Accredited HVAC Schools in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL
While apprenticeships are one option, other workers choose to complete an accredited training program at a school. Accreditation involves an independent agency evaluating the quality of an educational institution’s program. The evaluation includes both the curriculum and the instructors, and when choosing a school, it is essential to determine if it is accredited and which organization granted accreditation.
Two industry organizations evaluate and accredit HVAC programs: the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA), which awarded accreditation to the Technical Education Center of Osceola, and HVAC Excellence, which has accredited five Florida schools.
Please note that all of the following programs have regional or programmatic accreditation from a reputable authority.
Osceola Technical College (formerly Technical Education Center of Osceola)
Osceola Technical College offers an HVAC/R technology certificate preparing students for employment as HVAC/R technicians and providing them with advanced training for the HVAC/R industry. The curriculum includes classroom lectures and hands-on training in the lab.
Consisting of 1,350 clock-hours, the program includes courses such as introduction to HVAC/R, HVAC/R fundamentals, HVAC/R service practices, HVAC/R intermediate service practices, and HVAC/R advanced service practices.
Graduates are prepared to take industry exams, such as NATE, OSHA, EPA Section 608, and CPR certification. To create a professional atmosphere, students are required to wear uniforms befitting their trade. HVAC/R students dress in navy polo shirts and blue work pants.
- Location: Kissimmee, FL
- Accreditation: PAHRA; Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Format: On-campus
- Estimated Time to Complete: 12 to 18 months
Pinellas Technical College
Pinellas Technical College offers an HVAC/R certificate program. The coursework is scheduled based on OCPs so that students are qualified as helpers, assistants, and mechanics level I as they complete each section. The mission of this program is to provide students with task-specific, sequential courses of study that will result in broad industry-related skills, knowledge, and behavior needed to secure employment in the HVAC/R industry.
Taught by industry-experienced faculty, the curriculum comprises 750 clock-hours covering topics such as safety, HVAC principles, soldering, brazing, components installation, electricity, and wiring, equipment startup, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and indoor air quality.
Students who complete the coursework are prepared to take the exams for industry certifications such as EPA 608, ESCO Workplace Readiness, and NCCER. Graduates of the program gain the skills needed to install, maintain, and repair air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating systems.
- Location: St. Petersburg, FL
- Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Format: On-campus
- Estimated Time to Complete: Eight months
Suncoast Technical College
Suncoast offers an HVAC/R certificate program that is divided into OCPs that prepare students for entry-level positions as helpers, assistants, and mechanic level one. Coursework is broken down between hands-on training in the lab and classroom lectures and is available days and evenings.
The coursework is designed to prepare students to install, repair, and maintain residential and commercial HVAC/R systems. Graduates are qualified to sit for the EPA Section 608 exam.
The program consists of 750 clock-hours involving courses such as introduction to HVAC/R, HVAC/R fundamentals, and HVAC/R service practices. The program will also prepare students for industry certifications such as HVAC Excellence Employment Ready certification (Air Conditioning, electrical, and heat pump), NCCER Core Certification, and NCCER HVAC Level 1, 2, and 3.
- Location: Sarasota, FL
- Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Format: On-campus
- Estimated Time to Complete: Seven months
Southern Technical College
The college offers an HVAC diploma program in which students learn through classroom lectures and hands-on training in the lab. Preparing students for entry-level employment in the HVAC industry, the program prepares students in installing and servicing light commercial and residential air conditioning and heating systems.
The curriculum Taught by industry professionals includes an introduction to building construction and courses on electricity and electronics, motors and controls, HVAC/R theory, HVAC system design, commercial HVAC/R, and career preparation.
Graduates acquire the knowledge and experience needed to seek entry-level positions as residential and light commercial HVAC technicians. On successful completion, graduates can take up opportunities at HVAC firms, construction sites, educational facilities, government facilities, hospitals, residential establishments, office buildings, factories, and more.
Apart from a diploma, the college also offers an associate’s degree in HVAC/R at the Sanford campus.
- Location: Orlando, Auburndale, Brandon, and Sanford, FL
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Format: On-campus
- Estimated Time to Complete: Diploma (10 months); associate’s degree (18 months)
Polk Technical Colleges
Polk presents the HVAC/R technology I and HVAC/R technology II programs at the Ridge and Traviss campuses. Students learn the basics of installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC/R equipment and systems through classroom lectures and hands-on training in a shop. Coursework includes troubleshooting, reading blueprints, and using technical reference manuals. OCPs are awarded as students progress. Passing the EPA Section 608 exam is a requirement for graduation. Students are also required to pass the OSHA 10 Construction Industry Safety exam, and to test for three HVAC Employment Ready Certification Tests.
The HVAC/R technology I program is made up of 750 clock-hours and includes courses such as an introduction to HVAC/R, HVAC/R fundamentals, and HVAC/R service practices. The HVAC/R technology II program consists of 600 clock hours including courses such as HVAC/R intermediate service practices, and HVAC/R advanced commercial and industrial service practices.
- Location: Ridge Technical College, Bartow, FL; Traviss Technical College, Lakeland, FL
- Accreditation: HVAC Excellence (Traviss only); Council on Occupational Education (COE); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); AdvancED
- Format: On-campus
- Estimated Time to Complete: 25 weeks for the level I program; 20 weeks for the level II program