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If you’re considering a career in the HVAC industry, you’ll be glad to know HVAC technicians are in high demand. Many HVAC training programs exist in Nevada to teach people the skills they need to enter the HVAC field.
A growing demand for HVAC technicians in the Silver State means there’s a wide selection of choices for your career, from HVAC service technicians to lead HVAC system installers.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 21% growth rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Nevada, compared to a 5% growth nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs in Nevada posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know to get started as an HVAC technician in the state of Nevada.
Nevada HVAC Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive postsecondary 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. High school students interested in becoming an HVACR technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics. Knowledge of plumbing or electrical work and a basic understanding of electronics is also helpful.”
The BLS also states some technicians receive their training through an apprenticeship program, which typically lasts three to five years. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
While Nevada doesn’t issue licenses for HVAC techs, the state requires licenses for Nevada contractors who perform air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration work.
Most people entering the HVAC industry in Nevada learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor through an employer-sponsored training program and taking classes at local trade school or community college.
Nevada is home to several trade schools offering HVACR programs, including:
Advanced Training Institute, in Las Vegas
Career College of Northern Nevada, in Sparks
College of Southern Nevada, in Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas
National Technical Institute, in Henderson
Quality Technical Training Center, in Las Vegas
Truckee Meadows Community College, in Reno
Western Nevada College, in Carson City
UEI College, in Las Vegas
The Advanced Training Institute (ATI) and the College of Southern Nevada are both HVAC Excellence-accredited programs, and the College of Southern Nevada also has a Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation.
Nevada apprenticeships include:
Associated Builders and Contractors Nevada, in Las Vegas and Reno
The Northern Nevada Apprenticeship Coordinators Association, in Reno
Sheet Metal Workers Local 26, in Reno
UA Local 350 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians, in Sparks
UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians, in Las Vegas
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work to find out average salary and work requirements.
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 full-time while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, 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 wish to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at one of the four-year universities in Nevada like:
In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC training programs at technical colleges prepare students for their HVAC technician certification and careers in residential, commercial, or industrial HVAC applications. 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. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed HVAC professional.
HVAC technician degree or diploma programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of HVAC systems and related technical skills. Coursework teaches students about heating and cooling technology and installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of HVAC and refrigeration systems. Courses typically cover:
Fundamentals of residential heating and air conditioning
Refrigeration technology
EPA laws related to safe handling and transport of refrigerants
Heat pumps
Electrical and controls for HVAC systems
Sheet metal technology
Soldering/brazing
Commercial air conditioning and refrigeration 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 Nevada community colleges on average is $2,700 per year for in-state students and $9,345 for out-of-state students. However, some of the accredited 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 federal (Pell Grant) and state grants should apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
In Nevada, HVAC and sheet metal apprenticeship programs last three to five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an HVAC professional. You may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
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Online vs in-person
You may choose to get started on your HVAC training through an online program. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association Educational Foundation offers an online plumbing and HVAC apprenticeship. Before enrolling, apprentices must confirm with their state’s licensing or labor department the program is an acceptable substitute for classroom instruction. On-the-job training must be coordinated with a participating employer.
Level of difficulty
HVAC training programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes learning about the systems that heat and cool buildings, blueprint reading, safety practices, and how to use tools. Students may also receive specialized training for sheet metal work, commercial refrigeration, or hydronics.
School Comparison: At a Glance
These Nevada schools listed below offer HVACR programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Offers an HVACR training program.
Career College of Northern Nevada
Offers an HVACR service technician program.
Offers the following certification programs:
Air Conditioning Technology, 40.5 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Central Plant, 41 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Critical Systems, 40 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Food Service Refrigeration, 42.5 credits.
Entry-Level Air Conditioning Technician, 18.5 credits
Offers the following Associate of Applied Science degrees:
Air Conditioning Technology, 60 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Building Automation, 60 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Central Plant, 60 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Critical Systems, 60 credits.
Air Conditioning Technology: Food Service Refrigeration, 61.5 credits.
Offers an HVAC and refrigeration certification program.
Quality Technical Training Center
Offers an air conditioning and heating technology diploma program, 144 hours.
Offers a refrigeration technology diploma program, 60 hours.
Offers custom, one-week training for maintenance, service, and senior service technicians.
Truckee Meadows Community College
Offers an HVACR skills certificate program, 24 units.
Offers an HVACR certificate of achievement program, 31 units.
Offers a commercial refrigeration skills certificate program, 24 units.
Offers a climate control systems, air conditioning technology skills certificate program, 21 units
Offers a climate control systems, air conditioning technology certificate of achievement program, 37 units.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Climate Control Systems, Air Conditioning Technology, 60 units.
Offers an HVACR skills certificate program, 10-11 units.
Offers an HVAC technician training diploma program.
Steps for Enrollment in Nevada
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 you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes 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 Nevada
While Nevada does not license HVAC technicians, the state requires specialty licenses for contractors performing air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration work.
The Nevada State Contractors Board issues Classification C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contracting Licenses and Classification C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Licenses.
Nevada requires contractors to fulfill several steps to obtain a contractor’s license. The Nevada State Contractors Board provides brochures, forms, and license applications online.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Nevada, 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 Nevada’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Nevada HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Professionals in Nevada
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician, 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 you advance in your HVAC career in Nevada? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC professional salary in Nevada for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $51,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,900
Senior 4-6 years: $67,100
Supervisor > 7 years: $87,700
For more information about HVAC technician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
In Nevada, apprenticeships last three to five years and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license, and have the physical ability to perform the work of the trade.
Apprenticeship programs in Nevada include:
Associated Builders and Contractors Nevada, in Las Vegas and Reno
Offers three- to four-year apprenticeships in several trades, including sheet metal work. The program consists of on-the-job training and classes one night per week.
The Northern Nevada Apprenticeship Coordinators Association
Offers apprenticeships in several trades, including four-year HVAC service apprenticeships and sheet metal work apprenticeships.
Offers a four-year sheet metal apprenticeship.
Apprentices receive college credit through Truckee Meadows Community College.
UA Local 350 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians
Offers a four-year HVAC apprenticeship.
UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians
Offers five-year apprenticeships.
Offers continuing education in journeymen training and certification, and an associate degree program.
Other School Options
In addition to HVAC training opportunities in Nevada, there are several HVAC training programs in neighboring California and Utah, including:
Brownson Technical School, in Anaheim, California
North American Training Center, in Redlands, California
Salt Lake Community College, in Salt Lake City, Utah
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Nevada. The opportunities are all around you.
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