How to Become an HVAC Technician in Oklahoma

There is no doubt that temperatures are rising quite frequently in the last few years.

Plus, with Oklahoma’s muggy summers and colder winters, it helps to have appliances in your home that can regulate these unpredictable temperatures.

That is where an HVAC professional can help.

But becoming an HVAC technician is no easy feat.

There are a few things you have to do before you can get an HVAC license in the Sooner State.

After you are done reading this blog, you will know the exact steps to take to become an HVAC technician in Oklahoma.

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

Oklahoma is one of the many states where you need an HVAC license to legally perform heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration work.

Let us go over the process of getting that license step-by-step.

Step 1: Become an HVAC Apprentice

Unlike a few other states, there is no mandatory need for you to complete your high school diploma in Oklahoma to get your HVAC license.

You can get into an apprenticeship program at the age of 14. 

Now, before we break it down, let’s understand what options you have.

Other than an apprenticeship, you can also get a formal HVAC program.

It helps to reduce all those experience requirements for obtaining a license.

In Oklahoma, there are three types of licenses, as per the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board:

• Mechanical Apprentice
• Mechanical Journeyman
• Mechanical Contractor

Technicians who are new to the field are registered as mechanical apprentices.

You have to fill out a registration form and pay a registration fee.

Before you can go on to become a Journeyman, you need 3 years of experience under the supervision of a contractor.

However, if you have completed a formal HVAC program, the time for the experience requirements can be reduced.

Step 2: Become an HVAC Journeyman

After you are done with your apprenticeship, the next step is to become a journeyman.

For that, you must be at least 18 years of age.

Apply for the Mechanical Journeyman License and sit for the exam to get your Journeyman License.

The application fee is $75.

Step 3: Become an HVAC Contractor

The next step is to apply for the HVAC Mechanical contractor license.

For that, you need to fulfill the exact requirements of a journeyman.

You need to work an additional year too, for mechanical trade experience.

You must be at least 19 years old.

Once you have met the requirements, apply for the license and take the PSI exams.

You have to pass the contractor exam and the Mechanical Business and Law Exam.

Along with that, you also need to show proof of liability insurance and pay a $5,000 Corporate Surety Bond to the Board.

Step 4: Renew Your License

You need to renew your HVAC license every 3 years.

You need to complete at least 6 hours of continuing education to renew your license.

The renewal fee for a contractor is $200, whereas for a journeyman, it is $75.

Step 5: Other Certifications

It is a good idea to get an EPA certificate, especially if you are handling refrigerants as a part of your job.

Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires you to have an EPA certification, and you can get it from an approved organization.

There are other certificates that you can get.

They are not mandatory, but they can show off your proficiency, for instance, the North American Technical Excellence (NATE) certification and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) certification.

HVAC Schools in Oklahoma

Alongside your work experience, it is a good idea to do coursework to gain technical knowledge and reduce your work hours for experience.

The following schools have been accredited by either the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.

Red River Technology Center

Red River Technology Center offers an HVAC program to help students gain the necessary skills and knowledge.

The school has been accredited by HVAC Excellence and the course takes merely a year to finish.

The estimated tuition is $2.50 per clock hour.

Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center

This college has two programs: a residential HVAC technician program and an HVAC installer program.

The installer program is for 500 clock hours and is for $1,125 and the technician program is for 1,000 clock hours and is for $2,250.

The college has been accredited by PAHRA.

Meridian Technology Center

Meridian Technology Center also has two programs: a residential HVAC technician program and an HVAC installer program.

The installer program is for 615 clock hours and is for $1,845, and the technician program is for 1,050 clock hours and is for $3,150.

The college has been accredited by PAHRA.

Some other schools to consider:

Moore Norman Technology Center

Southern Oklahoma Technology Center

Tulsa Technology Center

Indian Capital Technology Center

HVAC Technician Salary in Oklahoma

The salary you get for being an HVAC technician in Oklahoma largely varies on a wide range of factors like the city, education, and certificates.

That said, the average annual salary for HVAC professionals in Oklahoma is $48,770, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What makes it even better is that Oklahoma has a low cost of living, making the salaries even more lucrative.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Oklahoma City	$44,789
Tulsa	$46,697
Norma	$44,495
Broken Arrow	$46,550
Lawton	$41,725
Edmond	$44,642
Moore	$42,300
Midwest City	$43,700
Enid	$44,348
Stillwater	$44,348

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

* 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

Will My Oklahoma HVAC License Work In Any Other State?

No, Oklahoma has no reciprocity agreements with other states.

How Long Does It Take To Get Licensed in Oklahoma?

To get the Journeyman License, you need at least 3 years.

It takes roughly 7 to 8 years to get to the Contractor stage.

Is It Easy To Get an HVAC License in Oklahoma?

Yes, it is easy to get licensed in Oklahoma.

But it does require years of education and a lot of dedication to finally get to the contractor stage.

HVAC Technician Info by State