HVAC Classes in California (Top Schools)

California has the highest employment of HVAC professionals, with 32,640 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2021)

This just proves how in-demand HVAC technicians and contractors are in the state.

So if you’re interested, this page has important information that you’ll find helpful in becoming an HVAC professional in California.

HVAC Programs in California

To learn the trade, you must acquire fundamental knowledge and technical skills in HVAC systems.

You have 2 options:

• Enroll in an approved HVAC program
• Apply for an apprenticeship program

Most aspirants usually choose the first option because…

• It lets them have an HVAC training background
• Employers prefer to accept apprentices who graduated from approved HVAC programs

Listed below are some of the accredited HVAC schools in California that you can consider.

How to Get Licensed in California

In California, HVAC technicians don’t need a state-level license to provide HVAC services.

Rather, it is the HVAC contractors, through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), who need one.

CSLB will issue them the Class C Specialty Contractor License: C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Contractor.

To qualify for this license, you need to meet the following:

• Total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more
• Journeyman-level or higher experience for at least 4 within the last 10 years in the chosen classification

Taking the Licensure Exam

After meeting the qualifications, you can proceed with your Original C-20 Exam Application.

To apply, submit the following to CSLB:

• Completed, signed, and dated Application for Original Contractor License form
• Completed, signed, and dated Certification of Work Experience form
• Payment of the required fees
  • Application fee – $450 per classification
  • Initial license fee
    • Sole owner – $200
    • Non-sole owner – $350

Once CSLB approves your exam application, you can schedule and sit for the exam administered by PSI.

Here are the exam details:

• You’ll take 3 exams:
  • Law and business
  • Trade
  • Asbestos open book examination (for new applicants who have yet to take it only)
• Each exam portion will take 3.5 hours to complete and will consist of multiple-choice questions
• Score results will be given immediately after finishing the exam
• If you fail, you have 18 months from the date of application to successfully pass the exam

Submitting to a Background Check

While waiting for your exam, you can complete the fingerprint/livescan for submission to CSLB.

Your fingerprints will be compared to the records of the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether you have a criminal history.

Reminders:

• Make sure to submit your fingerprints within 90 days of receiving the Fingerprinting Live Scan packet
• You must make full disclosure for all criminal convictions you may have regardless of nature and time of occurrence

License Issuance Requirements

After successfully passing the exam, you will submit to CSLB the following:

• Contractor bond or cashier’s check of $15,000
• Bond of Qualifying Individual (if applicable) of $12,500
• Completed asbestos open-book examination
• Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance or Certification of Self-Insurance of Workers’ Compensation from the Department of Industrial Relations
• Exemption from workers’ compensation, if no employees (C-39 Roofing contractors may not submit an exemption)
• Fingerprinting requirements
• LLC Employee/Worker Bond (if applicable)
• LLC liability insurance (if applicable)

After CSLB accepts your requirements, they will issue the following to show your licensed status:

• Wall certificate
• Pocket card

Renewal Requirements

Your license is only valid for 2 years from the last day of the issued month.

It can be renewed…

• Every 2 years if you have an active status
• Every 4 years if you have an inactive status

To renew, you must submit to CSLB the following:

• Completed and signed renewal form
• Payment of the applicable renewal fees (amount will depend on the business entity and license status)

EPA Certification

Eventually, you’ll handle refrigerant-containing equipment in your HVAC work.

These refrigerants are harmful chemicals that can damage the ozone layer, which is why it needs proper and safe handling.

So to ensure you can service and dispose of them, you must get certified.

The EPA Section 608 Technician Certification has 4 types that you can apply for:

• Type I
• Type II
• Type III
• Universal

To know which type to get and how to prepare for its exam, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

BLS reported the following salary information for HVAC technicians in California:

• Annual mean wage – $61,670
• 10th percentile – $37,200
• 90th percentile – $94,740

Do note that your potential salary will always depend on several factors, like education, experience, certification, etc.

As such, your starting salary may be different from the figures mentioned.

The table below shows the salaries in 10 of California’s cities for your reference.

Regional Salary

HVAC Schools by City

• Bakersfield3 Schools
• Fresno4 Schools
• Los Angeles7 Schools
• Oakland4 Schools
• Riverside9 Schools
• Sacramento4 Schools
• San Diego3 Schools
• San Francisco4 Schools
• San Jose4 Schools

This page is also available in Spanish.