{"id":15174,"date":"2022-10-13T16:53:49","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T16:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/?page_id=15174"},"modified":"2024-02-09T23:38:59","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T23:38:59","slug":"colorado","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/licensing\/hvac\/colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"HVAC License Requirements in Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s an exciting time to become an HVAC technician in Colorado. The industry is growing rapidly and your career can benefit from the growth. You can work for HVAC companies or consider starting your own HVAC business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, you\u2019ll need to learn what it takes to earn your Colorado HVAC license. In this guide, you\u2019ll learn about the requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"toc\"><ul class=\"toc-list\"><li><a href='#do-you-need-a-license-in-colorado-to-become-an-hvac-technician' class='toc-link'>Do you need a license in Colorado to become an HVAC technician?<\/a><\/li><li><a href='#what-are-the-different-types-of-hvac-licenses' class='toc-link'>What are the different types of HVAC licenses?<\/a><\/li><li><a href='#benefits-of-getting-an-hvac-license' class='toc-link'>Benefits of getting an HVAC license<\/a><\/li><li><a href='#average-hvac-salaries-in-colorado' class='toc-link'>Average HVAC Salaries in Colorado<\/a><\/li><li><a href='#how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-an-hvac-license-in-colorado' class='toc-link'>How much does it cost to get an HVAC license in Colorado?<\/a><\/li><li><a href='#how-to-get-an-hvac-license-in-colorado' class='toc-link'>How to get an HVAC license in Colorado<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"do-you-need-a-license-in-colorado-to-become-an-hvac-technician\">Do you need a license in Colorado to become an HVAC technician?<\/h2>\n<p>HVAC work isn&#8217;t regulated at the state level, so there is no formal Colorado HVAC license. However, licensing requirements do exist at the city and county level.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-different-types-of-hvac-licenses\">What are the different types of HVAC licenses?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the state of Colorado does not require HVAC professionals to be licensed, there are several optional licenses and certifications that can improve your job prospects and potential pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>City and County Licenses<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend checking with the city or county government of the places where you\u2019ll be working to determine if you need a license for HVAC repair and installation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you plan to work in Colorado Springs or the general Pikes Peak area, you\u2019ll need an HVAC tech or contractor license issued by the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pprbd.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pikes Peak Regional Building Department<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to perform work, while Denver HVAC professionals will require licensing from the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denvergov.org\/Government\/Departments\/Community-Planning-and-Development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denver Community Planning and Development<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (which issues 4 different types of HVAC licenses).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, there\u2019s an overlap among the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing fields, and in the course of HVAC jobs, you may need to work on gas or water lines, or with electric motors or wiring, so holding a Colorado electrician or plumbers license can help broaden the type of work you\u2019re able to perform.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>EPA Section 608 Certification<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To work with refrigerants, you must also have EPA certification. The Environmental Protection Agency issues <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/section608\/section-608-technician-certification-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 608 Technician Certifications,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which don\u2019t expire and are transferable from one state to another. This certification allows a home service professional to work on HVAC systems and handle refrigerants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The certifications are either Type I, Type II, or Type III and cover everything from small window air conditioners to high and low-pressure systems to leak detection. There\u2019s also a universal certification that lets you work on all types of equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>NATE Certification<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The North American Technician Excellence organization issues different HVAC certifications; being<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/natex.org\/category\/technician\/become-nate-certified\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NATE-Certified<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> means that you\u2019ve demonstrated exceptional technical skill and knowledge in different areas of heating, cooling, and ventilation technology.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"benefits-of-getting-an-hvac-license\">Benefits of getting an HVAC license<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest advantage of being licensed is the opportunity to secure more work. Increasingly, customers only want to hire those who are duly bonded, insured, and licensed. A license shows customers you understand how to perform the work properly. So, licenses and certifications give you a competitive edge in the field.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"average-hvac-salaries-in-colorado\">Average HVAC Salaries in Colorado<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an hourly HVAC technician or mechanic, you\u2019ll likely make close to the state average of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/career\/hvac-technician\/salaries\/CO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$32.36 per hour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, although you could make as little as $21.39 or as much as $48.66 per hour. Where you live may affect your pay, as will your education and experience. If your employer offers overtime or a pay differential for working nights and weekends, then you could make a higher hourly rate than the norm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an HVAC manager or field supervisor, you may be paid a salary. The average annual salary for an HVAC supervisor in Colorado is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/career\/hvac-supervisor\/salaries\/CO?from=top_sb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$95,220<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, although the range is from $57,268 to $157,335. Some things that affect an annual salary include where you live, how long you\u2019ve been in the business, and which licenses and certifications you hold. You may earn a higher salary if you own your own HVAC business. Or, if your employer offers bonuses, you may have the opportunity to make more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-an-hvac-license-in-colorado\">How much does it cost to get an HVAC license in Colorado?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no HVAC license for the state of Colorado. However, fees for other licenses and certifications you may opt for are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EPA Certification: $20 to $150, depending on the type of certification you get<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NATE Certifications: Start at $25 for the Ready to Work Certification<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-get-an-hvac-license-in-colorado\">How to get an HVAC license in Colorado<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, you\u2019ll want to get an apprenticeship working under the supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor. Apprenticeships allow you to learn while also getting paid. A local union or trade association usually sponsors them. For example, there\u2019s a five-year HVAC apprenticeship available through Local 58 of the Plumbers &amp; Pipefitters and the HVAC Service Journeyman Union in Colorado Springs. To be eligible, you must have an interest in HVAC, be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver\u2019s license, and be physically able to work in the trade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formal schooling is another path into the HVAC profession. The Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver offers an eight-month program teaching installation, repair, and troubleshooting of light commercial and residential air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration. Estimated total cost for the program is around $9,000. Upon completion of IntelliTec College\u2019s 18-month program, you can graduate with an associate\u2019s degree; EPA training and preparation for certification testing is included.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online learning also is possible through programs, such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Its Residential HVAC Online Certificate Program lets you work at your own pace for a $495 fee. Financial aid is available to help pay for schooling. For example, Women in HVACR offers a scholarship to females looking to enter school in the HVAC field. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are available from the Clifford H. \u201cTed\u201d Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation for students enrolled in HVAC study.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s an exciting time to become an HVAC technician in Colorado. The industry is growing rapidly and your career can benefit from the growth. You can work for HVAC companies or consider starting your own HVAC business. First, you\u2019ll need to learn what it takes to earn your Colorado HVAC license. In this guide, you\u2019ll [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":39896,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-license.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"industry":[548],"resource_type":[562],"topic":[],"class_list":["post-15174","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","industry-hvac","resource_type-licensing"],"acf":{"page_partner":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15174\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=15174"},{"taxonomy":"resource_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource_type?post=15174"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.housecallpro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=15174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}