To become an HVAC technician in Mississippi, you need to pass the HVAC course, have hands-on experience throughout the course, and obtain your EPA certificate.
The requirements can differ from other states, so I have listed everything you need to know below to give you an idea of what it requires to gain your HVAC certificate and start working in the industry within the area of Mississippi.
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How to Become an HVAC Technician in Mississippi – Our Helpful Step-by-Step Guide
To ensure that HVAC jobs are done safely and to the correct requirements, you must complete the proper amount of hands-on work, pass the exams, and obtain all the certificates to complete any type of HVAC work.
Take a look at our detailed guide, which explains the license requirements, exam, and work experience you need.
Starting, you need to have your GED or equivalent.
You must provide a copy when applying for an apprenticeship or course.
You can gain your certificate by studying the course at a college or through an apprenticeship.
I have listed the colleges below that can help you with courses and what you need to start an internship with a business.
Mississippi License Requirements for an HVAC Career
Everyone who wants to be an HVAC contractor in Mississippi must have a Mississippi State Board of Contractors before they can officially start.
Those who are working with a licensed contractor as an employee do not need to have this license to carry out the required jobs as an HVAC technician.
Mechanical Work Certificate
If you are doing HVAC work in the Mississippi area that is over $100,000 privately funded, then you must have a Mechanical Work Certificate.
You must also have one if the job is publicly funded and is over $50,000.
The cost for the Mississippi state licensing is $200 for commercial and $50 for residential.
Requirements for the HVAC Exam in Mississippi
You cannot carry out any HVAC work in Mississippi if you don’t have the trade and business exam and the law exam.
The HVAC exam requires you to complete questions within a one-hour time frame.
You need to get over 70% to pass the exam.
The business law exam requires you to answer 50 questions, and you only have two hours.
Again, you need a 70% or over score to pass the exam.
EPA Certification
EPA stands for Environmental Protection Agency, and it’s a certification that all HVAC workers who undertake jobs with refrigerants must pass.
The cost to take the EPA certification test is $120.
You can risk your job or a massive fine if caught working on jobs with refrigerant and without a license.
There are four types of certificates for the EPA.
Type 1: Allows you to only work on the appliance that does not have more than 5 pounds of refrigerant.
Type 2: Allows HVAC workers to complete work on appliances with high pressure.
Type 3: This type of certificate allows you to work on low-pressure appliances. The certificate can be used in other states, and it does not have an expiration date.
Universal: This allows you to work on all types of equipment.
HVAC Schools in Mississippi
Many schools in the Mississippi area offer the HVAC course.
Here, I have listed a few popular schools with their link that you can look at to consider your options.
Hinds Community College
https://www.hindscc.edu/pathways/acmt/hvac-technology
Hinds Community College is a great place to study for your HVAC certificate.
It takes two years to complete the course with 60 credit hours.
The course prepares those wanting to work within the HVAC field.
You can expect to pay $1,500 up to $15,000 for the different HVAC courses.
Delta Community College
https://www.deltatechnicalcollege.com/resources/careers/how-much-does-hvac-school-cost/
Delta Community College in Mississippi offers the basic HVAC certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree.
Both courses have an accreditation, with the basic course taking two semesters to complete.
If you want to study the Associate of Applied Science, it will take four semesters to complete the course.
It will cost $15,800 for the course, which includes the fees and the books you will need to complete the studies.
Northwest College
The Northwest College offers a basic certificate program and one that will give you an associate of Applied Science Degree.
You can choose to do the course in the morning or the evening.
You can complete the primary certificate in 45-semester credits and the Associate of Applied Science, which will take 60 semester credits.
Here are a few other schools that offer the HVAC course in Mississippi
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
East Central Community College
Holmes Community College
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Hinds Community College | 501 E Main St, Raymond, MS 39154, United States |
| Delta Community College | 7500 Millhaven Rd, Monroe, LA 71203, United States |
| Northwest College | 231 W 6th St, Powell, WY 82435, United States |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | H F McCarty Dr, Wesson, MS 39191, United States |
| East Central Community College | 275 W Broad St, Decatur, MS 39327, United States |
| Holmes Community College | 1 Hill St, Goodman, MS 39079, United States |
Salary
When working in Mississippi as an HVAC technician, you can expect between $35,973 and $49,054 yearly salary.
It will depend on where you work, your certificates, and whether you are self-employed.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $43,885 |
| Gulfport | $43,112 |
| Southaven | $43,273 |
| Hattiesburg | $42,843 |
| Biloxi | $43,456 |
| Meridian | $43,461 |
| Tupelo | $41,362 |
| Olive Branch | $45,254 |
| Greenville | $52,068 |
| Horn Lake | $45,345 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 400 | $50,070 | $24.07 | $77,120 | $30,910 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 100 | $45,420 | $21.84 | $62,400 | $31,550 |
| Jackson, MS | 750 | $51,600 | $24.81 | $76,490 | $33,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Need to Do to Become an HVAC Technician?
- Complete an apprenticeship or training program.
- Complete your EPA 608 program.
- A license with the board of contractors if you choose to work only as a contractor.
What is the Highest Certificate You Can Earn in Mississippi for HVAC?
The highest certificate in the HVAC industry is the C-16 certificate.
You can gain this from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.
It covers HVAC in more complex areas, such as the principles of the designs.
What Does the HVAC Course in Mississippi Cover?
The introductory course covers the following:
- Boiler installation and repair
- Refrigeration
- Process piping
- Plumbing
- Fueling systems
- Ductwork
You can learn extra skills and knowledge depending on which certificate you choose.
What Fees Can I Expect to Pay?
There are testing and application fees that you may need to pay.
In Mississippi, they are sometimes included in the course themselves, but if not, you can expect to pay $400 for a commercial contractor and $50 for a residential one.
For the 608 certificate, you can expect to pay $20 for type 1 and up to $150 for a universal certificate.
Again, these fees may be included in the course.
HVAC Technician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
