HVAC Schools in Wyoming: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Wyoming 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.”

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, and how to use tools, gaining knowledge about the various heating and air conditioning systems used in buildings today.

In Wyoming, the state does not mandate licensing for HVAC contractors, but many municipalities require local licensing. HVAC apprentices, HVAC technicians, or HVAC contractors will need to check with the local jurisdiction where they plan to perform HVAC work to ensure they meet any local license requirements.

For instance, some municipalities, including Cheyenne and Casper, require HVAC contractor licenses or specialty contractor licenses at the local level for HVAC work, similar to Class A general contractor or Class B building contractor licenses.

To learn the HVAC trade, Wyoming offers HVAC programs at several institutions. Although an HVAC degree is not required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during their required apprenticeship. Apprenticeship programs enable candidates to get paid while obtaining practical experience needed to work in the HVAC industry.

Most people entering the HVAC industry in Wyoming learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor and taking classes at a local community college. Through the Build Our Wyoming program, interested candidates can find a variety of training opportunities, apprenticeship programs, and jobs in the construction industry.

The following community colleges and training centers offer HVAC classes in Wyoming:

• Laramie County Community College in Laramie and Cheyenne

• Northwest College in Powell

• WCA Regional Training Center in Casper (operated by the Wyoming Contractors Association)

• Center for Workforce Training and Development at Casper College in Casper (part of Wyoming Works program)

Wyoming Apprenticeships

Some cities in Wyoming, like Cheyenne, require HVAC apprentices, as well as HVAC journeymen, masters, and contractors, to meet license application requirements for both HVAC and refrigeration before performing work in the city. In Casper, however, there are no licensing requirements for HVAC apprentices, but mechanical positions, boiler operators, and gas fitters must be licensed.

Wyoming has a few local and national industry association chapters that offer HVAC apprenticeships, as well as plumbing, pipefitting, and welding apprenticeships.

• The United Association Local 192 in Cheyenne offers a union apprenticeship program for service technicians, including HVAC.

• Through the Wyoming Works program, HVAC apprentices can apply for grant funding to take HVAC beginner and HVAC intermediate classes at Casper College.

• The Casper Area Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, a nonprofit training program for the SMART Union in Casper, offers apprenticeships in HVAC and refrigeration.

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. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education.

Other states, like Wyoming, have no post-high school HVAC educational requirements to get started, and it may make more sense to simply obtain an entry-level position and receive on-the-job training rather than pursuing degree programs at one of the HVAC schools. There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most HVAC technicians in Wyoming enter the field as HVAC trainees.

Although formal education isn’t required in Wyoming, sometimes getting a little technical education before you find work can help you compete for apprenticeship opportunities or make you a more attractive hire. Some HVAC certification apprenticeship programs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected.

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. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.

Very few HVAC technicians choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore one of the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at University of Wyoming. 

One federally required certification is the EPA Clean Air Act certification. Most colleges and technical schools prepare you for this EPA certification. A list of organizations that provide the certification can be found on the EPA website.

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 are qualified for entry-level positions as HVAC technicians.

HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair 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

• Air conditioners

• 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 Wyoming community colleges is approximately $2,855 per year for in-state students and $6,991 for out-of-state students.

However, the cost of various technical programs varies depending on the type of certification being obtained.

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen field. Students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

The length of HVAC programs depends on the school and the certifications. Since Wyoming favors local licensing by jurisdiction, there’s no statewide standard for program length, so each city may have different requirements. In Wyoming, many training programs and apprenticeships typically offer 8,000 hours (about four years) of on-the-job training. Prior to enrolling in most technical programs, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.

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 Wyoming HVAC industry offers many types of certifications. Some community colleges offer apprenticeship programs in addition to formal classwork. Picking a school largely depends on your areas of interest and how much time and money you’re willing to dedicate to a certain program. Selecting a school also depends upon your ultimate career goals.

• Laramie County Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree to prepare students for a job in HVAC. The cost for full-time enrollment (15 credit hours) is $2,306 per semester for in-state students and $5,456 per semester for out-of-state students.

• Northwest College in Powell offers a four-year HVAC Apprenticeship program that requires 144 hours of classroom training and 6,000 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job training every year. Your employer will often cover the cost of tuition.

• The Wyoming Contractors Association operates the WCA Regional Training Center in Casper. The Field Mechanic technician course is intended to prepare students for entry-level jobs in construction, including HVAC.

Steps for Enrollment in Wyoming

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. 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 Wyoming

To recap, Wyoming does not license HVAC professionals. Instead, municipalities are responsible for oversight. You’ll need to check with the local jurisdiction to obtain the proper licensing in the areas of the state where you intend to work. 

In most cities, HVAC workers can pursue an apprentice, journeyman, and master HVAC licenses, but each municipality has different requirements and fees. Below you'll find the specifics for Cheyenne. For other Wyoming municipalities, you'll need to look online or call the local contracting board.

Also, if you want to own your own HVAC business in Wyoming after you’ve accumulated significant hands-on experience and are a licensed contractor at the local level, you’ll need a state-issued business license, workers’ compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance. The Wyoming Business Council answers license and permit questions relating to starting your own business, including proper business licenses.

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

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Wyoming

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

• Entry level <2 years: $46,200

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $53,300

• Senior 4-6 years: $60,700

• Supervisor > 7 years: $79,300

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

Industry Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is typically the first step to starting a career in the HVAC industry. Candidates usually need to have a high school diploma or GED, photo ID, and a valid driver’s license to be eligible. The apprentice license in cities like Cheyenne allows an individual to perform HVAC work under the direction of a licensed master contractor. Candidates can find skilled trades apprentice jobs through the Build Our Wyoming apprenticeship and education program.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are trade schools in neighboring South Dakota, Colorado, and Washington.

• Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, SD

• IntelliTec College in Grand Junction, CO

• HVAC School in Brier, WA

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