HVAC Schools in Massachusetts – Programs & Certifications

Working as an HVAC technician in Massachusetts can be a rewarding career with the possibility of great longevity. Frigid winters and humid summers mean that both residential and commercial buildings have an ongoing need for climate control that works. HVAC technicians in the Bay State are currently in demand, with huge growth expected in specialty trade sectors as well as hospitals and educational settings.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), 6,400 Massachusetts HVAC technicians were employed as HVAC installers, mechanical, and maintenance workers. In general, these workers use their skills for installing, maintaining, and repairing systems and equipment that control temperature and air quality.

One job may require putting piping and wiring for an installation. The next might require testing circuitry and components. Technicians need to be familiar with how components such as belts, motors, filters, valves, and fans function as part of a complete system.

HVAC technicians in Massachusetts can find professional support from trade organizations and unions like the UA Local 537. Local to Boston, this pipefitter’s union offers professional networking, training (including apprenticeships), and political advocacy.

It is also worth noting that the majority of work an HVAC technician does in Massachusetts does not require a specialized license; it is only working with industrial refrigeration units (over 10 tons in capacity) that requires licensing. A more flexible licensing system means that after completing training, new HVAC technicians in Massachusetts can start working and earning sooner.

Becoming an HVAC technician is an ideal career path for people who like to work with their hands, or those who are creative problem solvers, or those who want to have a great deal of autonomy in their work.

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Occupational Demand for HVAC Technicians in Massachusetts

The demand for HVAC technicians nationwide continues to grow. According to the BLS (2023), the number of openings in this field is expected to grow 6 percent nationwide between 2022 and 2032—which is double the U.S. average across all occupations (3 percent). And Massachusetts is keeping pace with the national demand for technicians. In fact, Projections Central predicted a 18.5 percent statewide increase in HVAC jobs for the decade ending in 2030.

A few factors are contributing to the demand for HVAC technicians in the Codfish State (demand for refrigerated seafood storage is certainly one of them). Not only is there a continued demand for new commercial and residential HVAC systems as the construction of new structures grows, but climate-control systems generally must be replaced every 10 to 15 years.

Furthermore, the maintenance and repair of existing systems coupled with improving technologies for energy efficiency necessitate the availability of qualified HVAC technicians in Massachusetts and beyond.

It is important to note that there is a relatively high rate of injury for HVAC technicians and installers due to the physical nature of the occupation. Some common injuries include electrical shocks, muscular strains, tears, or burns. Technicians must ensure that they have the proper training and safety equipment and follow procedures to prevent these occurrences.

Finally, the BLS (2023) estimated that 8 percent of HVAC technicians nationwide were self-employed and can dictate their schedules. The majority (67 percent), however, work for manufacturing and contracting organizations. Some work typical business hours while others—especially in the busy winter and summer seasons—may have to work weekends, holidays, or evenings to serve client needs.

Since job boards can offer a peek into the real hiring needs in a region, it is illuminating to look at Indeed (Nov. 2023) for HVAC jobs in Massachusetts. One search found 808 HVAC jobs in the state, including listings from companies such as Rodenhiser Home Services Inc, Lavallee Systems, GEM Plumbing & Heating, and Greater Lowell Technical High School, among others. A similar search on Monster (Nov. 2023) found hundreds of jobs at companies like Multi-Flow Industries LLC, All Service Equipment Corp., Affinity construction, and Town Of Andover.

HVAC Technician Salaries in Massachusetts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2022), HVAC professionals earn relatively competitive salaries, particularly for positions that may require just two years of post-secondary training. BLS (May 2022) states, the median salary for HVAC workers nationwide was $57,460 per year, while the median salary for HVAC technicians in MA was even higher at $70,010 per year. In more detail, here were the salary percentiles of HVAC professionals across the US and in Massachusetts specifically:

	United States	Massachusetts
Number of HVAC professionals employed	374,770	6,400
Annual mean wage	$57,460	$70,010
10th percentile	$36,170	$45,760
25th percentile	$44,100	$58,230
50th percentile (median)	$51,390	$66,920
75th percentile	$65,630	$76,930
90th percentile	$94,340	$94,340

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (Nov. 2023), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles:

10th percentile: $35,000
50th percentile (median): $54,827
90th percentile: $84,000

As noted above, the average salary for HVAC workers in Massachusetts is significantly higher than that of the rest of the nation. As with any salary projections, taking into account the cost of living is also important.

