HVAC Schools in Oregon: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Oregon HVAC Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with post-secondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship.” Also, some craft workers enter apprenticeship programs after working as a helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including HVAC.

Oregon licenses every level of this essential workforce at the state level, although they do not call it an HVAC license. They call it a Limited Energy Technician License. Even apprentices must be registered with the state. Licensing requires formal education or double the amount of work experience. Most people entering the industry in Oregon receive apprenticeship training either with a private company or through a union or non-union organization. Those apprenticeships require classroom instruction to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI). Technical education can help you land that first job or apprenticeship. In general, there’s a direct correlation between a degree and higher long-term earnings, so it could pay off in the long run. 

The two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide are HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). These organizations evaluate the programs based on the facilities, the faculty, and whether the curriculum meets or exceeds industry standards. Neither of these organizations have accredited any HVAC programs in Oregon, most likely because Oregon is more apprenticeship driven. The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), however, has approved two HVAC programs in Oregon. NCCER lists the following programs on their website as accredited schools:

• Central Oregon Community College

• Reitmeier

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has also accredited several institutions in Oregon with HVAC programs. All of them provide the educational element of apprenticeships registered through the state. Some have pre-apprenticeship programs to help students learn the basics before getting started in the HVAC field.

• Chemeketa Community College in Salem

• Clackamas Community College in Oregon City

• Klamath Community College in Klamath Falls

• Lane Community College in Eugene

• Linn-Benton Community College in Albany   

• Portland Community College (PCC) in Portland

• Rogue Community College in Grants Pass

• Umpqua Community College in Roseburg

HVACR Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical or community college, you may want to speak with people in the field in your state. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some insist on a minimum amount of education to perform work on any heating systems. Oregon requires education and work experience or twice as many hours of hands-on training without that classroom instruction.

Regardless of the educational requirements by state, anyone who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere needs Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification. More on that later.

In terms of college education for HVACR techs, typically there is a range of degree and certificate programs. The time it takes to complete them and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common HVAC programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Diploma Program – one year

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. Most HVAC professionals have some post-secondary training because the systems used to regulate our homes and businesses are becoming increasingly complex and technical. However, very few HVACR professionals choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking an engineering degree to design and develop those complex heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.  If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degrees at one of the four-year universities in Oregon like:

• Oregon State University

• Portland State University

• University of Portland

• Oregon Institute of Technology

As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. 

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

HVAC programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heating industries. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while pursuing a longer degree, and many are designed with that in mind. One-semester programs typically prepare students to find entry-level work upon completion, possibly giving them an advantage over another candidate without any training. 

For the certificate programs, the coursework is very specialized. Broader programs of study for lengthier diploma programs would incorporate classes on blueprint reading, gas heat, heat pumps and related systems, refrigeration fundamentals, principles and practices and system components. Air Conditioning certificates or diploma programs would also include classes on air conditioning systems application and installation and troubleshooting air conditioning systems.

Students pursuing an associate degree in Applied Science will need to fulfill general education coursework in addition to the specialized HVACR classes to meet the more rigorous requirements for that associate degree. 

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 Oregon community colleges on average is $4,694 per year for in-state students and $7,748 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited HVACR programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

There are also always 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 federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

As noted above, you can choose from a very specialized certificate or a broader diploma or associate’s degree. The certificates can require as few as 12 to 16 credit hours and take one semester to complete. Others may consist of as many as 45 credits and take three semesters but can be done within a year if students continue through the summer sessions. Associate’s degree programs typically take two years; apprenticeships often take four to five years.

Benefits

There are many benefits to getting formal education if you want to join the HVACR profession. Though in Oregon it is not required to get started in the field, many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or degree over one without credentials or will require an apprentice technician to take classes as part of their employment. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get HVAC training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Both Penn Foster and Ashworth College offer online electrician classes.

Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level HVAC jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salaries. For instance, if you are vying for a competitive Limited Energy Technician Apprenticeship in Oregon, having even some online instruction may distinguish you from other candidates. HVACClasses.org gives a detailed description of some of the top online programs nationwide. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are accessible throughout the state.

Level of difficulty

HVACR programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the HVAC industry in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. 

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. 

The BLS describes the many duties of a HVAC mechanics and installers this way: Install, clean, and maintain HVACR systems; Install electrical components and wiring; Inspect and test HVACR systems and components; Discuss system malfunctions with customers; Repair or replace worn or defective parts; Recommend maintenance to improve system performance; Keep records of work performed. And, of course, especially in residential HVAC work, customer service is key.

School Comparison: At a Glance

Most of the accredited training schools listed above are part of the Oregon Community College system. They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans and have a 100% acceptance rate. Apprenticeships, however, have limited openings for candidates; many of the programs below are available only to students enrolled in a registered apprenticeship. Central Oregon Community College (COCC), for instance, says on its website that prospective apprentice students should choose a program via Oregon Apprenticeship, NW Apprenticeship Services, or by contacting another apprenticeship program; once accepted as an apprentice, their Apprentice Committee will provide the COCC course information. Let’s begin with the schools accredited by NCCER. 

Central Oregon Community College

Bureau of Labor and Industry Registered Apprenticeship Limited Maintenance Electrician

HVAC related apprenticeships with the following JATCs:

• Southern Willamette Valley Limited Energy Electrical JATC 3022 - Limited Energy Tech A or B License

• Area III Sheet Metal/HVAC Environmental Systems JATC 3025 - HVAC Service Technician/Installer

• Central Oregon Sheet Metal JATC 7013 - HVAC Service Technician/Installer

• Central Oregon Limited Energy Electrical JATC 7026 - Limited Energy Tech A or B License 

Reitmeier is a commercial HVAC company that serves Portland and SW Washington and trains employees in-house.

• Reitmeier University                      

  • Commercial HVAC Technician       

  • 2 years 

The other colleges listed above are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Chemeketa Community College

• Pre-Apprenticeship Program                      

  • Certificate                                        

  • 1-2 semesters

• Heating Cooling Ventilation AC/R             

  • AAS                                             

  • 2 years

• HVAC/R Technician Apprenticeship         

  • Applicable to Certificate or AAS     

  • 4 years

  • w/ Mid-Valley HVAC/R JATC MA #2026

Clackamas Community College

• Limited Energy Apprenticeship                  

  • Certificate / Applicable to AAS                  

Klamath Community College

• Electrical Apprenticeship                          

  • In partnership with local businesses

  • 2-3 years

Lane Community College

• Construction Trades General Apprenticeship        

  • AAS                                     

  • 2 years

• HVAC Technician/Installer                                 

  • Through JATCs                  

  • 4 years

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies              

  • AAS                                     

  • 2 years

• Limited Energy Technician License A                    

  • Through JATCs                

  • 3 years

• Limited Energy Technician License B                

  • Through JATCs                  

  • 2 years

Linn-Benton Community College          

• HVAC/R Technician ed2go online program          

  • Certificate                           

  • 12 months

• Bureau of Labor and Industry Registered Apprenticeship

  • Limited Energy Technician A License                                                     

  • 2 years

• Limited Energy Technician B License                                                               

  • 3 years

  • w/ Area II Limited Energy Electrical JATC (MA2020)

Portland Community College

• Pre-Apprenticeship                                                 

  • Certificate                

  • Less than 1 year

• Limited Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies  

  • Certificate                

  • Less than 1 year

• Construction Trades General Apprenticeship        

  • AAS                         

  • 2 years

• Limited Maintenance Electrician                            

  • Apprenticeship        

  • 2 years

  • w/ Metro Limited Maintenance Electrician JATC (MA1040)

Rogue Community College

• Registered Apprenticeship                                

  • Applicable to Certificate or AAS

  • 4 years

  • w/ Rogue Valley HVAC/R JATC (MA5022)  

Umpqua Community College

• Limited Maintenance Electrician                            

  • Certificate/Apprenticeship 

  • 2 years

  • w/ Roseburg Industrial Electrical JATC (MA4011)

• Limited Electrician Technologies                           

  • Certificate/Apprenticeship 

  • 2 years

Steps for Enrollment in Oregon

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. You also have the option of visiting the school’s admission office in person or mailing a paper application there. 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.

