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To be able to work with heating and air cooling units, you need to be an HVAC technician.
Let’s learn more about becoming licensed in this profession.
Article Table of Contents
Job Outlook
If you want to work as an HVAC technician in Arizona, you will first need to attend a training program and improve certain skills pertaining to the job.
The annual salary for an HVAC technician in Arizona is about $46,119 and this number is almost the same as the national average salary for this profession, of $46,648 per year.
Most of these technicians can earn per year is $52,259 per year in Arizona and $52,858 per year across the nation.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Phoenix | $46,223 |
| Tucson | $43,830 |
| Mesa | $45,342 |
| Glendale | $46,223 |
| Scottsdale | $45,342 |
| Chandler | $45,342 |
| Tempe | $45,342 |
| Gilbert | $45,342 |
| Peoria | $46,129 |
| Yuma | $47,815 |
Regional Salary in Arizona
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 110 | $54,990 | $26.44 | $78,680 | $39,040 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 210 | $51,100 | $24.57 | $65,880 | $36,500 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 8,180 | $56,400 | $27.11 | $78,020 | $38,570 |
| Prescott, AZ | 290 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $66,540 | $37,210 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 120 | $56,030 | $26.94 | $105,110 | $36,420 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,590 | $52,050 | $25.02 | $74,140 | $33,270 |
| Yuma, AZ | 240 | $51,980 | $24.99 | $66,410 | $36,400 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Requirements to become an HVAC technician
To become an HVAC technician, you need a high school diploma as well as training from a school like Refrigeration School in Phoenix.
During the program, you will learn how units function, along with how to repair and install them.
As an apprentice, you will learn how to install ductwork, how to read technical plans and follow engineering specifications.
You should also know how to interpret pressure gauges, use torches and perform testing to ensure there are no gas leaks.
Some other things you will be taught include fixing breaker controls, thermostats, fuses, and the use of hand tools and soldering equipment.
In order to work on refrigerated appliances, you need to take refrigeration classes.
You will be taught how to manage refrigerants that leak, but also when to repair or change appliances.
Apprenticeships
As an apprentice, you will be supervised by a journeyman and thus exempt from the EPA licensing requirements.
Ongoing Courses
Even after getting a diploma from a trade school, you will still need to stay up to date with environmental protection laws and country regulations.
As an HVAC technician, you will have to keep track of your work with refrigerants.
Arizona HVAC Schools
The table below has all the accredited HVAC schools in Arizona.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arizona Automotive Institute | 6829 N 46th Ave Glendale, Arizona 85301 |
| Arizona State University | 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281 |
| Arizona Western College | 2020 S. Avenue 8E Yuma, Arizona 85365 |
| Cochise College | 4190 W Highway 80 Douglas, Arizona 85607 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | 1601 W Main St Mesa, Arizona 85201 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | 3700 Willow Creek Road Prescott, AZ 86301 |
| Gateway Community College | 108 N. 40th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85034 |
| Mohave Community College | 1971 Jagerson Ave Kingman, Arizona 86409 |
| Pima Community College | 4905C East Broadway Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85709 |
| The University of Arizona Department of Systems & Industrial Engineering | 1127 E. James E. Rogers Way P.O. Box 210020 Tucson, AZ 85721-0020 |
Contractor certification
In order to start your own company, you need to get a license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Before getting this license, you must have an experience of 4 years and a CR-39 specialty license for Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating, or a CR-79 specialty license Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar.
You also need to take an Air conditioning and Refrigeration Trade Exam, a business management test and a Solar Test if you will work with solar units.
Applying for the exam in Arizona
EPA Certification
To work as an HVAC contractor in Arizona, you need to have the EPA Section 608 technician certification for which a test is required.
Small appliances need a type I certification, high-pressure appliances require a type II, while for maintaining or replacing low-pressure appliances you need a Type III certification.
You can also get a Universal Certification that allows you to work on any type of appliances.
The schools providing this are Universal Technical Institute in Scottsdale and The Refrigeration School, Inc. in Phoenix.
Contractor License Tests
The locations for the exam are in Flagstaff, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Tucson, and Yuma.
You can choose a computer or written test, and the first choice allows you to learn the results right away.
To attend the exam, fill in the form on the Candidate Information Bulletin, and buy the Arizona edition of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management.
The first part of the testing, the AZ R-39/C-79 Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (Residential/Commercial) exam, lasts for 3.5 hours.
The solar exam lasts for 75 minutes, while the Arizona Business Management Exam has a duration of 3 hours.
You can use these reference books:
- Code of Federal Regulations 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA),
- The International Fuel Gas Code,
- The International Mechanical Code 2009,
- The International Plumbing Code, 2009.
You can also use a calculator during the testing.
You are not allowed to bring with you the following books:
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Althouse, Turnquist, Bracciano, 19th or 20th edition, Goodheart-Wilcox
- Low-Pressure Boilers, Frederick M. Steingress, Daryl R. Walker, 2009, 3rd edition, American Technical Publishers, Inc.
- ACCA Ductulator, Air Conditioning Contractors of America
- Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual, 1997, Florida Solar Energy Center.
Conclusion
As an HVAC technician, you will constantly be learning new things.
You will also need to keep updated with the regulation changes as the industry evolves.
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State