HVAC Tech Classes in Oregon (Top Schools)

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

In Oregon, there are now 3,310 employed HVAC technicians, and this will continue to grow over the years.

So if you aspire to become one, now’s the time to enter the industry.

On this page, you’ll learn how you can get licensed as an HVAC technician or contractor in the state.

HVAC Programs in Oregon

One way to gain experience and prepare for the licensure exam is to take an approved HVAC program.

Here, you can get the education and training to acquire fundamental knowledge and technical skills.

Below, you’ll find some of the approved HVAC schools in Oregon that you can consider enrolling in.

How to Get Licensed in Oregon

In Oregon, all HVAC technicians, and contractors must have licenses to perform HVAC services.

In the case of apprentices, the employer will register them with the state.

HVAC technicians and contractors are governed by 2 licensing bodies:

• Oregon Building Codes Division Office (BCD) – issues non-contracting specialty electrical licenses
  • Class A Limited Energy Technician License (LEA)
  • Class B Limited Energy Technician License (LEB)
• Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) – issues specialty contracting licenses
  • Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor HVAC/R License

Qualifications

Class A Limited Energy Technician License

To qualify for LEA, you need to meet one of the following:

• Complete a state-approved apprenticeship program
• Official transcript showing verification of…
  • 432 hours of classroom training
  • 6,000 hours of on-the-job training broken down into specific work categories
• Proof of work experience
  • Verification of 12,000 hours of work experience outside of Oregon broken down into specific categories​
  • Requires trade-specific installation experience in protective signaling
• Successfully pass the Electrical and Elevator Board (EEB) exam

Class B Limited Energy Technician License

To qualify for LEB, you must meet one of the following:

• Complete a state-approved apprenticeship program
• Official transcript showing verification of…
  • 4,000 hours of work experience equivalent to a board-approved apprenticeship program broken down into specific work categories (300 percent rule applies)
  • Complete a board-approved 32-hour training program (may be taken after the application is approved)
• Verification of 8,000 hours of work experience broken down into specific work categories (300 percent rule applies)
• Successfully pass the EEB exam

Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor HVAC/R License

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

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Complete at least 16 hours of state-approved pre-license training
• Successfully pass the CCB exam
• Have registered the business with the Secretary of State

Note that the one who completes the training and takes and passes the exam will become the Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) for the license.

So this person must either be the owner or employee who manages or supervises the business’s construction activities.

License Application

Applying for the LEA and LEB License

Here’s how you can obtain your LEA or LEB license:

1. Submit to the Department of Consumer and Business Services the following for approval to test:
   1. Complete and sign the following forms:
      1. Electrical License Application form, with your preferred exam location indicated
      2. Electrical Experience Verification form (for each employer)
   2. Payment of the application fee – $50 each for LEA and LEB
   3. Proof of educational attainment
      1. Primary – high school diploma or GED equivalent
      2. Secondary – college degree
   4. 2×2 passport-style photo, with your name written on the back
   5. Other supporting documents:
      1. Proof of completing a state-approved apprenticeship or training program
      2. Proof of completing an out-of-state apprenticeship program recognized by the state
      3. Official transcripts of classroom training
2. Wait for the BCD to review and approve your application
   1. If approved, you can schedule your exam at your preferred testing location
3. Take and pass the EEB exam
4. If you pass, BCD will issue and mail the license to you.

Applying for the CCB License

CCB has made the steps for the contractor license application clear on their website.

To apply, you must do the following:

1. Set up your business and register it with the Secretary of State
2. Select one or more RMIs and have them complete the training and exam
3. Decide which contractor’s license you need and select the appropriate endorsement type
   1. Residential
   2. Commercial
   3. Both
4. If you’ll hire employees, get the following:
   1. Workers’ compensation insurance and identification information
   2. Federal employee identification number (EIN), if required
   3. State business identification number (BIN), if required
5. Obtain the following:
   1. CCB surety bond (amount will depend on the type of contractor license you applied for)
   2. Proof of general liability insurance, with CCB as the certificate holder
6. Complete the license application form and submit it to CCB, along with:
   1. Payment of application fee of $325 (for a 2-year license)
   2. CCB surety bond
   3. Certificate of liability insurance
   4. Copy of the RMI’s exam score results

Renewal Requirements

LEA and LEB Renewal

Your license will expire every three years.

So BCD requires that you apply for renewal within 45 days prior to expiration.

To renew, you must complete the following continuing education (CE) credits:

• LEA
  • Code change – 8 CE units
• LEB
  • Code change – 2 CE units
  • Code related – 6 CE units

CCB Renewal

Your license will expire every 2 years.

To renew, you must complete the following:

• Complete CE hours
  • For residential contractors
    • 3 hours of CCB laws, regulations, and business practices, plus:
      • 5 hours of other approved classes if you’ve been licensed for 6 or more years; OR,
      • 13 hours of other approved classes if you’ve been licensed for less than 6 years
  • For commercial contractors – CE hours will depend on their status level
    • Level 1 – based on the key employees specified on the last renewal
      • 5+ key employees – 80 hours
      • 4 key employees – 64 hours
      • 3 key employees – 48 hours
      • 2 key employees – 32 hours
      • 1 key employee – 16 hours
    • Level 2 – 32 hours completed by key employees
  • For both – complete the CE hours for the commercial contractor license only
• Payment of the renewal fee of $325

EPA Certification

Eventually, you’ll work with refrigerants, the chemicals that bring harm to the environment.

That’s why technicians that handle and dispose of refrigerants must get the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

This certification has 4 types, and you can apply for any of them based on the equipment you’ll be working with most.

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

Potential Salary

In the HVAC industry, field experience is the number one recruitment factor.

Per BLS, the average annual salary of HVAC technicians in Oregon is $56,550 as of May 2021.

If you’re an entry-level, you can earn as much as $37,120 annually.

Meanwhile, if you’re well-experienced, then you can earn as much as $78,430 annually.

In the table below, you’ll see the salaries offered in 10 of Oregon’s cities.

HVAC Schools by City

• Portland