HVAC Training Programs & Certification in Illinois (IL)

The Prairie State has a continental climate marked by cold winters and hot humid summers, making it a thriving environment for climate control professionals.

Illinois (IL) not only has a high demand for workers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R), but it also boasts a wealth of professional organizations that support men and women in this line of work. By illustration, the Illinois Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Association has been around for more than 120 years, striving to “protect the environment, health, welfare, and safety of the residents of Illinois.” The group provides legal representation with government regulatory agencies, networking events, educational training, scholarships, federated insurance, business discounts, and many other resources. The PHCC also has a Southwestern IL chapter, among other professional HVAC contractor associations in the state.

HVAC workers in the Land of Lincoln and beyond take on varied responsibilities such as reading blueprints and diagrams; calculating heat loads and losses; installing, repairing, troubleshooting, and maintaining HVAC components (e.g., refrigeration circuits, controls, hermetic compressors, heat pumps, split systems, package units, electric motors, relays, starters, water pumps, intake and exhaust fans, economizers, humidifiers, etc); keeping detailed client service records, vendor packing slips, and other paperwork; and offering customers recommendations on the increasing energy efficiency of their HVAC systems.

Some of these skilled professionals focus on one type of equipment, manufacturer, or method, while others become generalist technicians with more broad-based training and abilities. Regardless of one’s chosen path, all workers nationwide who handle refrigerants must achieve the EPA Section 608 certification, which is discussed in the last section of this guide.

This piece examines the thriving employment climate for HVAC workers in Illinois and nationwide, as well as the accredited training programs, salary potential, and credentialing requirements within the state.

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Demand for HVAC Workers in Illinois

As mentioned in the introduction, the HVAC industry is currently booming. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) projected a 9 percent increase in openings for HVAC professionals across the country between 2023 and 2033, which is more than twice as fast as the average growth (4 percent) expected across all occupations during that same period. This equates to 40,100 fresh opportunities in HVAC nationwide.

There is evidence that the prospects in Illinois, while optimistic, are slightly less. Projections Central (2024) reported that there would be a 6.0 percent increase in HVAC positions in Illinois between 2022 and 2032, resulting in 720 new jobs in the state.

There are various reasons for this growth in opportunities for trained HVAC workers. Not only do maintenance and service contracts guarantee a steady stream of work, but HVAC systems also need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. In states like Illinois, with marked temperature extremes during the winter and summer and in areas with high growth and construction rates, such as Chicago, the demand for HVAC services is strong. Additionally, old systems sometimes need to be retrofitted, particularly as legislation on environmental protection evolves. Furthermore, many businesses depend on climate-control systems and rely on the availability of skilled professionals to maintain all equipment and ensure it is in working order.

The BLS stated that HVAC mechanics and installers held about 397,450 jobs in 2023. Around 8 percent of these workers were self-employed, and 67 percent worked in the contracting industry (BLS 2024). It is important to note that people in this profession experience a higher-than-average risk of injury compared to other occupations. This is due to the physical nature of the work, which can involve lifting heavy objects, changing out electrical wiring, and dealing with flammable substances. With the proper training and use of safety equipment; however, these problems can generally be kept to a minimum.

Some HVAC professionals in IL work normal business hours. Still, especially during the busy seasons, they may be called upon to work weekends, evenings, or holidays to meet clients’ needs.

There is abundant evidence that business is booming for Illinois HVAC workers. Indeed (January 2025) had a healthy 500+ job posts calling for HVAC workers in cities across IL, including openings at Supplied Energy LLC, Clarion Home Services Group, Integrity Heating & Cooling, and SMART Local 219, to name a few. Additionally, Monster (January 2025) had opportunities at Jobot, CoolSys, Abstrakt Marketing Group LLC, Miniat Holdings LLC, and ConGlobal.

Illinois HVAC Technician Salary Data

Not only is the employment climate fertile for HVAC workers in Illinois, but it is also a relatively lucrative profession, especially for a job requiring only one to two years of postsecondary training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023) found that the 397,450 HVAC mechanics and installers nationwide boasted an annual average salary (mean wage) of $59,620 The following chart examines how the salaries of the 10,380 HVAC technicians in Illinois were, compared to national averages (BLS May 2023).

	United States	Illinois
Number of HVAC professionals employed	397,450	10,380
Average annual salary	$59,620	$69,000
10th percentile	$37,270	$38,840
25th percentile	$46,550	$47,920
50th percentile (median)	$57,300	$64,920
75th percentile	$71,120	$80,480
90th percentile	$84,250	$106,090

Except for those earning in the 10th and 25th percentile, the HVAC workers in IL fared much better than people in this industry nationwide. What makes this salary point particularly interesting is that Illinois is one of the cheaper states to live in across the country. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) found that the Prairie State was the 26th most affordable, with below-average costs for everything except for transportation and average for healthcare.

