Licensing Guides
HVAC License Wyoming: How to Become an HVAC Professional in Wyoming
HVAC, WY
Table of Contents
Most states require training and licensure before you can legally design, install, repair, and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. As today’s HVAC technology becomes increasingly complex, and we place more emphasis on energy efficiency and reducing pollution, HVACR systems need retrofitting, upgrading, or replacement to remain compliant. Learning this essential trade takes years, but once you complete the training, your skills will be in high demand in the home services and construction industry.
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 415,800 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers nationwide, and 650 work in Wyoming. The BLS predicts HVACR employment to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 nationwide, adding more than 20,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. That growth rate is expected to be three times that in Wyoming—projected at 15%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 60% of firms in the U.S. had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
Licensing requirements for HVAC workers and technicians vary widely from state to state and, in Wyoming, from locality to locality. Read on to learn more about becoming an HVAC contractor or tech in Wyoming.
License Requirements for HVAC Professionals in Wyoming
In Wyoming, the state doesn't administer contractor licensing, except for electrical contractors. While HVAC apprentices, HVAC technicians, or HVAC contractors do not need state licenses, they will need to check with the local jurisdiction where the construction activity is to take place to meet local license requirements.
Even though there's no state licensing, some local 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.
If you're starting your own HVAC business, you'll need to first register your business with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The Wyoming Business Council answers license and permit questions relating to starting your own business, including proper business licenses.
It’s also important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under section 608 of the Clean Air Act, requires any technician who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere to earn a Section 608 technician certification. HVAC apprentices don’t need to hold a certification as long as “they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician,” according to the EPA.
City of Cheyenne HVAC License Types and Requirements
The City of Cheyenne Building Permitting & Licensing issues HVAC and refrigeration master and contractor licenses, journeyman licenses, and apprentice licenses. In addition, the city also requires a contractor application license for the company itself, and at least one qualified supervisor license and one master license for each company. Some licenses require the applicant to pass an exam. The city lists testing information on its contractor license application page.
The city's HVAC-related licenses, classified as Class C-1 licenses, include:
HVAC Master & Contractor
HVAC Journeyman
HVAC Apprentice
Refrigeration Master & Contractor
Refrigeration Journeyman
Refrigeration Apprentice
License application requirements for both HVAC and refrigeration include:
Contractor licenses:
Company contractor license application
Certificate of general liability insurance
Proof of registration with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Workers' Compensation division, if the company has employees
Fee: $250 for one-year license; $75 renewal fee
Master licenses:
Pass the appropriate ICC National Standard exam or Wyoming (WAM) exam
Minimum three years verifiable journeyman experience and minimum four years verifiable apprentice experience
Refrigeration applicants must show documentation of current refrigerant reclamation certification
Fee: $100 for one year-license; $25 renewal fee
Journeyman licenses:
Pass the appropriate ICC National Standard exam or Wyoming (WAM) exam
Verification of four years experience as an apprentice
Refrigeration applicants must show documentation of current refrigerant reclamation certification
Fee: $80 for one-year license; $15 renewal fee
Apprentice licenses:
Fee: $20 for one-year license; $5 renewal fee
It's important to note the city requires those in HVAC or refrigeration who perform electrical work on the load side of the disconnect, which supplies power to the equipment, to obtain a limited electrical license from Wyoming and a city-issued Class C-3 limited electrical license.
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City of Casper HVAC License Types and Requirements
The City of Casper Community Development Department issues individual contractor licenses for several types of HVAC work, including mechanical positions, boiler operators, and gas fitters. The license application is the same for all individual contactors.
The contractor’s board must first approve all applications before candidates can apply for testing or submit proof of passing an approved exam from another jurisdiction, if applicable.
The city does not require examinations for apprentices. The city also requires mechanical contractor companies to employ at least one full-time master as a qualifying individual for the contractor license.
The city's license requirements include:
Mechanical contractor
Minimum $100,000 personal injury and $300,000 property damage liability insurance
Fee: $300 for one-year license; $75 renewal fee
Master
Proof of completing apprentice training or four years of experience in a licensed shop, and five years of work experience as a journeyman or master under a state or city licensing authority with similar requirements, or nine years total experience
Fee: $75 for one-year license; $37.50 renewal fee
Journeyman
Proof of completing apprentice training or four years of experience in a licensed shop under a state or city licensing authority with similar requirements
Fee: $25 for one-year license; $15 renewal fee
Apprentice
Must work under the supervision of a licensed contractor
Fee: $3 for one-year license; $3 renewal fee
High-pressure boiler operator
Proof of two years full-time experience in operating boiler and steam-driven machinery under the supervision of a person holding a valid license
Fee: $20 for one-year license; $10 renewal fee
Low-pressure boiler operator
Proof of three months full-time experience
Fee: $10 for one-year license; $5 renewal fee
Gas fitter
Fee: $10 for one-year license; $5 renewal fee
EPA Certification for Wyoming and Beyond
Across the U.S., including Wyoming, federal EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require certification for technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere. Any professional who conducts refrigerant line-pressure tests or handles or adds refrigerant to existing air-conditioning systems needs to hold the certification.
