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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 Sooner State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Oklahoma 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 7% growth rate in Oklahoma for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as compared with 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started as an HVAC professional in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma 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.
Generally, HVAC license requirements vary from state to state, and in some cases, locality to locality. The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board issues Mechanical Journeyman and Mechanical Contractor licenses for the state. Some cities require state licenses to be registered locally, too.
The following Oklahoma trade schools offer HVAC programs:
Mid-Del Technology Center in Del City and Midwest City
Metro Technology Centers in Oklahoma City
Moore Norman Technology Center (12th Avenue NW) in Norman
Canadian Valley Technology Center in El Reno
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center in Choctaw
Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee
Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater
Tulsa Technology Center in Tulsa
Red River Technology Center in Duncan
Southern Tech in Ardmore
Autry Technology Center in Enid
Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton
Kiamichi Technology Center in Mcalester
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee
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. To become a Mechanical Journeyman in Oklahoma, you must have three years of hands-on experience, or a mix of advanced HVAC education and experience.
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 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 Oklahoma such as:
Oklahoma State University in Stillwater
The University of Oklahoma in Norman
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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
Energy efficiency
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioning systems
Air distribution
Indoor air quality systems
Refrigeration equipment
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 Oklahoma community colleges on average is $3,475 per year for in-state students and $7,963 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.
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, such as a federal (Pell Grant) and state grants, can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies. An associate’s degree or vocational diploma for the completion of a 1,000+-hour program from a school approved by the Mechanical Examiners Committee can count toward two years of the three-year experience requirement for the Mechanical Journeyman license. A diploma from a 500+-hour program counts as one year of experience. A vocational diploma for 250 hours counts toward six months of experience.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to provide career training 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 Oklahoma 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:
Mid-Del Technology Center
Offers an HVAC Apprentice Technology program
Metro Technology Centers
Offers an HVAC/R Technician program
Offers a Residential HVAC Installer program
Moore Norman Technology Center
Offers an HVAC/R program
Canadian Valley Technology Center
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center
Offers a Residential HVAC Installer program
Offers a Residential HVAC Technician program
Indian Capital Technology Center
Offers a Residential HVAC Technician program
Meridian Technology Center
Offers a Residential HVAC Installer program
Offers a Residential HVAC Technician program
Tulsa Technology Center
Offers an HVAC Technician program
Red River Technology Center
Southern Tech
Offers an HVAC Install program
Offers an HVAC Technician program
Autry Technology Center
Great Plains Technology Center
Offers a Residential HVAC program
Kiamichi Technology Center
Offers a Residential HVAC Technician program
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Steps for Enrollment in Oklahoma
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:
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 Oklahoma
In order to start an HVAC career in Oklahoma, you must first train as a registered apprentice. After three years of verifiable hands-on training in the mechanical trade, or a mix of experience and schooling, you can apply for a Mechanical Journeyman license and take the accompanying exam.
To become a Mechanical Contractor, applicants must meet the same requirements as a journeyman with an additional one year of experience in the mechanical trade.
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 Oklahoma’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Oklahoma HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
According to the BLS, the annual mean salary for an HVAC professional in the state of Oklahoma is $49,050. As with all professions, salaries can increase with experience.
For more information about HVAC salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To become an apprentice in Oklahoma, you must find a sponsoring employer or formal apprenticeship program, then register with the state.
Oklahoma Works maintains a list of HVAC apprenticeship programs. Current opportunities include:
DaVco Mechanical Contractors in Sperry
Gordon’s Service Experts in Oklahoma City
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas:
NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, AR
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park, KS
Ranken Technical College in multiple MO cities
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC professional in Oklahoma. The opportunities are all around you.
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