Building Trades HVACR Program Frequently Asked Questions

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1 Working as a HVACR technician: Building Trades HVACR Program Frequently Asked Questions Q: What do HVACR technicians do? A: HVACR technicians install, maintain and repair heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration systems. HVACR is an abbreviation for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. The following are examples of types of HVACR technicians: Residential HVACR technicians: Residential HVACR technicians install and repair home heating and air quality systems. They might specialize in installation or repair of certain types of systems or equipment. Additionally, residential HVAC technicians may be responsible for selling maintenance contracts to customers. Commercial HVACR technicians: Commercial HVACR technicians install and repair heating and air quality systems in commercial buildings. They might specialize in installation or repair of certain types of systems or equipment. Commercial HVACR technicians may work on non-refrigerant heating and cooling systems, such as water boilers and building ventilation systems. HVACR technicians, Refrigeration: Technicians who specialize in refrigeration repair and install refrigeration systems in restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses. They follow blueprints and technical instructions to check for leaks, charge systems with coolants, and program system controls. Refrigeration and cooling technicians also follow strict safety regulations due to the highly dangerous nature of the chemical refrigerants they work with.

2 Q: Where do HVACR technicians work? A: Most HVACR technicians work in both the construction and service industries. Many large commercial buildings and manufacturing plants employ HVACR technicians as maintenance staff. Q: What are the working conditions? A: Although most technicians work indoors, many have to work on outdoor equipment, even in bad weather. Technicians often work in awkward or cramped spaces, and some work in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating system is broken. Q: Do I need a license to be a HVACR technician? A: You do not need a license if you work under the supervision of a licensed technician. HVACR technicians are required to have the EPA 608 certificates to be able to handle refrigerants. If a technician wants to be self-employed, they will have to obtain a license. Maryland An applicant for a Master License: 1. Must have been licensed as a journeyman and regularly and principally employed to provide all areas of HVACR services for at least three years of active experience under the direction and control of a HVACR master; 2. Worked a minimum of 1,875 hours in the year prior to applying for the Master License; and 3. Pass the Master examination with a score of 70%. An applicant for a Master Restricted License: 1. Must have been licensed as a journeyman and regularly and principally employed to provide HVACR services for at least three years of active experience under the direction and control of a HVACR master; 2. Worked a minimum of 1,875 hours in the year prior to applying for a Master Restricted License: and 3. Pass the Master Restricted examination with a score of 70%. An applicant for a Limited license: 1. Must have been licensed as a journeyman and regularly and principally employed in providing HVACR services under the direction and control of licensed HVACR Master for at least two years; 2. Work a minimum of 1,000 hours in the year prior to application; and 3. Pass the Limited Contractor examination with a score of 70%.

3 An applicant for a Journeyman license: 1. Must have been licensed as an apprentice for at least three years and during that period shall have completed at least 1,875 hours of training (over a period of 3 years) in providing HVACR services under the direction and control of a licensed HVACR contractor. 2. Pass the journeyman examination with a score of 70%. 3. Currently hold an apprentice license. (See the question below, Will the HVACR program make me an apprentice?, for more information on becoming an apprentice.) For licenses above Journeyman, you are required to have General Liability Insurance in the amount of at least $300,000 and Property Damage Insurance in the amount of at least $100,000 to activate your license after passing the exam. Contact the State Board for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors at (410) or hvacr@dllr.state.md.us for more information. Frederick County Frederick County currently does not have an HVAC license at this time. Q: How much does a HVACR technician earn? A: In the local Frederick County area, an average entry level HVACR technician earns approximately $12-15 per hour, a journeyman HVACR technician can earn $24 per hour, and a master HVACR technician can $30+ per hour. Paying for the HVACR Program: Q: How much does the HVACR Program cost? A: The cost of the entire program based on tuition rates is $4548 without the internship option. The internship will be an additional $323. This cost does not in include textbooks. Getting started in the HVACR Program: Q: What courses are included in the program? A: The credit HVACR Program has two options, a letter of recognition or a career certificate. The five HVACR courses in this track are also offered as Continuing Education classes. Letter of Recognition (LOR) HVACR Track (11 credits) The LOR provides an introduction to the basics of refrigeration theory and HVACR controls. It includes the opportunity to take the EPA 608 certification exam.

4 Career Certificate HVACR Track (25-27 credits) To further build and individual s knowledge of the HVACR trade, the program incorporates a business course in customer relations and opportunities for internship. Also includes advanced course on heat pumps, troubleshooting, duct work, and fossil fuel systems. These programs include the following courses: CREDIT TRACK 1: HVAC Class Letter of Recognition Career Certificate Prerequisites BLD 101 Introduction to Building Trades 3 3 EN51 or ESL97 BLD 108 Duct Design & Installation 3 BLD109 (also corequisite) BLD 109 Fundamentals of HVACR 4 4 EN51 or ESL97 BLD 110 Controls for HVAC 4 4 BLD109 BLD 113 Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps 4 BLD110 BLD 114 Fossil Fuels and Hydronic Heating 4 BLD110 BU 274 Customer Relations 3 EN50A/EN52 or ESL95/ESL99 INTR 102 Internship (Optional) 2 Total credits The continuing education program includes the following courses: CONTINUING EDUCATION: HVAC Class CE Certificate Prerequisites HVC 121 Fundamentals of HVACR 90 hours EN51 or ESL97 HVC 122 Controls for HVACR 90 hours HVC121 HVC 123 Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps 90 hours HVC122 HVC 125 Fossil Fuels and Hydronic Heating 90 hours HVC122 HVC 140 Duct Design & Installation 37.5 hours HVC121 (also corequisite) Completing the HVACR Program: Total Hours hours Q: How long does it take to complete the HVACR program? A: This depends on course offerings each semester. The entire career certificate program can take as little as nine months (taking three or four classes for two semesters) or as long as three years (taking one class for seven semesters). The letter of recognition can take as little as 4 months (taking three classes in one semester) or 16 months (taking one class for three semesters). Q: Will the HVACR program make me an apprentice? A: No. The HVACR program at Frederick Community College is not registered with the Maryland State HVACR Board as an apprenticeship program. To become an HVACR apprentice,

5 you do not need to enroll into an apprenticeship program. Visit and complete the online Apprentice License Form. An apprenticeship program is 4 year program for individuals employed in the HVACR trade. Admission into an apprenticeship program is handled through the organization or college hosting the program. For a list of registered apprenticeship programs contact Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program at (410) or matp@dllr.state.md.us. Q: Will the HVACR program certify me as a journeyman or master HVACR technician? A: No. Please see the above question Do I need a license to be a HVACR technician? for more information on becoming a Master or Journeyman HVACR technician.