How to Become an HVAC Technician in North Dakota

Temperatures are rising almost every year and this means people now need more appliances like air conditioning and refrigeration to live comfortably in their homes.

That is where HVAC technicians can help.

These professionals make sure the appliances in your home are running smoothly, especially with North Dakota’s bitter winters and sultry summers.

Each state in the US has different licensing requirements when it comes to becoming an HVAC technician, and so does North Dakota.

After you are done reading this guide, you will know how you can become an HVAC professional in North Dakota.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in North Dakota: A Step-by-Step Guide

The state of North Dakota doesn’t have any state-level requirements for getting a license.

However, there are city-level requirements and every city has its own requirements.

For instance, licensing laws do exist in the cities of Grand Forks, Fargo, Minot, Williston, and Bismarck.

So, let’s not waste any more time, and provide you with a breakdown of what you need to do to become an HVAC professional in North Dakota.

Step 1: Get Your HVAC Education

After you finish your high school education, you need four years of experience as a trainee or an apprentice HVAC installer to become an HVAC professional.

Another option is to get a degree of two years in technical pipe-fitting or HVAC and two years of apprenticeship.

We have already mentioned that you don’t need a state-level license in North Dakota.

That said, any residential contractor, electrician, plumber, or general contractor who takes up projects of $4,000 or more will have to get a North Dakota State Contractor’s License.

Step 2: Get a State Contractor’s License

In order to get a State Contractor’s License, you need to:

• Submit an application
• Provide proof of liability insurance
• Provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance
• Pay a small fee
• Statement from Workforce Safety and Insurance saying you have good standing

There are four types of licenses to choose from for contractors.

The licenses are for different project amounts.

Regardless of the State Contractor’s License you have, you need to renew it every year.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need an EPA Section 608 technician certification, especially if you handle refrigerants as a part of your job.

There are four types of EPA certifications, depending on what kind of systems you work with.

Step 3: City-Specific License Requirements

As mentioned before, in North Dakota, there are city-level licensing requirements for HVAC journeymen and master technicians.

Let’s break it down for a few of the cities.

Fargo:

The HVAC licenses in Fargo are given by the City of Fargo Department of Inspections.

You can either qualify for a journeyman or a master HVAC license.

For both, you need to take and pass an examination.

To be a journeyman, you need four years of technician experience.

And, for a master HVAC license, you need three years of experience as a journeyman and two years of practical experience.

Bismarck:

In Bismarck, you need mechanical licensing issued by the City of Bismarck Community Development Department, Building Inspection Division.

You can either get an Apprentice license or a Journeyman or Master license.

For an apprentice, you need to submit an application showcasing your work experience.

For a Journeyman license, you need to have work experience of four years or 7,600 hours.

Alternatively, you can also have 3,800 hours of educational experience and two years of work experience.

Lastly, for a master license, you need to be a licensed journeyman and have two years of work experience.

Minot:

The HVAC licenses in Minot are issued by the Minot Heating and Air Conditioning Board.

For a journeyman license, you need four years of apprentice experience or 7,600 work hours.

For the master HVAC license, you need to be a licensed journeyman and have two years or 3,400 hours of work experience.

HVAC Schools in North Dakota

Here are some top schools from where you can get your HVAC education.

Usually,  the HVAC Excellence or the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating Refrigeration and Accreditation (PAHRA) provides the accreditations for these schools.

However, neither of the two organizations has accredited any school in North Dakota.

North Dakota State College of Science

From this college, candidates can get either an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or a certificate in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology.

The estimated tuition per year is $5,340.58.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Bismarck State College

Bismarck State College offers a certificate, diploma, and AAS courses in HVAC.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For residents, the estimated tuition is $224.97 per credit and for non-residents, it is $301.30 per credit.

University of North Dakota

Located in Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota offers an online HVAC training program.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The estimated tuition per year is $2,895.

Here are some other colleges you can consider in ND:

Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Turtle Mountain Community College

HVAC Technician Salary in North Dakota

The field of HVAC is a competitive one and the demand for such professionals is rising by the day.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean salary of HVAC professionals is $55,630.

This is a higher-than-average salary for HVAC technicians.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Fargo	$46,000
Bismarck	$47,846
Grand Forks	$44,034
Minot	$47,128
West Fargot	$46,000
Williston	$47,128
Dickinson	$47,128
Mandan	$47,864
Jamestown	$46,197
Wahpeton	$45,265

Regional Salary in North Dakota

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, OCC Code 49-9021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Validity Time For My North Dakota HVAC License?

The validity for a North Dakota HVAC license is one year.

Is My North Dakota HVAC License Applicable In Other States?

No.

This is because North Dakota doesn’t have reciprocal licensing agreements.

Is a License Mandatory For HVAC Work in North Dakota?

No, a state-level license is not required to do HVAC work in North Dakota.

That said, you do need city-level licenses for certain jurisdictions, so keep that in mind.

HVAC Technician Info by State