
This article will supply you with all the necessary information both on being and on becoming a HVAC technician.
Here you can find out all the important details that range from attaining a contractor’s license to becoming a Master HVACR. We will discuss the application and examination process as well.
Page Navigation
Salary
HVAC salaries are at a high in all of the Unites States, and Delaware is no exception to this rule.
There is an overall rising trend in the job growth in the industry.
The weather in Delaware also allows for a lot of jobs for our HVAC technicians, especially in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
As a HVAC technician you can expect to yearn $24.00 as an average median wage.
However, if you further your career, set of skills, as well as your education, you may become a Senior technician and earn even $33.38 per hour.
HVAC technicians are at the top of the earning ladder in Delaware, as they are in the top 41% earners.
On average salaries go from $36,640 to $69,440.
If you are interested in how much you can earn in the largest cities in Delaware, take a look at the following table:
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Delaware
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
Wilmington | $49,952 |
Dover | $49,789 |
Newark | $49,915 |
Milford | $49,859 |
Seaford | $48,831 |
Middletown | $49,752 |
Elsmere | $49,952 |
Smyrna | $49,758 |
New Castle | $49,952 |
Georgetown | $49,859 |
Licensing Requirements
In Delaware you can work as a restricted technician, and as an Independent technician.
If you wish to be an independent technician, and hence have an edge over other technician’s in the field you need to have an HVACR license.
In Delaware you can apply for two different Master HVACR licenses.
According to Delaware’s Title 24, all apprentices, journeymen, mechanics, and others in the field must have a HVACR license in order to work independently.
Restricted technicians are those technicians that can work independently only in their specialty field.
However, technicians with an unrestricted license can do any job in the field of HVAC.
Master HVACR
The holder of a Master HVACR license can design, install, construct, maintain, service, repair, or modify a product or equipment such as gas piping, A/C, refrigeration, ventilation, or process cooling or heating systems.
On the other hand, if you hold a Master HVACR Restricted license you will be able to do the services that have been mentioned, however, you will be limited to one of the following specialties:
- Heating – Forced Air Systems, Ventilation, and Gas Piping
- Heating – Hydronic Systems and Gas Piping
- Commercial Hood Systems
- Refrigeration
- Air Conditioning
- Gas Piping
If you wish to work in more than one filed of specialty, then you must apply for the unrestricted license.
Requirements
In order to acquire a HVACR license, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Must have a journeyman’s certificate from any state
- Must complete a qualifying training program and have two years of experience OR seven years of experience and a board-issued equivalency test
- Have EPA Section 608 Certification (this is a national certification that carries over into any state)
- Possess a clean criminal record
- Pay $121 processing fee paid to the Board
- Attain a grade of 70% or higher on exams
Once you acquired your license, you have to renew it every two years by October 31.
Contractor License
With the HVACR Contractor License you will be able to carry out larger projects, and to do larger HVAC jobs.
The ones who hold this license have the authority to work on heating, ductwork, as well as gas piping.
In case you want to open your own HVACR business, then you need to attain your HVACR license first.
After that, you will be able to apply and attain a separate contractor’s license.
Eligibility
- HVACR licensing
- Completed, signed and notarized application form
- Processing fee paid to the state
- Applications can be obtained by contacting the state board. You can reach the board at (302) 744-4504
Exams
In order to pass the HVACR exam you will need to score at least 70%.
The Board is the one who wards the license and it is the one you will need to give a copy of exam results to upon passing the exam.
Before taking the exam you should complete and submit the registration form, as well as pay a fee to the Prometric testing service.
The exams take place three times a year, and they are held at testing sites in Dover/Harrington, and Newark.
Contractor License Exam
The minimum score that you need to pass this exam is 75%.
In case that you fail the test two times in a row, with a score that is less than 50%, you will need to wait a full calendar year to have a go at the exam again.
The exam takes place on the first Saturday in February, May, August and November.
Schools
Something that will definitely benefit you both in terms of skill and knowledge is completing the HVAC training programs.
They will prepare you for the examination, as well as real-life situations that you can expect on the job.
Take a closer look at schools that offer official HVACR training in Delaware in the following table:
8 HVAC Schools in Delaware
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Ashworth College | Online Training for HVAC | 6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092 |
Delaware Skills Center | 13 & Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington, DE 19801 |
Delaware Technical and Community College | PO Box 610, Georgetown, DE 19947 |
Delaware Technical and Community College/Stanton-Wilmington Campus | 400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark, DE 19713 |
hvacredu.net (Online Training) | P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844 |
New Castle Vocational Technical School District | 1417 Newport Rd., Wilmington, DE 19804 |
Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical School | 2575 Glasgow Avenue, Newark, DE 19702 |
Polytech Adult Ed | PO Box 102, Woodside, DE 19980 |
Conclusion
If you want to start a career in the HVAC industry, it is the perfect timing.
You will have an edge over other technicians by completing education, as well as by applying and attaining an unrestricted license.
It is worth the effort and energy, seeing how HVAC industry workers are in the top 41% of earners.