HVAC is a trade that continues to climb in both demand and openings every year. The state of Kentucky is no different, needing quality trained technicians in every corner of the state.
This article will show you the best HVAC schools in Kentucky and identify which school is ideal for you. You will learn about license requirements and how to go from zero to certified as fast as possible.
HVAC Certification Requirements in Kentucky
The state of Kentucky controls the HVAC trades and licenses through the Department Of Housing, Buildings, and Construction (HBC). The state requires an apprenticeship method of license acquisition that takes anywhere from 1 to 5 years to complete.
To work on your own, you must complete the apprenticeship through the journeyman level licensing phase. For contractors or those wishing to start their own business, you must continue through master license level.
How To Become An HVAC Technician in Kentucky
To obtain your HVAC technician license, you have two options. The first is the most formal, and lengthy process, usually done through a trade Union apprenticeship program. The second method involves trade schools and employment.
For Union Apprenticeship, you must first apply for the apprenticeship program, register your apprenticeship through the HBC and begin the apprentice journey through the union requirements.
This step adds courses, classwork, and hands-on, real-world training and generally lasts about 4 to 5 years. Once this apprenticeship is complete, you will sit for your journeyman license exam where you can then pass and being work as an HVAC technician.
The second method is shorter. You can attend an HVAC trade school (or college course) to get the classwork and lab lessons out of the way. Applying for an apprenticeship under a master HVAC technician who then puts you to work to obtain the required hours until you can sit for the journeyman exam.
The second method lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 years and must be registered through the HBC as well.
Quick Guide in Choosing Your HVAC School
Before you jump into the short-term programs and pick any school from a list, there are things to consider. Finding the right school matters a lot, and you can make the perfect match by thinking about a few important things before you enroll.
Location
The location of the campus is critical to your success. A school that is further away can be challenging to get to in time, every day, or even during heavy traffic hours. If you have a job already, it may be wise to find a campus near work.
Depending on when the classes are (morning or evening), you may find better opportunities near home or work.
However, this shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. A few extra miles up the road may afford you a better school or learning experience. The other following factors are just as crucial.
Accredited School
Accreditation is a process the schools go through with federal and state governing bodies. They must prove that their education system, instructors, lesson plans, and facilities meet or exceed specific minimums.
Non-accredited schools can waste your time and money. Their degrees or diplomas and certificates may not hold up when trying to enter the workforce. For those continuing their education, the credit received at a non-accredited school won’t transfer, and you will need to spend the time and money to retake those credit-hour classes.
To find out if your chosen school is accredited, you can search the federal accreditation database at any time.
Offers Quality Education
The quality of education goes far beyond accreditation. It would help if you visited the campus, take a tour, and talk with current staff and students. This will give you a feel of the entire process, let you see how well you fit in with the atmosphere, and if the campus is right for you.
Knowing the type of lab equipment, tools, and resources such as HVAC books and software will go a long way in telling you the school’s true value. These are things you won’t learn on the school’s website.
Offers Hands-on Training
Hands-on training or hours in the lab instead of the classroom are also crucial. While you are required to have class time to cover things like electrical theory, procedures, and customer service, the lab is even more important.
There should be a mix of classroom and lab hours in the course, with more time devoted to hands-on training.
Connects you to an Apprenticeship/Internship Program
In Kentucky, the apprenticeship is everything. You cannot become a licensed HVAC technician without it. Going it alone can be done, but it is a long and difficult process. Look for a trade school that offers post-graduate programs.
The apprenticeship programs help you apply, interview, and connect with apprenticeship openings in your area. The school has connections that help their graduates get selected first, which can be a significant advantage for you.
Offers Customer Service Skills Training
Finally, customer service is something often overlooked. As an HVAC technician, you will deal with customers daily. You will need to know how to talk to them, how to handle angry customers, and properly walk them through situations, expectations, and outcomes.
If you don’t have any customer service training, make sure your school offers a class on customer service so you know what to expect.
5 Best HVAC Schools in Kentucky (Plus 7 Bonus Campuses!)
Below are the best HVAC schools in Kentucky, reviewed, compared, and rated for you. Scroll through and read up on the schools that interest you to make an informed decision about your future.
1. TRADETECH
1025 Majestic Dr, Lexington, KY 40513
Best Choice For: Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) online
Each state-approved course will list the Kentucky state approval code number. Taking these courses will count towards your Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for apprenticeship retention. Most classes consist of five 20 minute videos with supplemental material for reading or streaming to keep you up to date. They also provide practice exams.
Note: While this is the top HVAC trade school in Kentucky for a reason, there are no lab hours, hands-on training, or real-world experience. You will need to acquire those hours somewhere else.
2. College for Technical Education
1165 Centre Pkwy #120, Lexington, KY 40517
Best Choice For: Complete HVAC education and supplies
You will be prepped for the EPA 608 certification, as well as HVAC Excellence exams. Upon graduation, you can also use the post-grad programs to find and apply for apprenticeships. All hours in class and lab count towards your first year apprenticeship requirements.
3. Sullivan University’s College of Technology & Design
3901 Atkinson Square Dr, Louisville, KY 40218
Best Choice For: Hands-on training and lab environments
Their courses are set up for both entry-level and aspiring technicians with the apprenticeship teachings forefront in every lesson. They also cater to the experienced techs looking to further their careers or stay current with changes in the industry.
