HVAC licensing requirements: State-by-state

The HVAC industry at a glance

Understanding the different roles that make up the heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration trade is essential. Here are some of the most common positions with the best opportunity for employment and career growth:

HVAC engineer

An HVAC engineer plans and coordinates every part of a heating and cooling system installation. They conduct performance evaluations on existing systems, recommend improvements to increase overall efficiency, and design entire systems for a new project (both commercial and residential).

An HVAC engineer falls under mechanical engineering, which works closely with all the other construction-related trades.

Education requirements: Since this position involves mechanical engineering, a 4-year bachelor’s degree is a general requirement. Furthermore, after completing a 4-year degree, an individual looking for a career in HVAC engineering should complete the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. If you served in the military and had HVAC or mechanical engineer training, you may be able to submit proof of this with your license application in lieu of a degree.

Average income: According to Salary.com, the national pay range for an HVAC engineer is $66,076-$89,273 per year, with a median salary of $77,036 per year. Broken down into hourly pay, and HVAC technician can make between $32-$43 per hour, with a median wage of $37 per hour.

HVAC installer

An HVAC installer is responsible for installing heating and cooling systems for residential and commercial buildings. HVAC installers need to know mechanical systems, be able to maneuver tight spaces, and have the strength to lift and control heavy objects. Time management is another skill that installers must have because they work on different sites regularly in a given week.

Education requirements: There are generally two routes to becoming an HVAC installer. The first is a professional/post-secondary education degree through a community college or trade school. This path typically requires two years of education. To participate in an apprenticeship, you must be at least 18 and have a high school education. Apprenticeship programs generally last 3-5 years.

Average income: Salary.com lists the annual yearly salary range for HVAC installers as $50,894-$79,432. The median annual salary for an HVAC installer in the U.S. is $64,306. If you break this down into an hourly rate, the range is $24-$38 per hour, and the U.S. median hourly pay for an HVAC installer is $31 per hour.

HVAC technician

An HVAC technician is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They may specialize in specific areas of HVAC, such as heating or refrigeration, and seek certifications that reflect that expertise, resulting in better pay. An HVAC technician can work for a company or, after getting a specialized certificate, go into business for themselves as a home service professional. With ample experience, an HVAC technician can move into a high-level supervisory role for a company.

Education requirements: A post-secondary degree through a community college or trade school is required to become an HVAC technician. Apprenticeship opportunities require a high school education and generally take 3 to 5 years of training through an employer.

Average income: Per Salary.com, the national pay range for an HVAC technician is $50,894-$79,423 per year, with a median wage of $64,306 per year. An HVAC technician can make between $24 and $38 per hour; the U.S. median wage is $31 per hour.

HVAC supervisor

An HVAC supervisor oversees the work of HVAC installers, mechanics, and technicians. Their job duties include direct work on HVAC systems and directing mechanics and technicians in their duties. Other duties include determining the extent of repairs needed for a job and reviewing complex systems to assess their functionality and performance. HVAC field supervisors must ensure that each phase of the project is completed according to code and must have strong customer relations and managerial skills.

This may be a journeyman role or one that requires a contractor license. Each state sets its own requirements for any license, training, or certification that an HVAC manager or field supervisor must have to oversee HVAC and refrigeration work.

Education requirements: To become an HVAC supervisor, you typically need a post-secondary degree from a community college or trade school or proof of completion of a journeyman program. Most state contractor applications require proof of a certain number of hours worked, so make sure you log your hours as you progress in your career.

Some states may require HVAC managers to go through a contractor license school or a similar education and qualification program. Depending on the state, you may need proof of additional training.

Average income: According to Salary.com, the annual salary for an HVAC supervisor ranges from $62,006 to $105,692. The median annual salary for an HVAC field supervisor is $83,903. These are usually salaried positions, but to give you a point of reference to compare the pay for an HVAC contractor vs that for an HVAC tech, the hourly rate for HVAC supervisors ranges from $30 to $51, with a median wage of $40 per hour.

Factors affecting how much HVAC technicians make

The pay range for HVAC jobs is wide, reflecting the differences in cost-of-living (COL) across the country. Large cities with a high COL tend to offer higher wages for all trades, not just HVAC, but electrical and plumbing, too. Small towns typically pay less.