As such, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) found that MA was the second most expensive state, coming in behind only Hawaii. For HVAC technicians, this means relatively high salaries may still not go as far as lower salaries in other states, so that is something to keep in mind.

Accredited HVAC Training Programs in Massachusetts

To become licensed as an HVAC technician in the state of Massachusetts, a certain number of hours of experience in addition to proof of completion of a program at an approved school is required. HVAC technicians in MA must complete a program that has been approved by the Office of Public Safety and Inspection (OSPI).

A complete list of approved schools is available from that department’s website. There are approved schools for HVAC training in Massachusetts in most parts of the state, including Boston, Upton, and Springfield. Some of the programs are offered at technical schools while others are at community colleges and culminate in an associate’s degree. HVAC schools in MA prepare students for the refrigeration licensing exam but do not offer the exam themselves.

The following programs help students prepare for eventual licensing:

The Peterson School

The Peterson School, with locations in Worcester, Westwood, and Woburn, offers a range of specialized programs in HVAC/R. Those who are pursuing a well-rounded education can take one of the school’s combo programs that includes training in HVAC, refrigeration, oil and/or gas heat, and basic electricity. The program at the Peterson School is approved by the state for preparation for refrigeration licensing.

The different courses preparing students for EPA certification are:

HVAC/R commercial and industrial refrigeration prep – This beginner class is designed for individuals who do not have any prior experience in the trade, or for individuals who work in the field and want to complete their education requirements to obtain an HVAC/R license. Students in this course learn about the fundamentals of industrial and commercial refrigeration within the framework of EPA rules and regulations. The program requires 120 hours to complete.

HVAC/R electrical code prep – This course prepares students for the State Refrigeration exam. It is designed for teaching students the fundamentals of HVACR. They take 150 hours of HVAC-related electrical code or 150 hours of journeyman electrical course for satisfying state requirements.

HVACR refrigeration code prep – Before taking the HVAC/R license exam, it is recommended to complete this 30-hour class. It is the last class that students must take to sit for the licensing exam.

HVAC controls and energy management – Through this 102-hour course, students will gain practical skills to become effective troubleshooters and installers of HVAC equipment. Students in this course and taught skills in the context of sound Energy Management principles focusing on reducing energy costs and efficiency.

Advanced Refrigeration Theory – This 110-hour course is ideal for technicians preparing for the Contractor’s License or Massachusetts Refrigeration Technician Exam. The course covers basic refrigeration theory, OSHA regulation, and advanced refrigeration theory.

Basic Controls – Comprising 102 hours, this course is meant to educate students about the importance of understanding electricity, both high and low voltage, and how it pertains to the efficient and direct operation of HVAC/R equipment. Upon completion, students will understand the basics of circuits, electrical theory, and safety concepts.

3 Combo Program “A” – This 300-hour full-time combo program includes HVAC/R commercial & industrial refrigeration prep, oil heat technicians license prep, and gas heat.

3 Combo Program “B” – This 330-hour combo full-time program covers HVAC/R commercial & industrial refrigeration prep, oil heat technicians license prep, and basic electricity.

Location: Woburn, Westwood, and Worcester, MA
Accreditation: OPSI
Expected Time to Completion: HVAC/R commercial & industrial refrigeration prep (15 weeks); HVAC/R electrical code prep (20 weeks); HVAC/R refrigeration code prep (10 weeks); HVAC controls and energy management (17 weeks); advanced refrigeration theory (18 weeks); basic controls (17 weeks); three-course program “A” (15 weeks); three-course program “B” (15 weeks)
Estimated tuition: HVAC/R commercial & industrial refrigeration prep ($4,600); HVAC/R electrical code prep ($1,600); HVAC/R refrigeration code prep ($650); HVAC controls and energy management ($2,150); advanced refrigeration theory ($1,900); basic controls ($1,960); three-course program “A” ($7,000); three-course program “B” ($8,000)

New England Institute of HVAC

The New England Institute of HVAC offers both day and evening classes for its HVAC program. The 13-week course covers both residential and commercial systems, in addition to basic electrical knowledge and EPA certification prep. This program has also been approved by Massachusetts. The HVAC/R day program is 273 clock hours, while the part-time HVAC/R night program is 117 clock hours.

