HVAC Schools in Montana: The Ultimate Guide

Montana HVAC Training Programs

According to the 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 six months to two 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 three and five 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.

It’s also important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under section 608 of the Clean Air Act, requires any technician who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere to earn a Section 608 technician certification. HVAC apprentices don’t need to hold an EPA 608 refrigerant certification as long as “they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician,” according to the EPA.

The licensing requirements for HVAC workers and contractors vary from locality to locality in Montana. At the state level, there are no licensing requirements for HVAC workers, but there are other state-mandated regulations.

HVAC contractors who wish to own their own businesses must register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Additionally, the cities of Great Falls, Billings, and Missoula, for example, all require anyone doing business in their areas to have a city-issued business license.

In Montana, technicians must work for a registered contractor or be registered as a contractor instead. There are two types of registrations: Construction Contractor and Independent Contractor.

To become an HVAC technician in Montana, you can attend community college (usually two years) or trade school (usually six to nine months), or work as an apprentice for an HVAC company and get on-the-job training. If you wish to own your own business in the HVAC field in Montana, you’ll need a state-issued business license and workers' compensation insurance.

Most people entering the HVAC industry in Montana learn by taking classes at a trade school or community college or on the job as an apprentice/entry level worker for an HVAC company. Some employers will act as a sponsor in a Montana Registered Apprenticeship that meets national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Although no HVAC degree is required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during an apprenticeship.

There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

The following training schools offer HVAC training programs in Montana:

• Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell and Libby

• HVACRedu.net in Heron

• Charter College in Missoula and Bozeman

• Gallatin College in Bozeman

• University of Montana - multiple campuses

Union Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Montana, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or union with which they’d like to apprentice.

The United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs offers three union-based HVAC apprenticeships, including:

• UA Local 30 in Billings 

• UA Local 41 in Butte

• UA Local 459 in Missoula

HVAC Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a union, technical or community college, or online program, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work.

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, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.

There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships, that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Montana such as:

• Montana State University

• Montana Tech

In many cases, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become an HVAC journeyman or master HVAC contractor, a degree isn’t necessary.

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 earn technical diplomas or HVAC certifications and leave prepared to accept 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 cooling and heating 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 PAHRA or HVAC Excellence.

Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:

• Safety  

• Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)

• Heat pumps

• Control systems

• Commercial HVAC and refrigerators

• Basic electricity for HVAC

• Basic refrigeration technology

• Gas heating

• Air conditioners

• HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills

• Refrigeration applications

• Residential HVAC applications

• Troubleshooting ventilation systems

For all HVAC certifications in Montana, you must pass the core section of the EPA certification exam, which covers the following topics:

• Ozone depletion

• Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol

• Section 608 regulations

• Substitute refrigerants and oils

• Refrigeration

• The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)

• Recovery techniques

• Dehydration evacuation

• Safety

• Shipping

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 Montana community colleges is approximately $4,139 per year for in-state students and $8,788 for out-of-state students.

However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.

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

Program Length

In Montana, training programs last from a few months to several years. For instance, UA Local 30 offers a five-year apprenticeship program. 

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 Montana training centers and colleges listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:

Flathead Valley Community College

• Offers a 2-year HVAC apprenticeship

HVACRedu.net

• Offers multiple programs, including NATE-certified and online programs

Charter College

• Offers an HVAC certificate

Gallatin College

• Offers a 1-year Certificate of Applied Science: HVAC-R Installer, and a 2-year Associate of Applied Science: HVAC-R Technician. 

University of Montana

• Offers a 200-hour HVAC Technician certificate

Steps for Enrollment in Montana

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 Montana

Montana does not mandate state-level licensing or experience requirements for HVAC professionals to demonstrate competency as it does with plumbers and electricians. However, you are required to register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry if you are going to own your own HVAC business.

HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Montana, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.

For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and Montana’s HVAC licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Montana HVAC License. 

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Montana

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 Montana? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Montana for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $47,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $54,700

• Senior 4-6 years: $62,300

• Supervisor > 7 years: $81,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

The following unions in Montana offer apprenticeships for plumbers, pipefitters, HVACR service technicians, and welders:

• UA Local 30 in Billings 

• UA Local 41 in Butte

• UA Local 459 in Missoula

In addition, the Montana Registered Apprenticeship program maintains a list of companies offering employer-sponsored HVAC apprenticeships.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming:

• College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, Idaho

• Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt, North Dakota

• Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Montana. The opportunities are all around you.