HVAC Schools in Ohio: The Ultimate Guide

Ohio HVAC Training Programs

According to the 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 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.

Ohio issues HVAC contractor licenses at the state level, but does not offer a state license for HVAC technicians. Instead, technician apprentices must work under the direct supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) is responsible for issuing HVAC contractor licenses.

The following Ohio trade schools offer HVAC programs:

• Columbus State Community College in Columbus and Delaware

• Fortis Colleges and Institutes in Cuyahoga Falls, Centerville, Cincinnati, and Westerville

• Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in Brecksville

• Sinclair College in Dayton

• Remington College in Cleveland

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. Licensure requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state, and some, like the state of Ohio, don’t require advanced education. 

Yet, 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 HVAC certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on training. 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 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 Ohio such as:

• Ohio State University

• Ohio University

• University of Dayton

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 leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.

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 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

• Sheet metal fabrication

• Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment

• HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills

• HVAC technology

• 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 Ohio community colleges on average is $4,876 per year for in-state students and $11,127 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

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. 

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

Program length varies depending on the school and degree or certificate earned. For example, Columbus State Community College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Technology. 

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

Columbus State Community College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Technology, as well as the following certificates: 

  • Controls Certificate

  • High-Pressure Boiler License Training Program Certificate

  • Large Commercial Certificate

  • Residential/Light Commercial Certificate

  • Test and Balance Certificate

Fortis Colleges and Institutes

• Offers an HVAC Technician program

Sinclair College in Dayton

• Offers an HVAC-R Engineering Technology program

Remington College

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning diploma program

Steps for Enrollment in Ohio

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 Ohio

The state of Ohio offers one HVAC license: HVAC Contractor. Ohio requires anyone applying to take the HVAC Contractor exam to demonstrate five years of full-time experience working in the field. Specifically, the OCILB requires:

• Working as an HVACR technician for at least five years immediately prior to the date the application is filed. You must provide proof of that work under a licensed contractor on projects that required a permit during those five years. You must attach at least one permit for each of the last five years and provide the license number of the contractor you worked under.

• Or currently be a registered engineer in Ohio with three years of business experience in the construction industry in the trade for which the engineer is applying to take the examination.

Ohio requires HVAC contractors to renew licenses on a yearly or a three-year basis. Contractors must also complete eight hours of continuing education and if you want to own your own HVAC business you will need to get your license.

HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Ohio, 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 Ohio’s HVAC licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Ohio HVAC License. 

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Ohio

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

• Entry level <2 years: $50,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,500

• Senior 4-6 years: $66,400

• Supervisor > 7 years: $86,000

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

Industry Apprenticeships

While Ohio doesn’t require apprenticeships, obtaining one allows HVAC professionals to gain the experience needed for licensure and shows their commitment to the field. 

Some options include:

• ApprenticeOhio maintains a database of apprenticeships in the trades, including HVAC.

• Many private HVAC companies sponsor HVAC apprentices.

• UA Local 189 in Columbus

• UA Local 162 in Dayton

• UA Local 396 in Boardman

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky:

• Ivy Tech Community College (multiple locations in Indiana)

• Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa.

• TRADETECH in Lexington, Ky.

You can find the training you need to excel in a HVAC field in Ohio. The opportunities are all around you.