In most cases, your employer will require you to obtain the certification as part of your training program.
You must acquire your EPA Certification from an approved organization. There are four types of EPA certifications for refrigerant, including:
Type I: for servicing small appliances containing five pounds of refrigerant or less.
Type II: for servicing high-pressure units that contain five pounds or more of refrigerant (including most small commercial and residential systems).
Type III: for servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.
Universal: for servicing all systems and appliances covered under Types I, II, and III.
For all certifications, you must pass the EPA certification exam. It covers the following topics:
Ozone depletion
Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol
Section 608 regulations
Substitute refrigerants and oils
Refrigeration
The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)
Recovery techniques
Dehydration evacuation
Safety
Shipping
National HVAC Certifications
Other certifications can help show your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) certification and other professional certifications can add to your marketability and increase your opportunity to make more money.
How Long Does it Take to Get an HVAC License in Wyoming?
Since Wyoming favors local licensing by jurisdiction, there’s no statewide standard on license types or length of license processing time. When it comes to HVAC training, many training programs and apprenticeships typically offer 8,000 hours (about four years) of on-the-job training.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an HVAC technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one HVAC software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Become an HVAC Technician in Wyoming?
How you get started will determine your upfront costs. If you start by getting some kind of college degree or certificate you’ll have tuition expenses. For instance, Laramie County Community College has 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, Wyoming offers an HVAC Apprenticeship program that is four years long and 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 and many students are able to attend free of charge because of federal grants.
The cost to take the EPA Section 608 Certification Examination can be as low as $20 for the Type I exam and upwards of $150 for the Universal Exam, but if you start with a college program or apprenticeship, that is often included.
Licensing is at the municipal level, so the licensing costs vary. In both Cheyenne and Casper every level of licensure has a different fee associated with it.
Cheyenne:
Apprentice : $20 for one-year license; $5 renewal fee
Journeyman: $80 for one-year license; $15 renewal fee
Master: $100 for one year-license; $25 renewal fee
Contractor: $250 for one-year license; $75 renewal fee
Casper:
Apprentice : $3 for one-year license; $3 renewal fee
Journeyman: $25 for one-year license; $15 renewal fee
Master: $75 for one year-license; $37.50 renewal fee
Contractor: $300 for one-year license; $75 renewal fee
Be sure to check the jurisdiction where you will be working for the specific costs associated with licensing.
Benefits of Becoming an HVAC Professional in Wyoming
There are many benefits of working in the HVAC field in Wyoming:
The lack of statewide licensing means you need only to meet your local requirements, employer expectations and get federal EPA certification if you will be handling refrigerant.
You will earn as you learn with a guarantee of pay increases as you develop new skills.
The EPA and other certifications you earn over your years of experience are proof of your knowledge and expertise.
Being a skilled tradesman gives you a competitive advantage and job security.
You will be embarking on a career, not just doing a job.
You can eventually own your own business and be your own boss.
What Is the Mean Wage for an HVAC Technician in Wyoming?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the annual mean wage for HVAC mechanics and installers in Wyoming as $54,290. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.
HVAC Installer: The average wage for an HVAC installer is $30.34 per hour in Wyoming and $6,750 overtime per year.
HVAC Technician: The average wage for an HVAC Technician is $30.65 per hour in Wyoming and $6,750 overtime per year.
HVAC Mechanic: The average wage for an HVAC Mechanic is $26.23 per hour in Wyoming.
HVAC Supervisor: The average base wage for an HVAC Supervisor is $67,395 per year in Wyoming.
Pay ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Wyoming HVAC Training Programs and Trade Schools
There are two main organizations that accredit HVAC programs, schools, and apprenticeships nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). Neither organization has accredited programs in Wyoming, but several schools offer HVAC programs accredited by different organizations.
Wyoming HVAC Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship programs enable candidates to get paid while obtaining practical experience needed for a journeyman, master, or contractor license.
The program Build Our Wyoming connects candidates with training, apprenticeship programs, and jobs in the construction industry.
The Casper Area Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, a nonprofit training program for the SMART Union in Casper, offers apprenticeships in HVAC and refrigeration.
National job-search websites show local HVAC employers offering apprenticeships.
Does My Wyoming HVAC License Work in Any Other States?
No. Because the state of Wyoming doesn’t use a licensing board to oversee HVAC contractor registration, the state generally doesn’t allow reciprocal agreements with other states. Instead, local cities issue licenses (if required) for the HVAC position.
Those with Wyoming electrician licenses may take advantage of the state's reciprocal journeyman electrician license agreement with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Texas. The state also has a reciprocal master electrician license agreement with Idaho, Iowa, and South Dakota.
Additional Resources for Wyoming HVAC Techs
You can stay up to date on all HVAC industry news several ways:
Check top HVAC blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top HVAC podcasts, such as ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
