How Long Is HVAC Training?

HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. People with HVAC certification are qualified to fix air conditioners and furnaces. The length of HVAC training depends on which program you pursue.

Time Frame

How long is HVAC training? It depends on the program.

You can obtain a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree in HVAC from community colleges and vocational schools, but just how long is HVAC training at these institutions? Most take from six months to four years to complete. After graduation, technicians typically spend two years in the field under supervision to become fully proficient.

Apprenticeships

Another way to get HVAC training is through apprenticeship under a certified HVAC technician. HVAC training apprenticeships usually last three to five years and require on-the-job training. Some programs will also require the apprentice to take night classes.

Education

Someone with a certificate or degree in HVAC has better career prospects than a person trained through apprenticeship, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Exams

There are a series of HVAC training exams a technician must complete in order to become certified, beginning with entry-level certification upon completion of a program or apprenticeship.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly salary for a certified HVAC technician is $18, as of May 2006, and job prospects in HVAC are excellent.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• HVAC Training And Jobs
• AHRI