HVAC FAQ

The requirements to become an HVAC/R technician – commonly referred to as an HVAC/R tech or an HVAC/R technician – may vary by state. However, as HVAC/R technology becomes increasingly complex, many employers opt for technicians with formal postsecondary education. 

Some aspiring HVAC/R professionals learn the trade on the job through an apprenticeship, working under experienced technicians. They first perform essential tasks, such as insulating refrigerant lines and cleaning furnaces, eventually moving on to more advanced job duties.

Many HVAC/R technicians attend a trade school, such as Delta Technical College, to receive their hands-on training and gain the skills needed to perform the duties of an HVAC/R technician.

High school students interested in a career in HVAC/R might consider taking classes in math and physics, and gaining an understanding of the basics of electronics.

Beyond this, educational requirements to work as an HVAC/R tech may vary by state. HVAC/R contractors in Mississippi require licensure from the Mississippi Board of Contractors before they’re authorized to complete an HVAC/R-related work. Licenses are not required for HVAC/R technicians who work as employees under a licensed contractor. 

However, the federal government mandates that all HVAC/R technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants must pass the EPA’s Section 608 certification exam. There are four types of EPA tests. At Delta Technical College, HVAC/R students must take and pass EPA Section 608 Core Type I and Type II certification exams.

The cost of an HVAC/R program varies based on the type of school, the length of the program, and several other factors. At Delta Technical College (DTC), most students receive some form of financial aid or assistance, including scholarships. To learn more, visit Financial Aid and Tuition & Cost.

Delta Technical College’s HVAC/R Technician Program is 9 months. Daytime and evening classes are available. Contact your local campus for class schedules.

The HVAC/R Technician Program at DTC teaches you a range of skills through hands-on training. Classes will cover basic electricity, air conditioning, heat pumps and electric heat, gas heat, indoor air quality and employment and certification readiness. We’ll also prepare you for the EPA Section 608 Core Type I and Type II certification exams.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for HVAC/R technicians (as of May 2023) was $57,300, The highest 10% earned more than $84,250.

Depending on the employer and the specific type of job responsibilities, HVAC/R technicians may work evening and weekend shifts, but a 40-hour work week is possible for some HVAC/R technicians. Peak heating and cooling seasons can lead to irregular hours.

The work typically performed by HVAC/R technicians is the installation, maintenance, and repair of heating and cooling systems, which may include some electrical work for HVAC/R technicians.

However, electricians have different responsibilities, which include the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical power in homes and businesses.

DTC also offers an Industrial, Commercial & Residential I/C/R Electrician Program.