Ever since modern man invented skyscrapers, large industrial buildings, and marine aquariums, there has been a need for a proper HVAC system. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are necessary because it is responsible for regulating the structure’s temperature and humidity. It makes sure that the building conditions are healthy and livable. If you want to enter this field, but are not sure if there is room enough for another HVAC technician, all you need to do is to count the number of buildings and homes that have HVAC systems. As the baby boomer generation of HVAC specialists goes into retirement, you can be part of the fresh talented HVAC technicians to get a piece of that pie. The first step towards this is getting your certification for HVAC. Here are the general steps.
Check if you have the necessary HVAC certification prerequisites
One of the very first requirements of an HVAC certification course is a high school diploma. If you have dropped out of high school, you can opt to give them the results of your GED test, which tells the certifying authority that you have the comparable skills of someone who has graduated from that level. Given that most tertiary educational institutions accept this, your HVAC training program will probably do so as well. Another important thing that you must not neglect to do is to check the state regulations regarding HVAC. Some states do not require certification for HVAC while others only have local certifications or specialized testing. Make sure that you check this out before you enroll in an HVAC course.
Finish an accredited HVAC course and take the test.
Before you take this step, it is important that you first verify if this is an accredited HVAC course or it may, yet again, be a waste of time and money. Depending on how in-depth you want to understand the subject, HVAC certification courses can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. You can take this in a traditional classroom set-up or participate in online webinars. When you are done with the course, this is the only time that you can take the EPA or NATE exam.
Get an apprenticeship and field experience.
When you have passed the exam, you now to get field experience, which can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. This is the time you will apply the principles and theories taught to you in class, and put it into practice. This is where you will learn how to actually install and repair HVAC systems. After the field experience, you start on your apprenticeship that lasts 3-5 years. It is here when you finally decide your specialty when it comes to HVAC systems.
Being an HVAC technician can be a lucrative job if you are able to get started on the road to your certification in hvac as early as possible. In just a little over six months, you can take the exam and be on your way to a certification for HVAC. While it may take some more months or years of apprenticeship, you can just look at it as paying your dues in an industry where you need field experience to truly learn the ropes.
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