Check this out to learn how to get licensed to work in Arkansas as an HVAC technician. Learn about schools and apprenticeships, the exams you'll need to take and how much they cost - and importantly, what you can expect to earn in your future career!
3. HVAC is a rapidly growing field in Arkansas with projected job growth of
16% over the next 10 years and has a high return-on-investment rate with
ample career opportunities.
The demand for HVAC technicians is soaring in Arkansas, where climate
control is a big issue. This is because 70% of the state’s HVAC systems
have an inadequate airflow and need to be fixed.
Here, we will discuss the path to becoming an
HVAC technician, including HVAC training,
licensing, and certification in Arkansas.
4. HVAC TRAINING IN
ARKANSAS
To become an HVAC technician, you would need
some training in the field. When you attend an
HVAC training school, you learn about HVAC
equipment and how to diagnose and troubleshoot
problems; how to repair, replace defective
components and equipment or wiring; and carry out
preventative inspections and maintenance on HVAC
equipment.
There is more to be learned about the topic such
as electrical theory and psychometrics, but we will
discuss the most prevalent topics, as course topics
are prone to change depending on the school of
your choice.
5. TOPICS
Some common topics include duct leakage
testing, residential heat loads, pressure
enthalpy, combustion analysis and fuel
efficiency, hydrocarbon refrigerants, best
refrigeration and charging procedure,
residential energy auditor, and EPA Section
608 and EPA Section 609.
You’ll study in accordance with Partnership
for Air conditioning, Heating,
Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA)
and their standards.
PAHRA is an independent organization that
accredits programs that meet or exceed
industry-validated standards.
6. TOP ARKANSAS HVAC SCHOOLS
One of the many schools in you could attend
to get HVAC training in Arkansas is
the Arkansas State University in Searcy, which
offers a 34 credit hour technical certification in
air conditioning technology.
This certification program focuses on providing
training regarding installation and servicing of
central air conditioning systems and various
refrigeration equipment.
Some of the topics taught in this course
include gas heating systems, electric circuits
and controls, air distribution, air conditioning
and refrigeration components, and introduction
to general electronics. The upfront cost for this
course is $5,200.
7. Another viable option is the Arkansas Tech
University in Ozark. The school offers a 36 credit
hour technical certificate in air conditioning and
refrigeration and a 60 credit hour associates in
applied science in general technology with an option
in air condition and refrigeration.
Students are required to have competency in HVAC
Excellence Exam before they graduate, and are
mandated to take the EPA Certification Test. The
cost for this program runs from $113 and $215 per
credit hour.
8. NECESSARY
CERTIFICATIONS
In Arkansas, new HVAC technicians are not mandated to
have a license, but you might want to apply for one in order
to further advance your career.
There are six classes of licensing available through the
Licensing Board, ranging from air conditioning systems to
refrigeration. HVAC technicians must renew their
license annually. To qualify for Class A, B, C, D,
and E license, one must be at least 18 years old
and pass required examination. Two years of
relevant work experience is also necessary.
Also, if you wish to work with or dispose of refrigerants, you
are required to have the EPA Section 608
certification.
9. SALARY
Average median hourly wage in Arkansas is $17.01,
and ranges from a starting wage of $10.21 and
goes up to $26.80. Yearly salary ranges from
starting salary of $21,240 to $55,750, with a median
salary of $35,380.
This figure is slightly lower than the national
average of the median hourly wage of $20.21 per
hour, but HVAC is still a growing field in Arkansas,
and there is a high probability of HVAC becoming
more lucrative in the future.
10. CONCLUSION
HVAC is an ever-growing field in Arkansas with high job growth and tons of
opportunities for a successful career, even in a weak economy.
If you are interested in starting a career in the field of HVAC, we
recommend starting out with HVAC training and getting HVAC licensing in
Arkansas for credibility.