Ontario, CA HVAC Training Schools & Certification

The residents of Ontario, CA, know what hot, windy summers feel like. Average temperatures from June through September can soar as high as 106 degrees F. Highs in the 90s flank those months during April and May, and October and November. Winters remain warm, ranging from highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 40s. Freezing temperatures are a rarity. The area is subject to the hot, dry Santa Ana winds, especially in the autumn months, that plague Southern California. All these factors in Ontario’s climate create a need for year-round heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); and trained technicians to install, service, and repair the equipment and systems.

Occupied for thousands of years by Native Americans, Ontario was settled by Franciscan monks in the 1700s. Like most early settlements, the economy was based on agriculture. It’s home to the “longest operating olive packing business in the United States,” which is now known more for its resident ghosts than olives. Be that as it may, the area transitioned from agriculture to manufacturing. The defense industry also continues to play a part in Ontario’s prosperity.

But the city hasn’t stopped growing. In keeping up with the times, Ontario has repositioned itself as a “transportation and distribution hub for Southern California.” The Ontario International Airport is one of the busiest in the country, and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are nearby. The many warehouses and shipping facilities all require the addition of refrigeration (HVAC/R) to protect the inventory and for the comfort of workers. As transportation in Southern California relies on highways, there’s also an increased need for automotive air conditioning experts.

In short, whether an HVAC technician prefers to work in homes and offices, or industrial complexes, or on trucks, there’s no shortage of opportunities in Ontario.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), 5,890 HVAC mechanics and installers were employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA area. The technicians and their employers receive training and support from industry organizations such as:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC)
California Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors, National Association (CAL SMACNA)
Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Contractors Association of Orange County, Riverside, And San Bernardino (PHCC ORSB)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
UA Local Union 364 of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Refrigeration

These and similar industry associations establish educational, licensing, and performance standards in cooperation with governmental agencies and regulatory authorities.

Keep reading to learn more about the bright occupational outlook for HVAC workers in Ontario, CA, including the salary prospects, accredited training programs, and how to become licensed HVAC technicians.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Technicians in Ontario, CA

According to BLS (2024) data, trained HVAC and HVAC/R technicians can expect job openings nationwide to increase 9 percent between 2023 and 2033, more than twice the four percent growth anticipated for all occupations that same decade. Technicians can, therefore, expect 40,100 new positions. The outlook for California technicians is even more optimistic. Projections Central (2024) expects 4,300 new positions, for an increase of 11.2 percent between 2022 and 2032.

The demand for trained technicians continues to grow primarily due to the construction of new homes, offices, medical and educational facilities, commercial structures, and industrial centers. Existing buildings, especially those in older cities such as Ontario, are often remodeled or renovated, which means aging or obsolete HVAC systems must be replaced, retrofitted, or upgraded. The reliance on technology may necessitate replacing some newer climate-control systems to keep the electronics operating correctly. Finally, California has strict energy efficiency and pollution reduction regulations that require up-to-date systems and equipment.

Climate-control equipment and systems have become increasingly complex, requiring trained technicians to install, maintain, and repair. Technicians who are skilled troubleshooters, proficient with computers, and understand high-tech will have the best job opportunities in Ontario. Those who specialize in new installations may occasionally experience unemployment. However, that is unlikely in Ontario in the foreseeable future as the city is on track for continued economic growth and prosperity.

Technicians choosing to specialize in maintenance, repairs, or services can expect year-round employment as businesses and homeowners need to keep their climate-control equipment operating efficiently regardless of the economy.

HVAC Salaries in Ontario, CA

BLS data (May 2023) shows that HVAC mechanics and installers received an annual average salary of $59,620. BLS also reports that technicians in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, area received an annual average salary of $64,830. The differences in salaries can be attributed to California’s high cost of living. As reported by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024), California is the second most expensive state in which to live, especially when it comes to housing.

