgrades, wiring, insulation). Contractors only handle the contractor-installed measures — clients may have already claimed retail rebates for appliances before you arrive. Ask clients upfront whether they've used the retail channel.

The NEIF RebateBridge program is integrated into NM contractor enrollment — once enrolled, contractors can access same-week rebate payment without waiting for state reimbursement.

New Mexico-Specific Requirements

• Submit interest form at clean.energy.nm.gov/become-a-contractor/hear-contractors/
• For heat pump installations: EPA 608 certification + NM Construction Industries Division (CID) mechanical license
• For electrical work: NM CID electrical license
• Mandatory Franklin Energy program training (no cost) before first job submission
• RebateBridge enrollment: handled as part of contractor approval — single application covers both