The HVAC industry in Michigan is a good opportunity to start a new career and get paid for it. You can become your own boss and start your HVAC business. You can challenge yourself by learning HVAC specializations. If you want to install or repair any cooling, heating, ventilating, or refrigeration system, you have to obtain a Michigan HVAC license.
You can find different types of HVAC licenses in Michigan. There are HVAC Apprenticeships, HVAC Contractor, NATE Certification, EPA Certification, and Specialty Licenses.
HVAC Apprenticeship: People have to apply for this type of license depending on where they live in Michigan. If you obtain this license, you can work on units. You can do it only under the supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor. Apprentices usually earn $13.00 to $17.00 per hour.
If you obtain this type of license, you can work as an independent HVAC technician on different units. In this case, you can work without under supervision of any licensed HVAC technician. An HVAC technician in Michigan earns roughly $22.00 per hour.
If you obtain a NATE Certification, it will serve you as proof that you have additional education and training in the field. This type of license is optional. Technicians with this certification can make more money. They usually earn $25.00 to $30.00 per hour.
This kind of license is an opportunity to handle the refrigerant chemicals in many HVAC units. Most HVAC apprentices, technicians, and contractors in Michigan require a section 608 EPA.
In order to work in solar heating and cooling industries, vented gas and solid fuel appliances, fuel gas venting, LP distribution piping, and fuel gas piping, you have to obtain specialty HVAC licenses. People who have these licenses can earn about $20.00 to $30.00 per hour.
The cost varies depending on the current year. The state of Michigan issues licenses in three-year cycles.
You have to pay $25.00 for each test, except for the application fees.
In order to get an HVAC license in Michigan, the technicians must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. People, having a criminal background, must disclose it in their application. The board of license will decide your qualifications case by case.
You have to gain three years of experience in your specific work field. You have different options like HVAC equipment, refrigeration, ductwork, and hydronic heating. If you want to get this experience, you can apply for an apprenticeship, or just attend trade schools. You can attend schools like Michigan HVAC Vocational or Northwestern Technological Institute. Apprenticeships usually do not have any fees, but you have to pay for schooling roughly $15.000.
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) licenses Michigan’s HVAC technicians. You have to apply for a mechanical contractor’s license in the HVAC equipment classification if you want to get an HVAC license. After the acceptance of your application, LARA will contact you and schedule your exam. There are five testing centers around the state, and you have to take your test in one of them. You can cover a wide category of subjects by the exams. So here they are:
You can take online or in-person courses in order to cover the exam topics. IF you get at least a 70% score on the exam, you will pass it. When you pass the exam, the State of Michigan will notify you and send your HVAC license in the mail within a few weeks.
When you get your Michigan HVAC license, it will be good until the end of the three years period.
You have to renew your HVAC license. 45 days before your license will expire you have to do the renewal. You can do it online. In order to renew it, you have to pay $75.00 for a renewal fee.