What to Know About Becoming a Certified HVAC Technician

You need at least on-the-job training to become an HVAC professional. You also need to have the ability and desire to learn. If you possess these initial requirements, you can undergo HVAC training and eventually become a certified HVAC technician.

The training typically includes essential courses such as system design, safety measures, and installation. Completing all these will enable you to work on different projects, but if you want to become a certified HVAC professional, you must enroll in an apprenticeship program. It usually lasts three to five years, exposing you to various aspects of HVAC repair and maintenance.

Completing the program will make you eligible for an HVAC technician license. From here, you'll also have to acquire various HVAC certifications to further hone your skills, opening up more job opportunities and potentially higher salaries for you.

Types of HVAC Certifications

HVAC technicians are usually only certified after meeting the requirements of their certifying body. These requirements normally include passing licensure examinations, demonstrating technical skills, and participating in different professional and technical programs.

Some of the most common certifications that companies in the HVAC industry look for are listed below.

HVAC NATE Certification

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. It is an accreditation and testing organization that caters specifically to HVAC technicians.

According to professionals in HVAC installation in San Jose, a NATE Certification is among the most highly respected in the HVAC industry. To be a certified NATA technician, you must have a good understanding of subjects like gas furnaces, oil heating, and air conditioning.

R-410A Certification for HVAC Contractors

R-410A is a commonly used refrigerant in the HVAC industry, similar to Freon.

All technicians who work with R-410A must take the EPA608 Certificate training course in order to continue their practice. This is one of many HVAC certifications technicians must have to comply with the Clean Air Act provisions.

Indoor Air Quality Certification

An IAQ certification proves that a technician passed an exam where they successfully demonstrated their ability to repair and maintain HVAC systems. This certification allows technicians to help homeowners in ensuring that their HVAC systems perform at their optimal level.

HVAC Preventive Maintenance Certification

Preventive maintenance technicians with HVAC certifications can diagnose any issues encountered during routine maintenance and fix them before they become more severe.

Type 1 EPA Certification

HVAC technicians who work with refrigerants need to have four valid Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifications.

Type 1 EPA is the first where technicians must demonstrate their ability to handle small appliances containing less than 4 pounds of refrigerant.

Type 2 EPA Certification for HVAC Professionals

This is the second of four EPA certifications. It focuses on disposing high-pressure refrigerant-based appliances like outdoor AC units and commercial fridges.

Type 3 EPA Certification

HVAC technicians need this EPA certification to service or dispose of low-pressure appliances that use a refrigerant with a boiling point greater than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the third of four EPA certifications required.

Universal HVAC EPA Certification

This is the final of four EPA certifications that HVAC technicians who work with refrigerants will receive. This certification is given to technicians who have already attained the previous three, authorizing them to use refrigerants in any and all equipment.

HVAC Quality Installation Standard Certificate

HVAC technicians who want the ACCA-certified designer title must prove their capacity to construct HVAC systems for both residences and businesses.

Technicians are expected to use the right techniques when incorporating elements such as duct design or load calculation into their designs. This will help ensure that the final product is up to par and meets all necessary requirements.

HVAC Excellence Certification

This HVAC certification is for technicians planning to move to another state but is still determining if their current skills are sufficient to allow them to practice elsewhere. The certification required in every state is different from this.

Still, you can initially present the HVAC Excellence Certification to potential employers when you apply for a job in your desired state.

Key Takeaway

Many factors can influence a company's decision to hire an HVAC professional. Apart from considering the qualifications and experience of the candidate, recommendations from family members and friends can also play a decisive role. Although other factors are important, HVAC certifications provide reliable evidence of a technician's skills and understanding.

However, receiving these certifications is no walk in the park. They must be earned by HVAC technicians who meet the requirements of the certifying organization. To qualify, technicians must demonstrate their skills, enroll in official training programs, as well as pass any state-specific exams.

You can rely on certified HVAC technicians to complete their assigned tasks efficiently.

Have you ever hired a certified HVAC technician?