Top HVAC Training Schools in Tennessee

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC) is an engineering field dedicated to indoor and vehicular temperature and humidity regulation. HVAC technicians repair and maintain residential and commercial air conditioning and heating units, as well as industrial and commercial refrigeration systems. An HVAC training program will teach students how to repair, maintain and troubleshoot all components of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration units, including electric motors, compressors, and pumps. Students will also learn the fundamentals of electrical engineering and circuitry. These courses will prepare students for the state’s licensing exams and the practical applications required in the field.

The cities in Tennessee with the largest concentration of HVAC schools are Memphis, Nashville, Shelbyville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Clarksville, with other training programs scattered around the state. Accreditation organizations in HVAC education include the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) and HVAC Excellence.

How to Get Certified in Tennessee

In Tennessee, all HVAC technicians and contractors are required to be licensed through the Department of Commerce and Insurance’s Contractor Licensing Board. There are two exams that HVAC trainees must pass before gaining their certification, one in business and law and another in practical HVAC applications. Though the state does not require training from an accredited school to be certified, a prospective technician must complete an apprenticeship with a licensed HVAC contractor prior to testing. An accredited training school can place students in an apprenticeship and prepare them for the licensing exams.

Salaries for HVAC Technician Jobs in Tennessee

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the statewide average annual salary for HVAC technicians is $39,140, with Nashville as the leading metropolitan area for HVAC techs, where the annual salary for technicians is $42,630. The average annual salary for HVAC technicians in the Memphis metro area is $41,890, but in Knoxville, it is considerably lower at $36,200. The field is projected to grow by 21% nationally by 2022.