Have you ever wanted to see what it takes to train to become a technician in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry? While requirements vary from state to state, the HVACR Technology program at NETTTS has experienced instructors who provide training on residential and commercial equipment. Learn more about HVACR requirements from the admissions team at NETTTS, with HVACR program locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
All About the HVACR Technology Program at NETTTS
The HVACR Technology Program at NETTTS helps to provide students with the electrical and mechanical skills of an entry-level HVACR technician to perform the various jobs on residential and commercial equipment including:
- Install
- Adjust
- Troubleshoot
- Maintain
- Repair
HVACR Program Requirements
To enroll in the HVACR program at NETTTS, students must:
- Have graduated high school or have earned a GED
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA while enrolled in the program
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a driver’s license, as employers may require this upon hire
- Have a Social Security Number, as some states require this for testing
What Does the HVACR Technician Program Cover?
The HVACR technician training program at NETTTS is designed to help students become entry level HVAC technicians. The program will include:
- Classroom hours toward refrigeration license
- Classroom hours toward pipefitter license
- Classroom and shop hours need to test for natural gas license
- Classroom and shop hours needed to test for propane license
- Classroom and shop hours needed to test for oil burner license
- EPA Universal License prep and exam
- Personal set of HVACR tools and equipment
- Two-year access to at-home 3-D HVAC simulation training
- Daytime, evening, and weekend training schedule options
Training hours and licensing requirements vary from state to state, and NETTTS designs its programs to fill those requirements.
Connecticut HVACR Exam Requirements
Many different license options are available in Connecticut, and each has its requirements. The licenses include:
- D-1: Limited Warm Air, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractor
- D-2: Limited Warm Air, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Journeyperson
- D-3: Limited Cooling Contractor
- D-4: Limited Cooling Journeyperson
- S-1: Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor
- S-2: Unlimited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson
- S-3: Limited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Contractor
- S-4: Limited Heating, Piping, and Cooling Journeyperson
- S-7: Limited Contractor
- S-8: Limited Journeyperson
- S-9: Limited Heating and Cooling Contractor
- S-10: Limited Heating and Cooling Journeyperson
- B-1 and B-3: Limited Gas and Oil Burner Contractor
- B-2 and B-4: Limited Gas and Oil Burner Journeyperson
- G-1: Limited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor
To obtain the contractor level of these licenses, a minimum of two years of work as a journeyman is required. Each exam is a multiple-choice test with up to 80 questions, and a score of 70% is required to pass.
Massachusetts HVACR Exam Requirements
In Massachusetts, HVAC technicians must pass a license exam that requires at least 70% to pass. There are three levels of licensure for HVAC technicians who plan to work with refrigerants:
- Apprentice License: Refrigeration apprentices must register with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Apprentice Standards, be licensed with the state Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), and be employed by a Massachusetts Refrigeration Contractor during their apprenticeship.
- Technician License: Technicians must provide proof of completion of courses in relevant areas. There are three levels:
- 6,000 hours at the apprenticeship level, including 250 hours in refrigeration coursework
- 4,000 hours at the apprenticeship level, including 500 hours in refrigeration coursework
- 2,000 hours at the apprenticeship level, including 1,000 hours in refrigeration coursework
- Contractors License: Must complete 2,000 hours of experience at Technician level, along with 100 hours of refrigeration education, and pass an exam.
For oil burner technicians in Massachusetts, there are two options — apprentice and technician. Requirements are as follows:
Apprentice
The Oil Burner Apprentice Certificate allows a person to work under the supervision of a licensed Oil Burner Technician. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is no written exam for the apprentice certificate. Included in the application, applicants must provide:
- Application fee
- 2 in. x 2 in. passport-style color photo
- Massachusetts residents may request to use their RMV photo
- Proof of age (found on current driver’s license)
Technician
Earning an Oil Burner Technician Certificate allows a person to service, install, and repair oil burners that burn fuel oil and associated equipment. In addition to meeting the same requirements of the apprentice certificate, applicants must also pass a written exam to indicate their knowledge of:
- Oil burners and associated equipment
- Industry safety devices
- Pipefitting and heating systems
- Automatic, pneumatic, and electronic controls
- 527 CMR 1.00
Rhode Island HVACR Exam Requirements
In Rhode Island, technicians must get licensed through the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation.
For refrigeration and air conditioner technicians, there are two classes:
- Journeyperson Class I: Must complete a 5-year apprenticeship program
- Journeyperson Class II: Must complete 4,000 hours of training and 288 hours of education
Both licenses also require applicants to pass an exam.
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification
Along with getting licensed by the state you plan to work in, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a special certification that allows technicians to work with refrigerants. There are three levels:
- Type I certification: Covers small appliances
- Type II certification: Covers high-pressure heating and cooling units
- Type III certification: Covers low-pressure heating and cooling units
Each exam has 25 questions, and 18 correct answers are required to pass the test. If a technician passes all three exams, they receive a universal certification.
Prepare for HVACR Licensure at NETTTS
Gain the training to begin to pursue an HVACR license in Massachusetts or Rhode Island at NETTTS. Our instructors have real-world experience, and students learn how to work on residential and commercial equipment in our program. What’s more, we offer career services to help students prepare for their next step. Plus, financial aid is available for those who qualify. If you are interested, contact us today to learn more!