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We all need HVAC technicians, and HVAC technicians need extensive training to be qualified to perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join this essential workforce, you’ll be glad to know that training is accessible throughout The Evergreen State.
The growing demand for HVAC technicians in Washington — general journeyman technicians, refrigeration specialists, gas fitters, boiler operators — 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 19% growth rate for HVAC technicians in Washington, compared to only 6% nationwide by the end of the decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of HVAC job opportunities in Washington posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started.
Accredited Washington HVAC Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Because HVAC/R systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with postsecondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship. 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. New HVACR technicians typically begin by working alongside experienced technicians. At first, they perform basic tasks such as insulating refrigerant lines or cleaning furnaces. In time, they move on to more difficult tasks, including cutting and soldering pipes or checking electrical circuits.”
According to the BLS, some technicians receive their training through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship programs usually last three to five years. Over the course of the apprenticeship, technicians learn safety practices, blueprint reading, and how to use tools. They also learn about the numerous systems that heat and cool buildings. Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs.
There is no statewide license for HVACR in Washington. Instead, the state requires HVAC workers to obtain an electrical license, issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, with one of two HVAC/Refrigeration specialty designations. Some cities require additional HVACR licensing, including Kennewick, Pullman, Seattle, Spokane, and Yakima, and the necessary designations vary by city. Most people entering the HVAC industry in Washington begin as an electrical trainee for one of the required electrician licenses.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has accredited several institutions in Washington with HVAC programs. The following are Washington colleges and technical institutes that offer HVAC classes and have been accredited by NWCCU:
Bates Technical College in Tacoma
Bellingham Technical College in Bellingham
Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood
Perry Technical Institute in Yakima
Renton Technical College in Renton
Spokane Community College in Spokane
Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla
Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee
Yakima Valley College in Yakima
There are no apprenticeship completion requirements for HVACR specialty electrical licenses in Washington, however several apprenticeship opportunities are available. The United Association offers apprenticeships through its local union chapters, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries offers an apprenticeship-finding tool on its website as well as the Apprentice Registration and Tracking System, and many employers will offer entry-level HVAC technicians a registered apprenticeship while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industry offers a list of several approved basic classroom instruction courses for electrical trainees who wish to pursue an HVACR specialty license.
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. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education as in Washington.
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but again most HVAC technicians in Washington enter the field as electrical trainees. Some contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. Most HVAC technicians hold some kind of post-secondary degree or certificate. There are two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). Currently, HVAC Excellence has not accredited any programs in the state; PAHRAH has accredited one school in Washington:
Bates Technical College in Tacoma
If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete the program and the cost of the program are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Associate of Applied Science Degree – 24 months
Associate of Applied Technology Degree – 12 months
Basic HVAC/R Service Technician Certificate – nine months
Refrigeration Specialist Certificate – six months
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC systems 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 technician.
Typically, the programs include coursework in the fundamentals of the HVAC trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to prepare for certified entry-level employment in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Electricity and Magnetism
Theory of Heat
Indoor Air Quality
Electric, Oil, Gas, and Hydronic Heat
Refrigeration System Components
Tubing, Piping, and Brazing
Heat Pump Systems
Commercial Refrigeration Systems
Chilled Water 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 Washington community colleges on average is $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 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 chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Degree programs are one to two years long, and consist of at least 110 credit hours. HVACR certificate programs range from 42 to 99 credits.
Even with a certificate or degree, 2,000 hours of supervised work experience as a registered unlicensed individual is required to sit for the HVAC/refrigeration-restricted (6B) exam, and 4,000 hours of supervised experience is required before taking the HVAC/refrigeration system (06A) exam.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an HVAC technician. In Washington, classroom hours can be applied to the Washington State 06A specialty electrical license. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get started on your HVAC training through an online program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you.
