HVAC technicians are experts in heating and cooling systems. The career is notable for the incredible increase in demand it has experienced in recent years. Anyone looking for a highly secure job in Texas with a reasonable salary and technical proficiency would always do well to consider HVAC technology.
Before you can get started, it is advisable to understand everything the career entails and how to go about the journey most directly and straightforwardly as possible.
Luckily, that is exactly what this article is all about. Here, you’ll learn about the critical steps involved in becoming an HVAC Technician in Texas, possible alternatives, licensing requirements, and potential salary.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Texas
Below are the critical steps involved in becoming an HVAC technician in Texas:
1. Possess a High School Diploma or GED
A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement needed to practice as an HVAC technician in Texas. Those who don’t have this may provide a GED equivalent to a high school diploma.
2. Obtain Necessary Training
To become an HVAC technician, you can receive training through an apprenticeship program or a college/trade school program. Both of these options have their benefits.
For instance, becoming an HVAC technician through an apprenticeship program allows you to learn under experienced technicians who can mentor you in the process.
Formal training programs are great because of their solid theoretical foundation, which can go a long way in preparing you for licensing and certification exams.
It is also possible to combine them by attending a college program and completing a shorter apprenticeship or vice versa.
3. Work Experience and Licensing
To work as an HVAC technician in Texas, you must either become a licensed contractor or a registered technician and work under a licensed contractor.
To become licensed, you must first register with the state, obtain certification by attending a certification program or work experience, and apply for a Texas ACR Contractor License.
Consider Trades with Similar Paths:
Top HVAC Technician Schools in Texas
1. Houston Community College
The HVAC technology program at Houston Community College is divided into a certificate program and an associate of applied science program.
The certificate program is further divided into two categories - the basic certificate and the advanced certificate. The former consists of 21 credits, while the latter consists of 42 credit hours. Both can be completed in a year.
The associate degree program takes two years to complete and comprises 60 credit hours.
2. Tulsa Welding School and Technology Center
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, Tulsa Welding School and Technology Center has a viral HVAC tech program thanks to its flexible course scheduling and hands-on training.
Key focus topics include the fundamentals of refrigeration, comfort systems, and advanced troubleshooting techniques.
The entire program can be completed in seven months.
3. San Jacinto College
Another notable school to consider for high-quality HVAC technology training in Texas is San Jacinto College. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the school has a certificate and an associate degree program in HVAC tech.
Students who enroll for the associate degree program must complete 60 credit hours with a focus on refrigeration principles, advanced electricity for HVAC, and more.
Explore HVAC Technician Schools by City:
Licensure and Certification Requirements
Anyone who wishes to practice as an HVAC technician in Texas must first register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. To do so, they must submit an online application and pay a $20 registration fee.
While registration is enough to work under a licensed contractor, you must go through additional steps to become a licensed contractor.
There are two ways to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Texas. You may
- Complete a training program that takes no less than 2000 hours and work on a job site for at least 24 months under supervision, or
- Work on a job site for at least 48 months under the supervision of a licensed contractor.
Fulfilling the above requirements qualifies you to apply for the licensing exam. The application will set you back by $50.
Salary and Job Outlook
HVAC technicians in Texas earn an annual average salary of $50,522. Those in the top 10% of earners take home $79,055 yearly, while those in the bottom 10% take home $32,287 yearly.
Location is essential to how much an HVAC technician earns in Texas. For instance, HVAC technicians in the Dallas-Fort Worth area earn the highest annual average at $57,611, while those in Austin and Houston follow with yearly averages of $56,860 and $52,882, respectively.
HVAC technicians in San Antonio earn an annual average salary of $51,716.
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