HVAC Schools in West Virginia: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited West Virginia HVAC Training Programs

According to the U.S. 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 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.

The West Virginia Division of Labor provides licensing and regulation of HVAC technicians and contractors. While state legislators passed a bill in June 2021 that ultimately makes these duties the responsibility of the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, the Division of Labor will perform administrative and enforcement duties for the Contractor Licensing Board until June 2023. After that time, the Contractor Licensing Board will perform these duties.

The state issues HVAC technician in training, HVAC residential technician, HVAC technician, and HVAC contractor licenses.

Those entering the HVAC industry in West Virginia typically complete an HVAC-related training program at a trade school, or learn on-the-job as an HVAC technician in training through an apprenticeship HVAC program or an employer-sponsored training program.

West Virginia is home to several HVAC trade schools with accreditation, including:

• Ben Franklin Career Center, Dunbar

• Bridge Valley Community and Technical College, South Charleston, Mongtomery

• Cabell County Career Technology Center, Huntington

• Carver Career and Technical Education Center, Charleston

• James Rumsey Technical Institute, Martinsburg

• Monongalia County Technical Education Center, Morgantown

• Putnam Career & Technical Center, Eleanor

• West Virginia Northern Community College, Wheeling, Weirton, New Martinsville

West Virginia Apprenticeships:

• West Virginia Joint Apprenticeship Programs

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. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of experience, as in West Virginia.

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 you attend 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 a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at one of the four-year universities in West Virginia such as:

• Bluefield State University, Bluefield

• Fairmont State University, Fairmont

• Marshall University, Huntington

• West Virginia University, Morgantown

 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 programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of the HVAC trade and related technical skills. Classes teach students how to install, repair, and maintain HVAC systems, and typically cover:

• Residential and commercial air conditioning

• Air distribution systems

• Heating equipment, including heat pumps and gas heating

• Fossil fuel heating systems

• Troubleshooting control circuits, cooling, and heating

• Refrigeration

• Sheet metal duct systems

• Basic electricity

• Soldering and brazing

• Hand- and power-tool basics

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 West Virginia community colleges on average is $3,610 per year for in-state students and $8,321 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 chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants should apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

In West Virginia, HVAC sheet metal/HVAC apprenticeship programs last four 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. West Virginia requires a minimum amount of experience for HVAC technician and HVAC residential technician licensing. You may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Applied Associate of Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get started on your HVAC training through an online certificate program. In West Virginia, those seeking a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering must fill out a form on a university’s website to check about online course availability.

Level of difficulty

HVAC training programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. 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

These accredited schools listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Programs typically offer federal financial aid. In addition, the West Virginia Joint Apprenticeship Programs offer sheet metal/HVAC apprenticeship training programs.

Let’s take a look at the different schools:

Ben Franklin Career Center

• Offers a two-year, half-day HVAC technician program for junior or senior high school students in Kanawha County.

Bridge Valley Community and Technical College

• Offers a two-year commercial HVAC and building automation systems program, 504 hours.

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology, Mechanical Concentration, 64-71 credits.

Cabell County Career Technology Center

• Offers an HVAC Technician program, full-time or part-time, 910 clock hours.

• Offers an HVAC Technician, Advanced program, full-time or part-time, 675 clock hours.

Carver Career and Technical Education Center

• Offers a nine-month HVAC Technician program, 910 clock hours.

James Rumsey Technical Institute

• Offers an 11-month HVAC Technician program, 30 hours/week. Students have the opportunity to earn National Center for Construction of Education Research (NCCER) certification for each skill set mastered.

Monongalia County Technical Education Center

• Offers an HVAC Technician program certified through NCCER, 900 clock hours.

Putnam Career & Technical Center

• Offers a nine-week, one-year, or two-year HVAC technician program certified through NCCER, 1,080 clock hours.

West Virginia Northern Community College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Technology, 60 credits.

Steps for Enrollment in West Virginia

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes 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 West Virginia

West Virginia issues licenses for HVAC technician in training, HVAC residential technician,  HVAC technician, and HVAC contractor.

To obtain an HVAC technician or HVAC residential technician license, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Submit a copy of the required written examination scores, showing a score of at least 70%.

• Show proof of 2,000 hours of HVAC-related work, training, and/or experience. This can include successful completion of an HVAC-related training program through career technical education provided by the state’s public schools, an apprenticeship program, or an employer-sponsored training program.

• For an HVAC technician license, in addition to the 2,000 hours of work, training, and/or experience, the applicant must also show at least 6,000 hours of experience or training in heating, ventilating, cooling or related work, including other sheet metal industry tasks.

To apply for an HVAC contractor license, applicants must follow these steps.

All licenses must be renewed every year and does not require continuing education. West Virginia has reciprocity agreements for HVAC work with Alabama, Ohio, and Tennessee.

For a detailed explanation of West Virginia’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your West Virginia HVAC License. 

HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including West Virginia, 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. EPA certification is often part of HVAC degree programs. If you choose a shorter certificate program, you may need to get EPA certification on your own. Your employer should be able to guide you to resources, or you can find them in our West Virginia HVAC License guide.

Salaries for HVAC Professionals in West Virginia

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

• Entry level <2 years: $46,200

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $52,900

• Senior 4-6 years: $60,500

• Supervisor > 7 years: $78,600

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

Industry Apprenticeships

In West Virginia, apprenticeships are four to five years long 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.

West Virginia Joint Apprenticeship Programs train apprentices for sheet metal/HVAC work. Apprenticeship programs include:

Sheet Metal Workers 100 – Cumberland

• 5-year training program

• 40 hours per week on-the-job instruction

• One day every two weeks of classroom instruction

Sheet Metal Workers 24 – South Point

• 4-year program

• Minimum of 6,000 hours paid on-the-job training (OJT)

• Minimum of 225 hours of related technical instruction (RTI) per year

Sheet Metal Workers 33 – Charleston/Parkersburg/Clarksburg

• 5-year program

• 200 hours of training per year

Other School Options

In addition to HVAC training opportunities in West Virginia, there are several training centers in neighboring Ohio and Virginia, including:

• Columbus State Community College in Columbus and Delaware, Ohio

• Center for Employment Training in Alexandria, Va.

• Fortis HVAC School in Columbus, Centerville, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and Richmond and Norfolk, Va.

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in West Virginia. The opportunities are all around you.