Guide To Refrigeration Technician Training Programs

For those interested in refrigerant safety (e.g., CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs) and other fundamentals, there’s an abundance of on-campus and online training programs throughout the United States. Refrigerant training is typically part of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC or HVAC/R) programs, although some people seeking specialized knowledge (e.g., the difference between zeotropic and azeotropic refrigerant mixtures) or exclusive employment in commercial refrigeration may want more focused training.

Notably, the HVAC/R industry has one mandatory credential for all people who deal with refrigerants, which are environmentally sensitive chemicals: the EPA Section 608 certification.

In addition to the abundance of refrigeration training programs, employment prospects in this field look bright into the coming years. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2020) anticipated a 4 percent increase in openings for HVAC/R mechanics and installers across the country between 2018 and 2028. With the projected addition of 15,100 fresh openings in the HVAC/R industry, this is a skilled profession with relatively high job security in the future.

There are varied reasons for these bright employment prospects. First, HVAC/R systems generally need to be replaced every ten to 15 years. Also, a majority of US residences, factories, retail spaces, hospitals, schools, and virtually all structures have climate control and refrigeration systems within them. Particularly in areas of new construction, there’s a high demand for HVAC/R professionals to install new equipment. Finally, since environmental legislation, efficiency standards, and technologies are continually evolving, systems often receive continual upgrades.

This guide explores HVAC/R and refrigeration training programs, including the expected coursework, desired credentialing, and professional associations in the industry.

HVAC/R Training Programs

As mentioned in the introduction, many of the community college or vocational school programs offering refrigeration training do so along with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) instruction, through what is known as HVAC/R. So in addition to learning about HVAC in one of these certificate or associate degree programs, here is a sampling of typical refrigeration courses:

Basic refrigeration
Commercial refrigeration
Refrigerator applications
Advanced air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating
Refrigeration principles
Commercial refrigeration startup
Domestic refrigeration appliances
Refrigeration fundamentals

Depending on the length and scope of the program, students may need to complete an externship, do lab work, or undergo other hands-on training experiences. Before digging into the refrigeration-specific programs, here are some brief descriptions of featured HVAC/R schools across the US:

Ferris State University, in Big Rapids, Mich., offers an HVAC/R program that can be completed either as an associate or bachelor’s degree, the latter which requires more time for completion. Basic refrigeration is a component of both programs as is generalized HVAC education.
Tarrant County College, in Fort Worth, Texas, provides an associate of applied science (AAS) degree with three specialization areas, including one in HVAC refrigeration tech. The degree includes six technical classes essential to completing the program and offers an EPA recovery certification course.
Kirtland Community College, located in Roscommon, Mich., offers HVAC/R training that can lead to an associate degree. Because the school has a flexible learning environment, students can complete their coursework at their own pace, which is especially convenient for students with full-time jobs or parenting responsibilities.
Virginia’s Community Colleges, with locations mainly in the eastern US, offers students HVAC/R training that can lead to an associate degree. The program is designed to take 88 weeks to complete and includes an externship, giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
Grand Rapids Community College, in Grand Rapids, Mich., is another school offering HVAC/R training. Students have the option of completing either a one-year certificate or a two-year associate’s degree. Students in both programs take hands-on laboratory courses each semester to gain real-world experience.

Refrigeration Training Courses

Of course, the scope of one’s education varies by institution. While many refrigeration courses are folded into larger HVAC instruction, there are also some refrigeration-specific courses, often combined with air-conditioning instruction. Here are a few options available within the US:

