A career in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration can be rewarding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that New Jersey and Pennsylvania offer some of the highest employment rates and annual mean wages for these professionals, as of May 2023.

People interested in HVACR certification can get the information they need from Pennco Tech, which offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) program and other vocational programs for students in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

How to Earn HVACR Certification in New Jersey

Certification isn’t required to become an HVAC technician in New Jersey. However, it is necessary if you want to become a master HVACR contractor. Technicians must seek certification from the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.

There are several options for certification. These include:

• Completing four years of HVACR apprenticeship approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and one year of journeyperson experience under a licensed master HVACR contractor
• Earning a bachelor’s degree in HVACR from an accredited college or university with one year of journeyperson experience under a licensed master HVACR contractor
• Earning a bachelor’s degree in a field related to HVACR from an accredited college or university followed by three years of journeyperson experience under a licensed master HVACR contractor
• Earning a two-year degree from a trade, technology, community, or county school or college, completing at least two years of HVACR apprenticeship approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, and completing one year of journeyperson experience under a licensed master HVACR contractor

Following any one of these paths will enable an HVAC technician to sit for the certification examination. The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you will have 130 minutes to complete it. To pass, you must receive a minimum score of 70%. HVAC contractors also must pass the Business and Law exam, which has a similar format to the HVAC exam.

How to Earn HVACR Certification in Pennsylvania

There are no statewide requirements regarding HVACR certification in Pennsylvania. Instead, different cities have unique stipulations for HVAC professionals.

For example, in Pittsburgh, HVAC contractor certification is required to conduct various tasks involving mechanical systems. In addition to four years of work experience, HVAC contractors need general liability insurance and proof of registration to sit for the Pennsylvania Standard Master Mechanical Contractor exam.

In Philadelphia, HVAC technicians require certification for different applications, including:

• Sheet metal systems certification
• Engineer certification (Grade A boiler, stationary and refrigeration, Grade B refrigeration)
• Warm air installer certification

Since certification is left to the discretion of the city, there are different exams to obtain it. The exams available to you may depend on your experience in a particular type of HVAC work. The Pennsylvania Standard Master Mechanical Contractor exam is one of the most common, and it requires a 70% minimum score to pass.

EPA Section 608 Certification

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues a national requirement for all HVAC technicians who work with refrigerants. The EPA Section 608 Certification exam features 80 multiple-choice questions. You have three hours to complete the exam and must receive a minimum score of 70% to pass. Earning EPA certification means an HVAC technician is certified in all states. This certification doesn’t expire.

HVAC professionals can obtain three types of EPA certification, including:

• Type I: This is for HVAC technicians working with equipment that contains five pounds of refrigerant or less.
• Type II: This is for HVAC technicians working with high-pressure equipment.
• Type III: This is for HVAC technicians working with low-pressure equipment.

Consider the HVACR Program at Pennco Tech

The first step toward HVACR certification is obtaining the right training. Pennco Tech offers an HVACR program at campuses in Blackwood, NJ, and Bristol, PA, where students gain the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to pursue certification.

Your training starts with the fundamentals of HVAC technology. Students gain the necessary theoretical knowledge in their classes with hands-on training at our facilities in Bucks and Camden counties. Topics the program covers include: 

• Combustion analysis
• Basic principles of electricity, gas, oil, heat pump systems, installation, and maintenance
• Unit airflow setup and evaluation
• System circuits, soldering, and pipefitting
• Combustion analysis
• Personal and environmental safety
• Energy efficiency of HVAC systems

Our HVACR program includes certification testing for the EPA Section 608 Certification, as well as the TracPipe Certification.

The program is led by experienced instructors who guide students throughout their coursework. Financial aid is available for students who qualify, and students receive lifetime career assistance through the Career Services department to help them find work after completing the program.

Explore HVAC Certification Programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Pennco Tech strives to make the HVACR program easily accessible to students in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With day and evening classes, it’s easy to fit your training into your busy schedule. Take the first step toward HVACR certification and a rewarding trade career. Contact us today about enrollment.