HVAC Classes in Nevada (Top Schools)

Nevada’s erratic hot and cold climate means more service work for HVAC technicians.

As a result, the state had 2,100 employed professionals as of May 2021 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

So if you want this lucrative career, here’s how you can work as an HVAC professional in Nevada.

HVAC Programs in Nevada

In the U.S., the HVAC industry has high requirements for its HVAC apprentices, technicians, and contractors.

For one, all must have the technical skills and knowledge and field experience to provide HVAC services.

That’s why most aspirants would choose to enroll in an approved HVAC program to learn the trade.

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

How to Get Licensed in Nevada

In Nevada, only HVAC contractors will be required to obtain state-level licenses.

The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) will issue the specialty contractor license, Classification C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning License.

With this license, you can perform any trade in the following subclassifications:

• C-21a Refrigeration
• C-21b Air conditioning
• C-21c Sheet metal.
• C-21d Maintenance
• C-21e Solar air conditioning
• C-21f Chilled and hot water systems
• C-21g Industrial piping

Application Requirements for Licensure

To obtain the chosen license, you must meet the following:

• Business registration with the NV Secretary of State
• (Sole proprietor’s only) Completed Child Support Information Statement
• Designate a Qualified Individual/s or Qualifier/s as a Trade or Management Qualifier who’ll meet the experience and exam requirements
  • At least 4 years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervision employee, or contractor in the chosen classification in the past 15 years
  • Can credit up to 3 years of experience if you completed an approved HVAC training program
• Proof of experience
  • Documented work experience, any of the following:
    • 4 Certification of Work Experience Forms for each Trade Qualifier
    • A current master’s certification issued by a governmental agency in a discipline substantially similar to the requested classification,
    • Proof of transferable military experience and training
  • Resume of Experience form for each Trade Qualifier
• Undergo a complete fingerprint and background check (for you and the qualifier/s)
• Provide the monetary limit for the maximum contract amount in a single client
• Provide audited financial statements based on the monetary limited and reviewed by an independent CPA
• Register for a Residential Recovery Fund if you’ll provide qualified services (NRS 62.440)
• Completed Application for Contractor’s License form
• Payment of the license application fee – $300, payable to NSCB
• Successfully pass the licensure exam

Then, upon license approval, must obtain the following:

• License bond, ranging from $1,000 to $500,000
• Worker’s compensation insurance, unless exempt

Taking the Licensure Exam

NSCB has contracted with PSI to administer the licensure exams.

Here are the exam details:

• You’ll take 2 exam portions:
  • Business and law (construction management survey) – 60 questions in 120 minutes
  • Trade-specific
    • C-21 Refrigeration and air conditioning – 85 questions in 3 hours
    • C-21a Refrigeration – 50 questions in 2 hours
    • C-21b Air conditioning – 60 questions in 2 hours
    • C-21c Sheet metal – 60 questions in 2.5 hours
    • C-21d Maintenance – 60 questions in 2 hours
    • C-21e Solar air conditioning – 45 questions in 1.5 hours
    • C-21f Chilled and hot water systems – 50 questions in 2 hours
    • C-21g Industrial piping – 50 questions in 2 hours
• Exam fee
  • Per trade-specific exam – $95
  • CMS and trade-specific exam – $140
• Exam will be administered via computer
• It will be an open-book exam where you can use approved reference materials in the testing center
• Passing score is 75% for CMS and 70% for trade-specific exams
• You have 3 attempts to successfully pass each exam portion

Exam Waiver

Not all applicants will be required to take the exam.

You’ll be exempt from it if you meet any of these conditions:

• You’re an NV Qualified Employee in good standing within the last 10 years and your records are still on file with NSCB
• Your state meets the equivalent exam requirement of Nevada as listed on the State Equivalency Chart

Licensure by Endorsement

If you’re from out-of-state, you can apply for endorsement if you’ve met substantially equivalent experience and exam requirements as determined by NSCB.

NSCB will accept applicants from the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Louisiana
• Tennessee

Note that if the endorsing state doesn’t have an equivalent NV trade exam, you’ll have to take and pass the NV exam.

To apply, you must meet these qualifications:

• Holds at least 4 years of active license in the endorsing state
• In good standing and with no disciplinary sanctions as a licensed contractor in any state

If you meet these, then you can submit to NSCB the following:

• Completed Application for Contractor’s License form
• Completed Request for Verification of License form
• Payment of the license application fee – $300

Renewal Requirements

Your license needs to be renewed every 2 years and will expire on the last day of the issued month.

To renew, you need to complete the following:

• Complete the renewal via the online application
• Pay the biennial license fee – $600

EPA Certification

Under the Clean Air Act, technicians working with hazardous refrigerants must obtain EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

Having one assures employers and clients that you can properly and safely dispose of and handle these.

To learn how you can obtain certification, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

As with most professions, salary will vary, depending on several factors, like education, experience, etc.

In Nevada, you can potentially earn an annual average salary of $58,870 as of May 2021 per BLS.

If you’re new, your salary can be up to $37,400. while if you’re a senior expert, it can be more than $80,280.

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

Regional Salary

HVAC Schools by City

• Las Vegas5 Schools
• Reno3 Schools

This page is also available in Spanish.