Shreveport, Louisiana HVAC Schools & Certification

The northwest corner of Louisiana (LA) borders Arkansas and Texas in what is known as the Ark-La-Tex region. What is now Shreveport, located in that corner, was originally occupied by the Caddo First Americans, who sold a portion along the Red River to the Shreve Town Company for development. Shreveport was incorporated in 1871 and has since grown into Louisiana’s third-largest city.

Shreveport’s economic history has ranged from oil to manufacturing to today’s service industries. As well as the commercial hub of the Ark-La-Tex area, it’s part of the 1-20 technology corridor, leading to growth in the information and technology industries. But Shreveport may be better known for its gaming industry, including riverboat casinos, which draw in countless visitors. Other major industries include education services, healthcare, and retail trade. Companies that include Amazon, UPS, and Walmart are among the many with facilities in Shreveport. All in all, the economy is strong, diversified, and expanding.

The city’s long history has led to several historic districts, landmarks, and sites, some of which are listed on the National Registers of Historic Places and Landmarks. Visitors to the sites are a significant part of a thriving tourist industry. The city served as Louisiana’s capital briefly during the Civil War. It was later nicknamed “Ratchet City ” because of its rap music. Music and the film and television industries still play a major role in Shreveport’s economy.

Shreveport continues to grow and thrive despite the hot and muggy summers and cold winters. August is the only month with less than three inches of rain, with nearly all the months receiving more than four inches. June gets the most precipitation at 5.40 inches. Temperatures in June, July, and August soar into the 90s F. December and January are the coldest months, with highs in the 50s. Temperatures don’t drop to freezing all winter, so the precipitation continues to be rain rather than snow.

Although Shreveporters enjoy the outdoors in their beautiful city, the adverse weather often keeps them indoors. They rely on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) for home and workplace comfort. The burgeoning tourist industry, entertainment venues, and retail establishments usually require the addition of refrigeration (HVAC/R). Educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and businesses that depend on technology typically need state-of-the-art climate-control equipment and systems to keep the electronics operating correctly. Historic structures and museums often require specialized climate control to preserve the artifacts.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), 380 HVAC mechanics and installers were employed in the Shreveport-Bossier City area of LA. The technicians and their employers receive training and support from industry organizations such as:

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
HVACR Association of Louisiana
Louisiana Heat Pump Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Louisiana
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association

These and similar industry associations establish educational, licensing, and performance standards in cooperation with governmental agencies and authorities.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Technicians in Shreveport, LA

The HVAC industry is growing. The BLS (2024) predicts a growth rate of six percent, or 23,000 new positions, for HVAC/R mechanics and installers nationwide between 2022 and 2032. That’s twice the three percent growth expected for all occupations in the same decade. The job outlook in Louisiana is even brighter, according to Projections Central (2024), as their data shows a 9.2 percent increase. That’s 380 new job opportunities between 2022 and 2032

The industry growth results from several economic considerations and remains strong because it isn’t reliant on only one factor. The construction of new residential and commercial structures remains the primary reason for continued growth. Technicians have additional job opportunities in older cities like Shreveport when existing buildings are remodeled or renovated to meet changing needs. The aging and obsolete climate-control systems and equipment typically must be replaced if they can’t be retrofitted or updated. Evolving regulations and building codes also mean newer systems must be installed, as does the emphasis on energy efficiency and pollution reduction.

Homeowners and businesses, especially those dependent on technology, expect “smart” buildings with state-of-the-art climate control. Accordingly, HVAC technicians must have the training and skills to install, service, and maintain contemporary high-tech and complex climate control systems. Shreveport technicians who are proficient with computers, understand electronics, and are expert troubleshooters will have the best job opportunities.

Technicians who specialize in new installations can experience unemployment if construction declines. Given Shreveport’s diverse and expanding economy, a decline doesn’t seem likely in the foreseeable future. The entertainment and technology industries are, in particular, expected to require more facilities that need sophisticated climate-control equipment and systems.

Technicians specializing in maintenance and service can expect full employment as businesses and homeowners want to keep their climate-control systems in good operating condition year-round, regardless of the economy.

HVAC Salaries in Shreveport, LA

According to the BLS (May 2023), HVAC mechanics and installers nationally earned an annual median salary of $57,300. Technicians in the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, received an annual median salary of $54,120. The wage difference is greater than it appears, as the cost of living in Louisiana is lower than it is nationwide, particularly in housing and utilities.

