HVAC Tech Classes in Florida (Top Schools)

If you prefer to work with your hands, then becoming an HVAC technician in Florida may be for you.

Today, there are 30,480 employed HVAC technicians in the state out of the 356,960 nationwide (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021).

This number alone can let you see how in-demand this career is.

So read on to learn how you can become a licensed HVAC professional in Florida.

HVAC Programs in Florida

To pursue an HVAC career, you need to complete educational training and work experience.

Many trade schools and technical colleges offer HVAC certificate and degree programs to aspirants in Florida.

Some programs you can enroll in include:

• AC, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Assistant Certificate
• AC Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technician Certificate
• Associate in Applied Science in AC, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technology
• Associate in Science in AC, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technology

Below, you’ll find a list of schools that offer HVAC programs in the state.

How to Get Licensed in Florida

The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board oversees the regulations and licensing applications in the construction industry, to which HVAC belongs.

For license issuance, the responsibility falls on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Types of Licenses

There are 6 types of licenses currently available:

• State Certified
  • Class A Air Conditioning Contractor
  • Class B Air Conditioning Contractor
  • Mechanical Contractor
• State Registered
  • Class A Air Conditioning Contractor
  • Class B Air Conditioning Contractor
  • Mechanical Contractor

You can apply for any one of these licenses if you meet the criteria.

Note:

Apply for a State Certified license if you want to work as a contractor anywhere in Florida.

Apply for a State Registered license if you want to work only in the locality where you hold a certificate of competency.

Qualifications for Licensing

You can only become a State Certified Contractor if you meet these requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Meet the educational or experience requirements
• Pass the Florida State Construction exam
• Of good moral character
• Pay all the applicable fees
• Obtain worker’s compensation coverage
• Demonstrate financial responsibility

Licensing by Examination

The Department granted Profesional Testing, Inc. to administer the licensing exams for the Board.

All exams will be open book, so you can bring approved reference materials to the testing center.

Here are the exam details:

• All exams will consist of multiple-choice questions
• All license types will be tested in the following knowledge areas:
  • General trade (GT)
  • Business and finance (BF)
• You can take the exam in any of these formats:
  • Computer-based test, with the exam session depending on the license type
    • Class A – 7.5 hours for GT and 6.5 hours for BF
    • Class B – 5 hours for GT and 6.5 hours for BF
    • Mechanical – 7.5 hours for GT and 6.5 hours for BF
  • Paper and pencil test (PPT), with each exam session 4 hours and 45 minutes long
• Your eligibility to test is valid for 4 years, and you have unlimited attempts to pass all parts of the exam
• You can request to take the exam in Spanish
• Exam fees:
  • Registration fee – $135, payable to Profesional Testing, Inc.
  • Exam site admin fee (for PPT only) – $80, payable to Profesional Testing, Inc.
  • GT exam fee – $80, payable to Pearson Vue
  • BF exam fee – $80, payable to Pearson Vue

Effective July 1, 2020, the Department will exempt to a certain extent the following examinees:

• You are exempt from taking the GT exam if you…
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in building construction from an accredited 4-year college
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• You can directly apply for licensure if you…
  • All the exempt requirements stated above
  • Hold a current, active license having previously passed the BF exam
  • Have the GT exam waived with approval from the Department

Renewal Requirements

The license will expire on August 1…

• Every even year for State Certified Contractors
• Every odd year for State Registered Contractors

So you need to apply for license renewal by…

• Completing 14 continuing education hours
  • 1 hour for the following:
    • Specialized or advanced module
    • Workplace safety
    • Business practices
    • Worker’s compensation
    • Laws and rules
  • Remaining hours for any board-approved construction-related instruction
• Paying the renewal fee of $205 (+$50 per qualified business)

EPA Certification

The Clean Air Act requires that all technicians working with refrigerants be certified.

So, in addition to the license, you must obtain an EPA Section 608 Technician Certification prior to working.

Learn more about this national technician certification.

Potential Salary

Per the BLS (May 2021), HVAC technicians will have a projected 5% employment growth from 2020 to 2030.

It will bring a highly competitive salary that ranges between $29,000 and $62,000, with an average of $46,850 annually.

The table below will show you the salaries in 10 of Florida’s cities.

HVAC Schools by City

• Fort Lauderdale
• Gainesville
• Jacksonville
• Lakeland
• Miami
• Orlando
• Tallahassee
• Tampa