HVAC Certification Guide: Requirements, License and Training [Updated for 2022]

As an HVAC technician, you can achieve a better salary and working conditions if you are certified. Although not mandatory in every state (requirements vary locally and between states), certification presents several benefits for you as a technician.

Some states require technicians to take tests to demonstrate their proficiency and knowledge of the trade before being able to practice as a journeyman. Additionally, the North American Technical Excellence (NATE) is a primary organization certifies technicians. HVAC Excellence is another agency that is accredited as reputable among those in the industry. After completing an approved course of study or an apprenticeship, a technician may take the exam to become certified. HVAC Excellence certification is another body that certifies HVAC technicians as proficient and highly qualified.  

In addition to the NATE and HVAC Excellence, there is a federal certification that HVAC technicians must obtain. HVAC technicians must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency to purchase refrigerants and dispose of them. Having the knowledge required for passing the exam is critical to being able to do the job properly.  

The Benefits of Becoming a Certified HVAC Technician

So why should you become a certified HVAC technician?

Here's some of the benefits to becoming certified:

• You gain a competitive advantage over other HVAC technicians in the job market
• You increase your earning potential as some organizations will pay certified technicians more
• Your exposure to bigger projects and demanding roles increases as you demonstrate your competencies
• If you decide to start your own HVAC business, your certification will help show potential clients you mean business
• It validates your knowledge as a technician, giving employers or clients peace of mind.

As a growing industry, the HVAC industry continues to attract more people into the industry. At some point in the future, there may well be a surplus of qualified HVAC technicians. This is where getting certified puts you ahead of the competition.  Now that you know the advantages of getting certified, read on to find out how you get certified, and the different types of certifications available to you.

Working for Yourself as an HVAC Contractor

If you’re ready to work for yourself - either alone or with your own employees - it’s time to consider becoming a contractor.

In some states, only contractors are required to have an HVAC license. They can supervise their employees who are also working on HVAC systems. In other states, the contractor needs to employ a “qualifier” - someone who is certified and licensed under state law. As long that person is employee and their licensing is up-to-date, the contractor can undertake HVAC work. That “qualifier” just needs to supervise the HVAC part of it.

In addition to having HVAC knowledge, a contractor also has to know about business law for his region. Since being a contractor meanings running your own business, you’re also responsible for bookkeeping, paying payroll taxes, business licenses and everything else your local or state government requires.

The contractor’s license usually requires an HVAC knowledge exam as well as a business exam. You can check under your state for more information.

How to Become Certified - HVAC License Requirements

Here's how to get HVAC certified:

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED equivalent (depends on your state)
2. Receive an HVAC certificate from an accredited trade school or program (depends on your state)
3. Obtain your HVAC licence from the state you plan on working in
4. Pass certification exams for different types of HVAC careers

With qualifications and experience, getting your certification is easier than many HVAC technicians think. Whether you got your start in the industry by attending college and receiving a leaving certificate or associate degree, or you took the apprenticeship route, you can become certified.

There are a number of certification bodies operating in the US. For nearly all of them, you will need to take a course, either through self-study or via an accredited institution. The contents of each of these courses will differ, depending on the type of certification you want to achieve.

You will also need to sit and pass an exam for you to achieve certified status. The next section goes into a bit more detail about the different types available and the differences between them.

The Different Types of HVAC Certificates

Here's a summary of the different types of HVAC certifications:

• EPA Type I Certification - For Servicing Small Appliances
• EPA Type II Certification - For Servicing High Pressure Systems
• EPA Type III Certification - For Servicing Low Pressure Systems
• Universal EPA Certificate
• North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

We mentioned above that there are different types of HVAC certification available, and now you get to know what they are. They are all important because different states have different licensing requirements for HVAC technicians. However, one of these is recognized across all the states of the country, and that’s the one we will begin with.

Section 608 Technician Certification

It is common to refer to this certification as the EPA HVAC certification and we will use that name in this article. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires everyone with access to a system or container storing refrigerant gas (think R22 or R410A).

As an HVAC Technician, you handle these gases regularly during servicing, system regassing or repairs. It is mandatory that you hold this certificate. There are four types of certifications available under Section 608, each requiring a course of study and an exam to achieve certification. Each of these four types of technician certifications are detailed below.

EPA Type I Certification - For Servicing Small Appliances

If your job restricts you to servicing and repairing small refrigerant containing systems, all you need is to study for the Type I certification. The course and exams covers topics which include:

• The definition of a small appliance, examples include a small window AC unit, typically containing less than 5 kg of gas.
• System evacuation using the appropriate equipment.
• Gas recovery techniques for systems with or without a working compressor.
• Safety considerations when handling refrigerants.

You must pass an approved test to achieve this certification.

EPA Type II Certification - For Servicing High Pressure Systems

For any work involving high pressure systems, you will need to possess the EPA Type II certificate. The process is generally the same, you study the course material, check out our EPA Type II practice test, and then you sit an exam. The topics covered here will include some of the following:

• Detecting leaks in high pressure systems.
• Why you need to leak test before repair or system recharging.
• Leak repair requirements for systems containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant.
• Recovery techniques and good practice.
• Recovery requirements for repairs, disposal, carrying out “major” repairs etc.
• Understanding high pressure refrigeration systems and gases.
• Safety and safe use of equipment.

A course of self-study is followed by taking an exam to get certified. Depending on how quickly you want certification, and the time you have available for study, attending a class may be a better option than self-study or distance learning.

The exams are split between experienced and newly-qualified technicians to reflect how thorough NATE are with the process. Each level has a knowledge-based exam that takes into account your experience. The other element that sets apart the NATE certification from other certification types is the division of the exams into different specialties such as air conditioning, air distribution and gas furnaces.

