Becoming an HVAC technician can be an excellent choice for people who want a fulfilling career that is challenging both physically and mentally. However, if you are just starting out on the journey toward your career as a technician, the path you need to take may not seem entirely clear to you. Here are the four steps you should take to become a certified HVAC technician.

Get Your High School Diploma or GED

The path to getting your HVAC certification can begin as early as high school. If you are still enrolled as a high school student, you should maintain a strong focus on your grades, especially in classes such as mathematics and physics that will be relevant to your desired career. If your school offers courses in electronics or mechanical drawing, you should jump on these opportunities to get a head-start on your HVAC education.

If you have already graduated from high school and received your diploma, you are in a great position to enroll in a technical school at sites like http://hvac-tech.com and begin specialized training for your career. Even if you did not complete high school, you will be ready to enroll in an HVAC training program as soon as you complete your GED.

Attend an Accredited Technical School

After you have received your high school diploma or GED, the next step is to enroll in an HVAC technician training course at an accredited technical school. These courses cover the theoretical aspects of a technician's career with classes on blueprint drawing, equipment installation, safety practices, and more. At the end of your course, you will receive either a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree depending on the length of the course. Most HVAC training programs take between six months and four years to complete.

Complete an Apprenticeship

Depending on the state you live in, it may be necessary for you to complete an apprenticeship program before you can become licensed as an HVAC technician. However, you should view this as a great opportunity, instead of just a requirement to complete your certification. During the apprenticeship, you will shadow another licensed technician in the field while he does service calls, allowing you to learn by doing and put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You will also be paid at a discount rate while you are doing your apprenticeship program.

The easiest way to begin an HVAC apprenticeship program is to find out if your technical school offers it. Many schools offer apprenticeships that you can take in conjunction with your training courses to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your certification. In most cases, you will start your apprenticeship while you are in technical school and continue it for one to two years after you graduate.

Pass the License Exam

For most students, the license exam is the part of the certification process that causes the most anxiety. The exact length and content of your exam will vary depending on your location, but you should be prepared to show thorough knowledge of HVAC installation, repair, maintenance, and safety.

Your technical school or the technician that you are training under will be able to provide you with information about where to apply for the exam, the exam fees in your state, and the experience requirements that you must fulfill before you are permitted to take the exam. There are several different levels of certification for an HVAC technician, dictating exactly what types of equipment you are certified to work on.

If you are interested in working in a technical trade, a job as an HVAC technician is one of the first that you should consider. Learn the steps in this guide so that you can always be sure you are on the right path to becoming an HVAC technician.