Heating and cooling systems are everywhere, and the market that builds and replaces them keeps expanding. Grand View Research reports that the US HVAC systems market continues to grow as buildings modernize and energy efficiency standards tighten.1
Key takeaways
- Most HVAC programs require only a high school diploma or GED, with no prior mechanical experience needed—programs are built for beginners.
- Requirements vary by school, with some adding age minimums, physical/sensory standards, or transcript reviews before enrollment.
- EPA Section 608 certification is essential for anyone handling refrigerants, and most HVAC programs integrate it into their curriculum.
- Training includes both theory and hands-on lab work, covering HVAC science, electrical systems, refrigeration, controls, and safety practices.
- HVAC programs differ widely in length and cost, ranging from short certificates to two-year associate degrees, with multiple funding options like GI Bill benefits, Workforce and Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) support, and industry scholarships.
The good news for aspiring HVAC/R technicians is that smart thermostats and high-efficiency heat pumps still require humans. Someone has to wire HVACs, maintain them, and bring them back to life when they fail. Unlike some office roles shaken by rapid automation, Axios reports blue-collar technical work shows resilience because the physical tasks can’t be offloaded to software.2
McKinsey reports that the US is short on skilled tradespeople, and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests the gap could widen, as the projected job growth for HVAC technicians is above the national average: 8% from 2024 to 2034.3,4 The median wage in 2024 was just under $60,000 a year.
It’s factors like these that make young workers turn to blue-collar jobs, which not only look steady but also don’t require a four-year degree—nearly two-thirds of Gen Z say a college degree won’t protect them from AI-related job loss.5 A lack of a degree does not mean a lack of training though. In fact, training in HVAC systems matters a lot because the work that needs to be done involves electricity, pressure, refrigerants, and safety codes.
Before you get the skills the HVAC industry needs, let’s take an in-depth look at HVAC school requirements: academic prerequisites, core classes, practical training, certifications, and more.
What are HVAC school requirements?
Most HVAC schools require either a high school diploma or a GED, though some, like the New England Institute of Technology, say meeting federal homeschool requirements is sufficient.6 The HVAC program at InterCoast Colleges is designed for learners who enjoy hands-on work and mechanical systems, emphasizing practical experience through lab-based training.7 This does not mean you need prior mechanical experience; HVAC programs are for beginners and do not expect mechanical skills. This is true of most programs, and these factors shape how prepared a student feels on Day One.
Program-specific HVAC admissions criteria
Some schools, like San Joaquin Delta College, keep program rules simple, asking HVAC applicants to only submit transcripts and complete the college’s standard admissions process before they register for the technical courses.8 Other schools add steps. Western Technical College requires HVAC/R students to meet specific physical and sensory standards.9 Age rules can also be a factor. The U.S. Career Institute lists a minimum age of 18 for HVAC enrollment.10
Note: While these differences don’t change the core intent of HVAC training, they do shape how each school screens or prepares future technicians before they enter the labs or start thinking about licensing in their state. It’s something to consider before applying.
HVAC certifications or licenses
Most HVAC schools do not require any certification before admission, and licensing steps come later, depending on the state. Instead, they incorporate the necessary credentials into the curriculum so students have what it takes for entry-level HVAC work upon finishing the program.
The main credential to be aware of is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 certification, which is required under federal law for anyone who handles regulated refrigerants.11 Students often earn that certification during the program, and HVAC/R tracks like that at Lincoln Tech list preparing for this certification and other relevant exams as one of the program objectives.12
Another credential to have on your radar is the OSHA construction safety training. Hennepin Technical College dedicates 30 hours to it in the first semester of its HVAC/R associate degree program as well as for getting a residential HVAC diploma.13, 14
Typical coursework and technical requirements of HVAC training
In many HVAC programs, early courses focus on the scientific side of heating and cooling. At Florida State College at Jacksonville, the first term includes Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Theory I, which builds the foundation for later work in service practices and more advanced system study.15
Other schools teach the same core ideas but shape them a little differently. Charter College, for example, offers HVAC Science and Electrical Work with Basic Refrigeration and Air Properties, and then brings in a controls class that looks at both residential and commercial systems.16 New England Institute of Technology’s associate degree expands this path with coursework in electrical wiring and system design.17
Labs and practical training
Hands-on training is integral to any HVAC program. At Florida State College at Jacksonville, lab work starts right away and is paired with the introductory HVAC course.15 As students move forward, the lab work becomes more involved, with practice in piping, brazing, system setup, adjustments, and troubleshooting.
Program length and credits
HVAC training doesn’t follow a single schedule, and future technicians end up taking different routes depending on the credential they’re aiming for. Shorter certificate options tend to move at a quicker pace and usually finish within a year. Programs that lead to an associate degree stretch out longer and make room for more technical depth.
