Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians are skilled workers who install heating and cooling systems. In addition, they maintain and repair the system when problems arise. This can be in a residential setting or for commercial installations. Those who work for a retailer are usually responsible for selling service contracts to customers.
Certification Types
Earning HVAC certification will depend on the type of certification you want and the training you have obtained. Since many people work in the field with an HVAC licensee, they may have some experience before taking classes. Those with more than a year of installation experience and at least 2 years of maintenance experience will have more options when it comes to the type of HVAC certification they choose.
To become certified, the appropriate classes must be taken. Before doing so, a high school diploma or GED is required. This is required for admission to most accredited HVAC training programs. These programs offer classes in HVAC installation and repair, as well as blueprint reading, temperature control, construction, and equipment design. Programs are available at various schools and universities, as well as online.
Programs are generally from six months to two years and depending on the length of the course, upon successful completion, the student will receive either a certificate or an associate degree. Opportunities are also available for those joining the Armed Forces to receive specialized training in the HVAC field.
License
After successfully completing the training program, obtaining a certification or degree, most states will require you to sit for the HVAC licensing exam to work in this field. The licensing exam will differ a bit from place to place. The primary consideration is knowledge of all aspects of HVAC system installation and repair. Also, some licensing exams require the applicant to know electrical codes.
If your chosen career will include working with refrigerants, a separate certification is needed for this field. This includes high and low pressure refrigerants and the maintenance of small appliances. When choosing this career path at a young age, usually during high school, it is beneficial to take classes that can help prepare the student for the classes they will take next. The basic recommendations are mathematics, physics, electronics and mechanical drawing.
Additional licenses are needed if the HVAC career will include contractor services. This is often a career chosen after learning the other aspects of HVAC. The requirements to apply for a license as an HVAC contractor include being at least 18 years old, speaking and reading English, and four years of verifiable heating experience.
If the applicant meets these requirements, they must take an ICC exam. The International Code Council (ICC) develops these exams and is in charge of giving them for many states. They are given out at approved test sites across the country and are required for anyone representing themselves as an HVAC contractor.
As you can see, the HVAC career is quite diverse. It can include various aspects of this profession, each with its own requirements and licenses.