HVAC Schools in North Dakota: The Ultimate Guide

North Dakota 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. North Dakota does not mandate licenses at the state level for HVAC apprentices, HVAC technicians, or HVAC contractors. However, any general contractor, residential contractor, plumber, or electrician who works on projects valued at $4,000 or more must obtain a North Dakota State Contractor’s License through the North Dakota Secretary of State. Many municipalities do have HVAC licensing requirements, so be sure to check with the jurisdictions where you will be working before getting started.

The following North Dakota trade schools offer HVAC programs:

• North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton

• Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt

• Bismarck State College in Bismarck

• University of North Dakota in Grand Forks

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, and in North Dakota, from city to city.

Yet, 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 North Dakota such as:

• University of North Dakota

• North Dakota State University

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. Most HVAC training programs also prepare students for their EPA certification and OSHA certification.

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 technology

• 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 North Dakota community colleges on average is $4,270 per year for in-state students and $7,571 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. 

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. 

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, North Dakota State College of Science offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology. Most North Dakota HVAC training programs take one to two years to complete.

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 North Dakota 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:

North Dakota State College of Science

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

Turtle Mountain Community College

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

Bismarck State College

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

University of North Dakota

• Offers a 12-month HVACR Technician Certification program

Steps for Enrollment in North Dakota

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 North Dakota

To recap, North Dakota does not mandate licenses at the state level for HVAC apprentices or HVAC technicians

Some municipalities, including Fargo, require local HVAC licenses or HVAC certifications to work on HVAC systems for customers living in those areas. 

In Fargo, a Journeyman Mechanical License is required for any person who constructs, installs, alters, maintains, and repairs heating and air conditioning plants, combustion units, and all fuel-consuming appliances while under the supervision of a master heating contractor. A Journeyman Fuel Gas License is required for any person who installs, maintains, and repairs gas-consuming appliances while under the supervision of a master gas installer.

Master license candidates must show proof of at least three years of journeyman experience and two years of practical experience, for a total of five years of experience. Also, if you want to own your own HVAC business and work on projects valued at $4,000 or more you will need to get your license.

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

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in North Dakota

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

• Entry level <2 years: $47,800

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $54,800

• Senior 4-6 years: $62,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $100,900

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

In North Dakota, apprenticeships are typically offered directly by employers or through unions. For example, the North Dakota Department of Commerce maintains a database of available apprenticeships, including HVAC. Additionally, the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 10 offers an HVAC apprentice program. 

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Minnesota, South Dakota, and Montana.

• Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis, Minn.

• Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, S.D.

• Gallatin College in Bozeman, Mont.

You can find the training you need to excel in a HVAC industry career in North Dakota. The opportunities are all around you.