HVAC Tech Classes in North Carolina (Top Schools)

North Carolina is said to be one of the best states to work for HVAC technicians.

Not only does it have a good job outlook but also competitive salaries.

To work as an HVAC technician in North Carolina, you need to know the educational and experience requirements to obtain a license.

So read on to learn information about these.

HVAC Programs in North Carolina

HVAC technicians need education and practical experience in the trade to enter the industry.

That’s why many would enroll in approved HVAC programs to acquire the necessary technical skills and knowledge.

The table below lists some of the accredited HVAC schools in North Carolina that you can consider.

How to Get Licensed in North Carolina

In North Carolina, only HVAC contractors are required to obtain state-level licenses.

There are 2 types of licenses that you can apply for:

• Heating and air conditioning contractor license
• Refrigeration contractor license

Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor License

This license is issued through the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

It’s divided into 3 groups and 2 classes:

• Heating Group 1 – “wet” or “water-based” comfort heating systems
• Heating Group 2 – forced air heating/cooling system with cooling capacity in excess of 15 tons
• Heating Group 3 – forced air heating/cooling system with a cooling capacity of up to 15 tons
• Class I – allows you to service any building (residential, commercial, industrial)
• Class II – allows you to service single-family detached dwellings only

Here are the license designations for each group:

• Heating Group 1
  • H1 Class I (H1-I) Contractor
  • H1 Class II (H1-II) Contractor
  • *H1 Technician (H1-T)
  • *State and Local Government Technician – H1 (SLGT-H1)
  • *Private Educational Institution Technician – H1 (PEIT-H1)
• Heating Group 2
  • H2 Contractor
  • *H2-T
  • *SLGT-H2
  • *PEIT-H2
• Heating Group 3
  • H3-I Contractor
  • H3-II Contractor
  • *H3-T
  • *SLGT-H3
  • *PEIT-H3

Note:
Those marked with asterisks are NOT contracting licenses.
H1/2/3 Technicians must be a sublicensee of an H1/2/3 Contractor.
SLGTs must be employees of a state or local government.
PEITs must be employees of private educational institutions.

Application Requirements for Licensure

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

• Proof of full-time experience relevant to the chosen license
  • For contractor license – at least 2 years or 4,000 hours
  • For technician license – at least 1 ½ years or 3,000 hours
  • One-half of experience may come from academic or technical training relevant to the chosen license
  • You can submit one of the following:
    • Current / Past North Carolina Licensed Employer Statement
    • Applicant Employment History Form 1-C – if you didn’t work under an NC licensee
    • Applicant Employment History Form 1-D – if you gained experience while in the military
• Provide employment records (W-2 or 1099 forms)
• Undergo a complete background check and obtain the report from CastleBranch.com
• Completed license and exam application form
• Payment of the required fees
• Successfully pass the licensure exam for the chosen license
• Submit a completed License Activation Form within 45 days of passing the exam
• Pay the license fee
  • H1/2/3-T – $75
  • All else – $150

Exam Details

The Board has contracted with PSI to administer the exams.

Here are the exam details:

• You’ll take 2 exam portions:
  • Business and law (for contractors only) – 1.5 hours
  • Trade-specific – 4 hours (for each license type)
• Exam fee – $100
• It’s an open-book exam where you can bring approved reference materials to the testing center
• Passing rate – 70%

Renewal Requirements

Your heating and air conditioning contractor license will need to be renewed annually on December 31.

To renew, you need to complete the following:

• Renewal of State License form
• Pay the required fees
  • Contractor licenses and SLGT or PEIT qualifiers – $150
  • Technician licenses – $75

Refrigeration Contractor License

This license is issued through the NC State Board of Refrigeration Contractors.

It has 4 classes:

• Class I – Commercial refrigeration contractor
  • Engaged in the installation, maintenance, service, and repair of refrigerating machinery, equipment, and relevant devices and components
• Class II – Industrial refrigeration contractor
  • Engaged in commercial refrigeration contracting with the use of ammonia as a refrigerant gas
• Class III – Refrigeration service contractor
  • Engaged in the maintenance, service, and repair of refrigerating machinery, equipment, and relevant devices and components
• Class IV – Transport refrigeration contractor
  • Engaged in the installation, maintenance, service, and repair of transport refrigeration

Application Requirements for Licensure

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

• Proof of at least 4,000 hours of refrigeration experience in the chosen classification
  • One-half of experience may come from academic or technical training relevant to the field
• Supervisor’s Statement from your direct supervisor verifying the experience
• Completed an EPA-approved course and exam and holds an EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (more info below)
• Completed license and exam application forms
• Pay the required fees
• Successfully pass the licensure exam for the chosen classification

Exam Details

The Board will administer the exams, and you have 1 year upon approval to successfully pass them.

Other exam details are as follows:

• Exams are divided into parts
  • Commercial refrigeration contractor – 6.5-hour exam
    • Part A – Law, administrative code, and safety – 15 questions
    • Part B – Equipment, equipment performance, theory, and electrical – 40 questions
    • Part C – Electrical and mechanical code – 20 questions
    • Part D – Plans, specifications, and estimating – 25 questions
  • Industrial refrigeration contractor – 6.5-hour exam
    • Part A – Law and administrative code; purging, piping, and safety – 25 questions
    • Part B – Compressors, evaporators, condensers, and control -25 questions
    • Part C – Ammonia basics; electrical code – 25 questions
    • Part D – Plans and specifications – 25 questions
  • Refrigeration service contractor – 4-hour exam
    • Part A – Law, administrative code, and safety – 15 questions
    • Part B – Equipment, equipment performance, theory, and electrical – 40 questions
    • Part C – Electrical and mechanical code – 20 questions
  • Transport refrigeration contractor – 4-hour exam
    • Part A – Law, administrative code, and safety – 15 questions
    • Part B – Equipment, equipment performance, theory, and electrical (includes diagnostic and maintenance) – 35 questions
    • Part C – Transport-specific applications – 25 questions
• Exam fee – $100
• Exam may be written or computer-based
• It’s an open-book exam where you can use approved reference materials at the testing center
• Passing rate – 70%
• You have 3 attempts to successfully pass the exams

Renewal Requirements

Your refrigeration license expires on October 31 and needs to be renewed annually.

To renew, you need to complete the following:

• Renewal application form
• Pay the renewal fee of $80

EPA Certification

Under the Clean Air Act, technicians who handle and dispose of 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 learn which type to certify for, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

As with most professions, your potential salary will vary, depending on several factors, such as:

• Education and training
• Skills and experience
• Nature of work
• Workplace location

In North Carolina, you can earn an annual average salary of $47,570 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021).

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

HVAC Schools by City

• Charlotte
• Raleigh