The New England Institute of HVAC’s curriculum components are as follows:

Basic electricity – This includes topics such as Ohm’s law, circuit components and wiring, troubleshooting, low voltage wiring, use of multimeter, series and parallel wiring, schematic symbols, and more.

Oil heat – Explores topics such as sequence of events, primary controls, venting basics, sequence of events, troubleshooting oil systems, basic oil system wiring, and oil tune-up & efficiency testing, among others.

Gas heat – Topics here include direct venting, gas furnace wiring, condensing furnaces, testing individual components, basic components of a gas system, and more.

Miscellaneous heating – This includes topics such as hydronic, zone controls, wiring various systems, and forced hot air.

EPA certification and testing – This covers universal certification preparation, official EPA test proctored, vacuum pump operation, and system recovery and charging.

Residential refrigeration – Some of the topics included here are metering devices, latent and sensible heat, component functions, introduction to refrigeration trainer, and window A/C.

Commercial refrigeration – Topics here include pressure and temperature controls, pump down cycle in-depth, superheat and subcooling, and commercial system troubleshooting.

Central A/C and heat pumps – This includes topics such as basic A/C wiring, recovery, evacuation, charging, superheat and subcooling applied, installation procedures, the heat pump, and introduction to heating/cooling loads.

Location: Lowell, MA
Accreditation: OPSI
Expected Time to Completion: 13 weeks
Estimated Tuition: Day class ($6,975); night class ($5,975)

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield Technical Community College offers a certificate of completion in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. Offering hands-on experience in energy systems and technology, this program opens up employment for students in avenues such as (HVAC) systems design, power plants operation, and HVAC equipment troubleshooting and repair.

Students are prepared for entry-level jobs in the HVAC industry. Graduates of this program will be qualified to take the test for the EPA certification, a fireman’s license, and the oil burner technician license.

Comprising 29 credits, this program includes courses such as the theory of controls, principles of refrigeration, power plant operations, heating system design, combustion control circuits, fund of air conditioning, and HVAC electrical applications, among others.

Location: Springfield, MA
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education; OPSI
Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Estimated Tuition: In-state ($329 per credit); Out-of-state ($546 per credit)

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology offers a certificate in HVAC/R providing students with practical expertise and the required knowledge needed to become established HVAC/R technicians. It prepares students for the EPA certification, and also offers the 10-hour OSHA Safety certificate and an R-410 A certificate, upon completion.

This 28-credit program includes courses such as fundamentals of electricity as applied to HVAC/R, refrigeration fundamentals, electrical and mechanical for refrigeration, commercial refrigeration and ice machines, commercial air conditioning and heat pumps, gas heating & residential air conditioning, oil furnaces & hydronic heating, and EPA refrigerants (recovery, recycle, and reclaiming).

Upon successful completion of this HVAC/R certificate, graduates will be able to demonstrate the principles of air conditioning and refrigeration; identify principles of different refrigerants; and show a knowledge of air conditioning and refrigeration components, including evaporators, compressors, condensers, and metering devices. They will also be able to solder, braze, and zoom lock pipes and fittings, as well as troubleshoot mechanical and electrical malfunctions of residential and commercial units.

Graduates will be ready to work for cooling and heating contractors, air conditioning and refrigeration repair and service shops, hospitals, schools, a variety of food industries, office buildings, and local, state, or federal government facilities.

Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education; OPSI
Expected Time to Completion: Nine months
Estimated Tuition: $9,153 per semester

MTTI

MTTI offers an HVAC/R technician diploma that has been approved by the Massachusetts state education agency. Students in this program will study and gain hands-on experience and will be prepared for entry-level positions in the industry workforce. They will gain the required skills and confidence necessary for installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and servicing commercial and residential HVAC/R systems.

The curriculum of this 900-hour program explores topics such as introduction to the systems of HVAC and their major components, tools of the trade, introduction to thermodynamics, basic refrigeration, refrigeration maintenance, installation methods, troubleshooting air conditioning systems, and oil-fired heating systems.

