Are you interested in becoming an HVAC technician but not sure you have the time to dedicate to a program? If you have other responsibilities, don’t fret. With MIAT College of Technology’s HVACR Technician program, you can develop a foundation of knowledge and skills and prepare to test for industry certifications that could help you pursue a career in this trade industry.1
How Long Does It Take To Learn HVAC?
Our HVACR program is designed to take 9 months to complete as a full-time student. In less than a year, you can train to pursue a career as an HVAC technician and prepare to test for industry certifications.
How Do You Prepare for HVAC Certification?
The HVACR Technician program at MIAT College of Technology prepares students to test for the following certifications:
- EPA Universal Refrigerant Handling Certification including Core, Type I, Type II, Type III, of the Federal Clean Air Act Section – 608 (EPA examinations administered by ESCO on campus)
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE) (Core exams given by NATE and administered by MIAT).
- R410a
- OSHA 10 General construction
We can help students build a knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration so they gain the skills to install, repair, maintain and upgrade systems that control air temperature and quality. Our curriculum starts with the HVAC basics and moves on to safety and procedures that keep technicians safe on the job. Students will learn about:
- Schematics use and interpretation
- Tool introduction and application
- Piping and fitting basics
- Sheet metal and fiberglass ductwork
- Air handling and hydronics
- AC and DC circuits and components
- Heating fundamentals
- Vent system selection and installation
- Air conditioning
- Refrigeration
- Mechanical and electronic controls troubleshooting
- Load calculations
- Inspection and documentation
- Customer relations
Do I Need a License To Be an HVAC Technician?
Yes. Texas and Michigan require HVAC technicians to hold a valid HVAC license. In Texas, after graduation from the MIAT HVACR Technician program you must have an additional 48 months of practical experience under the supervision of a licensed HVAC technician in the past 72 months or have held your own HVAC technician certification for at least a year and performed at least 36 months of work under supervision of a licensed professional in the last 48 months.
To qualify for a Michigan HVAC license, you will have to complete at least three years of HVAC work under the supervision of a licensed HVAC technician after graduating from MIAT’s HVACR Technician program. There are several options for licenses in Michigan, including HVAC, refrigeration, and ductwork.
What Are the Benefits of Attending MIAT’s HVACR Technician Program?
There are many benefits to attending an HVACR technician program—from a quick path toward a new career, to experienced faculty and career development. These benefits are all great reasons to learn the HVAC trade at MIAT.
Benefit #1: A Quick Path
If you have 9 months to learn a new trade, then an HVACR technician training program may be right for you. At MIAT College of Technology, you can learn a new trade and prepare for HVAC certifications that may help you pursue a career as an HVAC technician.
Benefit #2: Experienced Faculty
We only hire experienced faculty to teach you the HVAC curriculum and mentor you on the knowledge and skills needed to mold you into an HVAC professional. Since our classes are small, our faculty can offer one-on-one attention and answer any questions you may have. They use a curriculum that builds upon itself until you are prepared to work on HVAC systems.
Benefit #3: Opportunity To Learn From Mistakes
On the job is not the time to try new things and make mistakes. During an HVACR program, you are learning the trade, so mistakes are bound to happen. It is important to learn from your mistakes while in school so customers’ HVAC systems are not compromised, causing a catastrophic situation.
Benefit #4: Career Development
One of the best benefits of a formal education in HVAC is the career services we offer. Whether you need help building a résumé or prepping for an interview, we prepare you for the job hunt with targeted career development that will help you pursue a job you’re passionate about. We take pride in preparing our graduates, and community employers look to MIAT for highly trained HVAC technicians that are ready to hit the ground running.
Benefit #5: Hands-on Experience
To put the classroom theory to the test, you get plenty of hands-on experience installing, fixing and maintaining real HVAC systems. Faculty will mentor you through the process while you get the experience you need to succeed during labs and externships. This increased hands-on experience will build confidence in your abilities and have you trained to become an HVAC technician.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how long it takes to learn HVACR, it’s time to learn more about MIAT College of Technology. If you have 9 months to dedicate to our HVACR program full time, we can prepare you to pursue a new career.
Want to Learn More?
Does an education in HVACR interest you? The HVACR Technician program at MIAT College of Technology is 9 months in length for full-time students, assuming no interruption in training, and is offered at both the Canton, Michigan, and Houston, Texas campuses. The training allows students to focus on their chosen field, graduating faster than it takes to earn a traditional 2- or 4-year college degree or complete a 3- to 5-year apprenticeship.
To learn more about the HVAC Technician program and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page. Contact us if you are interested in training to become an HVAC technician today.
1UTI and MIAT are educational institutions and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures for UTI and www.miat.edu/disclosures for MIAT.