Front Range Community College is one example of how this plays out in practice. Its residential and light commercial AC and heating certificates carry 35 and 37 credits, respectively, over three semesters each, while the commercial refrigeration certificate covers 28 credits across two semesters. Those interested in just the HVAC/R fundamentals study for one semester, earning 15 credits.18
Some future HVAC techs commit to a longer path from the start. Ivy Tech Community College lists its AAS in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology at 60 credit hours, which lines up with a two-year plan for full-time students.19
How to complete HVAC school requirements
Training routes vary, and aspiring HVAC technicians usually settle on one that matches their schedule and goals. Some choose a trade school and move through a short, skills-focused program. Others prefer a community college, where HVAC certificates or full AAS degrees follow a steadier semester rhythm.
There are also people who need a mix of formats. They start with the theory work online or in a hybrid setup, then come to campus when it’s time for labs. And some skip classrooms almost entirely and enter an apprenticeship, trading a longer timeline for paid experience. All of these options meet HVAC school requirements as long as the program includes its full set of courses, lab hours, and certification steps.
| Program type | How it works | Examples |
| Trade school/ vocational program | Short, skills-focused training with scheduled lab work on campus | Tulsa Welding School (TWS) offers a seven-month HVAC/R program, and Midwest Technical Institute offers a nine-month one.20,21 |
| Community college | Certificate tracks or two-year degrees built around semester schedules and supervised labs | Dallas College lists HVAC certificates that run from four months to one year and an AAS that takes about two years; Ivy Tech’s HVAC AAS requires 60 credits across four semesters, with certificates taking two to three semesters.22, 19 |
| Online theory programs | Coursework delivered online. No labs included. EPA Section 608 certification must be taken through an approved testing organization.23 | Penn Foster’s HVAC diploma is fully online; UTSA offers a 162-hour online HVAC/R course; 24, 25 |
| Apprenticeship | Paid job-site hours combined with classroom instruction through a training provider | The US Department of Labor includes HVAC among its registered apprenticeship occupations.26 |
As you can see, program length depends on the route. Tuition and program fees vary as well, depending on the state, the school system, and the length of the program. As of November 2025:
- Dallas College lists HVAC certificates between $1,089 and $8,640, depending on how many terms the student completes.22
- Ivy Tech Community College sets its short-term HVAC certificate at $3,746, the longer certificate at $5,708, and the full 60-credit associate degree at $10,703.19
- Wallace State is $131 per credit (plus fees).27
- Apex Technical School estimates tuition and fees at $18,379 for the 900 clock hours it takes to finish their HVAC/R technician program.28
Pro tip: Service members and veterans can use GI Bill benefits for HVAC programs.29
Federal benefits are one way students cover the cost, but they’re not the only route. Certain workforce boards use WIOA funds for HVAC training.
- Delaware Tech labels its HVAC technician certificate as WIOA-eligible and directs students to the state’s Department of Labor for details.30
- Region VI Workforce Development Board in West Virginia lists training scholarships of up to $12,000 for people who qualify.31
Support also comes from industry groups. TechForce Foundation offers HVAC/R scholarships of $2,500, and the EGIA Foundation awards the same amount through its HVAC HERO program for students enrolled in approved HVAC tracks.32, 33
Is HVAC training uniform across the US, or does it differ by state?
Requirements differ. Some states license technicians directly, while others license only contractors. For example, Colorado does not issue a statewide HVAC license, leaving regulation to local jurisdictions, while Georgia requires state-level HVAC contractor licensing through the State Construction Industry Licensing Board.34, 35
Ready to become an HVAC technician?
Each school organizes its training in its own way, so read schedules carefully and note the parts that matter to you. A short list of what each school asks from new students will save you from searching for the same HVAC school requirements twice.
It also helps to spend a little time around real HVAC work. Even a brief visit to a local shop or a chat with a technician can make the field feel less abstract. After seeing it in person, choosing a training path usually feels more grounded.
Sources:
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1https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-hvac-systems-market
2https://www.axios.com/2025/08/02/ai-blue-collar-labor
5https://zety.com/blog/genz-reroute-report
7 https://intercoast.edu/programs/hvac-technician/
9https://www.westerntech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/College-Catalog_VOL1008_Rev.-06.2025.pdf
10https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/online-hvac-school
11https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification
12https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/union-nj/programs/hvac/hvac-technician-certificate
15https://www.fscj.edu/academics/programs/cc/5604
20https://www.tws.edu/programs/refrigeration-training/
21https://www.midwesttech.edu/programs/hvac-refrigeration-training/
22https://www.dallascollege.edu/study/hvac/
23https://www.epa.gov/section608/certification-programs-section-608-technicians
24https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/trades/hvac-technician-career-diploma
25https://www.utsa.edu/pace/online/hvacr-technician-training.html
26https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations/listings?occupationCode=49-9021.00
27https://wallacestate.cleancatalog.net/tuition-fee-schedule
28https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Apex+Technical+School&s=NY&id=188890#expenses
29https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/non-college-degree-programs/
31https://regionviwv.org/training-education/wioa-training-scholarships/
32https://www.rsi.edu/tuition-planning/financial-aid/scholarships/techforce-hvac-scholarship/
33https://alwaysindemand.com/scholarship/apply-now/
34https://dora.colorado.gov/licensing-and-permitting
35https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-conditioned-air-contractors