Online certificate programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salaries, and can prepare students to take specific HVAC licensing exams. The following colleges offer online HVAC certificate programs:
Online degree programs are for students who have some formal HVAC training, and do not admit students without experience. The following colleges offer online HVAC degree programs:
If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes and accredited programs are accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an HVAC technician. The BLS suggests that high school students interested in becoming an HVACR technician should take courses in vocational education, math, 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 accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Washington’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. An associate degree in applied science will take about two years, and certificate programs can take six months to a year. This can distinguish you from other candidates for a union apprentice opening or make you a more desirable candidate for an entry-level job with an HVAC employer.
Offers an HVAC/R Support Technician Certificate of Competency, 101 credits
Offers an HVAC/R Technician Associate of Applied Science degree, 109 credits
Offers an HVAC/R Associate of Applied Science degree, 98 credits
Offers an HVAC/R Associate of Applied Science - Transfer degree, 103 credits
Offers an HVAC Associate of Applied Technology degree, 112 credits
Offers a Basic HVAC/Refrigeration Service Technician Certificate, 87 credits
Offers a Refrigeration Specialist Certificate, 42 credits
Offers a Two-year HVAC/R Certificate Program, with credit toward the certification exam for the 06A HVAC/R Specialty Electrical License
Offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree with 32 additional credits from Yakima Valley College
Offers a Commercial Refrigeration Technology Certificate, 56-57 credits
Offers an Associate in Applied Science - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration degree, 123 credits
Graduates will earn a City of Spokane Gas Heating Mechanic's 1 license and an EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License
Offers an Energy Systems Technology Certificate, 50.4 credits
Offers a Facilities Energy Management Concentration Certificate, 47 credits
Offers an Associate in Applied Sciences Degree in Energy Systems Technology, 94.4-105.6 credits
Offers an Associate of Technical Science Degree, 106 credits
Offers Environmental Systems and Refrigeration Technology Programs, including, Basic HVACR and Controls Certificate of Completion, and Commercial/Industrial HVACR and DDC Controls Certificate
Works in conjunction with Perry Technical Institute’s HVAC/R Certificate Program
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology
Graduates may earn credit toward the hours required by the State of Washington to be eligible to take the certification exam for the 06A HVAC/R Specialty Electrical License
Steps for Enrollment in Washington
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. 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 Technician Career Requirements in Washington
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries is the licensing body for HVAC technicians in Washington. As mentioned earlier, the State of Washington requires HVAC workers to be licensed as electricians. The HVAC/R specialty license EL06A requires 4,000 hours work experience and 48 hours of basic classroom instruction. The HVAC/R 6B specialty license requires at least 2,000 hours of work experience and 24 hours of basic classroom instruction.
Before you can take the exam, you must apply and be approved by the Department of Labor and Industries. Some cities, including Kennewick, Pullman, Seattle, Spokane, and Yakima, require additional licensing requirements for HVAC technicians, so be sure to check local jurisdictions for any additional licensing tests.
After licensing, HVAC technicians in Washington must complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years to keep their electrician license active. Also, if you want to own your own HVAC business, you will need to get your license.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Washington, 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 Washington’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Washington HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Washington
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy training program 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 electrical professional in Washington? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Washington for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $55,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $63,600
Senior 4-6 years: $72,500
Supervisor > 7 years: $94,600
For more information about HVAC salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
While there are no apprenticeship requirements for HVAC specialty licenses in Washington, several apprenticeship opportunities do exist, and are a great way to jump- start your career and get a leg up on the competition. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long 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 passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better.
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries maintains the Apprentice Registration and Tracking System, and offers an apprenticeship-finding tool on its website. In addition, union apprenticeship programs in Washington are offered by the United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, and Service Technicians. The UA has five local chapters that offer apprenticeships throughout Washington, including chapters in Seattle, Spokane, Burlington, and Pasco.
Other School Options
In addition, there are colleges and training centers in neighboring Idaho and Oregon.
Portland Community College, Portland, OR
North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC Technician in Washington. The opportunities are all around you.
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