However, if you are hoping to attend one of the apprenticeship programs listed above, you must apply directly to an employer or Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. Once you have a position as an apprentice, then you can apply for classes. While waiting for an opening, you can compile a portfolio of documentation required for program entry.

• Diploma or GED certificate

• Transcripts from high school and college

• Placement test scores

• Work experience documented on letterhead with the tasks listed and years of service (construction related)

• Trades and safety certificates

• For veterans, a copy of the DD224 long form

HVAC Career Requirements in Oregon

As mentioned earlier, Oregon offers two paths to licensing — one requires formal education paired with on-the-job training, and the other allows applicants to skip the classroom education but requires twice as much work experience. The Oregon Building Codes Division Office (BCD) issues non-contracting specialty electrical licenses for Limited Energy Technicians, while the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) issues specialty contracting licenses for HVAC work. If you want to own your own HVAC business you will want to get your contractor license.

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

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Oregon 

Before paying for technical education and getting started in the HVAC field you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Oregon? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC salary in Oregon for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $52,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,600

• Senior 4-6 years: $69,000

• Supervisor > 7 years: $90,300

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

Industry Apprenticeships

The most common way in Oregon to get the training you need to become an HVAC mechanic or installer is through a formal apprenticeship, which combines work experience with a minimum number of hours of classroom instruction. Most apprenticeships are three to five years long although a Class B Limited Energy Technician License in Oregon requires only two years. You must also be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better. 

The Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) maintains a list of apprenticeships registered with the Apprenticeship & Training Division. There are both union and non-union apprenticeships.

Union

The local chapter of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters that serves Southeast Washington and Northern Oregon is based in Tualatin south of Portland. The UA Local 290 Apprentice & Journeyman Training Institute offers five-year apprenticeships for Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVAC/R Service Technicians.

The Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Associated (NECA) and IBEW Local 48 based in Portland sponsor a Limited Energy Technician JATC  that offers a 3½- year apprenticeship for students seeking a Class A Technician license. NECA-IBEW Local 48 also has a pre-apprenticeship program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program.

The other NECA chapter in Oregon, the Oregon-Pacific-Cascade Chapter of NECA and IBEW Local 280 out of Tangent provide a three-year Limited Energy A Electrician Apprenticeship out of the Central Electrical Training Center.

Non-union

The Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon have a Limited Energy apprenticeship program, which is a combination of classroom instruction at Clackamas Community College in Wilsonville and work experience with approved employers. The Class A Program is three years, and the Class B program is two years.

The Associated Builders and Contractors Pacific Northwest is another non-union organization that offers an HVAC apprenticeship. It is 4 years long and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.

Some HVAC companies will hire applicants who have had no previous training and provide the training themselves — creating an in-house apprenticeship. A pretty typical model of that is pairing a new employee with an experienced technician for the hands-on part of training and then requiring new hires to attend classes at night at a local community college or sometimes taught through the company itself. This typically includes getting EPA Certification and other HVAC certification such as North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification as a way to demonstrate your proficiency. The Reitmeier University mentioned above is an example of this.

Other School Options

There are so many programs throughout the state to get the training you need to be an HVAC technician in Oregon. There are just too many to list them all here, but in addition to all those already mentioned each of the schools below has HVAC programs.

• Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton

• Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham

• Northwest College of Construction in Portland

• Sheet Metal Institute in Portland

• Tillamook Bay Community College in Tillamook

Oregon has so many trade programs and apprenticeships across the state. You can find the training you need to excel in a career in HVAC/R in Oregon. The opportunities are all around you.