Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units help maintain the air quality and control the climate in buildings. HVAC units are crucial to people’s comfort and safety in their homes and in commercial structures of all types, which is why the number of job opportunities for the technicians who install, maintain, and repair them is on the rise.
Many states, including Virginia, require that professionals obtain certification and licensure to work on HVAC equipment beyond the apprentice level, to ensure that repairs and installations are only performed by qualified technicians. HVAC certification in Virginia requires a combination of education and practical experience, with greater opportunities available for those with more of both.
Many individuals pursue a training program to prepare to become an HVAC technician and meet the certification requirements.
Types of HVAC Certifications in Virginia
Certification is required for operators in Virginia to be qualified to perform HVAC work. Virginia offers three levels of state certifications, all of which are overseen by the state’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The three levels of certifications for HVAC technicians are as follows:
Residential: Allows professionals to only perform HVAC work on qualifying dwellings, town houses, or structures annexed to those buildings.
Journeyman: Allows professionals to perform HVAC work on both commercial and residential buildings, but only under the supervision of a master-level certified HVAC technician.
Master: Allows professionals to perform HVAC work on both commercial and residential buildings without supervision.
In addition to these state certifications, HVAC technicians often obtain the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician certification, a federal requirement to work with equipment that uses refrigerants.
How to Get an HVAC Certification in Virginia
To obtain an HVAC certification in Virginia, individuals must meet a series of requirements and pass a state certification exam. The general requirements that candidates at any level must meet include:
Being at least 18 years old
Having a physical address
Providing all necessary identification
Providing proof of education and experience
Reporting any prior conviction of a felony or nonmarijuana misdemeanor
Reporting any prior certification or license actions (e.g., suspension, revocation, or surrender)
Each level of state certification also has specific education and experience requirements that must be met before candidates can sit for the certification exam. Typically, more formal vocational training or education offsets less practical experience. Likewise, technicians with more practical experience do not need as much education or training to qualify. Entry-level apprenticeships that do not require licensure or certification can help candidates gain the necessary experience.
Below are the requirements for each level of certification.
Residential:
160 hours of training and two years of experience, or
120 hours of training and three years of experience, or
80 hours of training and four years of experience, or
40 hours of training and five years of experience, or
No necessary training and six years of experience
Journeyman:
Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience, or
Associate degree or a two-year training program and two years of experience, or
240 hours of training and four years of experience, or
160 hours of training and five years of experience, or
80 hours of training and six years of experience, or
40 hours of training and seven years of experience, or
No necessary training and eight years of experience
Master:
A valid residential certification for at least three years, or
A valid journeyman certification for at least one year, or
Nine years of practical experience as an HVAC technician
HVAC technicians pursuing EPA Section 608 Technician certification must also pass an exam to be qualified to work with refrigerants.
Benefits of HVAC Certification in Virginia
In addition to being legally required for anyone interested in moving beyond an entry-level apprenticeship, an HVAC certification can make contractors more appealing to employers and customers. The federal government’s EPA Section 608 Technician certification is necessary for all technicians who want to work with refrigerants, a crucial component of air conditioning and freezer units that can make up a significant portion of a technician’s work.
Obtaining an HVAC certification can increase an individual’s job opportunities in a growing field in Virginia. The BLS expects demand for HVAC technicians to continue to rise due to the increasing level of construction of commercial and residential buildings, which requires initial installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. The BLS also expects that they will be in demand for older buildings that continue to require HVAC maintenance and improvements as they age, due to changing energy efficiency and pollution control goals.
Advance in Your Career in HVAC
Obtaining an HVAC certification in Virginia typically requires a mixture of education and experience, with more education reducing the years of experience needed. Fortis’ HVAC Training Program in Richmond, Virginia, can help you prepare for these positions.
In as little as 48 weeks, students can gain critical training in subjects such as HVAC controls, refrigerants, commercial and residential air conditioning, and regional systems unique to Virginia. Additionally, graduates will be eligible to take the EPA Universal certification exam, passage of which will allow them to work with refrigerants in any type of HVAC unit.
Start your career in the skilled trades with Fortis.
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