HVAC Certification: Is It Necessary?

Depending on where you live, if you want to work as an HVAC specialist, you’ll need to have certification. Even if the state you live in or the company you’re working for doesn’t require certification, obtaining one is a great way to show your dedication to the craft and stand out to prospective employers. 

By obtaining an HVAC certification, you’ll demonstrate that you have specialized skills in the industry, such as installing, repairing, and performing maintenance on HVAC systems. Depending on the certification, you can perform these duties on residential and community systems. 

If you’re thinking about getting an HVAC certification, learning about the process and the different options you have for certification can help you make the right choice for you and your HVAC career. 

How To Get HVAC Certified

Getting HVAC certified isn’t going to look the same for everyone. Some states require steps, others don’t, and even some companies require additional training to achieve your certification. If you want to get HVAC certified, here are generally the steps to do so. 

Step One: Get Your High School Diploma

While you probably already have your high school diploma if you’re ready to get HVAC certified, it’s important to note that you must have this first. Basic coursework in physics, mathematics, and similar areas at this level are helpful for most HVAC certifications. 

If you don’t have your high school diploma but are getting or have your GED, you can still pursue a career as a certified HVAC professional.

Step Two: Complete an HVAC Apprenticeship or Accredited Program

Step two gives you two options to choose from on your path to getting HVAC certified. The first option you have is to complete an HVAC apprenticeship. HVAC apprenticeships tend to last between three to five years. 

During the course of your apprenticeship, you’ll receive around 2,000 hours of real HVAC training plus almost 150 hours of HVAC education. Seeking an HVAC apprenticeship is an excellent idea since most certification exams require a certain amount of hands-on experience before you can sit for them. 

With an apprenticeship, you can get this experience without spending hours searching for an HVAC job that allows you to work without a certification. 

Your other option is to choose an accredited HVAC program. These are much shorter than apprenticeships, but you also get fewer hours of on-the-job training. Accredited HVAC programs last six months to two years. 

These programs teach you all the basic things you need to know about HVAC service in a classroom setting. You will get some on-the-job training under licensed HVAC professionals, but it’s mostly classroom work. 

Step Three: Sit for a Certification Exam

If your apprenticeship or program doesn’t automatically include the certification at the end of it, then you’ll need to sign up to take one. You can find a list of certification exams online and in your area. The easiest way to do this is to choose an accredited program or apprenticeship that offers the certification exam. 

Certification Board and Requirements

After you complete your HVAC apprenticeship or accredited program, you can look into certifications and their requirements. There are several options for you to consider, and you might find that one is better for you than another or that your prospective employer requires a certain certification. Here’s a look at some of the best HVAC certifications. 

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) 

North American Technician Excellence is one of the leading HVAC certification organizations throughout the United States and North America. They provide several HVAC certifications, including their standard certification, which allows an individual to demonstrate their knowledge of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration. 

Industry Competency Exams (ICE) Exams

NATE offers industry competency exams (ICE). This certification exam allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of more intricate HVAC skills. ICE is a series of exams focusing on different HVAC work aspects. 

Taking and passing the industry competency exams proves that you know to perform job-related tasks such as repairing air conditioning. When an employer or client sees you have these certifications, it can help them feel like they can trust you know what you’re doing when performing maintenance or repairs for them.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Much like other organizations we’ll talk about, ASHRAE offers several different certifications that anyone pursuing a career in HVAC should think about taking. Many of their certifications are more specialized and can help you stand out to employers looking for specific certifications. These are a few of the certifications ASHRAE offers: 

• Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP)
• Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP)
• High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP)

EPA Certification

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers HVAC certifications for individuals. The EPA only offers two certificates: Type I and Type II. 

Type I is ideal for HVAC technicians who work on smaller appliances. The appliances have to have five pounds or less of refrigerant. Type II is for HVAC professionals who work with larger, high-pressure refrigeration systems like industrial-sized appliances. 

HVAC Excellence

HVAC Excellence is a great certification option, but they also have an accredited HVAC program that you can take. When you sign up for their program, you’ll be able to sit for the certification exams right after. 

These employment-ready certifications are in basic refrigeration, charging, light commercial air conditioning, and air conditioning. HVAC Excellence has a variety of certifications ranging from basic HVAC knowledge to specialty certifications in green awareness, the use of R-410A refrigerant systems, and more. 

Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA)

The Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association, or RETA, offers multiple certifications that an HVAC professional can consider taking to boost their resume. Their certifications will help you demonstrate your knowledge of everything surrounding HVAC. 

Since RETA has several certifications to choose from, knowing what they offer before deciding can help you make the right choice for your career. Here are a few certifications they offer: 

• Certified Mechanical Systems Specialist (CMSS)
• Certified Advanced Mechanical Systems Specialist (CAMSS)
• Certified Refrigeration Technician (CRT)
• Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator (CIRO)

Online Programs & Preparing for HVAC Certification Exams

Before you sit for any of the above HVAC certifications, preparation is key. Even with your accredited program or apprenticeship, it’s a good idea to find study material to help you pass the exam. 

There are plenty of online programs that offer study materials for HVAC certification exams. Many of them are study guides with practice questions, while there are others that are more interactive and helpful in demonstrating your physical skills rather than just knowledge. 

State Licensing Requirements for HVAC Professionals

A lot of states require that an HVAC technician have a license before working in their field. There are exceptions to this, including being licensed at the local level. Keep in mind that these policies are subject to change, and you should always check with your state and local government before performing an HVAC job. 

Here’s a look at which states require licensing and the licensing agency: 

• Alabama: Alabama State Board of Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors
• Arizona: Arizona Registrar of Contractors
• Alaska: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
• Arkansas: Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing
• Connecticut: Department of Consumer Protection
• Delaware: Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Examiners
• California: Contractors State License Board
• District of Columbia: Board of Industrial Trades
• Georgia: State Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Florida: Department of Business & Professional Regulation
• Hawaii: Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing
• Iowa: Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board
• Idaho: Division of Building Safety
• Kentucky: Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction
• Maryland: Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors
• Louisiana: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
• Massachusetts: Engineering Division
• Minnesota: Department of Labor & Industry
• Michigan: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
• Mississippi: State Board of Contractors
• Nebraska: Department of Labor
• Montana: Montana Department of Labor & Industry
• Nevada: State Contractors Board
• New Jersey: Division of Consumer Affairs
• New Hampshire: New Hampshire Employment Security, Economic, and Labor Market Information Bureau
• New Mexico: New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department
• North Dakota: Secretary of State
• North Carolina: State Board of Refrigeration Contractors
• Ohio: Department of Commerce
• Oregon: Construction Contractors Board
• Oklahoma: Construction Industries Board
• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
• South Carolina: Contractor’s Licensing Board
• Rhode Island: Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation
• South Dakota: Office of Economic Development
• Texas: Department of Licensing and Regulation
• Tennessee: Board for Licensing Contractors
• Utah: Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
• Washington: Department of Labor & Industries
• Virginia: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Contractors
• West Virginia: Division of Labor Contractor Licensing
• Wisconsin: Department of Safety and Professional Services

There are a few states that don’t have licensing requirements for HVAC professionals. Those states are: 

• Colorado 
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Maine
• Missouri
• New York
• Vermont
• Wyoming

Final Thoughts

Working as an HVAC professional is a great career path. The best way to land a job or advance in your career is to look into HVAC certifications. There are several available from different organizations. You can look into each one and then decide which is the best fit for your career.