HVAC Training Schools in Texas (TX)

Professionals interested in a fast-growing career and like working with their hands may be well-suited to a job in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or HVAC.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), Texas had the third-highest employment rate for HVAC technicians of any state in the country, meaning that even those just starting out in their career have a good chance of finding employment quickly. Current Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates have 31,910 people currently employed as HVAC technicians in the state, with the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas being the most concentrated. Further, it is a career that will truly always be in demand, particularly in the sweltering Texas summers.

HVAC technicians who do work in Texas also have the benefit of many professional organizations to support them in their careers. For instance, the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association provides Texas HVAC workers with educational opportunities and other support. Pipefitters Local 211 is an option in Houston for HVAC professionals who want to join a union. This union also supports apprenticeship programs around the state.

It can always be a challenge to start a new career from scratch, but becoming an HVAC technician through an accredited HVAC program is one of the fastest ways to begin this level of professional career. HVAC technicians need some foundational knowledge to succeed in their first job, but there are no specific education or testing requirements for them to start work in Texas. As long as a technician registers with the state and is working under the supervision of a certified technician, it is possible to start work immediately. This means that in just a few months, depending on the program, brand-new HVAC technicians could be starting work and well on their way to a stable and lucrative career.

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Occupational Demand for HVAC Jobs in Texas (TX)

The timing is right for starting a career as an HVAC technician in all parts of the country, particularly in Texas. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) reports that demand for HVAC technicians in the US is expected to increase by 9 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is more than twice as fast as the average (4 percent) for all professions. This percentage equates to 40,100 new jobs across the country during that time frame.

So what factors contribute to the healthy, thriving demand for qualified HVAC professionals in Texas? First, these systems generally need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, not to mention the required retrofitting of old systems to make them compatible with new structures or technologies. Secondly, the rise of regular service and maintenance contracts that accompany the installation of modern systems may ensure regular work throughout the year, even during the typically low seasons (spring and fall). Maintenance and repair work is especially stable, while specializing in HVAC installation may thrive more in cities with high construction rates.

The BLS (2024) reported that 8 percent of HVAC mechanics and installers were self-employed in 2023, and 67 percent worked for plumbing, heating, and A/C contracting companies. Some of these skilled professionals in TX work normal business hours, while others may be called upon to service equipment on evenings, weekends, or holidays, particularly during the high summer season.

HVAC workers do incur a relatively high risk of injury and illness compared to other US occupations. They lift heavy equipment, deal with electrical wiring, and handle refrigerants, three activities that increase one’s risk of muscle strains, electrical shock, burns, and frostbite, among other maladies. These problems can generally be kept to a minimum with proper training and use of safety equipment.

Despite the physical challenges within the profession, there is further evidence that the employment climate is thriving for HVAC workers in TX. In fact, common job post sites are bursting at the seams with opportunities. For example, Indeed (Dec. 2024) had links to 2,000+ relevant HVAC worker openings in TX, including positions at CoolSys, Resilient Developers LLC, Climate Specialists, and Airco Mechanical. Additionally, Monster (Dec. 2024) advertised several HVAC jobs in TX at places such as Lifecycle Insights, US AMR-Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc, Johnson Controls, and Jobot.

Salaries for HVAC Workers in Texas (TX)

According to the BLS (May 2023), 397,450 US HVAC professionals earn an average salary of $59,620 or $28.66 hourly. Texas had the third highest employment rate for HVAC technicians of any state, with 31,910 jobs and a mean wage of $54,640 annually.

Following are the average salaries of workers in the US as compared to Texas:

	United States	Texas
Number of HVAC Professionals Employed	397,450	31,910
Annual Mean Wage	$59,620	$54,640
10th percentile	$37,270	$35,420
25th percentile	$46,550	$41,500
50th percentile	$57,300	$50,190
75th percentile	$71,120	$63,430
90th percentile	$84,250	$78,980

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (Dec. 2024), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the 3,064 HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles for the US:

10th percentile: $36,000
50th percentile (median): $55,292
90th percentile: $84,000

The hourly rate across the US is as follows:

10th percentile: $16.00/hr.
50th percentile (median): $22.89/hr.
90th percentile: $34.09/hr.

