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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 career training is available throughout the Ocean State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Rhode Island, including HVAC technicians and licensed HVAC contractors, 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 13% growth rate in Rhode Island 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 plenty 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 the state of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island HVAC Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR 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.
HVAC license requirements vary from state to state and in some cases from locality to locality. The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation is responsible for issuing HVAC licenses statewide. Additionally, HVAC contractors must also register with the State of Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.
The following Rhode Island trade schools offer HVAC programs:
New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) in Pawtucket
New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) in East Greenwich
MTTI in Seekonk, Massachusetts (but recognized in Rhode Island)
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 Rhode Island, 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 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 Rhode Island such as:
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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 and heating technology
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Refrigeration equipment
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration/air conditioning
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 Rhode Island community colleges on average is $3,950 per year for in-state students and $10,582 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, the Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology at the New England Institute of Technology takes 18 months to complete. Programs typically range from nine months to four years.
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 Rhode Island 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:
New England Tractor Trailer Training School
Offers an HVACR Technology program
New England Institute of Technology
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology
MTTI
Offers a 900-hour HVAC/R Technician program
Steps for Enrollment in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation is responsible for issuing HVAC licenses. HVAC contractors must also register with the State of Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.
HVAC technicians and HVAC contractors can pursue three types of contractor's licenses, as well as master-level contractor licensing, and each come with different requirements and levels of experience. There are two classes of sheet metal technician licenses, refrigeration-air conditioning technician licenses, and pipefitter licenses as well as several master contractor licenses.
Also, if you want to own your own HVAC business, you will need to get a contractor license.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island’s HVAC licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Rhode Island HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Rhode Island for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,800
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,600
Senior 4-6 years: $69,100
Supervisor > 7 years: $89,800
For more information about HVAC salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Rhode Island offers several options for completing an HVAC apprenticeship, either through a private company, union, or community college. All apprentices must register with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Some options include:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Industrial Management & Training Institute in Waterbury, Conn.
Technology Learning Center in Oxford, Mass.
You can find the training you need to excel in the HVAC industry in Rhode Island. The opportunities are all around you.
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