4. Campbellsville University
1 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718
Best Choice For: Kentucky journeyman license preparation
All aspects of the course are designed to take you from little to no knowledge to complete, certified, and license ready HVAC technician. No other program in the state offers as much training and experience in 12 months as CU.
Best Choice For: All-around complete HVAC technician training
The lab hours are long and full of one-on-one instruction. Plus, with the high number of campuses, you can even continue your course later or move during the course. Below are the best KCTCS campuses, their locations, and campus-specific websites.
Marysville Campus
1755 U.S. 68 Business, Maysville, KY 41056
Somerset Campus
808 Monticello St, Somerset, KY 42501
Owensboro Campus
4800 New Hartford Rd, Owensboro, KY 42303
West Kentucky Campus (Paducah)
4810 Alben Barkley Dr, Paducah, KY 42001
Elizabethtown Campus
600 College Street Road Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Ashland Campus
1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101
Southcentral Campus (Glasgow)
129 State Ave, Glasgow, KY 42141
HVAC Training School Costs in Kentucky
Trade schools offer shorter courses than colleges and will generally be a lot cheaper.
However, colleges and universities provide a more comprehensive program and cover more material.
For most trade schools in Kentucky, you can expect to have tuition costs that average about $4,000. Some schools will be shorter and won’t offer exam testing, which makes them less expensive.
For college and university courses and degree-granting programs, you should expect to pay full tuition for the degree. This means an average price of $20,000 to $25,000 for an associate’s degree and $40,000 to $50,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
Is HVAC a Good Career Choice in Kentucky?
HVAC is a good career choice in any state. Kentucky is among the highest paid, though, which makes them an even better choice. The number changes depending on where you get your information, but the averages are the same.
Kentucky Entry Level HVAC Salary
Entry-level positions are part of the apprenticeship program and won’t pay the full potential of the licensed HVAC technician. However, you can still expect about $21 per hour, according to indeed.com. This doesn’t include bonuses, overtime, or other benefits.
Kentucky HVAC Tech Salary
Glassdoor.com states that the average range for experienced and licensed technicians in Kentucky can earn between $26,000 and $56,000 per year, with the average salary of techs with 2 – 5 years experience at about $38,609.
This will increase with more education and experience—the top 20% in Kentucky report annual salaries above $60,000.
Return on Investment
With the cost of tuition, training and tools, the ROI in the HVAC industry is on the rise. You can expect a great wage to offset the initial costs of training, classes, tools, and other fees in Kentucky.
While it may take several years to become truly debt-free from student loans and other career costs, it won’t take as long as other trades or career choices.
Demand for HVAC Jobs in Kentucky
The national average growth rate for the HVAC industry is about 13% for the next 10 years. In Kentucky, the state average is the same as the national average at about 13%. However, with the size, density, and population of Kentucky, this works out to a higher than average demand for qualified HVAC technicians.
If you want to start your career as an HVAC technician in Kentucky, now is the best time to get started.
People Also Ask (FAQ)
How do I get an HVAC job in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, you must become an HVAC apprentice. The journeyman license is required to work as a licensed technician in the state. You will need to register your apprenticeship with the state, and either join the Union apprenticeship program or attend a trade school and find work as an HVAC technician under a licensed master technician. Once you have compiled the class and hands-on training hours, you can qualify to sit for the exam and take your journeyman license exam.
Can I get an HVAC certification license online?
You can attend online classes that will count towards some (though not many) of the classroom hours required of the apprenticeship. However, you cannot become certified as an HVAC technician online in Kentucky. They require many hours of on the job and hands-on training in addition to the EPA 608 certification.
Are there HVAC apprenticeships in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a lot of apprenticeship programs available to you. You can reach out on your own to contractors, follow the union apprenticeship application process, or use post-graduate programs from your school to apply, interview, and get accepted in the apprenticeship program. To find apprenticeships in your area, you can also search the federal database.
Can I get into HVAC with no experience?
In Kentucky, you can enter the HVAC career field without any prior experience. The union apprenticeships take you from zero to licensed in about 4 or 5 years. You can also attend a trade school to get the classroom requirements out of the way, gain some knowledge and experience, and enter the apprenticeship program after graduation.
How long does it take to get a degree in HVAC?
There are two possible HVAC degrees; the associate’s degree, which is a standard 2-year degree, can be obtained within 18 to 24 months. The highest degree in HVAC is the bachelor’s degree, which can be earned in 36 to 48 months, depending on transferable or previous credit-hours.
When is online HVAC programs advisable?
Online HVAC programs may be a part of the apprenticeship program, or your school may have a hybrid learning format. However, on your own, it isn’t advised to take only online courses. You will still be required to have a certain amount of hands-on hours as well as lab hours before you can further the apprenticeship program to get your license.
What makes Kentucky a great place to start an HVAC career?
Kentucky is a great state to start your HVAC career. The schools are abundant and thorough, and there are plenty of open and available apprenticeships to be had. The starting wages for apprentices are higher than average, and the potential to earn a lucrative salary as a journeyman is present.
Conclusion
Finding the right HVAC trade school in Kentucky can be a challenge. With so many to choose from, knowing which one is right for you is daunting. Add on top of that the requirement for an apprenticeship and the trouble is compounded.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand what you need to become a licensed HVAC technician in Kentucky and shown you the best HVAC schools in the state for you to enroll.