Additionally, each student in this program will complete a 120-hour internship with a trades-related company. The faculty of the program includes highly experienced instructors who have extensive experience in residential and commercial HVAC/R. Students will be prepared for the EPA Universal Certification exam and will be eligible to take licensing examinations.

Location: Seekonk, MA
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC); OPSI
Expected Time to Completion: Day program (30 Weeks); Evening program (75 weeks)
Estimated Tuition: $18,500

Porter and Chester Institute

The Porter and Chester Institute offers an HVAC/R diploma program that will help students in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting HVAC/R units in commercial, industrial, and residential settings. Students will also have the opportunity to earn their EPA Section 608A and OSHA 30 certifications.

Students in this program will delve into topics such as electrical for gas, mechanical for gas, hydronic and control systems, core refrigeration, design principles, advanced air conditioning, piping principles, mechanical for oil, advanced refrigeration, electrical for oil, and core air conditioning.

Location: Brockton MA; Chicopee MA; Worcester MA
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC); OPSI
Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Estimated Tuition: $29,530

Although approval from the state is the most important factor in choosing an HVAC school in MA, applicants may also want to consider programmatic accreditation. Two organizations in the US accredit HVAC programs: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

As of December 2021, there are no programs in Massachusetts that have earned accreditation from HVAC Excellence. Two programs in MA are accredited by PAHRA, but they are technical high school-level programs, which are outside of the scope of this page.

For more information on the programmatic accreditation process, interested technicians may visit the sites for either organization or the main HVAC programs page on this site.

Additionally, some schools undergo third-party institutional accreditation processes that are not specific to HVAC programs. For instance, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) offers evaluation and accreditation to many continuing education and technical schools. ACCSC evaluates schools based on rates of student achievement, student graduation, and graduate employment. While this type of accreditation is not endorsed by the state of Massachusetts, it can be helpful when comparing HVAC schools in MA.

HVAC Certification and Licensing in Massachusetts

There are various types of credentials available for HVAC mechanics and installers in Massachusetts. First, all of these professionals who work with environmentally sensitive refrigerants must obtain the EPA Section 608 certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There are four types:

Type I: For servicing small appliances
Type II: For servicing or disposing of high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning
Type III: For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances
Type IV, Universal: For servicing all types of equipment

There is a range of other HVAC certifications available from the following national entities, which can provide employment-ready credentialing:

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

Check out the HVAC certification guide for more information on offerings from these organizations.

Finally, the state of Massachusetts requires HVAC/R apprentices to obtain an apprentice refrigeration technician license. Applicants must provide:

A completed application
A copy of their high school diploma (or the equivalent)
A photo
A copy of their Division of Apprentice Standards ID card
Proof that they are at least 18 years old
A $40 fee

As mentioned in the introduction, HVAC/R techs who perform refrigeration work with a capacity of more than 10 tons (commercial-level systems) are required to have a refrigeration technician license. Candidates must send in a copy of their high school diploma (or the equivalent), a photo, a copy of a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship program, a copy of their CFC certification, and an application form. They must also pass a written exam and pay a $75 fee.

Additional requirements include one of the following:

250 hours in an approved refrigeration course (including 100 hours of refrigeration theory and 150 hours of electrical code training, as well as 6,000 hours of employment in Massachusetts as a refrigeration apprentice)
500 hours in an approved refrigeration course (including 250 hours of shop-related work, 100 hours of refrigeration theory, and 100 hours of electrical code training, and 4,000 hours of employment in Massachusetts as a refrigeration apprentice)
A refrigeration technician, master technician, or equivalent license from another area and work experience and certification equal to the above prerequisites

Additionally, HVAC/R contractors are required to have a refrigeration contractor license. Candidates must submit proof of a technician’s license, a photo, proof of at least 2,000 hours of employment, proof of completion of 100 hours of refrigeration training at an approved school, and an application. Also, they must pass a written exam and pay a $150 fee.

There may be additional permits or credentials required within specific municipalities. All HVAC professionals are encouraged to verify they have all necessary licensure before beginning a project.

Farheen Gani

Farheen is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).