How to Become an HVAC Technician in Idaho

An HVAC professional is a skilled worker who has been trained to work on cooling, air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating systems (HVAC systems) in buildings. They install new systems, maintain and inspect older systems, and diagnose problems, make repairs and replace parts as needed. [Leer en español]

Requirements for Becoming an HVAC Technician in Idaho

There are no specific requirements for education or training in order to become an HVAC technician in Idaho. However, most employers will require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many will prefer that you have some formal training from a vocational school, community college, or trade school.

The skills needed to be an HVAC tech include:

Good customer service skills
Mechanical dexterity
Skills in using hand tools and power tools
Ability to read blueprints
Knowledge of basic electricity
Ability to lift heavy objects in small places

These skills can be learned on the job, but it will take longer to become fully proficient if you don’t have any formal training. Many people choose to complete a certificate or associate’s degree program in HVAC technology before they start looking for jobs.

Idaho has statewide licensing requirements for apprentices, journeymen and contractors working in the HVAC industry. In order to get started as an apprentice, your first step will be to enroll in an HVAC program at a college or an apprenticeship program through a local union or non-union organization. The state’s Division of Building Safety lists the approved programs throughout the state. These will provide you with the required classroom and hands-on training hours needed to work toward becoming a journeyman in Idaho.

HVAC Schools in Idaho

Any of the state’s approved HVAC programs are great options for those who wish to pursue this career path. Just one of them is accredited by HVAC Excellence, a national accreditation institute:

College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. Southern Idaho’s HVAC program curriculum is accredited by HVAC Excellence.
Idaho State University, Pocatello. Idaho State offers students an approved apprenticeship program for HVAC technicians. It is a four-year program that provides classroom learning as well as paid work and training on the job as an apprentice.
Southwest Central Idaho Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), Boise. This union program trains students to work in HVAC and to work with sheet metal in ventilation systems. As with most JATCs, you must be 18 and have a high school diploma or GED to qualify.

Certification and Licensing for Becoming an HVAC Technician in Idaho

In Idaho, licensing of HVAC workers is done through the state’s Division of Building Safety. There are several different licenses for HVAC professionals, including apprentice, journeyman, contractor and specialty apprentice, journeyman or contractor. Your first step to work in HVAC in Idaho will be to apply to be an apprentice. To qualify, you need to be at least 18 years old, be employed by a licensed HVAC contractor and be enrolled in a post-secondary academic program or an apprenticeship program.

Once you have completed an apprenticeship, you can apply to become a journeyman HVAC technician. To qualify, you must have a record of 8,000 hours of supervised work experience and four years of training in apprenticeship or school programs. With these qualifications you can take the journeyman exam.

Finally, you may choose to become a licensed HVAC contractor in the state. This requires that you have at least two years of work experience as a journeyman and that you pass the appropriate exam. You will also need to purchase a $2,000 compliance bond. Contractors can hire journeymen and train apprentices while heading up HVAC projects.

If you will be working with refrigerants in any state, you have to be certified according to federal rules. Under the Clean Air Act, you are required to achieve EPA certification. This requires passing an exam.

Please see the Environmental Protection Agency Section 608 certification page for more information.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

HVAC careers are on the rise, and you can expect that there will be thousands of jobs available throughout the country in the coming years. New construction and aging systems that need technology upgrades ensure that qualified HVAC workers will continue to be in demand indefinitely.

Nationally, the average salary for HVAC workers is $48,630, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Idaho it is just $46,960 per year, but the cost of living is much lower here than in many other states.

Working as an HVAC Technician in Idaho

As an HVAC worker in Idaho, you can expect to work for a contractor, although you may also be hired by government agencies, school districts or industrial employers. The work environment can be dangerous, and injuries and accidents are a risk. This is why it is important to know and follow safety regulations and to use safety gear.

You’ll find most HVAC job opportunities in and around Boise, Nampa and Idaho Falls. HVAC jobs are plentiful in these cities, and the average salary is higher than in other parts of the state.

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