NATE Entry Level & Early Career Certifications

If you are still new to the HVACR industry and working hard to gain field experience, you can still achieve certification from NATE. Two types of certification tests are available for those new to the industry. They are:

1. Ready-to-Work Certification Exam: Suitable for those new to the industry with no formal training or education background. The exam tests the candidate on the basics of HVAC systems including tools  & equipment, heat transfer theory, electrical basics and general safety. The exam is composed of 50 questions and you will be awarded a certificate on achieving a PASS mark.
2. HVAC Support Technician Certification Exam: If you have 6-12 months working experience, you can study and sit for this exam, which covers more detail than the ready-to-work certificate. Topics you will cover include installations, planned maintenance, system components and design considerations.

Achieving a PASS mark out of 100 questions will earn you the widely recognized HVAC Support Technician certificate.

NATE Professional Level Certifications

If you have more than a year’s experience as an HVAC technician, this is the ideal certification exam to achieve. The certification is split into different specialties and you can gain recognition for installation or servicing in any one of the following areas:

• Air Conditioning (AC)
• Air Distribution (AD)
• Heat Pumps (Air-to-Air) (HP)
• Gas Heating (GS)
• Oil Heating (OL)
• Hydronics Gas (HG) (service only)
• Hydronics Oil (HO) (service only)
• Light Commercial Refrigeration (LC) (service only)
• Commercial Refrigeration (RC) (service only)
• HVAC Efficiency Analyst (Senior Level) (EA)

Some of the exams are also available in Spanish. If you are looking to become a rounded expert, there is nothing stopping you from sitting the different exams to achieve all the certifications.

HVAC License Requirements by State

Find more information regarding each specific state their licensing rules below:

Prospective HVAC technicians should attend a reputable trade school to learn the ins and outs of heating and air conditioner repair and installation. You can get started by checking out school near you below:

Students are exposed to the latest in technological advances as they gain experience as air conditioner mechanics. They are taught to read wiring diagrams and to analyze defective electrical equipment. They also learn to replace fuses and breakers safely. The schools teach pipe fitting and electrician’s skills that are useful to HVAC technicians. Curriculum includes the following reference materials: International Mechanical Code, Code of Federal Regulations, and International Residential Code.  

Schools teach the students to troubleshoot and identify problems that cause air conditioning and refrigeration units to not cool properly. It also teaches them about refrigerant safety and how to charge units and recover refrigerant according to federal regulations. Students are taught about dampers, duct, and furnaces. It is true that students can learn on the job as apprentices, but the trade training curriculum at the two-year community college level teaches aspects of the trade that are on the cutting edge of technology.

Also, schools cover physics and heating and cooling principles that are usually not taught during apprenticeships. Attending and completing a two-year HVAC training program will provide you with the skills needed to open your own business and give you credibility that learning as an apprentice does not. Listing the degree and certificate obtained from the school on your resume gives clients confidence because students are only as good as their teachers.

If your journeyman mentor does not have a well-recognized name as the trade school does, your abilities may be questioned by the public. Certifications and diplomas from trade schools lend prestige to your qualifications. It is wise to invest in yourself and complete the rigors of a recognized trade school’s HVAC curriculum.

Online Training Programs for HVAC Exams

Now that you know the benefits of getting certified and the different types of HVAC certification courses available, what next?

Balancing working a fulltime job with studying for the certification exams may prove a challenge. You have the option of doing the studying in your spare time or attending college classes. There are advantages to both options.

For example, if you are studying at home, you can learn at your own pace, and only sit the exam when you feel you are ready. The downside to this approach is that there is no external push to sit the exam. It becomes very easy to delay taking the exam. Signing up for an online training program with a structured learning process is the best way to go if you are looking to get your certification quickly. The advantages include:

• Learning materials are prepared for you.
• There is a structure to follow so going through the different learning modules is easier.
• On completion of the modules you are ready to book your test, there is mechanism in place to ensure you sit the test.
• Practice test questions are provided to help you prepare for the main exam, as well as testing your knowledge along the way.

Examples of online HVAC training programs and practice HVAC exams include the following:

• EPA 608 Practice Tests: We have created a complete EPA 608 study guide with various practice tests to help you prepare for the exam. 
• HVAC Excellence - is a treasure trove of information of getting professional certification for different industry specialties.
• EPA Test Preparation - If you are preparing for the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification, the site offers some free software and other training resources to help you prepare for the exam.

We have also published some books on helping aspiring HVAC techs pass the EPA 608 exam that can be seen below:

Program length is also a factor in cost. Some training programs last a mere 9-months while others are lengthier, lasting two years and result in an associate’s degree in HVAC. The exam fees and licensing fees are additional costs of becoming certified.  These fees are higher in some states than in others as well.

The good news? The average salary of an HVAC Technician in 2019 is $48,730 (source). So yes, there are some upfront costs but you will make that back in no time. Most careers require a lot more upfront pay and additional time, so the HVAC route is a fairly efficient path to take to find a fulfilling life long career.

The Next Steps

After reading this article, you now know why any HVAC Technician looking to earn more and enjoy better working condition needs to become certified. You now know that many employers are more likely to hire a certified HVAC Technician, than one who isn’t. You are now aware of the different types of certifications available to you, and why you should choose one over the other.

We have also gone into a bit more detail on the best route to certification, covering self-study, online practice exams and attending classes. Whatever certification you choose, and whichever method you decide to study for your exam, you are taking a giant step towards giving yourself an advantage in the job market. If you know other HVAC technicians who would benefit from reading this article, please share it with them.