Trade Schools
If you want to start a rewarding career in skilled trades, the field of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation is worth exploring.
The HVAC field will continue to be in demand in the future.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation mechanics and installers in the United States is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, resulting in 38,500 new openings each year over the decade, on average.
Before being ready to apply for your first job, you have to complete some specialized training.
This page includes information about the top HVAC schools in Arkansas.
1Ultimate Technical Academy
About the School
Ultimate Technical Academy offers fast-track HVAC, plumbing, and electrical training for new and experienced workers.
The school offers several five-day courses designed to prepare an elite group of HVAC technicians.
Courses Offered
The following HVAC courses are available:
- Refrigeration Technology- a program that focuses primarily on diagnosing A/C and heat pump systems and teaching students how to correctly find refrigerant problems
- Electrical for HVAC- students spend approximately one-third of their time in the classroom, where they learn the theory and two-thirds in a lab where they work on hands-on projects
- Heating Technology- a course that takes a systematic approach to the process of diagnosing gas heating problems
- Installation Technology- a course for technicians who have experience in replacements and want to improve their skill level and efficiency
- Advanced Service Diagnostics- a course recommended for experienced service, light service, and intermediate maintenance techs.
There are no pre-requisites for the Electrical and Refrigeration Courses and either course may be taken first.
Before attending the Heating Technology program, students are advised to attend the Electrical for HVAC program.
Advanced Service Diagnostics is for experienced technicians.
Contact Information
- Address: 6108 Getty Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72117
- Phone: 866-903-9100
- Website: https://www.ultimatetechnician.com
2Northwest Technical Institute
About the School
Northwest Technical Institute offers training programs in industrial arts, allied health, truck driving, and information systems.
Its catalog includes an Ammonia Refrigeration and an Ammonia Operator training program.
NWTI also has a Secondary Career Center that serves public schools in Northwest Arkansas and provides training for high school students who want to earn credit in career and technical fields.
Northwest Technical Institute is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The Ammonia Refrigeration Maintenance Technology program covers the theory of refrigeration and related topics.
Trainees study refrigerant flow, system layout, and component synergy, among other topics.
The program emphasized safe work practices.
The estimated cost for this course is $5,925, which covers in-state tuition, books, and supplies.
The program can be completed in two semesters and one summer term.
A 16-hour Introductory to Ammonia Refrigeration class is also available and introduces students to the process of maintenance schedule, servicing, system diagnostics, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance, among other topics.
This Introductory class costs $850 per student.
An Ammonia Refrigeration I program is also included in the school’s catalog and costs $1,150.
Contact Information
- Address: 709 S Old Missouri Road, Springdale, AR 72764
- Phone: (479) 751-8824
- Website: https://nwti.edu
3Trades Academy
Trades Academy offers HVAC and OSHA training in Barling, Arkansas.
Classes start each Monday.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- HVAC Training
- EPA 608 Testing Prep
- Homeowner Education
- OSHA & Individual Safety Class Training
The HVAC Training is an advanced program that can be completed in 16 weeks and covers theory and extern training.
An Extended program is also available and can be completed in 32 weeks.
The Advanced class takes place Monday-Thursday and enrolls eight students max per class session.
Classes are held from 10-12 p.m., 2 p.m.-4 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
The Extended class takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays or Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and enrolls 16 students max.
EPA 608 Test Prep takes place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The topics covered include:
- Service Basics and Refrigerants
- Refrigeration System Component and Indoor Air Fundamentals
- Basic Electricity, Motors, and Electric Control Systems
- Air Conditioning and Heating Systems
- Energy Management and Conservation
- Commercial HVAC/Refrigeration
- Externship with Contractor- an optional class
Contact Information
- Address: 1311 Fort Suite A, Barling, AR 72923
- Phone: 479-353-6201
- Website: https://www.tradesacademy.org
4Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
About the School
Arkansas Construction Education Foundation provides apprenticeships and training programs in electrical and plumbing fields, as well as HVAC.
The Foundation has provided training since 1994 and aims to satisfy the growing demand for skilled trades professionals.
The Foundation has many locations across the state, including Little Rock, Jonesboro, Springdale, Siloam Springs, Mayflower, Forrest City, Fort Smith, Morrilton, Jacksonville, and Berryville.
Courses Offered
The Heating, Ventilation, and AC Program is a two-year competency-based program that focuses on the design, implementation, and maintenance of various heating and cooling systems.
After completing the program, students receive certification.
Applicants may enroll as an apprentice, in which case they will need an employer, or as a craft professional (no employer is required in this case).
Those interested can apply online, through the foundation’s website.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
A high school diploma or GED is also required.
Apprentices are required to seek employment before enrolling in school.
Trainees receive on-the-job training at their employers’ site and attend the school at the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation one night per week.
Contact Information
- Address: 4421 West 61st Street, Little Rock, AR 72209
- Phone: (800) 240-2730
- Website: http://myacef.org
5Arkansas State University
About the School
Arkansas State University offers a variety of training programs at its three campuses: Newport, Jonesboro, and Marked Tree.
The programs prepare students for employment in a variety of in-demand industries.
Courses Offered
Arkansas State University catalog includes an Energy Control Technology pathway that provides the following programs:
- Energy Control Technology- a program that can lead to an Associate of Applied Science in two years or to a Technical Certificate in 10 months.
- Advanced Preventive Maintenance Technician- a 16-week program that leads to a Certificate of Proficiency.
- Introduction to Air Conditioning- a Certificate of Proficiency program that can be completed in 16 weeks.
The Energy Control Technology program teaches students about diagnostic techniques, the use of testing equipment, and the principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics and their relation to heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
The program also teaches students how to repair and install residential and commercial heating and cooling systems.
