How to Become HVAC Certified in California with Fuse Service Club School Network
This question is intriguing and exciting, but it can cause anxiety as well. Licensing is mandatory for those who want to perform HVAC services in California. We help those who seek “how to get HVAC license in California” and share some lifehacks to make the process easier. In addition, we also cover all certification costs for those who are hired at Fuse Service.
Benefits of Getting an HVAC License in California
To begin with, we have to make all terms clear. An HVAC license is a type of permission that allows you to sell HVAC services. At the same time, certification is a permission for providing or performing this service.
Of course, there are some handymen who perform HVAC services without a certificate. But usually, they are untrustworthy and charge lower prices to attract clients. HVAC Certification California will make your work legal and paid fairly.
The best benefit of California HVAC certification is the ability to work legally. You can find a job in a company or work for yourself free of any concerns.
What Are The Different Types of HVAC Permissions in California?
California HVAC certification includes different types of permissions you can get to prove your qualification. So the question in fact is: “how to become HVAC certified in California?” we will look at them:
EPA Section 608 Certification
The most popular option among HVAC professionals. It’s a certification you get to have a permission to work with HVAC equipment, tools and materials. This type is divided into Type I, II, III, and Universal levels, each covering specific types of HVAC systems and refrigerants.
Contractor’s License (C-20)
This is a type of permission that allows you to sell your HVAС services in California. With this license you can sell HVAC services for over $500. Moreover, even if you charged your client for more than $500 they could pay you only $500 because of this law. It’s issued by the CSLB and covers warm-air heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning services. This license is suitable for companies and organisations, but also for technicians who want to earn more than $500 per project.
What is EPA Certification?
You may ask how to get EPA certification? Well, first let’s be clear about which EPA certification you need. Although there are numerous EPA certificates for construction services, only the EPA 608 Universal certification is required as an HVAC tech. Of course, you can get types I, II or III, but the universal one is better. And the good news is that we help you get one at our school!
So why this and not the others? Look here. Only with this HVAC Certification in California will you be able to work with refrigerants like R-22, R-410A, R-404A and similar appliances in which they are used. The most important part is that those refrigerants are commonly used in HVAC systems. This certificate isn’t just a formality, it’s a necessity to keep up with the heating and cooling market.
How to Get EPA Certification?
How to get HVAC license in California for those who choose the EPA? First, we should warn you that we can help you with information, but preparing and applying for exams is fully on you. However, we cover the costs if you are hired at Fuse Service and provide the receipt!
1
Start with studying for the exam. All the information you need to know is available in open sources, so all you have to do is study it. You can look through a free EPA Study Guide (download it from EPA.gov). We also recommend the EPA 608 Certification Study Guide (ESCO) and HVAC Exam Prep by Rex Miller.
In addition, websites like ESCO Institute or Mainstream Engineering offer sample questions. You can get EPA HVAC certification California at credited providers which are listed at EPA website.
2
The further steps are easy: attend the exam on the scheduled day and pass it. Keep in mind that the Universal certificate includes four stages of the exam: Core Exam (25 questions, general knowledge) and Type I, II, and III Exams (25 questions each).
To pass it and get a certificate you need to have at least 70% of correct answers at every section (not in average).
3
When you successfully pass the exam, the organization gives you your wallet card and certificate almost instantly, so you won’t wait long, especially if you take the exam in person.
And that’s how to get EPA certification in California.
What is OSHA
Certification?
OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration and it doesn’t really provide certifications. How to get HVAC license in California without taking their safety courses? Sorry, but this California HVAC certification is crucial. Most employers ask for at least a 10-hour OSHA course. There are also those who ask for a 30-hour version as we do at Fuse Service.
How to Get OSHA
Certification?
After you obtain the EPA 608 to perform those services, OSHA certification might feel like a bad joke. As we mentioned, passing this course is mandatory to apply for most HVAC positions.
However, at Fuse Service we cover all expenses for a 30-hours construction training course and guide all our employees through the course. Learn more about applying to this exam on the OSHA website.
What is NATE
Certification?
NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence and that’s the provider of HVAC certificates you need to get. This is another step on the way how to become HVAC certified in California. Unlike EPA 608, NATE isn’t mandatory to perform HVAC services.
However, many employers prefer or require it, since it’s solid proof of qualification. Hence, this certification often leads to higher pay and better job opportunities. And as we do with other types of HVAC Certification California, we cover this certification as well for our techs.
How to Get NATE
Certification?
Requirements
You don’t need to have formal education, but 2+ years of HVAC field experience is recommended.
- Free Study Guides: NATE Website
- Books: NATE Certification Exam Prep (by Rex Miller)
- Practice Tests: ESCO Institute, HVAC School
Take the Exams
Pearson VUE testing center is a nationwide place for holding exams. But you can attend them at any approved proctored site as well. Visit the NATE website for scheduling.
Certification
- Passing Score: 70% or higher.
- Certification Validity: 2 years.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an HVAC License in California?
Let’s do some math in order to calculate the price of the full stack of HVAC requirements California certification for providing services. Not all of them are necessary, but in case you want to have everything, here are some numbers:
Federal EPA 608 Certification
(Mandatory for Refrigerant Work)
Federal EPA 608 Certification
Including:
- Application Fee: $330 (CSLB)
- Exam Fee: $95
- Bond Requirement: $15,000 (Cost: ~$100–$500/year)
- Workers’ Comp Insurance: (If hiring employees) ~$1,000+/year
- Study Materials/Prep Course: $100–$500
Optional (But Valuable) Certifications
- NATE Certification: $150–$300, highly respected, boosts pay
- OSHA 10-Hour (Construction): $60–$120, often required for job sites
- OSHA 30-Hour: $150–$250, for supervisors
Let’s sum up. The cheapest scenario is if you get hired and don’t have to get a C-20 certification and your employer doesn’t require any other certifications — $75. The real scenario with average expenses is still getting hired, but also getting NATE and OSHA certifications as proof of qualifications — $570.
Getting everything at once will be over $2,200, which is a great investment in itself. But you shouldn’t be scared if you’re Fuse Service’s HVAC helper or technician, because we cover all the programs above except for C-20.
HVAC Training Programs
At Fuse School we offer training and knowledge, but we also appreciate experience exchange. That’s why twice a year we pick 5–6 HVAC helpers from our team, so they can attend a special training programme from Daikin. We also have free sales training for technicians on Praxis.
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