HVAC Schools in Idaho: The Ultimate Guide

Idaho HVAC Training Programs

According to the BLS, “Many HVAC-R technicians receive post secondary 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.

The licensure requirements for HVAC workers and contractors vary from state to state. In Idaho, you must be licensed to legally perform heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration work of any kind.

The state registers or licenses every level of this workforce, including apprentices, journeymen, and contractors. Idaho requires HVAC apprentices to be registered and issues licenses at the journeyman and contractor levels. The Idaho Division of Building Safety issues licenses for HVAC workers, as well as electrical, plumbing, public works, and manufactured housing.

To become an HVAC technician in Idaho, you can attend community college (usually two years) or trade school (usually six to nine months), or work as an apprentice for an HVAC company and get on-the-job training. 

Idaho offers many HVAC training programs all over the state, including in major cities and smaller communities. There are also options for online training. There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

In Idaho, two HVAC training schools are accredited by HVAC Excellence:

• College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls

• Lewis Clark State College/Schweitzer Training Center in Lewiston

Here are some other Idaho training centers offering HVAC technician programs:

• North Idaho College Workforce Training Center in Post Falls

• College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls

• College of Western Idaho in Nampa

• Idaho State University Continuing Education/Workforce Training in Pocatello

• CSI Workforce Development & Training in Twin Falls

Industry Apprenticeships   

While Idaho doesn’t require apprenticeships, obtaining one allows HVAC professionals to gain the experience needed for licensure and shows their commitment to the field. 

Some apprenticeship options include:

• Idaho Department of Labor

• School to Registered Apprenticeship (STRAP) youth apprenticeship program

• UA Local 296 Plumbers and Pipefitters in Meridian 

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.

Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both 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 (AAS) 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 Idaho such as:

• University of Idaho in Moscow

• Idaho State University in Pocatello

• Boise State University in Boise

In many cases, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become an HVAC journeyman or master HVAC contractor, a degree isn’t necessary.

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 earn technical diplomas or HVAC certifications and 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 HVAC Excellence.

Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:

• Safety  

• Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)

• Heat pumps

• Commercial HVAC and refrigerators

• Basic electricity for HVAC

• Basic refrigeration technology

• Gas heating

• Air conditioners

• HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills

• Refrigeration applications

• Residential HVAC applications

• Troubleshooting ventilation systems

For all HVAC certifications in Idaho, you must pass the core section of the EPA certification exam, which covers the following topics:

• Ozone depletion

• Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol

• Section 608 regulations

• Substitute refrigerants and oils

• Refrigeration

• The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)

• Recovery techniques

• Dehydration evacuation

• Safety

• Shipping

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 Idaho community colleges is approximately $3,634 per year for in-state students and $7,627 for out-of-state students.

However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. 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 financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Most training programs take about two years of schooling/work experience to earn an associate degree or learn what you need to know to pass the EPA Section 608 Certification Exam. HVACR apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.

It typically takes a minimum of four years to qualify to take the unrestricted HVAC journeyman license exam in Idaho. You can qualify to take the Specialty Journeyman license exams in significantly less time — one to two years. If your goal is to own your own HVAC business, it will take two more years to qualify to test for the HVAC contractor or specialty contractor licenses. 

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. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. 

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 Idaho training centers and colleges listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:

College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating

• Offers a Basic Technical Certificate in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating

• Offers an Intermediate Technical Certificate in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating

Lewis Clark State College, Lewiston

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology

• Offers an Advanced Technical Certificate Degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, Post Falls

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology

• Offers an Apprenticeship Program designed to meet the educational requirements for HVAC apprentices in Idaho

College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology

• Offers a state-approved Apprenticeship Program designed to prepare students for residential, commercial, and industrial work.

College of Western Idaho, Nampa

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology

• Offers a 4-year Apprenticeship Program that prepares students to take the journeyman test and become a licensed technician

Idaho State University, Pocatello

• Offers a 4-year apprenticeship program to take the journeyman test and become a licensed technician

CSI Workforce Development & Training, Twin Falls

• Offers 4-year apprenticeship program to take the journeyman test and become a licensed technician

Steps for Enrollment in Idaho

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:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. 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 Idaho

Idaho requires HVAC apprentices to be registered and issued licenses at the journeyman and contractor levels. An unrestricted HVAC license is the most common form and requires 8,000 hours (about 4 years) of experience and 576 hours of classroom education before you can apply. Idaho also offers three different types of specialty HVAC licenses that have a narrower scope and require less experience than the unrestricted license. You can apply for the following as an HVAC professional in Idaho:

• HVAC Apprentice registration

• HVAC Journeyman license

• HVAC Contractor license

• Specialty HVAC Apprentice registration

• Specialty HVAC Journeyman license

• Specialty HVAC Contractor license

HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Idaho, 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 Idaho’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Idaho HVAC License. 

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Idaho

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 Idaho? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Idaho for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $47,300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $54,500

• Senior 4-6 years: $62,000

• Supervisor > 7 years: $81,100

For more information about HVAC salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

In Idaho, HVAC apprenticeships last four to five years, and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, and a valid driver’s license.

Apprenticeship opportunities in Idaho include:

• Idaho Department of Labor (DOL) — offers more than 100 apprenticeship opportunities, including HVAC apprentices, that combine on-the-job training with job-related instruction. In addition, the School to Registered Apprenticeship (STRAP) youth apprenticeship program is also available for youth ages 16 and older to gain experience in the trades.

• UA Local 296 Plumbers and Pipefitters in Meridian — offers a 5-year apprenticeship program through the Southwest Idaho Joint Apprentice Training Committee (a DOL-registered apprenticeship program) for plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC/R service technicians, and welders.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Washington, Oregon, and Utah:

• Perry Technical Institute in Yakima, Washington

• Northwest College of Construction in Portland, Oregon

• Mountainland Technical College in Orem, Utah

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Idaho. The opportunities are all around you.