Handling HVAC equipment needs special training and hands on experience in the latest technology. There are special training sessions held by recognized institutions that’ll enable you to attain the needed certification. After all, reputed companies and state laws mandate that only certified technicians are eligible to handle the high-end equipment. Here’s all that you need to know about obtaining HVAC license and certification.

You need to complete certain levels of formal education to become a licensed HVAC technician.

• Earn you high school diploma or GED equivalent depending on your state.
• Attend an accredited recognized HVAC training center or trade school program in your state
• Clear certification exams to become HVAC technician.
• Obtain the HVAC license from the state where you plan to work

There are different types of HVAC certifications available for the type of work that you wish to do. Here’s a detail on the types of HVAC certifications available.

Section 608 Technician Certification

This is commonly referred to as the Environment Protection Agency or EPA HVAC Certification that requires technicians to handle containers or systems that store refrigerant gas such as R410A or R22. Repairs and re-gassing of the HVAC is among the common tasks that you’ll be carrying out as a technician. Section 608 include 4 types of certification, each with its specific examination. Details are as follows:

EPA Type I Certification for Small Appliances Servicing

Type I Certification will license you to work, repair and service systems that contain small amounts of refrigerants. Here you’ll learn and clear exams on:

• Small appliance definition such as window AC systems with less than 5 kgs of gas.
  • Evacuation of system using the right equipment.
  • Techniques for gas recovery with or without working compressor.
  • Safety measures to adopt when handling refrigerants.

EPA Type II Certification for High Pressure System Servicing

This certification will authorize you to work with high pressure systems. You’ll have to study and clear exams on topics such as:

• High pressure refrigeration and their gases.
• Learn reasons as to why you should test a system for leak before repair or recharge.
• Leak detection processes in high pressure systems
• Leak repairs for systems with more than 50-pound refrigerant.
• Recovery good techniques.
• Recovery for repairs, major repairs and disposal.
• Safety measures and safe use of equipment.

EPA Type III Certification for Low Pressure Systems Servicing

Topics covered for this certification level is similar to those covered in the Type II certification and is a good way of gaining all-round knowledge. Topics covered include:

• All about low pressure refrigeration and their gases.
• Reasons as to why you should test a system for leak before repair or recharge.
• Leak detection processes in low pressure systems
• Leak repairs for systems with more than 50-pound refrigerant.
• Recovery good techniques.
• Recovery for repairs, major repairs and disposal.
• Safety measures and safe use of equipment.

Universal EPA Certificate

This is the advanced certification that you can obtain after clearing the previous 3 levels of certification. The Universal EPA certification authorizes you to work on all system types and makes finding work easier. Though it takes longer to attain this certification with more study period involved, you can work in any state of the USA once you are Universal EPA certified.

North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

The non-profit organization NATE, offers nationally recognized HVAC certification programs. It’s one of the best ways to validate your knowledge as a HVAC technician. The exams for this certification are split for newly-qualified and experienced HVAC technicians. Exam topics cover a wide range of subjects spanning from air distribution and gas furnace to air conditioning.

NATE Early Career & Entry Level Certifications

For those of you that are working hard to gain good field experience, these certifications will give you the appropriate foothold in the industry. There are 2 types of certifications that you can choose from according to your status in the industry:

Ready-to-Work Certification: For those of you that have ventured into the HVAC servicing and repairs industry without formal training, the certification test will prepare you on the basics of different HVAC systems. Topics range from correct tool and equipment handling to electrical basics and heat transfer theories.

HVAC Support Technician Certification: Those of you that are attached to the HVAC service industry and possess 6-12 months of work experience can appear for this certification exam. Topics span from installation processes to planned maintenance, system components to design considerations.

NATE Professional Level Certification

If you’ve been working in the HVAC service and repair industry for more than a year, you can study to obtain this certification. The topics will help you recognize installation and service process for:

• Air Distribution (AD)
• Air Conditioning (AC)
• Heat Pumps (Air-to-Air) (HP)
• Hydronics Gas (HG) (service only)
• Hydronics Oil (HO) (service only)
• Gas Heating (GS)
• Oil Heating (OL)
• Light Commercial Refrigeration (LC) (service only)
• Commercial Refrigeration (RC) (service only)
• HVAC Efficiency Analyst (Senior Level) (EA)

Obtaining one or several of these certifications will authorize you to work for recognized brands or even set up your own HVAC repair and service station.

Good Luck!!!