HVAC Tech Classes in New Mexico (Top Schools)

New Mexico’s desert-like environment makes households rely more on HVAC/R systems to keep them cool.

So to maintain these systems, HVAC technicians have become in demand in the state in recent years.

In fact, the state has 1,180 employed HVAC technicians, and this number will continue to grow by the end of 2030.

So if you want to become one, the information below will help you how to start this career in this field.

HVAC Programs in New Mexico

Before anything else, you need to receive the appropriate education, training, and field experience.

One way you can obtain this is by enrolling in an approved HVAC program.

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

How to Get Licensed in New Mexico

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division (CID) oversees the licenses for HVAC professionals.

CID awards a…

• Journeyman Certificate of Competence to HVAC technicians
• HVAC Contractor License to HVAC contractors

Also, CID contracted PSI to help administer the application, examination, and renewal of licenses.

The next 2 tables will give you the details on the certificates and licenses given and their qualifications.

HVAC Technician – Journeyman Certificate of Competence

You can apply for multiple classifications provided that you have the relevant work experience for each.

Steps to Acquiring Your Journeyman Certification

Here’s how you can obtain the journeyman certification:

1. Choose which classification you’re going to apply for
2. Submit the following to PSI for approval to test:
   1. Original, duly accomplished, and notarized forms
      1. Application for the journeyman certificate form
      2. Work experience verification form
         1. If you applied for multiple classifications, submit a WEV form for each classification
   2. Application fee of $75
3. Once approved, schedule your exam with PSI with the exam fee of $68.88 for each classification
4. If you pass, submit all original exam score reports to PSI for the processing of your certificate within 6 months from the date of application approval
5. Wait for the delivery of your journeyman certificate via USPS

HVAC Contractor – HVAC Contractor License

Steps to Acquiring Your HVAC Contractor License

Before anything else, you must ensure that you have one qualifying party certified in the classification of work you want to perform.

Once you secured that, then follow these steps in obtaining your contractor license:

1. Choose which classification you’re going to apply for
2. Check with PSI if your proposed name (to use in the license) is available
   1. If it is good, then you can use it when you register your business with the NM Secretary of State or apply for TIN
3. Submit to PSI the following for approval:
   1. Original, duly accomplished, and notarized Application for contractor license form
   2. Payment of applicable fees
      1. License fee of $150 per classification, up to $300 max
      2. Application fee of $30
      3. Certificate fee of $6 per classification
   3. Copy of either…
      1. Valid qualifying party certificate
      2. Passing exam score report/s for applicable classification or official transcript of a business and law course by a CID-approved school
   4. Proof of financial responsibility
      1. $10,000 surety bond
      2. Worker’s compensation insurance (sole proprietors with no employers are exempted)
   5. Proof of a New Mexico current TIN application with official stamp current or registration certificate
   6. Proof of registration with the NM Secretary of State (for a corporation, limited partnership, LLP, or LLC only)
4. If approved, CID will issue your license and deliver it via USPS

Renewal Requirements

Both journeyman certificate and contractor license will expire after three years on the last day of the month it was issued.

Example:

• Date of issuance – August 6, 2019
• Date of expiration – August 31, 2022

To renew, submit to PSI the following:

• For journeyman certificate
  • Duly accomplished and notarized renewal application form
  • Payment of renewal fee of $75 per classification
  • Proof of completing the 16 hours of continuing education
• For contractor license
  • Duly accomplished and notarized renewal application form
  • Payment of renewal fee of $150 per classification
  • Valid bond code on file

EPA Certification

Per federal law, any technician who works with refrigerants will need to obtain the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

It’s a mandatory certification wherein you’ll need to apply for any of the 4 types of certification:

• Type I
• Type II
• Type III
• Universal

The type you’ll get will depend on the equipment you’ll most likely install, repair, and maintain in your job.

You can learn more about this in our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

There’s a high demand for HVAC technicians in New Mexico.

As such, you can potentially receive competitive salaries.

As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that you can earn an annual average salary of $48,060.

Once you gain more industry expertise, you can earn as much as $75,400 a year.

In the table below, you’ll find the salaries offered in 10 of New Mexico’s cities for reference.

HVAC Schools by City

• Albuquerque