Accredited HVAC Schools in Illinois

Before joining this high-growth, high-paying industry in Illinois, it is important to get the proper training. There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

As of November 2024, there were seven HVAC schools in IL with accreditation from one of these two entities. To learn more about how institutions and programs are approved, please visit the websites of each organization or the main HVAC schools page for a breakdown of criteria.

HVAC Technical Institute

The HVAC Technical Institute is a unique, minority-owned trade school that opened in 1994. With an emphasis on guided, hands-on learning, the facility comprises 7,500 square feet of offices and classrooms and over 10,000 square feet of lab space. In its certificate program, students receive preparation for the aforementioned EPA Section 608 certification and the R-410A safety certification

The Institute offers a 649-hour, seven-module HVAC-R course that includes instruction in electricity; heating; hydronics; air conditioning; introduction to refrigeration; EPA section 608 & R-410a safety certification; and ventilation & installation. Classes are available in English and Spanish.

Admission to this program requires students to have a high school diploma or G.E.D., a valid driver’s license, and a social security card.

Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation: Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
Expected Time to Completion: 33 to 48 weeks

Midwest Technical Institute

The Midwest Technical Institute offers a 28-credit HVAC-R technician program preparing students to install, maintain, and repair HVAC-R equipment. The program’s faculty includes dedicated instructors with real-world experience who train students in the latest HVAC-R technology through a combination of hands-on lab instruction and classroom theory.

In its 35-week program, students receive 735 hours of training and 185 outside hours, with courses offered in the daytime or evening hours. Students gain proficiency in basic electricity; air conditioning and heat pump service installation; gas and electric heat; and major appliance repair. The program prepares students for EPA Section 608 certification types I and II.

Graduates of the program will be ready to take up roles such as refrigeration mechanic, equipment & duct installer, field service representative, apartment maintenance technician, sales representative, and commercial maintenance technician.

Location: Springfield, Moline, and East Peoria, IL; Springfield, MO
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges (ACCSC)
Expected Time to Completion: 35 weeks

Richland Community College

Richland Community College provides a 61-credit associate of applied science (AAS) degree in HVAC-R. For those who do not want to commit to a degree program, Richland also provides a 21-credit HVAC residential installer certificate; a 33-credit commercial HVAC certificate; and a 30-credit residential HVAC certificate. The program’s curriculum includes classroom instruction with hands-on experiences helping students become confident and professional HVAC-R technicians or installers.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as occupational safety; refrigeration fundamentals; electricity fundamentals; control applications; troubleshooting air conditioning systems; motors and controls; and technical mathematics, among other courses.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities such as commercial heating & AC technicians, commercial refrigeration technicians, residential heating & AC technicians, HVAC-R counter salespersons, heating & AC estimators, and HVAC-R outside salespersons.

Location: Decatur, IL
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (varies)

Kaskaskia College

Kaskaskia College offers a 60 to 61-credit associate of applied science (AAS), a 29-credit career and technical certificate in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and an 18-credit advanced HVAC certificate.

Students in the AAS degree learn about the physical, chemical, and mechanical principles of HVAC-R with an emphasis on motors and electrical controls. They will also gain proficiency in sheet metal construction, blueprint reading, proper HVAC diagnosis, and installation of commercial and residential equipment.

Coursework in the programs includes concepts of basic refrigeration; environmental control mechanisms; heat pump systems; systems design; advanced sheet metal; recovery & reclaim procedures; and HVAC blueprint reading. While the programs prepare students to install, service, and repair residential or commercial refrigeration systems, the AAS program may be more appropriate for those who see themselves in management or self-owned HVAC businesses.

These programs open up several opportunities for graduates. They can take up roles such as service technicians, refrigeration mechanics & installers, sheet metal workers, and HVAC installers.

Location: Centralia, IL
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificates (two semesters)

Waubonsee Community College

Waubonsee Community College offers a 60-credit associate in applied science (AAS) and a 21-credit certificate of achievement in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The program is taught by skilled instructors who lead students in well-equipped labs and on real-world equipment. Students gain real-world experience servicing HVAC systems and replacing heating and cooling systems.

Coursework in both programs includes HVAC-R electrical systems, basic sheet metal fabrication & print reading, refrigerant EPA certification, HVAC-R safety, HVAC-R electrical systems & troubleshooting; sheet metal fabrication; load calculations & duct design; commercial refrigeration; and residential heating systems.

Students enrolled in the certificate program will be qualified to work on residential systems, while those who graduate from the AAS program will be qualified to work on residential or commercial systems.

