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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Minnesota, including HVAC mechanics, HVAC installers, HVAC technicians, and licensed HVAC contractors, means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 3% growth rate for HVAC technicians in Minnesota, and a 5% growth rate nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of HVAC jobs in Minnesota cities such as Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, St. Paul, North Mankato, Rochester, Rosemount, Thief River Falls, White Bear Lake, and Fergus Falls posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started.
Accredited Minnesota HVAC Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVAC/R technicians receive post-secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between 3 and 5 years. Apprenticeship programs include learning about safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools and gaining knowledge about the various systems used to heat and cool buildings.
The State of Minnesota does not license HVAC professionals. Instead, municipalities are responsible for oversight. There is no state-mandated minimum age to get started on your HVAC career path. Through Minnesota’s Career and Technical Education, some high schools offer vocational programs for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, combining education in the trades with high school curriculum. However, most employers seem to expect job candidates to be at least 18 years old and have earned either a high school diploma or GED.
Most people entering the HVAC industry in Minnesota learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor and taking classes at a local community college.
The following community colleges and training centers offer HVAC classes in Minnesota:
Century College in White Bear Lake
Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis
Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park
Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis
Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls
Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls
South Central College in North Mankato
St. Cloud Technical and Community College in St. Cloud
Minnesota Apprenticeships
Minnesota has many local and national industry association chapters that offer HVAC apprenticeships, as well as plumbing, pipefitting, and welding apprenticeships.
United Association (UA) Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & HVAC/R Service Techs, with locations in Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Paul, Duluth, and Hibbing, offers a five-year program similar to college that combines classroom, workshop, and on-the-job training.
UA Local 6, based in Rochester, offers apprenticeships for plumbers, pipefitters, service technicians, welders and HVAC/R service technicians.
Steamfitters Pipefitters Local 455, based in St. Paul, requires all apprentices to begin by completing a two-year HVAC/R degree at a technical college. After earning the degree, you will begin a five-year apprenticeship at Local 455’s training center. Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll work full time and attend classes two nights per week.
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HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education.
In Minnesota, once you’ve completed the license requirements in terms of the amount of training and education for your locality, you may apply for examination for licensure.
Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Most Minnesota-based community colleges and technical schools offer various HVAC certification programs as opposed to advanced degrees like an associate of applied science.
One federally required certification is the EPA Clean Air Act certification. Most colleges and technical schools prepare you for this requirement. A list of organizations who provide the certification can be found on the EPA website.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates are qualified for entry-level positions as HVAC technicians.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
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 Minnesota community colleges is approximately $5,701 per year for in-state students and $6,336 for out-of-state students.
However, the cost of various technical programs varies depending on the type of certification being obtained.
You will also incur 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 financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The length of HVAC programs depends on the school and the certifications. The education and experience requirements for licensing vary from one municipality to another. In both St. Paul and Minneapolis, it will take about four years of schooling/work experience to be eligible for examination to qualify for your Certificate of Competency, or Competency Card. Prior to enrolling in most technical programs, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. 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.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Minnesota HVAC industry offers many types of certifications. Some community colleges offer apprenticeship programs in addition to formal classwork. Picking a school largely depends on your areas of interest and how much time and money you’re willing to dedicate to a certain program. Selecting a school also depends upon your ultimate career goals.
Century College in White Bear Lake offers daytime-only classes. Available degrees and certifications include:
HVAC Technology—Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) (60 credits)
HVAC Technician—Diploma (48 credits)
Cooling—Certificate (30 credits)
Heating—Certificate (30 credits)
Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis offers a two-year associate of applied science degree. Some available programs include HVAC installation and residential service, as well as HVAC/R systems services. Classes are taken for credit and can be applied toward a degree or certification.
Hennepin Technical College has a Brooklyn Park campus and an Eden Prairie campus where you can earn an associate’s degree. The HVAC program is accredited by HVAC Excellence, while the HVAC/R program is affiliated with the Refrigeration Service Engineering Society.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis combines classroom and hands-on training. Available programs include:
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree—72 credits
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Diploma—42 credits
HVAC/R Generalist Certificate—18 credits
Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Minnesota State College HVAC/R program requires 35 credits to obtain a diploma.
Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls offers two programs:
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning—37 credits
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning/construction plumbing—70 credits
South Central College in North Mankato offers an HVAC/R associate of applied science that is 72 credits. Students will enroll in 16 required technical courses, along with 19 required technical electives. Students should have a strong mechanical aptitude and good math and problem-solving skills.
St. Cloud Technical and Community College, 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, offers a variety of degrees and diplomas including:
Heating A/C Refrigeration Commercial Associate of Applied Science—72 Credits
Heating A/C Refrigeration Commercial Diploma—66 Credits
Heating A/C Refrigeration Residential Diploma—35 Credits
Steps for Enrollment in Minnesota
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
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 Minnesota
To recap, Minnesota does not license HVAC professionals. Instead, municipalities are responsible for oversight.
If you want to your own HVAC business in Minnesota, you’ll need a state-issued business license from the Secretary of State’s Office and workers’ compensation insurance. The process is explained on the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) website, and there’s another page that offers advice about starting a business. Also, businesses must file a $25,000 mechanical contractor bond with DLI to contract to perform gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel burning, or refrigeration work.
For a detailed explanation of Minnesota’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Minnesota 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 Minnesota HVAC License guide.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Minnesota
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Minnesota?Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Minnesota for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,400
Intermediate 2-4 years: $61,400
Senior 4-6 years: $69,400
Supervisor > 7 years: $89,200
For more information about hvac salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Minnesota does not register apprentices or license HVAC technicians. However, having apprenticeship experience can increase your skills and help you further your career, especially if you hope to one day own your own business.
Local chapters of industry associations also offer apprenticeships, such as:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Minnesota. The opportunities are all around you.
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