HVAC Technician Schools in Rhode Island

HVAC technicians are trained to work in several environments, including various building parts. These professionals must also travel a lot and are expected to be very safety-conscious.

Individuals in Rhode Island who are certain they can develop all of these characteristics would do well to enter into the profession, as it can be a very rewarding path to a long-lasting career with several upward movements.

The following article breaks down all the steps that candidates must follow to become properly trained and meet the state licensing requirements. We also explore opportunities for career growth, specific training programs guaranteeing high-quality education, and projected annual average income.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island

The following is a step-by-step overview of what it takes to become a successful HVAC technician in Rhode Island.

Classroom Training

Most training programs for prospective HVAC technicians in Rhode Island can be completed within 6 months to 2 years. The duration of training will determine what awards and degrees an individual regularly graduates with.

This, in turn, can influence how comprehensive their training is and how appealing they are to prospective employers in the state.

On-the-Job Training

Apprenticeship programs can be an opportunity provided by a trade union. There are several union chapters across the country and Rhode Island where candidates can find robust training. Professional organizations that are not trade unions can also offer excellent programs.

Most apprenticeship programs and hands-on training opportunities for prospective HVAC technicians can be completed within four to five years.

Employment & Licensing

Once a candidate completes all of the above steps and is properly trained, they must fulfill the state’s licensing requirements for their focus areas before becoming full-fledged professionals. We look at this particular consideration below.

Explore other trades with similar paths:

• Become a welder in Rhode Island

Licensure & Certification Requirement

A state license is needed to work as a successful HVAC technician in Rhode Island, and it is issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Division of Professional Regulations. Of course, federal regulation also states that HVAC technicians must receive the Environmental Protection Agency 608 certification before they can work with refrigerants.

Candidates need to acquire proper education and officially submit an application to qualify for a license. Several licensing categories are to be considered, including the Sheet Metal Technician license, which allows candidates to install and service sheet metal systems found in HVAC systems.

Other licensing categories are the Refrigeration Air Conditioning Technician license and the Pipe Fitter license. For HVAC contractors, we have the Sheet Metal Master Contractor license, Pipe Fitter Master Contractor license, Refrigeration Master Contractor license, and Master Mechanical Contractor license.

Top HVAC Technician Schools in Rhode Island

The schools below offer excellent HVAC technician programs in Rhode Island.

Explore HVAC technician schools in Rhode Island by City:

• HVAC technician schools in Providence

Salary & Career Outlook

An average HVAC technician in Rhode Island can manage an annual salary of $69,078, virtually in line with the national average. By average HVAC technician, we mean candidates among the median category regarding yearly returns.

This means there are those above and below the average figure. Candidates among the top 10% of HVAC technician earners in Rhode Island take home an annual average salary of $108,154. In comparison, those among the bottom 10% can make an annual average salary of $44,120.

Factors influencing where individuals will fall in this salary spectrum include experience, location, specialty credentials, and establishment of employment.

Focusing on location, Pawtucket is where HVAC technicians take home the highest yearly returns in Rhode Island, with an annual average salary of $79,279. This is followed by Bristol, where the annual average salary is $76,922, and Providence, where the annual average salary is $75,002.