If you’re looking to take the next step in your HVAC career, you may be considering the role of HVAC journeyman. These HVAC technicians are highly skilled and have completed an apprenticeship in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as having passed the HVAC journeyman test.
So, if you’re interested in learning how to become an HVAC journeyman, let’s take a look at the HVAC journeyman license requirements, the HVAC journeyman test and the typical job duties you can expect in this role.
What Is an HVAC Journeyman?
In a broader sense of the term, a journeyman is a worker, skilled in a given building trade or craft, who has successfully completed an official apprenticeship. They earn their license by education, supervised experience and examination.
For the sake of our industry, an HVAC journeyman installs and repairs HVAC systems, assessing the client’s needs and the limitations of buildings to make recommendations, establish new systems and repair existing ones. Responsibilities may also include providing regular maintenance to keep systems working efficiently while educating customers on effective and economical heating and cooling options.
HVAC Journeyman License Requirements
To become an HVAC journeyman, may need to pass an HVAC journeyman test to get the license required by your state. Licensure qualifications can vary, so for a state-by-state guide on HVAC journeyman license requirements, click here.
Technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must also be certified under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. The tests are specific to the type of equipment the technician seeks to work on and must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization.
Other HVAC Journeyman Qualifications
Most employers prefer that their HVAC technicians have at least some degree of formal training. For basic qualifications, educational programs are offered through vocational schools and community colleges and result in a diploma, certificate or associate’s degree. Programs typically take six months to two years to complete.
In addition to education, HVAC technicians can enhance their employment opportunities by obtaining industry credentials. Organizations such as HVAC Excellence and North American Technician Excellence offer several credentials for HVAC technicians, so we suggest considering which technical skills or areas of focus interest you the most.
HVAC Journeyman Job Tasks
As mentioned above, technicians often specialize in installing and maintaining a specific type of equipment. These two primary job functions of an HVAC journeyman include:
- Installation – One of the primary duties of an HVAC technician is to install HVAC systems. Once installation is complete, technicians test it to check carbon dioxide levels, humidity levels and other components to ensure safety and functionality. They then educate customers on how to use, maintain and troubleshoot their new system and its individual components.
- Maintenance and Repair – Technicians often perform standard maintenance and testing of the equipment. They clean the system, change filters and check air quality levels. They also replace broken or worn parts to ensure the system operates in accordance with industry standards and government regulations.
HVAC Journeyman Salary
Why should you care about learning how to become an HVAC journeyman? Well, alongside the additional skills and technical qualifications tends to be additional compensation. The average annual base salary for new HVAC technicians around is $48,400, or $23.27 per hour. In comparison, the average annual pay for an HVAC journeyman in the United States is $60,789 as of October this year.
Now is also a great time to specialize as an HVAC journeyman, – Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of HVAC jobs to grow 34 percent between 2010 and 2020, much higher than the 14% growth projected for all occupations. This anticipated demand will come from new construction, the need to replace old systems and an increasing focus on energy efficiency.