As noted above, the average salary for HVAC workers in Texas is a bit lower than that of the rest of the nation. As with any salary projections, considering the cost of living is also important. As such, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) found that TX was the 16th most affordable state, meaning residents can expect to find savings in areas like housing, groceries, transportation, and health care. For HVAC technicians this means even lower-than-average salaries will go a bit further than they would in some costlier states.

Accredited HVAC Training Schools in Texas

Accreditation is an important part of any higher education program. In the US, there are two organizations that offer accreditation for HVAC programs: HVAC Excellence and Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

There are no accreditation requirements for registering or becoming licensed as an ACR contractor in Texas. However, accreditation indicates that a professional association has evaluated the quality of education a program offers in terms of curriculum and facilities. Therefore, although accreditation may not be required, it is highly recommended for a discerning student.

Lincoln College of Technology

Lincoln College of Technology offers students the ability to learn HVAC skills through the lens of green technology and is the first school in the country to incorporate energy auditing courses from the Green Mechanical Council. The Texas location of Lincoln Tech is in Grand Prairie, near Dallas-Fort Worth, and has an HVAC Excellence accredited program.

Students at Lincoln Tech in Grand Prairie have two program options: a 65-credit associate of applied science program in air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating systems technology service management or a 50-credit diploma in air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating systems technology.

The curriculum includes courses such as heating systems; electricity; basic refrigeration systems; air conditioning systems; air conditioning design and energy conservation; commercial refrigeration systems; commercial air conditioning and refrigeration system troubleshooting; and advanced electrical and troubleshooting.

Location: Grand Prairie, TX
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career School and Colleges (ACCSC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (77 weeks); diploma (52 weeks)

Laredo College

Laredo College is in Laredo, Texas, and offers an HVAC Excellence-accredited HVAC program. Laredo’s HVAC program includes a commercial HVAC-R certificate, a residential HVAC-R certificate, and an HVAC-R assistant certificate.

The one-semester HVAC-R assistant certificate comprises 15 credits and includes courses such as refrigeration principles; basic electricity for HVAC; refrigerators, freezers & window A/C; and EPA recovery certification preparation.

The two-semester residential HVAC-R certificate comprises 28 credits and includes all courses from the HVAC-R assistant program, courses in gas and electrical heating, advanced electricity for HVAC, residential air conditioning, and cooperative education in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology.

The three-semester commercial HVAC-R certificate consists of 41 credits and includes all courses from the HVAC-R assistant program in addition to courses in heat pumps, commercial air conditioning, air conditioning installation and start-up, energy management, air conditioning troubleshooting, commercial refrigeration, and cooperative education in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology.

Location: Laredo, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: HVAC-R assistant certificate (one semester); residential HVAC-R certificate (two semesters); commercial HVAC-R certificate (three semesters)

Vernon College

Vernon College offers a PAHRA-accredited associate in applied science (AAS) in HVAC, a level 1 certificate in HVAC, and an advanced HVAC certificate through its Skills Training Center in Wichita Falls. The 60-credit AAS degree takes two years and requires students to complete general education requirements and HVAC courses. The level 1 certificate program is 24 credits and takes 32 weeks to complete. Finally, the advanced HVAC certificate includes 18 credits of coursework and can be completed in 32 weeks.

Coursework includes basic electricity for HVAC; gas and electric heating; air conditioning troubleshooting, residential air conditioning; refrigeration principles; air conditioning control principles, installation and startup; and commercial air conditioning. The AAS and level 1 certificate programs also require students to complete verification of workplace competencies through a capstone experience.

Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); PAHRA
Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

North Central Texas College

North Central Texas College offers an HVAC program that can be completed on their Gainesville or Champions Circle (Ft. Worth) campuses. Graduates of this program will have the foundational skills and knowledge of electrical systems, system setup and installation, specialty tools, heat pump operation and theory, and more.

On completing North Central Texas College’s HVAC program, graduates will earn a 15-credit HVAC basic certificate and a 30-credit level 1 HVAC certificate, on their way to an AAS HVAC degree that comprises 60 credits. Notably, the program can be completed with a combination of hybrid, in-person, and online classes, making it even more convenient for students.