Location: Sugar Grove, Aurora, and Plano, IL
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (48 weeks)

College of Lake County

College of Lake County has several programs, including a 61-credit associate of applied science (AAS) in HVAC-R engineering technology and the following specialized certificates:

HVAC-R Installation Technician Certificate (22 credits)
HVAC-R Service Technician Certificate (28 credits)
Commercial Refrigeration Technician Certificate (14 credits)
Electrical Troubleshooting Technician Certificate (14 credits)
Residential Air Conditioning Technician Certificate (14 credits)
Residential Energy Auditing Certificate (18 credits)
Residential Heating Technician Certificate (14 credits)

Apart from these certificates and degrees, students can also choose to complete the FastTrack program, which takes only 16 weeks and prepares graduates to take the HVAC certification exam.

The curriculum includes courses such as basic refrigeration; blueprint reading; refrigeration (commercial appliances); air movement and ventilation; installation and service; and sheet metal fabrication, among others. Students graduating from the AAS and certificate programs at the College of Lake Country will be prepared to sit for a national exit exam. Those who pass will be placed on an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute national registry which is given to HVAC employers.

Location: Grayslake, IL
Accreditation: PAHRA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificates (two semesters each)

Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College offers a 62.5-credit associate of applied science (AAS) in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R); three vocational specialist certificates in sheet metal mechanics (34.5 credits), light commercial HVAC service (38.5 credits), and HVAC facilities maintenance (46.5 credits); and three basic vocational specialist certificates in residential HVAC service (26.5 credits), residential HVAC systems (12.5 credits), and refrigeration service (18.5 credits).

Coursework in the various programs includes air conditioning and refrigeration; basic heating gas/oil; basic electricity & HVAC-R controls; basic sheet metal; advanced heating hydronic/steam; refrigerant recovery certification; blueprint reading for heating & AC; commercial air conditioning; and heat pumps & electrical heat, among others.

Students in these programs will be prepared to pursue high-paying HVAC careers and will be able to work in both residential as well as commercial settings. The faculty of the program includes expert professionals who have years of experience in this industry.

Location: Elgin, IL
Accreditation: PAHRA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); sheet metal mechanics (two semesters); light commercial HVAC service tech (three semesters); residential HVAC service technician (two semesters); residential HVAC systems (one semester); HVAC facilities maintenance tech (four semesters); refrigeration service technician (one semester)

Illinois Central College

Illinois Central College offers two pathways for students to break into HVAC. The fastest career pathway is the 19-credit HVAC residential installer certificate program. Then, if there is interest in continuing the study, students can add 8 credits to earn the 27-credit HVAC technician certificate or a 27-credit commercial refrigeration technician certificate.

While students will be prepared to sit for EPA section 608 certification and two HVAC Excellence exams at the end of the first course of study, the second course adds additional preparation for a third HVAC Excellence employment-ready exam.

If the student is interested in more education, they can add 33 credits by enrolling in the 60- to 61-credit associate of applied science (AAS) in HVAC-R technology. The AAS prepares students to sit for the four-part HVAC Excellence system performance certification.

Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: blueprint reading; residential and commercial wiring; introduction to refrigeration; residential air conditioning; residential furnaces; heat pumps & geothermal; light commercial refrigeration; duct fabrication; and sheet metal for HVAC-R, among others.

Location: East Peoria, IL
Accreditation: PAHRA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (varies)

John A. Logan College

John A. Logan College offers a 71-credit associate of applied science (AAS) in heating and air conditioning and a 47-credit certificate of achievement in heating and air conditioning. Both programs allow students to complete a one- to three-credit internship. Instead of the internship at the end of the certificate program, students can also choose to take a college success and career planning course.

Students enrolled in this program must provide their basic toolkit by the fifth week of the first semester. Coursework includes basic sheet metal layout; construction document interpretation; advanced controls and circuitry; oxy-fuel welding, cutting, and brazing; residential electrical wiring; weatherization; geothermal systems; and installation of HVAC systems.

Location: Carterville, IL
Accreditation: PAHRA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (two years)

Oakton Community College

Oakton Community College offers a 60-credit associate in applied science (AAS) of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration technology (HVAC-R), and four certificate programs, including a 32-credit commercial buildings energy systems certificate, a 32-credit residential comfort control certificate, a 25-credit residential comfort systems installer certificate, and a 16-credit stationary engineer license preparation course.

Coursework across the programs includes residential hot water boilers and hydronics technology; an introduction to electricity and automatic controls; sheet metal layout and fabrication; residential heating and air conditioning load calculations; commercial refrigeration systems; advanced automatic controls; and energy management and DDC controls. All programs prepare students to sit for the EPA Section 608 certification exam (except for the commercial buildings energy systems certificate and the stationary engineer license prep course).