Tuition is $96 per credit hour for in-state students.
Additional fees also apply, depending on the program.
Contact Information
- Address: Newport Campus: 7648 Victory Blvd, Newport, AR 72112
- Phone: (870) 512-7800
- Website: https://www.asun.edu
6Southeast Arkansas College
About the School
Southeast Arkansas College offers various programs that train students for successful careers or transfer to other institutions.
Its catalog includes courses that prepare students for careers in a variety of high-demand industries.
Among its Technical Studies programs, there is an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology pathway.
The program aims to prepare students for entry-level employment in a wide range of construction, maintenance, and service positions in the industry.
Graduates are eligible to take the test offered by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute and become certified as Entry-Level HVAC/R Technicians.
Applicants need to submit the following documents:
- Driver’s License or State ID
- An Application
- Immunization Records
- Official transcripts
- High School diploma or GED
Southeast Arkansas College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition is $96 per credit hour for in-state students.
Additional fees also apply, depending on the program.
Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
- Phone: 870-543-5900
- Website: https://www.seark.edu
7The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
About the School
The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton provides a variety of training programs that can lead to Certificates or Associate Degrees.
Its catalog includes programs in Accounting, Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Construction Technology, Education, Health Sciences, and many more.
The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology program can lead to a Certificate of Proficiency in four months, a Technical Certificate in nine months, and an Associate of Applied Science in two years.
The programs cover classes in electricity, motors, residential and commercial refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning.
Students learn about the installation, servicing, and repair procedures of these systems in homes, schools, and commercial and industrial settings.
Graduates can start careers as residential repair technicians, commercial refrigeration technicians, energy auditors, controllers, and refrigeration and maintenance technicians in the manufacturing sector, industrial plants, or hospitals.
Tuition is $92 per credit hour for Conway County residents and $102 per credit hour for other in-state students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1537 University Blvd., Morrilton, AR 72110
- Phone: 800-264-1094
- Website: http://www.uaccm.edu
8East Arkansas Community College
About the School
East Arkansas Community College is a community college that provides students with affordable career-ready and transfer-ready degree programs.
Programs are available in Forrest City, Wynne, and other locations within the county, as well as online.
Tuition is $88 per credit hour for St. Francis County residents and $98 for out-of-county in-state students.
Additional fees include a $6 per credit hour technology fee.
East Arkansas Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.
Applicants need high school transcripts, a GED diploma, or transcripts from other colleges.
Those interested can apply by filling out a form on the college’s website.
After being accepted, students have access to a student portal, where they can connect with an advisor and register for classes.
Courses Offered
EACC catalog includes a Residential Heat and Air Conditioning program.
The program teaches students about brazing, basic electricity, how to use meters, how to troubleshoot heat and air conditioning units, and many other skills.
The total cost for the 31-credit Technical Certificate in Residential Heating and Air is $3,350 approximately for in-county residents.
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335
- Phone: 870-633-4480
- Website: https://www.eacc.edu
9University of Arkansas- Pulaski Tech
About the School
University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech offers training programs for students who want to transfer to a four-year college or employment.
The University’s catalog includes a program in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.
University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following HVACR-related programs are available at the University of Arkansas- Pulaski Tech:
- Associate of Applied Science in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Technical Certificate in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Certificate of Proficiency in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Graduates are ready for employment as HVAC service technicians, refrigeration service technicians, HVACR drafters, building inspectors, HVACR estimators, and other related professions.
The following HVACR-core classes are among the topics covered during the training:
- Basic Electrical Circuits
- Principles of HVACR
- Residential HVACR
- Systems Design
- Commercial Refrigeration
- Unitary Refrigeration
- HVACR Internship
- And more
The Associate of Applied Science program requires 60 credit hours, while 32 credit hours are needed for the Certificate.
The Certificate of Proficiency requires 15 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Phone: (501) 812-2200
- Website: https://uaptc.edu
10Southern Arkansas University Tech
About the School
Southern Arkansas University Tech offers a wide range of degrees and certificate programs in the field of industrial technology.
The programs were developed in partnership with the university’s advanced manufacturing partners.
Tuition for Arkansas residents is $108 per credit hour
Additional fees apply, depending on the program, and include processing, internet course fees, facility use, activity, and security fees.
Courses Offered
The University’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration pathway that blends theory with practical hands-on applications.
Students learn how to repair, replace, and install HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
Trainees are required to take and pass, with a score of 70 or better, the Environmental Protection Agency Section 608 Certification exam.
EPA certification grants students a universal license.
Students are also required to sit for the Employment Ready Electrical, ER Air Conditioning, and ER Heat Pumps industry competency exams before graduation.
The following degrees and certifications are available:
- AAS Industrial Sciences & Technology- HVAC & Refrigeration- students need 60 credits
- Technical Certificate in HVAC & Refrigeration- 33 credits are required
- Certificate of Proficiency in HVAC & Refrigeration- this requires 12 credit hours
Contact Information
- Address: 6415 Spellman Rd, East Camden, AR 71701
- Phone: 870-574-4500
- Website: https://www.sautech.edu
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 890 | $50,370 | $24.22 | $63,440 | $34,090 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 350 | $47,660 | $22.91 | $65,210 | $33,030 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 110 | $48,600 | $23.36 | $61,040 | $35,360 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 130 | $50,840 | $24.44 | $77,000 | $37,320 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 1,250 | $49,640 | $23.87 | $69,030 | $34,430 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 70 | $51,060 | $24.55 | $72,680 | $33,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
Before applying, make sure to gather information about all the factors relevant to your decision.
