HVAC Schools in Alabama: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Alabama HVAC Training Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with post-secondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship.” Also, some craft workers enter apprenticeship programs after working as a helper. 

Formal education is not required by law in Alabama for entry-level HVAC workers, but it can help you land that first job in the field. College education in the field can also be used in place of part of the experience requirement for licensing. In general, there’s a direct correlation between a degree and higher long-term earnings, so though it’s not required to go to HVAC school to get started, it could pay off in the long run. 

Alabama has a few programs accredited by either of the two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). These organizations evaluate the programs based on the facilities, the faculty, and whether the curriculum meets or exceeds industry standards.

HVAC Excellence has accredited four programs in Alabama:

• Calhoun State Community College, Tanner

• J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville

• Lawson State Community College, Bessemer

• Wallace State Community College, Hanceville

PAHRA has accredited three programs in Alabama:

• Alabama Power Company, Verbena

• Bevill State Community College, Sumiton

• Gadsden State Community College, Anniston

HVACR Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical or community college, you may want to speak with people in the field in your state. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education. Other states, like Alabama, don’t have educational requirements to become licensed. If the return on investment is not there in your state, it may make more sense to simply get an entry-level position and get on-the-job training. 

Regardless of the educational requirements by state, anyone who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere needs Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification. More on that later.

In terms of college education for HVACR techs, typically there is a range of degree and certificate programs. The time it takes to complete them and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common HVAC programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Diploma Program – one year

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. Most HVAC professionals have some post-secondary training because the systems used to regulate our homes and businesses are becoming increasingly complex and technical. However, very few HVACR professionals choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking an engineering degree to design and develop those complex heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.  If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Alabama like:

• University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa

• University of Alabama – Birmingham

• University of Alabama – Huntsville

• University of South Alabama – Mobile

• Auburn University

• Tuskegee University

• Alabama A&M University

• Alabama State University – Montgomery

As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. 

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

HVAC programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heating industries. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school if pursuing a longer degree, and many are designed with that in mind. One-semester programs typically prepare students to find entry-level work upon completion. 

For the certificate programs, the coursework is very specialized. Broader programs of study for lengthier diploma programs would incorporate classes on blueprint reading, gas heat, heat pumps and related systems, refrigeration fundamentals, principles and practices and system components. Air Conditioning certificates or diploma programs would also include classes on air conditioning systems application and installation and troubleshooting air conditioning systems.

Students pursuing an associate degree in Applied Science will need to fulfill general education coursework in addition to the specialized HVACR classes to meet the more rigorous requirements for that associate degree. 

School Selection Criteria  

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Alabama community colleges on average is $4,439 per year for in-state students and $6,998 for out-of-state students. Some of the programs listed here can be less than $2,000 for a short-term certificate and about $8,000 for an Associate of Applied Science. There will be some variations in fees at each school, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

There are also always costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

As noted above, you can choose from a very specialized certificate or a broader diploma or associate’s degree. The certificates can require as few as 15 to 24 credit hours and take one to two semesters to complete. Others may consist of as many as 45 credits and take three semesters but can be done within a year if students continue through the summer sessions. Associate’s degree programs typically take two years.

Benefits

There are many benefits to getting formal education if you want to join the HVACR profession. Though in Alabama there is no educational requirement to get started in the field, many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or degree over one without credentials. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get HVAC training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Both Penn Foster and Ashworth College offer online HVAC classes. Lawson State Community College in Bessemer also offers an HVAC/R Certified Technician Online course that can be completed in 12 months

Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level HVAC jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salary. HVACClasses.org gives a detailed description of some of the top online programs nationwide. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are very accessible throughout the state.

Level of difficulty

HVACR programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the HVAC industry in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. 

Refrigeration programs include detailed training in commercial refrigeration. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more. 

HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more. And, of course, especially in residential HVAC work, customer service is key.

School Comparison: At a Glance

Most of the accredited training schools listed above are part of the Alabama Community College System. They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans. The acceptance rate for community colleges in Alabama is 100%. Most offer an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration or a certificate.