Renton Technical Colleges in Renton, Wash. offers a commercial refrigeration technology certificate and associate’s degree program. The 61-credit certificate can be completed in just three quarters and the 91-credit AAS degree can be completed in five quarters. All students learn industry safety standards for appliance installation and operation as we as how to diagnose and repair refrigeration products for use in residential and commercial settings. This program meets Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Electrical Section standards and includes a course on EPA regulations and refrigerant recovery. Courses are taught Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM and tuition is $130 per credit for Washington state residents and $145 per credit for out-of-state residents.
The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, commonly known as the RSES, also offers refrigeration and air-conditioning training through its local chapters across the country and online. Designed for complete beginners and seasoned professionals, this course includes courses such as the principles of refrigeration; compressors, condensers, and cooling towers; evaporators and system components; and tools, controls, and troubleshooting, among others. The price of these courses varies by region. More details can be found by looking at the organization’s events calendar or by contacting specific RSES chapters.
Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, Georgia, offers a variety of courses related to ammonia refrigeration, including industrial ammonia refrigeration, ammonia for non-operators, hazmat training, RETA basic electricity, and RETA control theory and fundamentals, among others. Corporate discounts may be available for some classes, which typically cost $1,450 for a two-day 40-hour class. Extra fees may apply.
Harper College, in Palatine, Illinois, offers five certificate programs: residential HVAC/R, comfort systems, refrigeration service, heating service, and air conditioning and refrigeration. These certificate programs range from 19 to 29 credits and these certificate courses can be stacked towards an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in HVAC/R. Programs cost $133.50 per credit hour for in-district residents and $390.50 for those living out of the district (2019-21).
Sheridan Technical College has several locations in Florida and offers programs focused on in A/C, refrigeration, and heating. It provides 600- and 750-hour training options with laboratory and didactic training in servicing of A/C and refrigeration units, troubleshooting of electrical and mechanical systems; and more. This program costs $5,030 for the 2019-20 school year, plus additional fees for equipment and books.

Online Refrigeration Training

A number of programs can also be found online in HVAC/R training, including some specifically in refrigeration. High-speed internet access may be helpful to view lessons and videos through this format. Here are some of these distance-based refrigeration programs:

Penn Foster offers an online career diploma in HVAC/R that can be completed in 7-11 months. The program comprises eight different units such as residential and light commercial HVAC/R systems; commercial refrigeration and HVAC/R maintenance; and refrigeration systems. It also features an EPA test prep course and a certification test voucher as a graduation gift. Tuition varies by payment plan.
Danfoss offers several free online and in-person courses in refrigeration and air conditioning. Some of the modules in thermostatic expansion valves, water valves, and compressor and condensing units, among others. The eLessons are offered in several languages and can be completed online via video-based courses.
RSES, mentioned earlier, also offers online coursework through its eLearning portal. Units include hydrocarbon refrigerants, CEH, refrigerant usage training for the EPA Section 608 certification, and the North American Technical Excellence or NATE exam preparation, among others. Each specific course has a different price and information is available through the RSES website.
Dupont offers an online course in refrigeration through its eLearning Suite. This is part 15 of a 16-part course on energy efficiency and has instruction in the refrigeration cycle, compressors, expansion valves, evaporators, condensers, refrigerants and cycle performance, cooling circuits and lubrication, positive displacement compressors, centrifugal chillers, best practices for refrigeration, and other fundamentals of the discipline. This unit costs $450 for one year of access.
Emerson Climate Technologies provides an online course in air conditioning and refrigeration basics that is just 30 minutes in length and features instruction on the refrigeration system and its components, compressor performance and other topics. Emerson has other units on the fundamentals of refrigeration, digital scroll compressors, electrical circuits, E2 refrigeration and building controllers, and thermostatic expansion valves. Similar to many of the online refrigeration courses above, the pricing varies by course and can be found on their website.

These are only a few of the distance-based refrigeration training schools available. Other options can be found on the main online HVAC training schools page.

Refrigeration Certification

All workers that repair, fix, or maintain refrigeration systems or who are involved in the disposal of refrigerants need to seek certification through the EPA. That’s because these processes are chemically sensitive and could release refrigerants into the air, harming the ozone and other parts of the environment.

EPA Section 608 Technician Certification includes four types of certification available, which vary by type of equipment serviced or disposed of: I) small appliances; II) high or very-high pressure appliances; III) low-pressure appliances; and IV) universal certification, for servicing all types of equipment, encompassing the other three. Testing to pass one or more of these certifications must be done at an EPA-approved site. Once a technician passes the exam, their credentials do not expire.

AC/C Tech, one of the organizations authorized to provide testing, reports that these exams are proctored and include 25 questions about EPA regulations as well as 25 questions on recycling procedures in the area in which certification is being sought. The universal Type IV test, which covers all three areas, comprises 100 questions including 25 general questions, as well as 75 sector-specific questions—25 each regarding Type I, II, and II.