BLS data for national, state, and regional salaries of HVAC professionals follows:

	United States	Louisiana	Shreveport – Bossier City, LA
Number of HVAC workers	397,450	4,830	380
Average Annual Salary	$59,620	$54,400	$53,450
10th Percentile	$37,270	$36,170	$36,380
25th Percentile	$46,550	$43,710	$42,630
50th Percentile (Median)	$57,300	$53,660	$54,120
75th percentile	$71,120	$62,050	$59,560
90th percentile	$84,250	$73,670	$72,120

HVAC Apprenticeships in Shreveport, LA

Like workers in most trades, HVAC technicians originally began their careers as helpers and acquired their skills through on-the-job training. Few opportunities exist in today’s world for untrained workers. Most now attend classes or participate in an apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeships typically include specified hours of on-the-job training (~2,000 hours) and classroom work (~144 hours) annually for three to five years. The Louisiana Workforce Commission maintains an FAQ for apprentices with links to information and resources. They also maintain an interactive resource that allows workers to search for registered apprenticeships by area and trade.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Louisiana offers four-year 8,000-hour apprenticeships in plumbing and sheet metal in Shreveport. Apprentices attend classes for a week three times a year and complete the remainder of their training online.

The Shreveport Job Corps also provides training in several areas, including the construction trades. Enrollees in the pre-apprenticeship program can earn credentials from the National Association of Home Builders. Storer Services in Shreveport offers a commercial and industrial HVAC apprenticeship.

Workers seeking HVAC and HVAC/R apprenticeship programs can find several available through national industry associations. These include the following:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA)

Details of offerings, schedules, and fees are available on their websites.

Accredited HVAC Schools in Shreveport, LA

Aspiring technicians often choose formal training. Those doing so should select an accredited program or institution. Accreditation is a process by which an independent agency evaluates the quality of an educational institution’s curriculum and instructors. Two industry organizations evaluate and accredit HVAC programs. The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) has not yet awarded accreditation to a Louisiana school. HVAC Excellence has accredited the following Louisiana schools:

Baton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge, LA
Bossier Parish Community College, Natchitoches, LA
Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Alexandria, LA
Delgado Community College, Avondale, LA
Fletcher Technical Community College, Thibodaux, LA
ITI Technical College, Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana Delta Community College, West Monroe, LA
Northshore Technical Community College, Bogalusa, LA
Northshore Technical Community College, Hammond, LA
River Parishes Community College, Reserve, LA
South Louisiana Community College, Lafayette, LA

Due to their accreditation, Bossier Parish Community College, Natchitoches Campus, and Louisiana Delta Community College are included in the profiles below, although both would require a commute for Shreveport students. Other reputable agencies have accredited the remaining profiled institutions.

Ayers Career College

Ayers teaches students HVAC/R skills through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on practice in their lab. They learn the fundamentals of heating and cooling systems, refrigeration appliances, and components of HVAC/R equipment such as condensers, evaporators, and compressors. They are fully prepared to take the EPA Section 608 certification exams, which allows them to install. maintain, and repair equipment. Graduates of the program are awarded a diploma and are qualified to seek entry-level positions as technicians.

The school’s Career Services office assists graduates with their job search. Students learn how to write a resume, network, schedule interviews, and practice with mock interviews.

Location: Shreveport, LA
Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education
Expected Time to Completion: Day 36 weeks; evening 60 weeks

Bossier Parish Community College, Natchitoches Campus

BPCC’s HVAC/R program is currently available at the Natchitoches campus. Students start by learning safety issues and the principles of refrigeration. They progress to the fundamentals of electricity and electrical components, motors, and troubleshooting. They may then receive a technical certificate. The next semester covers domestic refrigeration, room air conditioners, and residential heat pumps, which results in a second technical certificate. Both of the certificates meet the requirements for HVAC Excellence employment-ready certification.

The last semester focuses on residential system design and HVAC. After completing 45 credit hours, graduates receive a diploma and are qualified for two more employment-ready certifications.

Location: Natchitoches, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters

Louisiana Delta Community College, West Monroe Campus

LDCC offers several HVAC programs at the West Monroe Campus. These currently include:

Certificate of Technical Studies Helper II – 24 credits
Certificate of Technical Studies in Domestic A/C & Refrigeration Technician – 28 credits
Certificate of Technical Studies in HVACR Energy Systems Technician – 33 credits
Technical Diploma in Residential A/C and Refrigeration – 45 credits
Technical Diploma in Commercial Refrigeration Technician – 45 credits

The programs all include specialized classroom instruction and practical hands-on practice in the shop.

The curriculum varies according to the program title but typically includes introductory classes, principles of HVAC/R and electricity, electrical components and motors, heat pumps, troubleshooting, commercial and domestic refrigeration, residential systems, and controls. Students also choose either coursework in job-seeking skills or an industrial technology internship.

Graduates are qualified to seek employment as technicians able to install, diagnose, maintain, and repair commercial and residential HVAC/R systems.

