How to Get HVAC Certification
HVAC/R systems are found in nearly every building. They control air flow and temperature and filter out air particles. As an HVAC technician, or contractor, you will work on diverse machinery including boilers, heat pumps, air-conditioning units and furnaces. Your work will include installation, testing, troubleshooting, repairing and removal. You will be working with high-voltage electricity lines and often doing so at the top of a ladder, on a roof or crawling through duct work. You must have skills in sheet metal working, plumbing and electrical maintenance and repair. The complexity of the job is why local, state and federal agencies get involved to make sure you know what you are doing.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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Prepare for your career as an HVAC technician by taking the appropriate courses at a professional school, junior or community college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most HVAC technicians get their training this way or through the Armed Services. Studies can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the school and the certificate or degree being sought.
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Become an apprentice. This is an opportunity to learn on the job by teaming with an experienced HVAC technician. According to the BLS, entrants into apprenticeship programs need only a high school diploma, and completing such a program may lead to certification.
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Contact your municipal, county and state governments to determine their requirements for HVAC technician training and licensing. Also contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for information on training and licensing requirements for dealing with refrigeration.
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Contact the three accrediting agencies for the industry: HVAC Excellence, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation. These organizations can give you advice on how to get the best training and the most useful certifications to have.
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Take and pass any certification exams your state or city requires. These can range from entry-level certification programs to specialized certifications, such as those required to handle refrigerants. Most exams are administered by schools, training programs or accrediting organizations
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Tips & Warnings
If you are still in school and are planning to become an HVAC technician, take courses in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and know how to use a computer – particularly CAD programs.
Don’t forget to learn about plumbing and electrical maintenance and repair. Many systems are computer-controlled, so understanding computer technology is also helpful. Temperature control theory and the design and construction of HVAC equipment will be part of your training as will installation, maintenance and repair of the equipment. However, the quality of your work depends on a broad knowledge of construction and electronics.