Calhoun State Community College in Tanner

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | AAS | 63-67 credits

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | Short-Term Certificate | 15 credits

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration/ACR Fundamentals | Short-Term Certificate | 15 credits

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration/Advanced ACR Fundamentals | ST Certificate 18 credits

J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville

• Heating and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration ACR | AAS | 66 credits

• Heating and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration ACR | Certificate | 38 credits

• Heating and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration STC | Certificate | 21 credits 

Lawson State Community College in Bessemer

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | AOT | 64 credits

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | Certificate | 55 credits

• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | Short Certificate | 24 credits

Wallace Community College in Hanceville & Dothan

• HVAC General Technology | AAS | 64 credits

• HVAC Technician | Certificate | 55 credits

• HVAC Air Conditioning Technician | ST Certificate | 24 credits

• HVAC Refrigerant Technician | ST Certificate | 12 credits

• HVAC Heating Technician | ST Certificate | 12 credits

Bevill State Community College in Sumiton & Jasper

• A/C and Refrigeration | AAS

• A/C and Refrigeration | Long-term Certificate

Gadsden State Community College in Anniston

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | AAS | 76 credits

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | Long-term Certificate | 46 credits

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | Short-term Certificate | 28 credits

Alabama Power Company in Verbena

The Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration has approved certain curriculums that satisfy the requirements for the HVAC/Refrigeration examination for licensing. All the accredited programs above are among the approved curriculums. Candidates with a long certificate from any public State of Alabama two-year or community college are approved along with the following curriculums in Alabama:

• Alabama Power Company (above)

• Construction Education Foundation of Alabama

• ACR Services, Inc.

• NARS Training System

• B-Trained

• Champion Technician Institute

• Fortis College, All Campuses

Steps for Enrollment in Alabama

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

HVAC Career Requirements in Alabama

As mentioned earlier, Alabama does not have an educational requirement to legally perform entry-level HVACR work in the state. Entry-level professionals just need to meet employer expectations, register as an apprentice, and work for a licensed Air Conditioning Contractor or Refrigeration Contractor. The Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors issues the licenses.

To be eligible, applicants must provide documentation of two years (3,000 hours) work experience including tax W-2 forms or Alabama board-issued apprentice certificate or proof of graduation from an approved college/vocational training program and pass the licensing exam.

You must also complete four hours of approved continuing education each year before renewal of your contractor license. For a detailed explanation of Alabama’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Alabama HVAC License. 

No matter what state you live in, there are Environmental Protection Agency requirements at the federal level for technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere. According to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this applies to any professional who conducts refrigerant line-pressure tests or handles or adds refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems. EPA certification is often part of HVAC degree programs. If you choose a shorter certificate program, you may need to get EPA certification on your own. Your employer should be able to guide you to resources, or you can find them in our Alabama HVAC License guide.

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Alabama

Before paying for technical education and getting started in the HVAC field you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Alabama? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC salary in Alabama for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $49,100

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,400

• Senior 4-6 years: $64,300

• Supervisor > 7 years: $83,800

For more information about HVAC salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

Another way to get the training you need to become an HVAC mechanic or installer is through a formal apprenticeship. Most apprenticeships are three to five years long and require you to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license, and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better. 

Union HVAC apprenticeships are offered throughout Alabama through the United Association local union chapters — LU 91 in Birmingham, LU 372 in Tuscaloosa, LU 119 in Mobile, LU 52 in Montgomery, and LU 760 in Sheffield.

They are five years long. Each year includes 1,700 to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 246 hours of classroom courses, including basics such as mathematics, science, drafting, welding, and other trade-related courses. Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.

Northwest-Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals has the Power5 HVAC Apprenticeship program, which combines an Associate of Occupational Technology Degree (AOT) in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology and two years of paid industry experience by partnering with area businesses.

The Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) offers an online apprenticeship in Alabama that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship, as a reasonable option for apprentice training. Each course is the equivalent of one year of classroom instruction.

Some HVAC companies will hire applicants who have had no previous training and provide the training themselves — creating an in-house apprenticeship. A typical model of that is pairing a new employee with an experienced technician for the hands-on part of training and then requiring new hires to attend classes at night at a local community college or sometimes taught through the company itself. This typically includes getting EPA Certification and other HVAC certification such as North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification to demonstrate your proficiency.

The state also has a website dedicated to registered apprenticeships for job seekers. 

Other School Options

We’ve highlighted accredited colleges,but accredited programs are far from your only option in Alabama. There are so many other programs throughout the state to choose from that may be more accessible to you based on where you live. For example, the Academy of Craft Training has three campuses now. The original is in Birmingham, and they have expanded to locations in Mobile and North Alabama. The Academy of Craft Training is a public/private partnership between the commercial construction industry and the State of Alabama’s K-12 Career and Technical Education System designed to recruit, educate, and guide high school students to educational and employment opportunities in the construction industry. The trades included are building construction, electrical, HVAC, interior & exterior finishing, and welding and piping.

There are just too many degree and training programs throughout the state to list them all here, but in addition to all those already mentioned each of the schools below has HVAC programs.

• Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery

• Bishop State Community College in Mobile

• J.F. Ingram State Technical College in Deatsville

• Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City

Alabama has college campuses and trade schools across the state. You can find the training you need to excel in a career in HVACR in Alabama. The opportunities are all around you.