The table below compares national, state, and regional earnings for HVAC technicians:

	United States	California	Riverside-San Bernardino – Ontario, CA
Number of HVAC workers	397,450	35,630	5,890
Average annual salary	$59,620	$70,050	$64,830
10th Percentile	$37,270	$45,040	$40,310
25th Percentile	$46,550	$49,960	$48,540
50th Percentile (Median)	$57,300	$62,230	$60,860
75th Percentile	$71,120	$79,980	$78,960
90th Percentile	$84,250	$103,970	$84,650

PayScale (Nov. 2024), which relies on self-reported salaries, reports the following for HVAC technicians nationwide:

10th percentile: $36,000
50th percentile (median): $54,960
90th percentile: $83,000

HVAC Apprenticeships in Ontario, CA

Historically, aspiring technicians could start as helpers and learn their skills through on-the-job training. However, the complexity of contemporary climate-control equipment and systems means that technicians must participate in an apprenticeship or attend formal classes. Trained workers typically have more employment opportunities, and they may start at higher wages and potentially earn more throughout their career.

Apprenticeships usually last four to five years and generally encompass 2,000 hours of on-the-job training combined with 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. The time required for formal training depends on the technician’s desired level of expertise.

Workers can access the database of HVAC apprenticeships maintained by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations. Currently, the site lists a 48-month sheet metal technician apprenticeship in Basset, CA. A 60-month HVAC residential and commercial service and repair apprenticeship is also sponsored by the P H C C Of The Greater Sacramento Area in Sacramento.

UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 364 offers a plumbing and steamfitting apprenticeship at the nearby Colton, CA training center. Details are available only by personal contact. The Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ORAC) in collaboration with the UA HVAC and Refrigeration Pipefitters Local Union 787 sponsors a “first year apprentice” program that prepares workers for continued training with a Local 787 contractor. Further information is available only through personal contact.

Aspiring apprentices who cannot attend these programs may find that HVAC and HVAC/R apprenticeship programs presented by industry associations will better meet their needs. These include:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC)
Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA)

Details of classes offered, fees, and times are available on each organization’s website.

Accredited HVAC Schools in Ontario, CA

Workers who prefer to obtain their training by attending a school should be sure to select an accredited institution. Accreditation means that an independent agency has evaluated the curriculum and instructors of the institution for quality. Two industry organizations are responsible for accrediting HVAC and HVAC/R programs.

The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) has accredited Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. HVAC Excellence has accredited the following:

Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
Cypress College, Cypress, CA
Mount San Antonio, Walnut, CA
North American Training Center, Redlands, CA

All the above schools require Ontario students to commute. However, the profiles below include Mount San Antonio College and North American Training Center as they are the closest to Ontario. Other reputable agencies have accredited the remaining schools.

Center for Employment Training

CET offers an HVAC and green technology training program at several campuses, with Colton being the closest to Ontario. The curriculum for the 900-hour program is presented via classroom lectures and hands-on practice in a lab equipped with residential and commercial systems.

The coursework includes HVAC safety and tools; mathematics; pipefitting, brazing, and soldering; electricity; green HVAC technology; duct work; refrigeration and recovery; and heating, among others. Graduates are prepared to take industry exams, including the EPA 608 and ESCO’s Green Awareness. CET provides job placement assistance to graduates.

Location: Colton, CA
Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education
Expected Time to Completion: Eight to nine months

Chaffee College

Chaffee College offers two HVAC/R certificate programs. Both are currently available only at the Chino campus. The curriculum for the Level I certificate includes the basics of HVAC/R; air distribution systems; basic copper and piping practices; electrical systems; refrigerants; heat pumps; soldering and brazing; and troubleshooting.

The Level II certificate program coursework continues with subjects that include gas heat; electric, oil, and hydronic heating; HVAC DCC, pneumatic, and building automation controls; advanced commercial and solar systems; and advanced HVAC/R. Graduates are qualified to seek positions as HVAC/R assistants.

Location: Chino, CA
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Expected Time to Completion: Each certificate takes one term

InterCoast College

ICC, a private institution, offers an HVAC certificate program at several campuses, including the Riverside campus. Students may opt for a hybrid option, attending only the hands-on lab training on campus.

The curriculum takes 720 hours to complete and includes introductory trades; construction math and safety; electrical theory; refrigeration components and applications; heating systems; air conditioning; heat pumps; air distribution and installation; and EPA 608. Graduates are prepared to seek employment as HVAC mechanics and installers.

Location: Riverside, CA
Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
Expected Time to Completion: Nine months

Mount San Antonio College

Mt. Sac offers an HVAC/R certificate program and an HVAC/R degree program. Students learn through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on practice in a state-of-the-art lab. Coursework is available during the day and in the evenings. Both programs prepare graduates to seek employment as HVAC/R technicians.

