How can i get my hvac certification

The Environmental Protection Agency EPA requires a federal certification for working in refrigerant recovery and recycling. According to the Refrigerant Recycling Rule in the Clean Air Act, you must be certified to service or maintain equipment that may release ozone-depleting refrigerants or substitute refrigerants. Contractors may also choose to get additional certifications in the field to build up their professional profile.

Extra certifications are typically voluntary. They correspond to the different types of work you would like to perform:. Besides the mandatory federal certification, you can get additional certifications , which can help boost your reputation and position you as highly skilled in your field.

You may also need specific certifications to take part in larger projects led by general contractors. Their programs and exams differ according to the different specialties they offer. Green Building Council, which proves their knowledge of green building requirements. The majority of states require HVAC contractors to get a license. In some places, HVAC licenses follow the traditional progression of apprentice, journeyman, and master.

There may also be different license classifications based on the HVAC specialty. In other cases, a plumber license or an electrician license is necessary, or a combination of those. You may, however, need an HVAC license on the local or municipal level. Not in one of these states? It can be either a stand-alone course or a part of a college program. Often trade organizations collaborate with colleges to offer courses for aspiring air conditioning and refrigeration contractors.

The usual length of such training is between six months and two years. After getting the necessary education and training, your next step will be to find the right apprenticeship program. Some HVAC technicians take specialized training to work with in areas such as solar heating, radiant heating or refrigerants.

On-the-job training. In the past, many employers provided training on the job. A person could get a job assisting an experienced technician, starting with simple tasks like performing tests and installing refrigerant lines. As climate-control technology has grown in complexity, however, most employers now prefer to hire individuals with formal training. Technical college. One option is to complete an HVAC technician training program offered by a technical college, trade school or community college.

These programs take anywhere from six months to two years. Depending on the program, graduates earn a certificate or an associate degree. Coursework includes safety procedures, the operation of HVAC equipment and related skills like blueprint reading and installation of electrical wiring and control devices. Industry and union organizations sponsor apprenticeship programs, often in cooperation with local community colleges or technical schools.

Prospective apprentices must be 18 and have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma. They also must pass a drug screening and a basic math test and have a valid driver's license. Apprenticeship programs take three to five years. Students work full time, putting in 2, hours a year. There are also specialty licenses. You will need to pass an exam and to be eligible to write it, you must show at least three years of experience in every work classification you want to receive a license for.

There may be local licensing requirements. Applicants must pass a trade exam, as well as a law and business management exam. However, there may be local requirements so make sure to check county or city requirements before you begin work.

Montana As an HVAC contractor who does not plan to hire employees, there is no license requirement, but you will have to register with the Department of Labor and Industry. If you plan to hire employees, you will need a general construction contractor license. There is no testing or experience required. To be eligible to apply for a license, you must show at least four years out of the past ten of experience as a journeyman, foreman, contractor or supervising employee.

Relevant education from an accredited school can be used to fulfill up to three years of the experience requirement. You will need to pass a trade exam, as well as a Construction Management Survey exam which includes business management skills questions. You must pass a background check and submit current financial statements. New Hampshire There is no state licensing requirement for HVAC contractors in New Hampshire, but it important to check for any project permit requirements before you start work on any large projects.

You need to complete five hours of continuing education to renew your license. However, there are local requirements and you must check the local regulations before you begin work. The license is issued by the State Board of Refrigeration Contractors and there are multiple classes of licenses that can be awarded. To be eligible to apply for the license, you must show two years of experience, with up to half the amount able to be covered by completion of an academic or technical training course.

There are more licensing requirements on the local level and you need to check these in the jurisdiction you play to work in. To be eligible to write the exam, you must show five years of experience as a HVAC technician and must show proof of liability insurance.

Licenses are awarded by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board and fall under the umbrella of Mechanical Contractor licenses.

There are multiple categories of licenses available. To be eligible to sit the exam, you must show proof of at least four years of experience in HVAC, or show a combination or educational hours plus years of experience. The number of hours of experience required varies depending on the type of education you received.

The CCB license requires you to complete 16 hours of education and sit an exam. Pennsylvania You do not need any state licensing to work as a HVAC contractor in Pennsylvania, although there are some city licensing requirements so make sure to check these before you begin working. These include: Refrigeration Master Class I Unlimited - to qualify, you must have held a refrigeration journeyperson I license for one year or a refrigeration master II license for one year.

Refrigeration Master Class II Limited - to qualify, you must have held a refrigeration journeyperson II license for at least three years.

You will also need to pass an exam and pay a bond. South Dakota HVAC contractors do not require a state license to work in South Dakota, although there are licensing requirements at the city level so make sure to check the regulations of the city where you plan to work. To receive a license you will need to pass the trade exam, as well as the business and law exam. You must also show proof of liability insurance. To qualify for a license, you must have at least four years of practical experience in HVAC in the past six years, under the supervision of a licensed technician.

You must pass an exam and show proof of business insurance in Texas. Texas also offers licenses for registered and certified HVAC technicians. There are a number of subclasses under the HVAC contractor license, depending on the type of work you plan to do.