HVAC Schools in South Dakota: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited South Dakota HVAC Training Programs

According to the U.S. 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 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree. High school students interested in becoming an HVACR technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics. Knowledge of plumbing or electrical work and a basic understanding of electronics is also helpful.”

The BLS also states some technicians receive their training through an apprenticeship program, which typically lasts three to five years. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

In South Dakota, the state does not mandate licensing for HVAC apprentices, HVAC technicians, or HVAC contractors, but many cities require local licensing. It’s important for technicians to check with local jurisdictions to ensure they meet all local license requirements.

Most people entering the HVAC industry in South Dakota learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor through an employer-sponsored training program and taking classes at local trade school or community college.

South Dakota is home to several HVAC trade schools with accreditation, including:

• Mitchell Technical Institute, Mitchell

• Southeast Technical College, Sioux Falls

• Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City

All of the schools listed above are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Mitchell Technical Institute and Southeast Technical College are also accredited by HVAC Excellence.

South Dakota Apprenticeships:

• South Dakota PHCC, Sioux Falls

• SMART Sheet Metal Workers' Local #10

• StartTodaySD Apprenticeship Program

HVAC Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. In South Dakota, license requirements vary city by city, but many cities require a minimum amount of experience.

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 technical college, 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 wish to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore a pre-engineering program or Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at one of the four-year universities in South Dakota like:

• Northern State University, Aberdeen

• South Dakota Mines, Rapid City

• South Dakota State University, Brookings

In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. 

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

HVAC training programs at technical colleges prepare students for their HVAC technician certification and careers in residential, commercial, or industrial HVAC applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed HVAC professional.

HVACR technician degree or diploma programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of HVAC systems and related technical skills. Coursework teaches students about heating and cooling technology and maintenance, installation, and troubleshooting of HVAC and refrigeration systems. Courses typically cover:

• Fundamentals of residential heating and air conditioning

• Electrical fundamentals

• Refrigeration technology

• Heat pumps

• Sheet metal technology

• Schematics

• Control systems

• Commercial air conditioning and refrigeration 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 South Dakota community colleges on average is $5,786 per year for in-state and out-of-state students. However, some of the accredited 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 chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving  federal (Pell Grant) and state grants should apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

In South Dakota, HVAC and sheet metal apprenticeship programs last four to five years and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.

Benefits

There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an HVAC professional. Many South Dakota cities require a minimum amount of experience for mechanical journeyman licenses. You may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get started on your HVAC training through an online certificate program. The South Dakota Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Inc. (PHCC) offers an e-learning HVAC apprenticeship.

Level of difficulty

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

These accredited schools listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:

Mitchell Technical Institute

• Offers a one-year diploma program in Heating & Cooling Technology, 34.5 credits.

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Heating and Cooling Technology, 75.5 credits.

Southeast Technical College

• Offers a one-year diploma program in HVACR technology, 35 credits.

Western Dakota Technical Institute

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in HVAC & Refrigeration Technology, 61-64 credits.

Steps for Enrollment in South 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 you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes 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 South Dakota

South Dakota does not license HVAC professionals, and licensing requirements vary by city. To make sure you follow regulations, you’ll need to check with the local jurisdiction to obtain the proper licensing in the areas of the state where you intend to work.

Below, we list licensing requirements for Sioux Falls and Rapid City. For other South Dakota municipalities, you'll need to look online or call the local contracting board.

Sioux Falls license types and requirements The City of Sioux Falls issues mechanical licenses for mechanical and refrigeration contractors.

Mechanical Contractor

All contractors performing mechanical or HVAC work in city limits must have a mechanical contractors license. Mechanical/HVAC contractor license requirements include:

• A minimum of four years of experience.

• Pass a master mechanic examination.

• Submit a mechanical contractor license application with the city, which includes a $10,000 compliance bond and $200 license fee within 90 days of examination.

Refrigeration Contractor

All contractors performing refrigeration and coolant work in city limits must have a refrigeration contractors license. Refrigeration contractor license requirements include:

• Pass a refrigeration contractor examination.

• Submit a refrigeration contractor license application with the city, which includes a $10,000 compliance bond and $200 license fee within 90 days of examination.

Mechanical and refrigeration contractor licenses must be renewed every two years.

Rapid City license types and requirements

Rapid City issues mechanical licenses for mechanical contractors, apprentices and journeyman/installers. All license holders must have valid liability insurance and proof of workers compensation insurance.

Mechanical apprentice

• Submit application and pay a $25 license fee.

Mechanical Journeyman/Installer

• Proof of four years experience in the mechanical trade.

• Pass a mechanical contractor and installers exam.

• Submit application and $40 license fee.

Mechanical contractor

• Proof of two years experience in the mechanical trade at the journeyman level.

• Pass a mechanical contractor and installers exam.

• Submit application and pay $205 license fee.

Mechanical licenses must be renewed every three years. License holders must show proof of six hours of continuing education per license period.

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

Salaries for HVAC Professionals in South Dakota

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician, 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 South Dakota? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC professional salary in South Dakota for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $49,000

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,300

• Senior 4-6 years: $64,300

• Supervisor > 7 years: $83,400

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

Industry Apprenticeships

In South Dakota, 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, a valid driver’s license, and have the physical ability to perform the work of the trade.

Apprenticeship programs in South Dakota include:

South Dakota PHCC, Sioux Falls

• Offers four-year apprenticeships in HVAC, sheet metal, refrigeration, and plumbing.

• Provides 8,000 hours of on-the-job training through employers. Correspondence curriculum is approved by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.

• Apprentices may receive credit for work experience earned prior to enrollment.

• The SDPHCC also offers an eLearning apprenticeship program.

SMART Sheet Metal Workers' Local #10

• Offers a four-year sheet metal worker apprentice program.

• Provides 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and about 180 hours of related instruction each year. 

• Many apprentices begin as pre-apprentices. Before starting apprenticeship classes, participants must have 1,000 hours of work or school in the HVAC industry, or background in the construction industry.

StartTodaySD

• Search for current registered apprenticeships in South Dakota.

Other School Options

In addition to HVAC training opportunities in South Dakota, there are several HVAC training programs in neighboring Nebraska and North Dakota:

• Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Neb.

• North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, N.D.

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