When considering a fulfilling career in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning field, you’ll need to know what requirements to have under your belt when you start mapping out your future. It may seem overwhelming when you take your first look at what’s required, but planning the steps to take will get the ball rolling on your journey to becoming an experienced HVAC technician.

Considering a job in the HVAC field but not quite sure what you’ll need? Here are 5 HVAC job requirements to get you started on your new career! Click To Tweet

What Do You Need to Become an HVAC Tech?

Practice makes perfect. You’re going to need lots of training, a beneficial education, and all the experience that you can get. Here are 5 job requirements that will get you started in your career as an HVAC technician:

1. Education
2. License or Certification
3. Training
4. Apprenticeship
5. On-Call Availability

1) A High School Education or Equivalent

A high school diploma or GED is required to begin in the HVAC field. From high school, you’ll receive the math and reading skills needed to perform job duties. Once you’ve acquired your degree, you’ll be ready to further your education.

2) Related Form of License or Certification

You won’t be able to go out into the field for work until you’ve been certified to do so. Your license will tell employers that you are qualified to install and repair HVAC systems. You’ll be tested on your knowledge through exams in order to obtain your license. Not all states require licensing, but even in states with no formal licensing requirements, employers usually prefer job applicants with professional certifications. Once you do have your certification or license, it’s essential that you maintain your certification after graduation! 

3) Hands-On Training for Your Field

You may possess the knowledge needed about ventilation systems, but if you’re lacking in actual physical work with the systems, you won’t have much luck progressing in your career. It’s important to get hands-on training in order to fully understand the systems and equipment you’ll be working with, and how to problem-solve in your work environment.

4) Gain Experience From an Apprenticeship

The traditional way to learn a trade, such as HVAC, is through an apprenticeship. As a new HVAC tech, you’ll work with a mentor to learn from them and the years of experience that they have in their field. During an apprenticeship, you’ll learn as you do actual work on the job, as opposed to taking notes in a classroom.

Pro Tip: There are many benefits that come with an HVAC apprenticeship. You’ll be learning from an experienced mentor, training for your certifications, and earning a wage while you do so.  

5) Open Availability for On-Call Shifts

Lastly, with all of the training and experience required for this career, you will need to have the time to do it all. When you begin as an HVAC technician, you’ll need to have an open schedule as your hours will book up with numerous jobs to complete each week. Having a flexible schedule is required for HVAC techs.

What Are You Waiting For?

If you’ve got what it takes to become an HVAC tech, enroll yourself in the required HVAC classes to start learning and getting the hands-on experience you need.

Ready to get started in a fulfilling career? Join the conversation to learn more about training for air conditioning and heating.