Upon completion, students will be prepared to work with contractors for installing and servicing HVAC-R systems for light commercial and residential buildings. Graduates will develop the knowledge and skills needed for certification and employment in several areas of HVAC.

Location: Des Plains, IL
Accreditation: PAHRA; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (varies)

Southwestern Illinois College

Southwestern Illinois College offers a 71-credit associate of applied science degree, allowing graduates to continue their education at select universities while also preparing them to start a career right after graduation. Throughout this program, graduates will learn how to maintain and repair HVAC-R systems in residential, industrial settings, and commercial. Notably, the college also offers a 45.5-credit HVAC certificate.

The curriculum includes courses such as basic electrical controls & systems; refrigeration & air conditioning principles; advanced refrigeration & AC principles; heating fundamentals; commercial refrigeration; introduction to HVAC-R computer applications; air conditioning and heating systems design; and air delivery systems materials & methods.

Graduates will be ready for roles such as heating equipment technicians, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, commercial cook equipment repair persons, HVAC designers, and HVAC-R equipment salespersons.

Location: Belleville, IL
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (12 months or less)

City Colleges of Chicago – Kennedy-King College

Kennedy-King College offers a 61-credit associate of applied science program in air conditioning and refrigeration, a 39-credit advanced certificate in air conditioning and refrigeration, an 18-credit basic certificate in air conditioning – heating, a 17-credit basic certificate in air conditioning – domestic refrigeration, and a 17-credit basic certificate in air conditioning – commercial refrigeration.

The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to air conditioning; duct design and layout; equipment and systems controls; introduction to refrigeration; commercial refrigeration; introduction to principles of heating; advanced control systems; and domestic refrigeration.

Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (four semesters); certificates (three semesters each)

Harper College

Harper College’s HVAC-R program provides students from diverse backgrounds and ages with the necessary skills and training required to enter the commercial or residential HVAC-R industry. The college’s AAS degree prepares students for immediate entry into this field and coursework included in this program also prepares graduates to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

The 61-credit associate in applied science program provides students with the industrial and technical expertise needed for beginning successful careers as HVAC-R installers or service technicians. Courses include refrigeration fundamentals; heating principles; residential comfort systems; refrigeration systems; heating and cooling controls; domestic refrigeration appliances; pneumatic control systems; commercial air conditioning systems; commercial heating systems; and refrigeration system design.

In addition to the AAS degree, the college also offers the following certificate programs: a residential heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration certificate (19 credits); a residential comfort systems certificate (19 credits); a refrigeration service certificate (19 credits); a heating service certificate (22 credits); and an air conditioning and refrigeration service certificate (29 credits.)

Location: Palatine, IL
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificates (varies)

Lastly, while an on-campus program is convenient for students located close to accredited programs, those in more rural regions of IL may have difficulty attending a traditional brick-and-mortar institution. Fortunately, there’s also a wealth of distance-based training options available to residents of IL.

To learn more, check out the main online HVAC programs page.

HVAC Licensing and Certification in Illinois (IL)

In addition to seeking out the proper training, aspiring HVAC mechanics, technicians, and installers in IL must also receive the proper credentialing before beginning work. As previously mentioned, there is one mandatory national certification for all people who work with refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 certification. Training for this is typically provided in HVAC-R certificate and degree programs. There are four kinds:

Type 1 (small appliance)
Type 2 (high-pressure appliances)
Type 3 (low-pressure appliances)
Type 4 (universal)

Additionally, several organizations offer employment-ready credentialing in this field. For example, HVAC Excellence has two main broad-based certifications: Heating, Electrical, and Air Conditioning Technology (HEAT), and HEAT Plus. It also has various specialty certifications in areas such as green awareness, residential heat load analysis, and combustion analysis, to name a few.

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has several specialty certifications in areas such as light commercial refrigeration, Hydronics (gas or oil), and oil heating, as well as industry competency exams (ICE).

To learn about the gamut of national certifications available, check out the HVAC certifications page.

Finally, while there is currently no state license required for HVAC workers in Illinois, local permitting and registration requirements vary:

For example, the City of Evanston requires all mechanical contractors (including HVAC workers) to seek a license from the city. To qualify, candidates must pass an open book exam on the International Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes and pay a fee. The Evanston license can be renewed annually.
The City of Elgin—notably a top-paying metropolitan region for HVAC professionals in IL—requires its warm air heating contractors to register with the city’s Department of Community Development. The qualifying exam takes three to four hours to complete, covering three main areas: duct design, venting and combustion air, and installation parameters. The exam requires payment of a non-refundable fee, and for successful applicants pay an annual registration fee.

In sum, all interested HVAC workers in IL and other states are strongly encouraged to check with local credentialing authorities before beginning any work in the maintenance, installation, or repair of these systems.

Jocelyn Blore

Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.