The certificate program curriculum includes technical math; welding; refrigeration fundamentals; electricity fundamentals; HVAC codes and standards; gas heating; heat load calculation and design; air properties and measurement; and commercial systems, for 31.5 units.

Students enrolled in the degree program complete all the technical curriculum included in the certificate program. They add general education coursework that includes math competency, composition, public speaking, arts and humanities, lifelong understanding, ethnic studies, history/political science, science, and physical education. They are awarded their degree after completing 64 units.

Location: Walnut, CA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence, PAHRA, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Expected Time to Completion: Certificate one year; degree two years

North American Training Center

NATC, a technical school, offers an HVAC/R, electricity, and control technology certificate program. The coursework is presented in classroom lectures, followed by hands-on practice in the lab. The curriculum includes electricity; commercial and industry buildings; gas, hydronic, and heat pump heating; HVAC/R controls; technical discovery; and directed study.

Passing the EPA 608 and other specified industry exams are prerequisites for graduation. Students may attend daytime or evening classes, and graduates are eligible for career assistance.

Location: Redlands, CA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: 624 hours

San Joaquin Valley College

SJVC is not currently enrolling students in the HVAC/R degree program, however, the HVAC/R certificate program is available at several campuses, including Ontario. The curriculum includes subjects such as HVAC systems theory and applications; refrigeration theory and applications; electricity theory and applications; advanced electricity; advanced HVAC; advanced refrigeration; and air distribution systems. Students complete a total of 40 units to receive a certificate of completion. Graduates are qualified to sit for industry exams, including the EPA Section 608 exam.

Location: Ontario, CA
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Expected Time to Completion: Ten months

UEI

UEI, a private school, offers an HVAC diploma program at several campuses, including in Ontario. The coursework is presented in classroom lectures and hands-on practice in a fully equipped lab.

The curriculum prepares students to take industry exams and seek employment in various HVAC-related careers with coursework that includes electricity, motors, and controls; refrigeration theory and application; air conditioning, troubleshooting, and heat pumps; heating systems; duct design, blueprint reading, and load calculation; commercial refrigeration systems; specialized commercial equipment and green awareness; regulation and building automation; and electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.

Location: Ontario, CA
Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
Expected Time to Completion: Ten months

HVAC Certification and Licensing in Ontario, CA

HVAC and HVAC/R technicians are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to acquire Section 608 certification. Certification is based on exams that test the technician’s ability to handle refrigerants safely. The four levels of certification are based on the size and type of equipment on which the technician works, as follows:

Type I – for servicing small appliances
Type II – for servicing or disposing of high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and automotive air conditioning
Type III – for servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances
Universal – for servicing all types of equipment

The EPA website has details of the criteria for each level.

Most schools prepare students for the exam. However, technicians may obtain Section 608 and industry certifications from organizations that include:

HVAC Excellence
North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

Details are available on each organization’s web page, as well as on the HVAC certifications page.

Self-employed technicians in California are classified as contractors and, accordingly, must be licensed by the California Contractors State Licensing Board. Two types of licenses apply: C-20 license for HVAC contractors; and C-38 license for refrigeration contractors. Applicants may take a free workshop that details how to obtain licensing.

All applicants must pass a trade exam and an exam in law and business unless they submit proof of five years of journey-level experience with a licensed contractor. They must also submit proof of the following:

Four years of journey-level experience within the past ten years
At least $2,500 in working capital
Workers compensation insurance
General liability insurance
Bond

Applicants must be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check. Licenses are renewed every two years. A fee must be paid for licenses and renewals.

The City of Ontario requires all businesses to obtain a business license. Contractors must submit their state license number and all applicants must submit an estimate of gross receipts for the next 12 months. Licenses must be renewed annually and fees are based on gross receipts.

As licensing regulations are always subject to change, HVAC professionals are encouraged to verify that they comply with current state and local requirements before beginning any project.

Sandra Smith

Sandra Smith was introduced to the HVAC industry when she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for a small air-conditioning contractor. She eventually became a CPA and started her own practice specializing in small business taxes and accounting. After retiring from business, she began writing articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. She also authored four books. Sandra makes her home in the mountains with a rescue dog that naps on her lap as she writes.