Tennessee is known to have a fairly temperate climate with temperatures between 67°F and 89°F throughout most of the year. However, there are numerous climatic conditions that may be experienced due to the wide range of geographical features and varied topography throughout the state. Tennessee is highly susceptible to tropical storms during the summer and fall months but is also subject to below freezing temperatures during the winter in northeastern portions and areas with mountainous terrain. It has been reported that Tennessee can experience temperature extremes ranging from under 20°F to above 90°F. Thus, professionals with a Tennessee HVAC license are essential for ensuring comfortable living and working conditions during the muggy summers and bitterly cold winters.
Tennessee HVAC License Requirements
Tennessee HVAC Contractors
HVAC contractors in Tennessee are required to obtain a Tennessee Mechanical HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor License in order to work on projects worth $25,000 or more. Contractors must also obtain liability insurance for projects of all values.
Tennesee HVAC Technicians
HVAC technicians in Tennessee are not required to be licensed but their projects must be overseen by licensed HVAC contractors who have met all requirements set by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
Tennessee HVAC Education
HVAC professionals do not have to meet certain educational requirements but they are required to pass the HVAC industry trade exam as well as the business and law exam to work as a contractor.
Tennessee HVAC Certification Programs and Education
Even though Tennessee does not have requirements for college education in order to become licensed to work as an HVAC contractor, it is highly recommended to take HVAC courses within a degree or certificate program prior to taking the exam. There are 22 schools in Tennessee which offer programs in HVAC education and training which include Fortis Institute, Miller-Motte Technical College, Northeast State Community College, Remington College, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Tennessee Technology Center, Vatterott Career College, and William Moore College of Technology. Both Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Tennessee Technology Center Programs are HVAC excellence accredited. These schools offer proper hands-on training and teach essential skills needed to pass the trade exam as well as perform exceptional HVAC work.
Tennessee HVAC Exam
All HVAC contractors in Tennessee must take both the trade exam as well as the business and law management exam before obtaining their license.
The trade exam is open book and contains 100 multiple choice questions. The test must be taken within four hours and a score of 73% is needed to pass. The total cost for this exam is $57. Reciprocity for the trade exam is available for those who took the trade exam in states bordering Tennessee.
The business and law management exam is open book and made up of 50 multiple choice questions. The exam must be completed within 140 minutes and a score of 73% is required to pass.
Both exams taken together cost a total of $114.
Additional Requirements
In addition to passing both the trade exam as well as the business and law exam, contractors must provide a financial statement and obtain both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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.
Tennessee HVAC Salary
Professionals with a Tennessee HVAC license earn over $40,000 annually with top 10 % earning over $62,000 a year. HVAC professionals working in Memphis and Nashville earn over $42,000 a year on average with the top HVAC contractors earning between $60,000 $62,000 annually.