Understanding Certifications for HVAC Technicians

HVAC technicians install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. These systems are becoming increasingly complex, so job opportunities tend to be better for those with formal HVAC training from a post-secondary institution.

Certifications can also improve job prospects for HVAC technicians and may be required by government agencies. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification is mandatory for all HVAC techs working with the refrigerants found in many types of HVAC/R units.^[1] Industry certifications like North American Technical Excellence (NATE) are often preferred by employers.^[2] What are these certifications? And, what is the general process of getting them?

HVAC Training to Prepare for Certifications and a Career

Preparation for an HVAC career can start as early as high school and is typically followed with study at an HVAC school or community college. Many employers prefer to hire techs with formal training. It can also help with preparing for certain HVAC certification tests.^[3][4]Technicians also typically train on the job after entering the field.^[5] Here’s a closer look at the process.

Type of Preparation	Details	Duration	Learning Focus
High School or GED	A High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is Usually a Requirement for Admission into an HVAC School. Community College Requirements Vary	3 Months to 4 Years	Math, Physics & Vocational Education Classes
HVAC School	Career-Focused, Practical Training	10 Weeks to 2 Years	Air Conditioning, Gas Heating, Basic Electricity, Indoor Air Quality, Heat Pumps & Electric Heat & Employment & Certification Readiness
Community College	Technical & General Education Courses	2 Years or More	Similar Technical Courses to HVAC School Plus English & Other General Ed Classes
On-the-Job Training	Entry-Level HVAC Techs Start Out Working Under Experienced Techs	2 Years	Start with Basic Jobs (Cleaning Furnaces & Insulating Refrigerant Lines) and Move Up to Complex Tasks (Checking Electrical Circuits & Cutting & Soldering Pipes)

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Some HVAC schools also prepare students for careers in major appliance repair. This is the case at Delta Technical College, which offers an HVAC/R-MAR Technician Program. This HVAC training program is available at the school’s campuses in Horn Lake, Mississippi and Ridgeland, Mississippi, and can be completed in 9 months. Learn more about how much an HVAC school costs.

Types of Certifications for HVAC Techs

Two primary types of certification are available for HVAC technicians: EPA Section 608 Technician Certification and industry organization certifications.

EPA Certifications

HVAC technicians who work with refrigerants are required by the EPA to obtain Section 608 Technician Certification. There are four types of EPA certification. Each one is specific to the type of HVAC/R equipment the tech works on and requires a tech to take and pass an exam.^[14] The time it takes to prepare for the exams can vary from a couple of months of studying on one’s own to several months in an HVAC training program.^[15]

EPA Certification	Equipment	Test Questions	Test Duration
Type I	Small Appliances: Air Conditioners, Domestic Refrigerators & Vending Machines	25 Multiple Choice Questions	30 Minutes
Type II	High to Very High- Pressure Appliances: Residential Air Conditioners, Refrigeration Units & Heat Pumps	25 Multiple Choice Questions	30 Minutes
Type III	Low-Pressure Appliances: Chillers	25 Multiple Choice Questions	30 Minutes
Universal	All of the Above Equipment	25 Multiple Choice Questions	30 Minutes

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Students of Delta Technical College’s HVAC/R-Mar Technician program are required to take and pass EPA Section 608 Core Type I and Type II certification exams. The school prepares students for these certification exams but does not certify them.

Industry Certifications

Certifications from industry organizations can serve as professional credentials. These are not legally required but can improve career opportunities. There are certifications for specific positions, for example NATE offers certifications for “HVAC Support Technician,” “Installation,” and “Service.” HVAC Excellence also offers a “Professional Technician” and a “Master Specialist” certification. Certifications for specific HVAC/R disciplines are also available from HVAC Excellence.^[20]

Typical requirements include one to two years of experience working in the field, formal coursework and passage of a written exam.^[21] Exam times vary. For example, North American Technical Excellence (NATE) offers specialized professional certifications; 4 hours of testing is required for each one.^[22]

HVAC Licensing Requirements

HVAC technicians are required to be licensed in some states and localities.^[23] The specific requirements to get an HVAC license depend on the state: individuals may need to have completed an HVAC program or have between 2 and 5 years of experience working in the field. An exam is also usually required and may cover local electrical codes or general HVAC subject matter.^[24]

In Mississippi, where Delta Tech offers HVAC programs at campuses in Horn Lake and Ridgeland, the Mississippi State Board of Contractors oversees the licensing of HVAC contractors. HVAC contractors are required to obtain licenses when performing privately funded projects costing more than $100,000 or publically funded projects costing more than $50,000. The licensing process entails submitting an application with financial, insurance and work experience documentation and passing exams about law and business management. Applications must be submitted 30 days prior and the exam passed before one of the Board’s 4 annual meetings.

HVAC technicians working under HVAC contractors are not required to hold a license.^[25]

Entering the HVAC Industry

The demand for comfortable, healthy indoor climates is strong, which is one reason why the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15 percent job growth for HVAC technicians through 2026, much faster than the average rate for all occupations.^[26] It can be a promising career for those with the right credentials, and 9 months of HVAC training can be an entry point into the industry.