HVAC Tech Classes in Florida (Top Schools)

To work as a HVAC technician in Florida you need to acquire a HVAC license that is issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which is a division of the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board.

This article will supply you with information on how to attain HVAC certification and license.

Salary

The demand for HVA technicians is expected to rise by a whopping 30%. The annual median income of a HVAC technician in Florida is $43,640.

If you have additional skills, certifications, and licenses you may earn over $68,000. Here is a table of salaries in ten largest cities in Florida:

Certification Programs

HVAC certification programs are available at technical colleges and four-year public collages that have certificate and degree programs that deal with air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating systems technology.

There is a possibility to become an assistant only by completing a two semester certification program.

Other courses usually last two years, and prepare the students for he Florida HVAC exam and cover a wide range of subjects in HVAC.

Schools

Since education and training is important for becoming a HVAC technician what better way to prepare for the exams, as well as the job itself than completing an official HVAC training.

Here is a list of schools that offer HVAC training in Florida:

Examples of HVAC Programs are the following:

• Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Systems Assistant Certificate
• Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Systems Technician Certificate
• Associate in Applied Science in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Systems Technology
• Associate in Science in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Systems Technologies

Additional NATE Certification

Separate certification program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs to be passed in order to have permission to work with ozone-depleting refrigerants.

There are two certification organizations that provide this exam – HVAC Excellenceor the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization.

If you pass the NATE tests, it serves as proof of your knowledge in specific HVAC related subject.

HVAC technicians can receive many different certifications in Florida. NATE certificate is not obligatory, but it is beneficial.

All certifications display your knowledge and understanding regarding specialized concepts. This will give you an edge on the labor market.

Types of Licenses

Essentially there are four different HVAC licenses in Florida. Those are the following:

• State Certified Class A Florida HVAC License
• State Registered Class A Florida HVAC License
• State Certified Class B HVAC License
• State Registered Class B HVAC License

You can apply for a license only in each type if you meet certain criteria.

State Certified Class A Florida HVAC License

The holder of this license can work across Florida.

In order to eligible for this license you must workers comp, pass the exam, and fulfill the educational and n-the-job requirements.

You need to pay a fee of $355 to take the exam for this license.

You will also have to renew your license. The fee for a renewal is $100.

State Registered Class A Florida HVAC license

The holder of this license can work in the local areas, where they meet the local requirements.

You will have to fill out a formal application. To register for the exam, you have to pay a fee of $100.

The fee is the same if you wish to renew your license. You can contact the local government if you want to receive more information.

State Certified Class B Florida HVAC License

If you hold this license you will be limited to working on cooling systems that are 20 tons or lighter and heating systems that are 500,000 BTU and lower.

However, you will be able to work anywhere in Florida.

To acquire the license you will have to pass the exam, have workers comp, meet the educational, and job requirements.

You will also have to be of at least 18 years of age, and have a four-year accredited degree and one year of experience (or 2,000 hours of service), or four years of active experience to be eligible for taking the exam.

The fee you have to pay in the application process is $354.

State Registered Class B Florida HVAC License

Just like with the State Certified Class B HVAC license, you will be able to work only with cooling systems that are 20 tons or lighter and heating systems that are 500,000 BTU and lower.

However, you will be only able to work in the local areas where you meet the local requirements.

The fee that you have to pay for taking the exam is $100. The fee is the same if you wish to renew your license.

Contractor License

There are two different Contractor licenses. No matter which license you opt for you must meet the basic requirements and be at least 18 years of age. The requirements are the following:

Mechanical Contractors License

1. At least 18 years old
2. At least 4 years of experience
3. Provide a credit report and financial statement from current year
4. Net worth of $2,500 – $20,000
5. General liability insurance: $100,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage
   A + B Air Conditioning Contractor’s License
6. Sit for two exams in business/finance and your desired trade
7. Provide a credit report and financial statement from current year
8. Net worth of $2,500 – $20,000
9. General liability insurance: $100,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.

If you are an Electrical Contractor, then you don’t have to take this exam.

If you apply for the exam from May 1st of an even year through August 31st, the fee you will need to pay is $249.

However, if you apply for the exam from September 1st of an odd year through April 30th of an even year, the fee is $309.

Exam

Tests are written in nature, and for each different type of a license of certification the test is unique.

Once the board has approved your application, you can sit for the exam.

Mechanical Contractor’s License Exam

The test has two sections, and you will have 4.5 hours at your disposal for each section.

You can take one test in the morning and the other at night. To pass the exam you must have at least 70% correct answers.

The location will be selected for you based on your application. Prior to the exam, you will have to pay a fee of $135.

A + B Air Conditioning Contractor’s License

This exam also has two sections. To complete each section you will have 4.5 hours at your disposal.

One test is taken in the morning and the other at night. You will have to have at least 70% correct answers in order to pass the exam.

The test is done at one of the locations that will be selected for you based on your application.

Prior to the exam you will have to pay a fee of $135.

To acquire and to maintain this license you will need to have 14 hours of continued education.

NATE Exam

You will need to register for this exam when it is held in your area.

Also, you would be best advised to think thoroughly before selecting whether your technician type will be (installation or service), as well as which specialty exam you would like to take in addition to your core exam.

The maintenance of a 5-year certification fee is $95.

Conclusion

If you wish to have a good career in the HVAC industry, and a well-paid one at that, then education is crucial.

After that you will need to get certified, and once you have chosen a field of specialty you can attain licenses for these fields as well.

HVAC Schools by City

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