Your location isn’t the only thing that affects your pay. Your education, training, and years of experience matter, too. If you have multiple certifications demonstrating your ability to perform certain specialty work, like sheet metal work or working on refrigeration units, you may be able to command a higher rate of pay than someone with similar experience but no certifications.

Some hourly HVAC workers, such as HVAC mechanics and service techs, may earn overtime pay for working more than 40 hours or receive a pay differential for working nights and weekends when most emergency calls come in. These roles may also require more training and the ability to work independently.

Salaried HVAC professionals, like field supervisors or HVAC managers, don’t have the opportunity for overtime, but some employers offer bonuses or other financial incentives. If you choose to open your own HVAC contractor business, your earning potential may be much higher.

How to become an HVAC technician

Let’s take a further look into the schooling and education required to become an HVAC technician. Bear in mind that different states may have different educational requirements to get an HVAC technician license, so it’s wise to check the licensing requirements for your state (and city, too; some cities have additional licensing requirements beyond what your state may require) before enrolling in a program.

Most accredited programs for the HVAC trade will comply with the state licensing requirements for that state. A quick online search of “licensing requirements for HVAC techs” should yield the information you need to ensure that your school program is compliant with state requirements. You can also find the information you need for each state in the HouseCall Pro HVAC Licensing Requirements state pages above.

You’ll likely have to take one or more exams on your quest to become an HVAC professional. Some states require this starting at the apprenticeship or journeyman level, while others only require contractors to take them. In addition, many states require those seeking an HVAC contractor license to pass not just the trade exam(s) but also a Business & Law exam. You can find practice tests online here, here, and here.

The basic qualifications to become an HVAC technician:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Completion of an accredited HVAC program (depending on the program, it could be 6 months for certification or 2 years for a professional degree); or completion of a 3 to 5-year on-the-job apprenticeship
• Industry, state, and national certifications and licenses
• An EPA Section 608 Technician Certification for technicians who work with refrigeration systems

An optimal HVAC technician candidate should have a basic understanding of the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). While expertise in the STEM fields isn’t a requirement, a general grasp of the fundamentals will lead to a better understanding of HVAC principles.

Modern technology has made it easier for technicians to receive payments and invoice customers in the field. A basic understanding of payment systems and general application usability is a plus.

Because the industry is quickly expanding, many employers would like you to have your qualifications from accredited institutions. While every state has its own unique requirements and accreditations, most states recommend these institutions:

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
• Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association
• HVAC Excellence
• Environmental Protection Agency

On-the-job training to become an HVAC technician

If you don’t take the professional education route, there are still opportunities to become an HVAC technician through on-the-job training and apprenticeships.

• An apprenticeship should be taught by a licensed and experienced HVAC technician
• The apprenticeship should take 3 to 5 years to fully grasp the tasks, roles, responsibilities, and skills associated with becoming an HVAC technician
• You should seek at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training to illustrate HVAC technician competency to a future employer

If you are looking for an apprenticeship opportunity, some of the most well-respected apprenticeships are overseen by these establishments:

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Inc.
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship USA Program

In addition, take a look at some of the best apprenticeship programs by state. Don’t forget to check with your local union; national unions like Pipefitters Union and Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) have local branches across the country and offer stellar apprenticeship programs for aspiring HVAC professionals.

HVAC technician education programs

What should you look for in a good HVAC technician training program? You’ll likely be spending a few thousand dollars—or more—and at least two years of your life in the program, so you want to be sure that you’re in a good one and that your degree will be accepted by your state licensing board.

Here is our checklist for making sure that your program is a good one:

• Does the program offer comprehensive education, including classroom time and practical field opportunities?
• Is the program accredited by the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) and/or HVAC Excellence?
• Is the school accredited by your state?
• What is the program’s reputation? There are multiple forums online that discuss the positives and negatives of HVAC training programs in your area, and some schools may also have reviews on Google or GlassDoor. See what other people’s experiences with the program are before committing.
• Do the instructors have real-world experience?
• Can you attend classes online, or must you go in person? Hybrid learning can make it easier to go to school and work, and some HVAC companies may allow apprentices flexibility in their work schedules to attend classes.
• Does the program offer post-graduate job placement and employment support?

You may also want to get a Ready-To-Work Certification from NATE. This shows potential employers, schools, and apprenticeship programs that you’re, well, ready to get to work. It’s for those with little to no education who are ready to enter the HVAC field.

