HVAC Tech Classes in Ohio (Top Schools)

Mechanically-inclined individuals may find a suitable career in the HVAC industry.

For one, being an HVAC technician is one of the currently in-demand professions in the U.S.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this career will have a projected 5% employment growth from 2020 to 2030.

So read on to learn how you can become one and obtain your HVAC license in Ohio.

HVAC Programs in Ohio

One of the requirements for employment is completing educational training.

So many aspirants choose to enroll in an approved HVAC program to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.

Below are some of the accredited HVAC schools in Ohio that you can check out.

How to Get Licensed in Ohio

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board oversees the licensure of HVAC contractors.

For HVAC apprentices and technicians, you don’t need a license, but you must be working under a licensed contractor.

Type of License

The Board only has one type of state-level license to issue: the Ohio Commercial Contractor HVAC License.

To qualify for this license, you must meet the following:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• A U.S. citizen or proof of being a legal alien
• Proof of trade experience or work verification, either:
  • At least 5 years of demonstrable field experience
  • Currently a registered engineer in Ohio with at least 3 years of business experience in the construction industry in the trade for which you’re applying to take the examination
  • Other relevant experiences acceptable to the Board
• Successfully pass the state and federal background checks
• Successfully pass the exam
• Have at least $500,000 in contractor liability coverage

Licensing by Examination

As a new license applicant, you will have to take the exam with PSI to obtain the license.

Before you can be eligible to test, you must get pre-approved by the Board first.

Submit to the Board the following:

• Duly accomplished and notarized application form
• Payment of the application fee of $25

If the board approves, then…

• Submit your background check information to PSI before sitting for the exam
• Schedule your exam with PSI and pay the exam fee of $69 for each exam portion

Note that your eligibility to test is only valid for 1 year.

Exam Details

Here are the important things you should know about the exam:

• It’s a computer-based test
• You will take 2 test portions:
  • Business and Law exam
    • No. of items – 50 plus 5 pre-test questions
    • Exam duration – 2 hours
  • HVAC Contractor exam
    • No. of items – 100 plus 10 pre-test questions
    • Exam duration – 4 hours
• You must score at least 70% to pass
• It will be an open-book exam, so you can bring approved reference materials to the testing site
• You can get the exam results immediately upon completion marked with “Pass” or “Fail”
• If you fail, you can have another 4 attempts within the eligibility period to retest

Applying for the License

If you pass the exam, submit to the Board the following for the processing of your license:

• Duly accomplished and notarized application form
• Payment of application fee of $25, payable to the State Treasurer
• A copy of your exam results
• Certificate of Liability Insurance

Licensing by Reciprocity

The Board will grant reciprocity for the following states:

• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

HVAC contractors from these states won’t have to take the Ohio trade exam; only the business and law exam.

Renewal Requirements

Your license is only valid for a year from the issuance date, but you can renew it on an annual or 3-year basis.

To renew, submit to the Board the following:

• Renewal application form
• Proof of completing the 8 hours of continuing education (half online, half in-person) in Board-approved classes
• Payment of the renewal fee
  • $60 for the 1-year renewal
  • $180 for the 3-year renewal

EPA Certification

In your line of work, you’ll eventually handle and dispose of refrigerants, which are harmful to the environment.

That’s why the Environmental Protection Agency requires that all technicians working with refrigerants get certified.

That certification is called the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

To learn more about it, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

Per the BLS, HVAC technicians in Ohio can potentially earn an average of $52,710 annually.

Entry-level HVAC technicians can earn as much as $31,440, while experts can earn as much as $76,040.

In the table below, you can check out the salary offers in 10 of the state’s cities.

HVAC Schools by City

• Cincinnati
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Dayton
• Toledo