The curriculum includes courses such as refrigeration principles, residential air conditioning systems design, basic electricity for HVAC, air conditioning installation and setup, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration codes, energy industrial safety, advanced air conditioning controls, and commercial air conditioning.

Location: Gainesville, TX; Fort Worth, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

Lone Star College

Lone Star College’s HVAC-R program prepares students for a technical service career in residential or light commercial/industrial environmental systems. The program offers three levels of certification that build upon each other. The first is a 15-credit HVAC occupational entry certificate preparing students for the air conditioning service profession focusing on basic skills and knowledge. After completing this certificate, graduates are encouraged to progress to the residential servicing certificate with 30 credits. The third level of certification is the commercial servicing certificate which includes all the above courses. Finally, the AAS degree program includes these three levels of certification in addition to the general education courses for 60 credits.

The curriculum includes courses such as basic electricity for HVAC; refrigeration principles; residential air conditioning; gas and electric heating; residential air conditioning systems design; air conditioning troubleshooting; heat pumps; advanced air conditioning controls; commercial air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; and industrial air conditioning.

Location: Houston, TX
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence (Harris Campus); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

South Texas College

South Texas College offers a 60 to 61-credit associate of applied science program in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology and a 28-credit certificate in HVAC-R technology.

The program’s curriculum includes courses such as refrigeration principles; basic electricity for HVAC; HVAC shop practices and tools; advanced electricity for HVAC; residential air conditioning systems design; gas and electrical heating; advanced air conditioning controls; commercial air conditioning; and commercial refrigeration.

Location: McAllen, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College has HVAC programs all offered in a hybrid format. From refrigeration to electricity, installation and repair to troubleshooting, graduates will learn all the skills they need for work in residential and commercial HVAC systems.

The programs offered include a 60-credit associate of applied science degree in HVAC technology; a 48-credit certificate of completion in HVAC technology; a 36-credit certificate of completion in HVAC technician; and a 27-credit certificate of completion in residential service technician.

The curriculum includes courses such as basic electricity for HVAC; refrigeration principles; gas and electric heating; air conditioning control principles; residential air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; advanced electricity for HVAC; air conditioning troubleshooting; commercial air conditioning; heat pumps; and industrial air conditioning.

Location: Hutto, TX; Rosenberg, TX; Harlingen, TX; Red Oak, TX; Waco,TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (20 months); HVAC technology certificate (16 months); HVAC technician certificate (12 months); residential service technician certificate (eight months)

HVAC Licensing & Certification in Texas (TX)

Before seeking work, all HVAC workers in Texas must ensure that they have proper credentialing. There is one nationally mandatory certification for all people who work with refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 certification, for which there are four categories:

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

Preparation for this credentialing exam is usually included in accredited HVAC training programs.

Other national entities of note and sample certifications offered include:

HVAC Excellence (e.g., Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology [HEAT], HEAT Plus, heat oil combustion, systems diagnostics, green awareness, etc.)
North American Technician Excellence or NATE (e.g., air conditioning, air distribution, heat pump, hydronics oil, commercial refrigeration, etc.)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society or RSES (e.g., commercial air conditioning, domestic service, dynamic compression, etc.)

To discover how to achieve any of these credentials, check out the HVAC certifications page.

HVAC technicians in Texas specifically must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TLDR). HVAC technicians must apply for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor’s (ACRC) license by submitting an application, a fee, and sit for the licensing exam.

To be eligible for the exam, applicants must be at least 18 years old and “show proof of 48 months of practical experience in air conditioning and refrigeration work under the supervision of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor within the last 72 months.” The full details of how to apply for licensing and what types of licenses are available for different levels of employment (e.g., registered technicians vs. licensed contractors) are accessible on the TLDR site.

New technicians should know that licensing requirements can vary within the same state depending on the municipality. It is contingent on all HVAC professionals to ensure that they work within the law wherever they choose to work.

Becca Brewer, MEd

Becca Brewer is building a better future on a thriving earth by healing herself into wholeness, divesting from separation, and walking the path of the loving heart. Previously to her journey as an adventurer for a just, meaningful, and regenerative world, Becca was a formally trained sexuality educator with a master of education.