HVAC contractor license schools

The dream of many HVAC professionals is to open their own contractor business. Owning your own business gives you more flexibility and freedom for the kinds of work you perform; if you have a knack for specialty work in niche areas like wind turbines, solar HVAC power systems, or working in pipefitting, then you may be able to corner the market in your area. Or, perhaps your talents lie in the academic side of heating, cooling, and ventilation. You may find success as an energy auditor or an HVAC systems design engineer, or even in sales, working as an equipment manufacturer representative.

Each state sets its own requirements for contractor licensing; you can find more information on the HouseCall Pro HVAC state licensing page for your state. Typical requirements include:

• Completion of a specific number of hours as a journeyman HVAC professional
• Degree in HVAC from a trade school, community college, university, or equivalent training program
• Pass state HVAC exams for licensure
• Pass a Business & Law exam in your state
• Submit proof of general liability insurance, surety bond
• If you have employees, you must submit proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance for your state

Many licenses require renewal (usually one, two, or three years) as well as a certain number of hours of continuing education.

Should you join a union?

Joining an HVAC union has pros and cons. Whether you become unionized or stay non-union depends on your position, where you work, how much business you are getting, and whether you are getting paid fair wages.

Pros:

Paid union wages, which can be higher than non-union wages (especially for new entrants into the field)

Protection from predatory payments of non-union workers

Establishment of a pension that is paid into

Cons:

Reduction in work due to undercutting by non-union workers who are paid lower rates

More specialization may mean a reduction in your ceiling due to unionized rates

How do you find an HVAC technician job?

Tens of thousands of HVAC technician jobs will be added to the marketplace in the next 10 years. Here are the best ways to find your next HVAC technician job:

Job postings

Whether online, in a newspaper, or on a local job board, a job posting is a good starting point for finding your next position. Job postings cast a wide net when employers are looking for qualified candidates to fill open positions.

Pro:

Job postings are easily accessible online

Con:

Job postings receive hundreds of applicants, making it difficult to get your application noticed

However, there are websites that specialize in job postings for people in field service or home-based business trades, like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work. For example, Trade Academy has exciting new HVAC job postings every day.

Vocational/trade schools

Finding a job through your trade school is another way of securing an HVAC technician job. Many of the teachers involved with the curriculum were once HVAC professionals themselves. They may have extensive networks that can help you land your next interview.

Pro:

Teachers are more likely to recommend available positions to their students, and employers like referrals

Con:

Your job search is limited to your teachers’ networks, and they may not know new employers in the industry

Your personal network

Sometimes, your personal network can be your ticket to your first HVAC technician job. Have you worked in the construction sector but in a different role? If so, maybe you already have done previous work with HVAC businesses that are looking to hire a new recruit. In a personal network, the relationship is already built. If the potential employer trusts you and understands your work ethic, they are more likely to hire you.

Pro:

Leveraging relationships you already built

Con:

If you don’t have a strong network, you have limited options to connect with employers

Do you need insurance?

In this industry, it’s better to have insurance than to not have it. Most of the bidding, planning, and contractual standards in an HVAC business require some type of insurance. Depending on the HVAC business that hires you, many companies will insure you as part of the employment requirements. If you are going out on your own as an HVAC technician, you will need insurance to perform the contracted work.

If you are working on a large, expensive project, you may be required to have a surety bond. In addition, some states require HVAC contractors to submit proof of a surety bond as part of their HVAC contractor license requirements.

Finally, if you plan to open your own business and have employees, you will be required to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance through your state. Every state except Texas requires workers’ compensation coverage, and if you plan to bid on government projects in the Lone Star State, you will have to have coverage.

Further education and training

The HVAC industry is always changing, and new tools and techniques continuously enter the field. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you attend state and national trade shows and conferences. Not only will you stay up to date with new innovations in the industry, but it also will help you build a strong network of HVAC professionals that can help you advance your career and build your business.

Accelerating your career

Whether you’re a career professional or a recent graduate, becoming an HVAC technician is within your reach. The HVAC industry has a positive economic outlook. You can learn either through formal education or on-the-job training. You can work for an employer, or you can start your own business as a home service professional. Whatever route you choose, be sure you know the requirements in your state to break into the HVAC industry.