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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout The Natural State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Arkansas means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 6% growth rate in Arkansas and nationwide for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers over the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% growth rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Arkansas through 2030.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started as an HVAC professional in Arkansas.
Arkansas HVAC Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years. Apprenticeship programs include learning about safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools, and gaining knowledge about the various systems used to heat and cool buildings.
Generally, HVAC license requirements vary from state to state. In Arkansas, there are no licensure or advanced education requirements to work as an HVAC technician under a licensed contractor. However, you must obtain a license to become an HVAC contractor and legally employ technicians.
The following Arkansas trade schools offer HVAC programs:
University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (PulaskiTech) in North Little Rock
Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville
Arkansas Tech University in Russellville
North Arkansas College in Harrison and Berryville
Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville
Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff
East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City
National Park College in Hot Springs
Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The state of Arkansas doesn’t require advanced education to work as an HVAC technician. However, because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Arkansas such as:
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Energy efficiency
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
Refrigeration equipment
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Arkansas community colleges on average is $2,994 per year for in-state students and $4,750 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies depending on the school and degree or certificate earned. PulaskiTech, for example, offers an 8-credit hour Certificate of Proficiency, a 31-credit hour Technical Certificate, and an Associate of Applied Science degree—all in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Arkansas training centers listed below offer HVAC programs to prepare students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College
Offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Offers a Technical Certificate in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Arkansas State University Beebe
Offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Offers a Technical Certificate in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Offers an HVAC Certificate
Arkansas Tech University
Offers a Technical Certificate in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Offers an Associate degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
North Arkansas College
Offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology
Offers a Technical Certificate in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology
Arkansas Northeastern College
Offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Offers a Technical Certificate in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Southeast Arkansas College
East Arkansas Community College
Offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Residential Heat and Air Conditioning
Offers a Technical Certificate in Residential Heat and Air Conditioning
National Park College
Offers an HVAC Technician apprenticeship
Northwest Technical Institute
Offers an HVAC/R Certification program
Arkansas State University Newport
Steps for Enrollment in Arkansas
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the local union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in Arkansas
To recap, you don’t need a license to work as an HVAC technician, but must register with the state and work under the supervision of a licensed contractor.
To become an HVAC contractor, of which there are multiple classifications, you must obtain a license from the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. This requires two years of work experience as an HVAC professional. HVAC education may be substituted for experience at the board’s discretion.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Arkansas, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and Arkansas’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Arkansas HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Arkansas
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Arkansas?
According to the BLS, the annual mean salary for an HVAC professional in the state of Arkansas is $45,560. As with all professions, salaries increase with experience.
For more information about HVAC salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Arkansas, you must be at least 16 years of age. Once securing an apprenticeship through an employer, trade school, training program, or union, you must register with the Arkansas Department of Health.
Arkansas Apprenticeship maintains a directory of apprenticeship opportunities. Current HVAC apprenticeships available include:
Arkansas Construction Education Foundation in Little Rock
University of Arkansas Facilities Management in Fayetteville
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Missouri and Louisiana.
Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Wentzville, and Perryville, MO
SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles, LA
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC professional in Arkansas. The opportunities are all around you.
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