Now that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next step is to look for an HVAC technical school near Bisbee AZ. But with so many to pick from, how do you choose the ideal one to receive the training that you need? A number of future students will make their decision based entirely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Although these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Some of the other details that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and other benchmarks will be covered in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to choose an HVAC technical school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling technician does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

[campusexplorer header_text=”Find HVAC Training Schools Near You!” aos=”53237562″ concentration=”16D42C74″ tracking=”HVAC-D”]

Becoming an HVAC Specialist in Bisbee AZ

HVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, though each state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative means for Bisbee AZ HVAC techs to demonstrate that they are highly proficient and knowledgeable in their area of specialization. There are a number of recognized certifications within the field that are offered. Following are some of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is earned by passing a proficiency exam and may be earned in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of professional experience as well as passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience in addition to a passing result on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are made available in several specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for specialists that handle refrigerants. There are three types of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing might be required in your area, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s imperative that you choose an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make certain that the school you pick preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

There are a number of alternatives offered for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, usually completed in as little as 6 months, though some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree training programs can provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will provide more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each option offered near Bisbee AZ.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more extensive knowledge of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring 2 years to finish, a number of degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your long term career goals are, together with the time and money that you have to invest. One option is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Bisbee AZ, eventually going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, be sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one possibility in getting your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in hands on training. A number also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be participated in online, this option may be a more convenient solution for some Bisbee AZ students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less costly than other traditional choices. Even travelling expenses from Bisbee and study materials can be reduced, helping to make schooling more economical. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family responsibilities have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to fit school into your active schedule.

Questions For HVAC Certification Courses near Bisbee AZ

After you have picked the type of certificate or degree that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to narrow down your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Bisbee AZ area and throughout the United States to pick from. That’s why it is imperative to have a checklist of key qualifications when making school assessments. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial 2 variables you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC trade programs in the Bisbee AZ area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Confirm that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Also, many states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of Bisbee AZ HVAC employers to assist students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with local Bisbee AZ HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC tech you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Bisbee AZ HVAC company if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Bisbee AZ home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bisbee AZ, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Bisbee AZ?

Select the Right HVAC Training Course near Bisbee AZ

Selecting the right HVAC training program is an important first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating and cooling industry. As we have addressed in this article, you should select a technical school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC profession. Other factors to look for are plenty of practical training and modern facilities. You need to check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling options and if night or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC specialist in Bisbee AZ.

More Fabulous Cities in Arizona

Business Results 1 - 10 of 7

Air Flow Systems

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1525 S Rio Vista Rd, Bisbee, AZ 85603

Arizona Comfort Systems

20 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Insulation Installation

Phone:

131 S Schrader Rd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Berg's Heating & Air Conditioning Co

9 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

4109 E Monsanto Dr, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650

Mountain View Air Conditioning & Heating

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

3410 E Canyon De, Fl ores, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650

Penn-Tek LLC

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

3080 Cardinal Dr, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

350 S 7th St, Ste 1, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

TVAC

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

850 E Teton Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

 

Bing: Arizona HVAC Schools Search results

• HVAC Training & Certification Programs | Phoenix, AZ | RSI

  Complete your HVAC training in just 6 months! Explore our HVAC education classes and courses to kickstart your HVAC certificate training journey at RSI.

• Air Conditioning/Refrigeration/Facilities - Maricopa Community Colleges

  The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Air Conditioning/Refrigeration/Facilities program is designed to provide training in the areas of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems, electricity, electronic controls and instrumentation, hydronics, electro-mechanical devices, and general repair.

• HVAC Schools in Arizona: The Ultimate Guide - ServiceTitan

  Arizona has quite a few community college programs designed to train students for a career in HVAC. Only one, however, is accredited by either of the two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). These ...

• 10 Best HVAC Schools in Arizona (2024 Updated) - Only Trade Schools

  If you live in Arizona and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career in the HVAC industry, this page provides you with information about the top training programs in the region. Search HVACR Certified Technician Programs

• HVAC - Maricopa Community Colleges

  Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) technicians are always in high demand. Our hands-on program will provide you with entry-level to advanced training in repairing, installing, and servicing HVAC-R equipment and systems.

• About RSI | Your Path to HVAC, Refrigeration & Electrical School

  The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) located in Phoenix, Arizona, trains individuals in the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC/R), electrical and welding.

• HVAC Schools in Arizona (AZ) - Training & Certification Programs

  Check out accredited HVAC schools in Arizona (AZ), incluidng information about professional certification, licensure, career outlook, and salary.

• The Best HVAC Schools and Training Programs in Arizona

  Arizona offers people looking to enter the booming HVAC industry several great choices for higher education and professional training in HVAC. If an HVAC Technician is your ideal job, check out the options listed above for adult education, certificates and training .

• HVAC Schools in Arizona (Top Programs Listed) - Vocational Training HQ

  All of the information you'll need about HVAC schools in Arizona including the best programs, paid training options, and classes in Arizona.

• 5 Best HVAC Schools in Phoenix & Mesa, AZ - Vocational Training HQ

  East Valley Institute of Technology provides one of the quicker HVAC training programs in the Phoenix and Mesa area. It includes 360 clock hours of training or five months. All you need is a high school diploma or GED to get started and a basic proficiency in reading and math.

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Bisbee AZ 85603 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.