HVAC Schools in Nebraska: The Ultimate Guide

Nebraska HVAC Training Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR 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.

HVAC license requirements vary from state to state, and in some cases, from locality to locality. Nebraska doesn’t mandate licenses for HVAC apprentices, HVAC technicians, or HVAC contractors at the state level. However, some municipalities, including Omaha and Lincoln, require local HVAC licenses or HVAC certifications to work on HVAC systems.

Nebraska requires all state contractors, regardless of trade, to register with the Nebraska Department of Labor and submit a certificate of workers' compensation insurance. 

The following Nebraska trade schools offer HVAC programs:

• Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Elkhorn, and Fremont

• Northeast Community College in Norfolk, O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point

• Southeast Community College in Milford (Milford Campus, Milford, NE 68405)

• Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Sidney, and Alliance

• Central Community College in Hastings, Columbus, Grand Island, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, and Ord

• Mid-Plains Community College in McCook, North Platte, Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala, and Valentine

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. Licensure requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state or, in the case of Nebraska, from locality to locality. In Omaha, for example, an apprenticeship coupled with higher education is one path to licensure. 

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 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 Nebraska such as:

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• University of Nebraska Omaha

• Wayne State College

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

• 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 Nebraska community colleges on average is $4,615 per year for in-state students and $5,803 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 financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants 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. For example, Metropolitan Community College offers a 31.5-credit-hour certificate program, which can be completed in a year, and a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree.

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 Nebraska 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:

Metropolitan Community College in Omaha

• Offers a Career Certificate in Heating and Air Conditioning Technology

• Offers a Career Certificate in Commercial Refrigeration Technology 

• Offers a Career Certificate in Building Automation Systems

• Offers a Certificate of Achievement in Refrigeration Technology

• Offers a Certificate of Achievement in Heating and Air Conditioning Technology

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

Northeast Community College in Norfolk

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

Southeast Community College in Lincoln

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology diploma program

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

Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff

• Offers an HVACR Level I program

Central Community College in Grand Island

• Offers a Basic Refrigeration certificate

• Offers a Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration diploma

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

Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration certificate program

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration diploma program

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

Steps for Enrollment in Nebraska

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 Nebraska

To recap, Nebraska doesn’t mandate licenses for HVAC apprentices, HVAC technicians, or HVAC contractors at the state level. However, some municipalities, including Omaha and Lincoln, require local HVAC licenses or HVAC certifications to work on HVAC systems.

Nebraska requires all state contractors, regardless of trade, to register with the Nebraska Department of Labor and submit a certificate of workers' compensation insurance. 

Here’s a city example: 

The City of Lincoln Department of Building and Safety issues HVAC licenses in Lincoln. Candidates can pursue an apprentice license, journeyman mechanical technician license, or a master mechanical contractor license. Apprentices need to demonstrate three years of work experience to become eligible to move on to the journeyman level.

After completing the required apprentice training, candidates can apply to take the journeyman licensing exam. After working as a licensed journeyman for at least one year, candidates become eligible to register to take the contractor exam. This license permits the licensee to own an HVAC business and train up to three apprentices. 

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

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Nebraska

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

• Entry level <2 years: $49,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,700

• Senior 4-6 years: $65,100

• Supervisor > 7 years: $84,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide a path to experience and licensure in Nebraska. HVAC apprenticeship opportunities include: 

• Steamfitters and Plumbers Local 464

• HVAC businesses throughout the state

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby South Dakota and Wyoming:

• Mitchell Technical Institute, Mitchell, South Dakota

• Southeast Technical College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Northwest College Wyoming in Powell and Cody, Wyoming

You can find the training you need to excel in an HVAC industry career in Nebraska. The opportunities are all around you.