HVAC professionals are highly valued because of their services in maintaining climate control systems in residences and commercial buildings.
This is one of the reasons why there has been a growing demand, increasing salaries to competitive rates.
So if you want to work in the HVAC industry, here’s how you can become an HVAC professional in Louisiana.
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HVAC Programs in Louisiana
To get started on your HVAC career, you need to receive proper education, practical training, and field experience.
That’s why, to be able to learn the trade, you need to enroll in an approved HVAC program.
Here, you can learn HVAC knowledge and technical skills, such as:
- Installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems
- Blueprint reading
- Inspection and troubleshooting issues
- Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes
The table below lists some of the accredited HVAC schools in Louisiana that you can check out.
10 HVAC Schools in Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashworth College | 6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092 |
| Blue Cliff College | 120 James Comeaux Road, Lafayette & Houma, LA 70508 |
| Bossier Parish Community College | 2719 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 91111 |
| Delgado Community College-City Park Campus | 615 City Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Fortis College | 9255 Interline Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 |
| HVAC Career Training Center | Accepts statewide - Baton Rouge, Shreveport, New Orleans, Lafayette, Houma, Lake Charles, LA 11111 |
| hvacredu.net (Online Training) | P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844 |
| ITT Technical College | 13944 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70817 |
| Louisiana Technical College | Multiple campuses |
| Nunez Community College | 3700 La Fontaine Street, Chalmette, LA 70043 |
How to Get Licensed in Louisiana
Louisiana doesn’t have licenses for HVAC technicians, provided that they work under a licensed mechanical contractor.
Instead, those who want to be HVAC contractors will need one.
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) will issue a Commercial Mechanical Contractor License.
You will only need to apply for this license if you have a commercial project that either…
- Exceeds $50,000 in total value (includes labor and materials)
- $1 or more for hazardous materials
- HVAC projects with a total value of $10,000 or more
This license has one HVAC-related major classification with 4 sub-classifications:
- Mechanical Work (Statewide)
- Heat, air conditioning, ventilation, ductwork, and refrigeration
- Industrial pipework and insulation
- Plumbing
- Controls for mechanical work
Application Requirements for Licensure
To obtain your license, you must meet the following:
- Must at least be 18 years old
- Complete and submit the notarized license application with the applicable fees
- Notarized financial statement affidavit showing a net worth of at least $10,000
- Designate a Qualifying Party who’ll take the exam
- Successfully pass the exam
Taking the Licensure Exam
After LSLBC approves your application, you can proceed with taking the exam.
You’ll take 2 exam portions:
- Louisiana business and law – an online course that takes less than an hour to complete
- Trade-specific – mechanical work and HVAC/R
- 100 questions to be completed in 4 hours for each trade exam
- Requires a 70% score to pass
Renewal Requirements
Your initial license will expire after 1 year.
Before then, you’ll receive a renewal notice via email with instructions on the renewal process.
After the initial license expires, you have the option to renew every 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year period.
EPA Certification
Under the Clean Air Act, technicians who work with refrigerant-containing equipment must be certified.
The EPA Section 608 Technician Certification has 4 types that you can apply for:
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
- Universal
To know which type you need to certify for, check out our guide to the EPA certification.
Potential Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana has the following salary information for its HVAC technicians:
- Annual mean wage – $51,100
- 10th percentile – $29,810
- 90th percentile – $75,410
Do note that your salary will still depend on your employer based on factors like:
- Education and training
- Skills and experience
- Certification and licenses
- Workplace location
- Nature of work
For your reference, the table below shows the salaries in 10 of the state’s cities.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Louisiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $46,389 |
| Baton Rouge | $42,985 |
| Shreveport | $42,962 |
| Lafayette | $42,653 |
| Lake Charles | $42,344 |
| Kenner | $46,364 |
| Bossier City | $42,962 |
| Monroe | $42,738 |
| Alexandria | $41,401 |
| New Iberia | $42,404 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 170 | $49,650 | $23.87 | $69,140 | $32,670 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,150 | $57,660 | $27.72 | $77,940 | $37,040 |
| Hammond, LA | 120 | $50,760 | $24.40 | $71,000 | $33,170 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 310 | $67,470 | $32.44 | $108,900 | $37,880 |
| Lafayette, LA | 480 | $52,000 | $25.00 | $71,590 | $33,390 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 240 | $52,310 | $25.15 | $75,500 | $35,720 |
| Monroe, LA | 220 | $48,900 | $23.51 | $70,950 | $32,170 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,080 | $57,000 | $27.40 | $79,950 | $36,700 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 430 | $53,280 | $25.61 | $75,040 | $35,480 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 280 | $52,870 | $25.42 | $72,330 | $34,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
HVAC Schools by City
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