Location: West Monroe, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Expected Time to Completion: Varies

Louisiana State University

LSUS offers several HVAC/R programs online, including:

HVAC Technician certificate – Four to six months
HVAC/R Technician – 12 months
HVAC/R Certified Technician – 12 months
HVAC/R Controls/Building Automation Systems – Six months

Students complete intensive coursework that prepares them for entry-level positions as technicians. As well as technical subjects relevant to the course title, they learn soft skills that include communication, decision-making, time management, and accepting responsibility.

The HVAC/R technical coursework includes introductory classes, safety, tools, equipment, refrigerants, automatic controls, troubleshooting, hydronic heat, electricity and electrical controls, indoor quality, heat pumps, and residential and commercial systems and equipment, among others. Graduates are prepared to take industry exams that include EPA Section 608, all the HVAC Excellence employment-ready exams, and NATE ready-to-work certification.

As the programs are only available online, students must ensure they have the appropriate hardware, software, and connectivity.

Location: Shreveport, LA
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Expected Time to Completion: Self-paced, but must be completed within the time frames indicated for each program.

Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College, Shreveport Campus

The school offers a 45-credit HVAC program designed to prepare students for a variety of positions as technicians. The coursework is presented through specialized classroom lectures and practical experience in the shop.

The first 17 credit hours include work readiness, industrial workplace safety, introduction to HVAC, refrigeration principles, and electricity fundamentals. Students then qualify for certification as an HVAC helper-level I. The next 14 credit hours include electric motors and components, residential central air, applied electricity, and troubleshooting. Completion of the coursework qualifies students for certification as an HVAC helper-level II.

The remaining 14 credit hours include residential heating, heat pumps and specialized equipment, residential system troubleshooting, and capstone HVAC system design. Graduates are awarded a diploma.

Location: Shreveport, LA
Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education
Expected Time to Completion: Three semesters

Remington College

Remington offers an HVAC diploma at numerous campuses, including one in Shreveport. The coursework is presented in a hybrid system that combines classroom lectures with hands-on practice in the lab.

The curriculum includes career development fundamentals and principles, refrigeration theory, HVAC maintenance, electricity, motors and controls, residential HVAC, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, and hydronic systems. Graduates are prepared to take the EPA Section 608 exam and seek entry-level employment.

Location: Shreveport, LA
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Some Shreveport students may find that an online institution may better fit their needs. Information on accredited programs may be found on the online training schools page.

HVAC Certification and Licensing in Shreveport, LA

The Environmental Protection Agency requires all technicians who handle refrigerants to obtain Section 608 certification. Certification requires passing at least one exam on the safe handling of refrigerants. There are four types of certifications according to the systems on which technicians work:

For servicing small appliances (Type I)
For servicing or disposing of high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning (Type II)
For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III)
For servicing all types of equipment (Universal)

More information is available on the EPA website.

Many industry organizations offer training and certifications, including Section 608, that improve a technician’s employability. These include, but are not limited to:

Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
HVAC Excellence

Further information may be found on each website. There is also more information on the HVAC certifications page.

Employed HVAC technicians are not required to be licensed by the State of Louisiana. Self-employed technicians are classified as contractors and must obtain licensing from the Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors.

HVAC commercial subcontractors must be licensed for projects exceeding $10,000. Contractors working on commercial projects that exceed $50,000 must be licensed and their subcontractors must also be licensed. Applicants for a commercial license must:

Document a minimum net worth of $10,000 with current financial statements
Take a business and law course and pass the exam
Pass a trade exam
Submit any other documents as determined by the Board upon review
Complete an application
Pay the required fee

The initial license expires in one year. Subsequent renewal periods vary.

Residential HVAC contractors must be licensed for projects exceeding $75,000, and subcontractors must be licensed for projects exceeding $7,500. Applicants must meet the same requirements as the commercial applicants and provide proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage. The initial license expires in one year. Renewal periods vary and require six hours of continuing education.

Contractors must also obtain business licenses for commercial construction projects, on public or private contracts that exceed $50,000, and on projects that include more than two single residential homes or residential duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes. Applicants must pass exams in business, law, and trades. Licenses must be renewed annually and four hours of continuing education are required for renewal.

The City of Shreveport requires all businesses within city limits to obtain an occupational license. The fee is based on gross receipts but is subject to minimum and maximum amounts.

As licensing requirements are always subject to change, HVAC technicians are encouraged to ensure that they comply with the state and regional licensing agencies before working on any project.

Sandra Smith

Sandra Smith was introduced to the HVAC industry when she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for a small air-conditioning contractor. She eventually became a CPA and started her own practice specializing in small business taxes and accounting. After retiring from business, she began writing articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. She also authored four books. Sandra makes her home in the mountains with a rescue dog that naps on her lap as she writes.