Once you have made a decision on a career as a heating and cooling professional, the next step is to choose an HVAC vocational school near Brentwood MD. But with so many to pick from, how do you choose the best one to obtain the training that you require? Many potential students will make their decision based exclusively on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. Even though these are necessary factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. A few of the other factors 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. Those and additional criteria will be addressed in more detail later in this article. But before we explore how to pick an HVAC trade school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling specialist does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

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

How to Become an HVAC Pro in Brentwood MD

HVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are commonly mandated to be licensed, however each state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Obtaining professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Brentwood MD HVAC techs to establish that they are exceptionally skilled and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are several recognized certifications within the industry that are available. Following are a few of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is achieved by passing a competency examination and can be received in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience along with a passing result on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are offered in various specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for specialists that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing could be required in your location, and you may also intend to earn certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will most likely be handling refrigerants, make certain that the program you select readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

There are a number of options available for HVAC instruction in a vocational or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, often achieved in just six months, though some courses 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 programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief description of each option offered near Brentwood MD.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more extensive background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally requiring two years to complete, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn 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 possibility is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Brentwood MD, later going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Attending an HVAC school online is one alternative to attaining your training and receiving a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. Some 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 via the internet, this approach may be a more accessible solution for some Brentwood MD students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are more economical than other on campus choices. Even commuting expenses from Brentwood and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more budget-friendly. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family responsibilities have left you with limited time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions For HVAC Training Classes near Brentwood MD

When you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you desire to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Brentwood MD area and throughout the Country to pick from. That’s why it is imperative to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial two factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Brentwood MD area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It may also mean that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of Brentwood MD HVAC employers to assist students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with local Brentwood MD HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Brentwood MD HVAC contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Brentwood MD residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Brentwood MD, verify that the programs you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending HVAC School near Brentwood MD?

Pick the Right HVAC Trade School near Brentwood MD

Picking the right HVAC training program is a critical first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and air conditioning field. As we have covered in this post, you should pick a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC community. Other features to search for are lots of hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and whether night or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have outlined in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC contractor in Brentwood MD.

More Fabulous Cities in Maryland

Business Results 1 - 10 of 1100

McMurrays Heating & A C

51 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Washington, DC 20019

Brian B Quick

52 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Brentwood, MD 20722

Saini Air Conditioning

39 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

800 3rd St SW, Washington, DC 20024

AMS Air Conditioning and Heating

62 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Rockville, MD 20853

495 HVAC

65 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

6375 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312

FIXED! HVAC Service

33 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Gambrills, MD 21054

Connor Air Repair Express Services

62 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Fireplace Services, Insulation Installation

Phone:

Alexandria, VA 22312

Jimmy Gusky Heating & Air

94 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

1250 Taylor St NW, Washington, DC 20011

Mike's Heating & Cooling

18 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

9021 Linton St, Silver Spring, MD 20901

D & A Heating & Cooling

15 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Hyattsville, MD 20781

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Brentwood MD 20722 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.