As an HVAC technician, you will be expected to perform duties such as installing HVAC systems, troubleshooting these systems, figuring out requirements, and perhaps even selling such equipment along the way. These duties include acquiring the expertise needed and fulfilling a few state mandates.
Aspiring HVAC technicians in the state will find below all the information they need to start their careers correctly. We will examine the specific licensure requirements, salary projections, and the individual steps involved.
Interested individuals will also find some of the top programs in the state to acquire quality HVAC education.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Virginia
The following are the steps involved in becoming an HVAC technician in Virginia.
Step 1: Have a High School Diploma or GED
All HVAC technicians in Virginia must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent to secure admission into a training program. As you’ll see below, there are different kinds of programs for HVAC technicians in the state, but all of them tend to ask for this particular requirement before admission can be given.
Step 2: Acquire Proper HVAC Training
To fulfill the license requirements, aspiring HVAC technicians in Virginia must acquire training from an appropriate training program. Below are the different alternatives specified by the board.
Bachelor’s Degree
An aspiring HVAC technician in Virginia can start their career by graduating from a bachelor’s degree program organized by an accredited college or university. They must focus on HVAC and HVAC-related fields such as mechanical engineering. Additionally, they must also obtain one year of working experience.
Associate Degree or Diploma
Becoming an HVAC technician in Virginia is possible by earning an associate degree or a certificate. This can be obtained from community colleges and trade schools offering 2-year programs. In addition, candidates must obtain two years of work experience.
On-the-Job Training
Candidates may also begin an HVAC technician career in Virginia without attending any academic program. Those who wish to go for this option will instead have to acquire on-the-job training for 4 years.
In conjunction, they will also need 240 hours of vocational training. Apprenticeship programs offer this form of training. They provide both on-the-job training and formal training sessions.
Step 3: Obtain a Journeyman License
The board of contractors must license all HVAC technicians in Virginia. We take a look below at how to achieve this.
Additionally, they must obtain an EPA Section 608 Certification if they work with refrigerants.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Following the above steps is usually enough to earn a journeyman license as an aspiring HVAC technician in Virginia. You may consider improving yourself as a journeyman HVAC technician by applying for a master’s license after one year of working as a journeyman.
Those who become master HVAC technicians in Virginia will be able to supervise HVAC systems to comply with state code and layout details for installation. It is also possible to go a step above a master license by applying for a contractor license.
HVAC technicians in Virginia with a contractor license can take on large contracts and oversee bigger projects.
HVAC contractor license in Virginia is divided into three categories: class A license for unlimited contract sizes, class B license for contracts up to $120,000 per project and $750,000 per year, and class C license for contracts up to $10,000 per project and $150,000 per year.
Top HVAC Technician Schools in Virginia
Aspiring HVAC technicians in Virginia may consider the schools below.
- Northern Virginia Community College - Future HVAC technicians at Northern Virginia Community College can choose between two certificate programs and one associate degree program in HVAC technology.
- Southside Virginia Community College - Southside Virginia Community College offers an HVAC program where students can earn a certificate and other industry credentials.
- Notable Mentions - Other destinations to acquire high-quality HVAC training in Virginia include Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center, Advanced Technology Institute, and Valley Career and Technical Center
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Salary & Career Outlook
Virginia’s HVAC technicians earn an annual salary of $53,855, in line with the national average. Those in the top 10% earn an annual average salary of $96,401, while those in the bottom 10% earn an annual average salary of $30,087.
Some factors that can influence where an HVAC technician falls in the salary spectrum in Virginia include experience, location, and place of work. There is about a $23,000 difference between HVAC technicians in Virginia with one year of experience and those with more than 10 years of experience.
All in all, the highest paying city to be an HVAC technician in Virginia is Alexandria. The city boasts an annual average salary of $96,838. This is followed by Lorton, Manassas, Chantilly, and State Farm, with annual average salaries of $63,546, $61,571, $60,743, and $56,715, respectively.
HVAC technicians in Virginia Beach earn an annual average salary of $47,498.
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