How to Become an HVAC Technician in Tennessee

Did you know there are more than 415,000 HVAC technicians in the United States?

Roughly 10,000 of those technicians are located in the state of Tennessee, which makes up 2.4% of the nationwide total.

It’s one of the safest, most secure, and most rewarding industries to work in – especially considering how essential heating, venting, and air conditioning systems are to a resident’s day-to-day life in Tennessee.

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

Anyone interested in becoming an HVAC technician in Tennessee will have two career paths to choose from – an HVAC technician or an HVAC contractor.

Technicians aren’t required to obtain a license from the state, but contractors who perform more than $25,000 in services are – a CMC-C license, to be exact.

While technicians don’t need a license through the state, they do need to work under someone who is and needs to obtain an electrician’s license if they plan on installing HVAC systems.

As for contractors, they’ll be subject to several local regulations, requirements, and standards in certain counties.

Don’t worry.

We’ll detail everything you need to know about becoming an HVAC technician in Tennessee below:

Attend School or an Accredited Program

Although not required, we highly recommend considering formal education as a way to get your feet wet in the HVAC industry.

Most HVAC Excellence-accredited or college-level programs will last 1-2 years and give you all the tools you need to gain employment in the HVAC industry with confidence and skill.

For those who don’t want to go the formal education route, you can start your career as an apprentice working under a licensed contractor.

Most apprenticeship programs include a combination of hands-on experience and in-classroom learning – helping to prepare you for an entry-level position in the industry.

Obtain EPA 608 Certification

As part of the Clean Air Act (CAA) – a federal law that defines the EPA’s role in protecting and improving air quality across the United States – all HVAC technicians and contractors are required to obtain the EPA Section 608 HVAC Certification.

The four different levels of certification include:

• Type I – for technicians and contractors who plan on servicing small appliances with less than five pounds of refrigerant.
• Type II – for technicians and contractors who plan on servicing high-pressure systems with more than five pounds of refrigerant (which makes up most residential and commercial units).
• Type III – for technicians and contractors who plan on servicing low-pressure appliances.
• Universal Certification – for technicians and contractors who plan on servicing all units covered under the other three types.

To obtain the certification, aspiring HVAC technicians will need to pass the exam – which covers everything from refrigeration to ozone depletion, the three R’s (recover, recycle, reclaim), regulations listed under Section 608, the Clean Air Act, the Montreal Protocol, dehydration evacuation, and more.

Obtain a License at the State or County Level

Once you complete your schooling (or apprenticeship) and obtain your EPA 608 certification, you can start to apply for licensing in the state of Tennessee – which happens at the local and state level.

At the local level, technicians are subject to several requirements that vary based on the county they’re in.

For example, Chattanooga residents need to apply as a journeyman mechanic – which requires you to have at least three years of experience in an entry-level position, at least one year (2,000 hours) in HVAC or sheet metal installations, and pass an exam.

After three years, you can upgrade to a master contractor.

At the state level, HVAC technicians and contractors must only obtain a license if they plan on handling projects worth more than $25,000.

There are two primary licenses to consider:

• HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor (CMC-C) – doesn’t require pre-approval, but does require you to be an LLE (limited licensed electrician) and requires you to pass both the statewide trade exam and Business and Law exam.
• Full Mechanical Contractor (CMC) – requires pre-approval, education, and training in plumbing (as well as HVAC), and requires you to pass both the trade exam and the Business and Law exam. A CMC license exempts contractors from local and county requirements.

If you plan on taking the two exams and obtaining your statewide license, you’ll need to show proof of general liability insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, CPA/PA-prepared financial statements, a letter of reference with work/trade experience, and a notarized (and signed) application package.

HVAC Schools in Tennessee

HVAC technicians and contractors aren’t required to complete formal education, but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to gain from the added experience and training.

If you like to dip your feet in the water before diving head-first, don’t hesitate to check out one of the HVAC schools below.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology

Location: 100 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

Program: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology

Located just 10 minutes southwest of downtown Nashville, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology offers an HVAC Excellence-accredited program that takes 16 months to complete (18 months for the evening program).

The total tuition costs roughly $5,400, and the textbooks will run around $1,200.

Chattanooga State Community College

Location: 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406

Program: HVAC/R Technician

Located just 15 minutes southwest of downtown Chattanooga, the Chattanooga State Community College offers an HVAC Excellence-accredited program that takes 12 months to complete.

It’ll cost you $7,500 for the year, which includes 450 hours in the fall, 450 hours in the spring, and 390 hours in the summer.

Remington College

Location: 441 Donelson Pike #150, Nashville, TN 37214 or 2710 Nonconnah Blvd, Memphis, TN 38132

Program: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Diploma

The Remington College offers an HVAC Excellence-accredited program at two Tennessee campuses – Nashville and Memphis.

In addition to hands-on and in-classroom learning opportunities, the program helps aspiring HVAC technicians and contractors prepare for all types of the EPA certification exam.

Northeast State Community College

Location: 2425 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617

Program: Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology

Located 90 minutes northeast of Knoxville, TN, and roughly three hours northeast of Charlotte, NC, Northeast State Community College offers an HVAC Excellence-accredited program that takes 30 weeks to complete.

Tuition will cost roughly $5,000 for in-state students and $20,000 for out-of-state students. 

William Moore College of Technology

Location: 1200 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Program: Air Conditioning/Refrigeration & Heating

Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, the William Moore College of Technology offers an HVAC Excellence-accredited program that takes two years to complete – graduates either receive a Diploma, an Associate of Applied Technology Degree, or a certificate of completion.

Either way, they’re ready to work.

HVAC Technician Salary in Tennessee

According to Salary.com, the average salary for an HVAC technician or contractor in the United States is $49,321 (between $42,491 and $57,942).

Unfortunately, for those working in Tennessee, that average decreases to just $45,341 (between $39,176 and $53,424).

Don’t let that discourage you – it’s still an enriching and gratifying career – plus, there are a number of factors that affect a technician’s salary.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Nashville	$45,713
Memphis	$45,437
Knoxville	$44,985
Chattanooga	$44,205
Clarksville	$44,534
Murfreesboro	$45,370
Franklin	$45,553
Jackson	$45,093
Johnson City	$42,673
Bartlett	$59,000

Regional Salary in Tennessee

* 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

Can I use my HVAC license in any other state?

The state of Tennessee has contractor license reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

Who issues HVAC licenses in the state of Tennessee?

State-level HVAC licenses are issued by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

How long does it take to obtain an HVAC license in Tennessee?

Most aspiring HVAC technicians and contractors will spend 3-5 years in an apprenticeship or accredited program before gaining a local license.

It’ll take another few years to get a state-level license.

HVAC Technician Info by State