Missouri experiences a wide range of temperatures throughout the year and is known for having long, cool winters and somewhat humid summers. Winter months have average temperatures of the low 20s to mid-40s whereas summer months may range from the mid-50s to the high 80s. With such a variety in weather conditions professionals with a Missouri HVAC license are in constant need all throughout the state during every season.
Missouri HVAC License Requirements
In Missouri there are no state-level licenses available for HVAC professionals, however, HVAC technicians and contractors may obtain licensure at the county level. There are three license options available for HVAC mechanics in Missouri including HVAC Servicer-Installer, Sheet Metal, and Pipe Fitter. The HVAC Servicer-Installer license allows HVAC professionals to perform work on systems up to 25 tons or 1 million BTUs of heating and limits them to performing work on systems which operate at 15 p.s.i. or less. The Sheet Metal license allows HVAC professionals to install ductwork and the Pipe Fitter license allows HVAC professionals to perform work on larger size gas line systems, boilers, and additional kinds of high-pressure steam systems.
Individuals who wish to obtain a journeyman HVAC Servicer-Installer license must acquire a minimum of 7,500 hours of education and work experience combined and pass an exam administered by the International Code Council. Licenses must be renewed every 3 years and journeymen are required to obtain 24 hours of continuing education within the previous licensing period.
HVAC journeymen who acquire 3 years of supervisory work are able to apply for the Mechanical Contractor’s license which has a fee of $100 and requires all applicants to obtain a $10,000 bond. Unlike the journeyman license, there is no exam required to obtain a contractor’s license.
Missouri HVAC Education
Missouri has numerous programs that offer HVAC education including Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Dallas County Technical Center, East Central College, Herndon Career Center, Jefferson College, Mineral Area College, Nichols Career Center, Pinnacle Career Institute, Rolla Technical Institute, Vatterott College, Hillyard Technical Center, Ozarks Technical Community College and State Technical College of Missouri. Hillyard Technical Center and Ozarks Technical Community College are both HVAC Excellence accredited and State Technical College of Missouri has both HVAC Excellence and PAHRA accreditation.
Missouri HVAC Exam Overview
Different cities in Missouri have their own requirements for testing in order to obtain HVAC licensure. Several cities, such as Kansas City, require that HVAC contractors take an exam prior to receiving their license. HVAC contractors in Kansas City must take the KC Contractor’s exam and obtain a minimum score of 70% in order to pass.
Missouri EPA Section 608 Certification
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all HVAC technicians that work with refrigerants to be certified. In order to obtain EPA certification, HVAC technicians in Missouri must take an exam which has 80 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 3 hours. A score of 70% is required to pass the exam and the exam fee is $120.
The three different EPA certification types that HVAC technicians can acquire are Type I, II and III. Type I limits HVAC technicians to working on appliances which contain no more than five pounds of refrigerant. Type II permits HVAC technicians to perform work on high pressure appliances. Type III limits HVAC technicians to working on low-pressure appliances. This certification is transferable among all states and does not expire.
Missouri HVAC Salary
HVAC technicians in Missouri earn on average between $46,000 and $57,750 per year. Cities which pay HVAC technician the highest rates in the state include Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, and St. Louis with salaries ranging from $49,000 to $93,450 per year.