HVAC Tech Classes in Georgia (Top Schools)

The requirements for becoming a HVAC technician are different in every state.

That is why it is important to get informed about those requirements in the state that you would like to develop your HVAC career in.

This article will offer you information about the obligatory requirements you have to meet in Georgia, as well as on additional certifications and licenses.

Salary

The demand for HVAC technicians is on the rise.

The salaries fluctuate not only by state and location, but also by your skill education licenses, and certifications.

The highest-paid technicians earn somewhere around $47,000 per year.

Urban areas are not the only ones that offer ample jobs for HVAC technicians.

For an example there are only 110 technicians in Gainesville are.

On average you can make 20.38 per hour as a HVAC technician in Georgia.

At the beginning you can expect to earn about $27,000, but as you get more skilled you may earn as much as senior technicians – $63,000.

If you are interested in the salary prospects in the ten largest cities in Georgia, take a look at the following table:

Licensing Requirements

HVAC technicians in the state of Georgia are not obliged to complete an HVAC program at an educational institution.

However, in order to work on any conditioner air systems or equipment, you will have to attain a Conditioned Air Contractor license. Additionally, you must have a high school diploma or a GED.

Besides the Conditioned Air Contractor license, if you want to work with refrigerants you will need to acquire an EPA 608 certification or a NATE certification.

When it comes to being a HVAC technician, the more certifications and licenses the better.

Conditioned Air Contractor License

In order to bid, contract, install, repair, service air-conditioning systems; or even service electrical connections to the systems, you must have this license.

There are two classes of this license: Class I (restricted), and Class II (unrestricted).

In order to see if you are eligible for sitting for the exam, you will need to apply.

Class I (restricted)

This type of the license allows you to work in conditioned air contracting with equipment less than 175,000 BTU for heating and 60,000 BTU for cooling.

Class II (unrestricted)

The holder of this license can work with any air conditioning equipment and systems.

These licenses must be renewed every two years, the cost of which is $75.

A renewal notice will be sent to you by the Board eight weeks before the expiration date.

The license can even be renewed online on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

Class I Requirements

You need to have documented two years of installation as a lead mechanic or one year as a service tech or service supervisor.

You also need to have one year of residential supervisory experience, and a completed board-approved head loss and gain and duct design course.

Class II Requirements

As a part of requirements for the Class II license you need to have the following:

• Documented five years of experience
• Documented experience with installations of conditioned air systems that exceed 175,000 BTU of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling
• Two years of installation as a lead mechanic with at least one of the years being exclusively commercial work, one year as a service tech or service supervisor
• Two years of commercial supervisory experience and a board-approved heat loss and gain and duct design course

In case you have received engineering or an engineering technology diploma from a technical school, this can count as no more than two years of experience.

Similarly, if you have completed a certificate program, this will work towards as no more than one year of experience.

NATE Certification

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Certification is by no means necessary.

However, it has been shown that about 87% of clients prefer certified technicians.

The NATE certificate displays your knowledge in a specific subject area related to HVAC.

EPA Certification

Section 608 Refrigeration Recycling Rule stipulates that HVAC professionals must have the EPA certification in order to work with dangerous materials.

EPA certification guarantees that you have learned about environmental protection.

Once you have acquired your EPA certification it does not have to be renewed.

There are three different certification types that you can attain by passing the exam – EPA Section 608 HVAC Type I, EPA Section 608 HVAC Type II, and EPA Section 608 HVAC Type III.

EPA Section 608 HVAC Type I allows you to work with small appliances that have five or less pounds of refrigerant.

EPA Section 608 HVAC Type II certifies that you can work with high and very high-pressure appliances (and even non-automotive systems and split systems).

Finally, EPA Section 608 HVAC Type III means you have permission to work on low-pressure appliances.

Exam

To apply for the exam you need to fill out an application that you have to get from the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Your application needs to be approved 60 days before you sit for the exam, and you need to pay a fee of only $30.

Conditioned Air License Exam

The exam will consist of 100 questions, and you will have 7 hours at your disposal to complete it.

In order to pass the exam you have to answer 70% of the questions correctly. The test is open book.

You’ll need to pay a fee of $240 to take the test. Topics that will be tested are:  regulations, laws, system design, installation, maintenance and repairs.

Once you pass the exam, your identification card will arrive via mail. The reciprocity agreement allows your license to be valid in South Carolina, as well as in Texas.

In case you fail the exam you need to complete and submit a New Examination Scheduling Form to apply for an upcoming exam date.

Your license will only remain valid if you complete extra four hours of additional education per year.

You can take your test in Spring, Summer or Fall.

NATE Exam

Even though the NATE Exam is not obligatory it is definitely a huge plus to have the NATE certification.

You’ll need to opt for what technician type you’d prefer to specialize for – an installation or service technician prior to the exam.

In addition to that, you will need to select a specialty exam that you would like to take in addition to your core exam.

To take the exam, you’ll also have to register for a testing session in your area.

EPA Exam

In Georgia, you can take the EPA exam both online, and on sire. You can find the 12 page manual that will help you prepare for the exam online.

The fee you will have to pay for taking the EPA exam in $24.95.

Every additional attempt at taking the EPA certification costs $5.95.

Schools

While it is not obligatory to finish a HVAC training program in a training center, education will benefit you immensely.

These centers will prepare you for the exam, as well as for the real life on the job situations.

That aside, education, certification, and licensure is what will set you apart from other technicians and enable you to be a top-paid HVAC technician.

This is why you should take a look at the table that enlists HVAC training centers that offer official training in Georgia:

Conclusion

HVAC industry will only continue to grow. It is anticipated that it will see a growth of 14% by 2024.

That is why it is a good idea to pursue a career in the HVAC industry.

With time, money, effort you can earn well and secure yourself a higher paying job.

HVAC Schools by City

• Athens
• Atlanta
• Augusta
• Savannah