Accredited HVAC Programs in Wyoming
Accreditation is an independent evaluation that the school meets or exceeds standards for the quality of instructors and curriculum. For institutions offering HVAC and HVAC/R training, accreditation from the following industry organizations may be important:
- HVAC Excellence
- Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA)
As of May 2021, there were no programs in WY that have earned accreditation from either organization.
Although individuals can sometimes enter the HVAC industry without training, not surprisingly, those who have earned certificates or degrees generally can obtain jobs much easier. They may also start at higher wages and earn more over the life of their career. HVAC equipment and systems have become so complex that coursework and hands-on training is highly recommended for job seekers.
Casper College
The Center for Training and Development at Casper College periodically offers an HVACR technician career training course providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain entry-level positions in the HVAC/R industry.
This course can also be used by professionals for upgrading their skills as HVAC/R technicians. Combining practical and theoretical applications, the program provides a solid understanding of how HVAC systems work.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as fundamentals of HVAC/R, refrigeration systems & components, refrigeration practices, HVAC/R electrical systems & their components, air conditioning systems, heating systems, and heat pump systems, among others.
Students in this program will also be prepared to take the EPA Section 608 national certification exams. Graduates will be able to install and maintain HVAC/R systems and obtain entry-level HVAC/R positions.
- Location: Casper, WY
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 430 hours (can be accessed for 12 months)
- Estimated Tuition: $3,895
Regional Training Center
The Wyoming Contractors Association operates the WCA Regional Training Center in Casper. The construction curriculum includes a six-week course titled field mechanic technician level one. Much of these skills are useful in the HVAC industry.
Coursework includes units in shop safety, measuring devices, hand tool use, cooling systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, power trains, air intake & exhaust systems, lubrication systems, and basic engine principles, among others.
The goal of this training center is to provide high-intensity training that enables students to obtain entry-level jobs. The training is a Department of Labor Approved Apprenticeship Program. Graduates receive a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) CORE Curriculum certification and WCA Field Technician Mechanic Certificate.
Students in this program will be proficient in hydraulic oil changes, oil changes, filter replacement & proper lubrication of trucks and heavy equipment. They are prepared to troubleshoot systems and make basic repairs to equipment.
- Location: Casper, WY
- Accreditation: NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor
- Expected Time to Completion: Six weeks
- Estimated Tuition: Contact center for details
Northwest College
Northwest College offers an HVAC apprenticeship program providing students with functional knowledge about the basics of HVAC/R and preparing them to take the journeyman’s test. The faculty of the program includes industry experts who provide students with hands-on training in air conditioning theory, motors & basic electrical controls, electrical theory, installation methods, code requirements, and much more!
The program requires 6,000 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of instruction. Some of the topics students will delve into include HVAC theory, blueprint reading, electricity, air conditioning, sheet metal, fuel gas piping & venting, and hydronics.
To be eligible for the program, students must be at least 16 years old and a high school diploma or GED is recommended.
- Location: Powell, Wyoming
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
- Estimated Tuition: Contact the college for details
Laramie County Community College
Finally, Laramie County Community College based in Cheyenne offers an HVAC/R diploma and degree programs teaching students in installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC/R systems and provides foundational knowledge about fluid dynamics, thermal dynamics, and electrical topics.
Students may start with the basic HVAC/R program. Coursework includes topics such as mechanical piping systems, heating & air conditioning principles, energy-efficient residential heating systems, residential air conditioning systems, motor controls, electric motors, and introduction to sheet metal duct and duct fabrication. The program requires 18 credits and can be completed in one semester. Graduates receive a credit diploma.
The HVAC/R Technician associate of applied science (AAS) degree program continues instruction designed to prepare students for industry employment. This program includes additional coursework in an introduction to industrial safety, AC and DC electricity, refrigeration circuit components, light commercial refrigeration systems, introduction to blueprint reading and building codes, automatic building controls, and HVAC distribution systems. The two-year program requires students to complete 65 credits of coursework.
All of the HVAC/R programs receive credit for the classroom hours required for the Wyoming Registered Apprenticeship Program. Credits may be transferable to four-year colleges.
- Location: Cheyenne, WY
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Diploma (one semester); AAS degree (two years)
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($147.75 per credit); Out-of-State ($345.75 per credit)