A minimum score of 70 percent is needed to pass any of the exams. There is much information available online and through specific testing sites that it may be worthwhile to find out more details beforehand. To start out, check out some of the links about EPA testing below:

There are EPA sites across the country that offer Section 608 testing, including locations in Washington DC; Big Rapids, Mich.; Modesto, Calif.; and many others. The EPA also offers information about the different types of certification available such as the testing categories, recovery requirements, recovery techniques, and safety procedures.
EPAtest.com provides a free Type I and Type II study manuals. The company also offers Type II, III, and IV test preparation through its Qwik608 self-study course.
The ESCO Institute, which offers EPA testing at various locations, also provides free practice exams at all four levels. Additionally, testing manuals are available in English and Spanish, as well as audio CD versions and for Kindle.
The ACCA—the Indoor Environment & Energy Efficiency Association—a non-profit organization, also provides Section 608 EPA testing and points out on its website that certification is required by law under the provisions of the Clean Air Act. The association offers a number of training and educational products as well as strategies for helping contractors ensure their new hires become certified not just the required way, but also the “right way.”

Other Refrigeration Certifications

Additional certification exams are offered through North American Technician Excellence (NATE) as Industry Competency Exams (ICEs). To become NATE-certified, one needs to pass the core exam and a specialty exam. Two certifications that can be pursued in refrigeration are the Light Commercial Refrigeration Service and Commercial Refrigeration Service certifications. Links that may be helpful to learn more about NATE certification are listed below:

NATE offers details on its Light Commercial Refrigeration Service exam. It features 100 questions, is pass/fail, and that test-takers have 2.5 hours to complete it.
Similarly, NATE provides information on its Commercial Refrigeration Service exam, which similarly features 100 questions, is pass/fail, and must be completed within 2.5 hours. This exam tests students on their knowledge of the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of small refrigeration systems ranging from 7.5 to 80 horsepower.
Practice exams are available on YouTube to help students prepare for NATE ICE technician certifications in air conditioning and refrigeration.
For those seeking a more traditional study experience, there’s also a book—the Guide to the NATE/ICE Certification Exams—written by Robert Featherstone and Jess Riojas.
Similarly, NATE lists a number of resources on its website available to help individuals prepare for the examination. This includes a list of training partners and relevant publications.

Refrigeration Professional Associations

Once an individual has completed an EPA 608 certification or other refrigeration credentials, there are various professional associations to assist with networking contacts, career connections, and even continuing education opportunities. Here are a few professional groups which serve as a complement to refrigeration training and credentialing:

The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) which offers industry advocacy at the state and federal level, provides details about upcoming meetings and events, as well as information about certification and training programs.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, better known as ASHRAE, features conferences and webcasts to its members, a distinguished lecturer program, a job board, education and certification information, government briefings and congressional updates.
The aforementioned RSES promotes itself as “the HVAC/R Training Authority” and provides membership at differing levels, including student, individual, lifetime, contractor (corporate), and corporate. Members receive benefits such as education, certification preparation, a monthly RSES Journal, and discounted rates on goods and services.
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) focuses on refrigeration for sustainable development and has conferences, news updates, and publications on topics related to refrigeration. Memberships are offered at either the private or corporate level, and currently include a free 18-month membership for those under the age of 30 who are recommended by a professor who is also an IIR member.
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) provides technical bulletins, an online newsletter, publication discounts, and more to its members. Training videos, technical papers, and information about its annual conference can also be found on the IIAR website.
The Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) is an organization dedicated to the professional development of industrial refrigeration technicians and operators. It has an annual conference as well as publications, conferences, and local seminars to help members stay networked and educated.

Lastly, there are various associations at the regional or state level, some of which are area chapters of prominent national organizations. Some of the larger groups include:

Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA)
Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Mechanical Contractors Association of Southern California, Inc. (ARCA/MCA)
Southern Nevada Air Conditioning Refrigeration Service Contractors Association (SNARSCA)

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Rachel is a freelance writer, educator, and yogini from Oregon. She’s taught English to international university students in the United States and Japan for more than a decade and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon. A dedicated Ashtanga yoga practitioner, Rachel is interested in exploring the nuanced philosophical aspects of contemplative physical practices and how they apply in daily life. She writes about this topic among others on her blog (Instagram: @racheldrummondyoga).