HVAC Tech Classes in Kentucky (Top Schools)

Kentucky has a growing demand for HVAC technicians.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2021), there have been 5,790 employed HVAC technicians in the state.

Due to this, the salary has become more and more competitive.

On this page, you’ll learn how to become a licensed HVAC technician and contractor in Kentucky.

HVAC Programs in Kentucky

The HVAC work requires high technical skills and knowledge.

As such, you need to enroll in approved HVAC programs so you can learn the trade, such as:

• Installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems
• Inspection and troubleshoot issues in the systems
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes

The table below lists some of the HVAC schools in Kentucky that you can check out.

How to Get Licensed in Kentucky

The state requires HVAC professionals at all levels to be licensed before providing HVAC services.

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction – HVAC Division will issue the following licenses:

• HVAC Certificate of Apprenticeship
• Journeyman HVAC Mechanic License
• Master HVAC Contractor License

Application Requirements for Licensure

To obtain the license, you need to meet the following requirements:

• HVAC Certificate of Apprenticeship
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Register with the Department by completing and submitting the Apprentice HVAC Registration form
• Journeyman HVAC Mechanic License
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Complete and submit the Journeyman HVAC Mechanic License Application form
  • Pay the applicable license fees payable to Kentucky State Treasurer
  • Proof of experience, either of the following:
    • At least 2 years of field experience under the supervision of a master HVAC contractor
    • At least 2 years of field experience in Kentucky or in another jurisdiction
    • Other conditions:
      • Can credit 1 year of experience if the Department determines that you completed an equivalent field experience stated above
      • Can credit 2 years of experience if you’re a registered apprentice working under the supervision of a master HVAC contractor
      • Can credit 1 year of experience if you completed 1 year of either…
        • Approved training curriculum
        • Professional training in HVAC work
        • Teaching experience in an approved HVAC program
  • Successfully pass the journeyman licensure exam
• Master HVAC Contractor License
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Complete and submit the Master HVAC Contractor License Application form
  • Pay the applicable license fees payable to Kentucky State Treasurer
  • Proof of experience
    • At least 2 years of field experience as a licensed journeyman HVAC mechanic under the supervision of a master HVAC contractor
    • At least 2 years of field experience as a master HVAC contractor or equivalent in Kentucky or in another jurisdiction
    • At least 2 years of field experience as a mechanical engineer in Kentucky
    • Other conditions:
      • Can credit 1 year of experience if the Department determines that you completed an equivalent field experience stated above
  • Successfully pass the master contractor licensure exam
  • Proof of general liability insurance
    • General liability – $500,000 minimum
    • Property damage – $300,000 minimum

Taking the Licensure Exam

The Department has contracted with the following testing vendors to administer the exam:

• Prov, Inc.
• Pearson Vue

Here are some details about the exam that you should know about:

• Exam requirements
  • Journeyman
    • 2×2 passport photo ID
    • Completed application
    • National Fuel Gas Code 2009 book edition
    • International Residential Code 2015 book edition (IRC)
  • Master contractor
    • 2×2 passport photo ID
    • Completed application
    • National Fuel Gas Code 2009 book edition
    • International Mechanical Code 20015 book edition (IMC)
• Upon approval, you’ll have 1 year of eligibility to pass the required exams
• It will be a computer-based, open-book exam where you can use approved reference materials
• Exam fee
  • Prov, Inc. – $80 each
  • Pearson Vue
    • Business and law – $60
    • Journeyman – $100
    • Master – $100
• Exam content
  • Prov, Inc.
    • Journeyman – 60 questions to be completed in 3 hours
    • Master – 100 questions in 4 hours
  • Pearson Vue
    • Business and law – 30 questions in 1.5 hours
    • Journeyman – 60 questions in 3 hours
    • Master – 100 questions in 4 hours
• Passing score is 70%

Renewal Requirements

Your journeyman or master license will need to be renewed annually on the last day of your birth month.

To renew, you need to submit the following:

• Completed KY HVAC Master and/or Journeyman Renewal form
• Pay the applicable renewal fees payable to Kentucky State Treasurer
  • Journeyman – $50
  • Master – $250
• Completed 6 hours of continuing education
• Certificate of insurance (for master license holders only)

EPA Certification

The federal government requires technicians working with refrigerants to obtain EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

There are 4 certification types, and you can apply for any one of them depending on the equipment you work with the most.

To know which type you’ll need, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

Per BLS, an HVAC technician in Kentucky can earn an average of $50,470 annually as of May 2021.

Factors like experience can affect how much you can receive.

• Entry-level (10th percentile) – $29,780
• Senior experts (90th percentile) – $74,340

The table below shows the salaries in 10 of Kentucky’s cities that you can use for reference.

HVAC Schools by City

• Lexington
• Louisville