HVAC Classes in Alaska (Top Schools)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there had been 540 employed HVAC professionals in Alaska as of May 2021.

The number may be small compared to other states, but these people receive one of the highest salaries in the country.

So if you’re interested, this page will tell you all you need to know on how to work as an HVAC professional in Alaska.

HVAC Programs in Alaska

To become an HVAC technician, you need fundamental knowledge and technical skills to be able to learn the trade.

You can get this by enrolling in an approved HVAC program.

During the program, you’ll get classroom instruction, practical training, and field experience that prepares you for the industry.

The table below lists some of the accredited HVAC schools in Alaska.

How to Get Licensed in Alaska

In Alaska, the state doesn’t regulate nor issue state-level licenses for HVAC technicians.

Rather, it will require a Certificate of Fitness (CoF) for those performing specialized work in related industries.

The CoF will be issued by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Meanwhile, HVAC contractors, through the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, will need to…

• Be licensed as a Mechanical Administrator (MA)
• Register as a Mechanical Contractor (MC)

Becoming a Licensed Mechanical Administrator

Before applying for the MA license, you must first determine the specialty your company will perform.

Your specialty may be in any of these regulated professions and must meet any one of its qualifications.

• Unlimited Commercial and Industrial Plumbing (UCIP)
  • Journeyman plumber experience for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of the application
  • Plumbing experience in a management position for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of application
  • Mechanical engineering degree from an accredited school plus a journeyman plumber or field engineer experience for at least 1 of the past 3 years before the date of application
  • State-registered mechanical engineer plus a mechanical contractor experience in a management position for at least 1 of the past 3 years before the date of application
• Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping (HCPP)
  • Journeyman experience in HCPP work for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of application
  • Construction management experience in HCPP work for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of application
  • Mechanical engineering degree from an accredited school plus a journeyman pipefitter or field engineer experience in HCPP work for at least 1 of the past 3 years before the date of application
  • State-registered mechanical engineer plus a mechanical contractor experience in a management position for at least 1 of the past 3 years before the date of application
• Unlimited HVAC/Sheet Metal (UHVCS)
  • Journeyman experience in HVCS work for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of the application
  • Management experience in HVCS work for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of the application
  • Mechanical engineering degree from an accredited school plus a journeyman or field engineer experience in HVCS work for at least 1 of the past 3 years before the date of application
  • State-registered mechanical engineer plus a mechanical contractor experience in a management position for at least 1 of the past 3 years before the date of application
• Unlimited Refrigeration (UR)
  • Journeyman experience in refrigeration for at least 2 of the past 4 years before the date of application
  • Graduate from an accredited refrigeration training program or vocational school
• Mechanical Systems Temperature Control (CNTL)
  • Journeyman experience in CNTL work for at least 2 of the past 4 years before the date of application
  • Management experience in CNTL work for at least 4 of the past 6 years before the date of the application
  • Mechanical engineering degree from an accredited school or a graduate from an accredited CNTL training program or vocational school
• Residential Plumbing and Hydronic Heating (RPHH)
  • Journeyman experience in RPHH work for at least 2 of the past 4 years before the date of the application
• Residential HVAC (RHVC)
  • Journeyman experience in RHVC work for at least 2 of the past 4 years before the date of the application

Note: One year of experience means 12 consecutive months of work for at least 1,500 hours.

After identifying your specialty, you can apply for licensure, either by examination or by credentials.

Licensure by Examination

In this route, you must submit to the Division the following for approval to test:

• Completed and notarized MA License Application form
• Payment of the required fees
  • Application fee of $150
  • License fee of $200
• Completed Resume form detailing the work experience in the chosen category/ies
• Completed and notarized Certificate in Support of Applicant’s Experience and Qualifications from 3 persons employed in the chosen category

If the Division approves, you can schedule your MA exam with PSI.

In the exam, you’re expected to show…

• Ability to understand plans, design specs, and engineering terms
• Knowledge of mechanical installations and piping
• Familiarity with codes currently in effect in Alaska (Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Solar Energy Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, etc.)
• Personal skill and ability

In order to pass, you need to score at least 70%.

Licensure by Credentials

The state doesn’t offer reciprocity because passing another state’s exam doesn’t guarantee your qualifications for the MA license.

Instead, you’re encouraged to apply for licensure by credentials.

For the Division to consider your application, you must submit the following:

• All requirements specified in the licensure by examination
• Proof of current, active license from another state
• Proof of passing an examination in another state

Note: Both proofs must be sent by the originating state’s office directly to the Division.

Becoming a Registered Mechanical Contractor

After getting your MA license, you can now proceed to register as a Mechanical Contractor.

Do note that you can only perform work as an MC within the scope allowable in your MA license.

To apply for the MC registration, you must submit the following to the Division:

• Completed and notarized MC Registration Application form
• Payment of the required fees
  • Application fee of $100
  • License fee of $250
• Proof of current general liability insurance with the following coverage:
  • Property damage – $20,000
  • Individual injury – $50,000
  • Group injury – $100,000
• Proof of worker’s compensation insurance if the business will hire employees
• Proof of surety bond of $10,000

Renewal Requirements

MA License

Your MA license will expire on December 31 of every odd year regardless of when issued.

If the license is newly-issued within 90 days of the expiration date, then the renewal will be on the next odd year.

To renew, you must…

• Complete and sign the MA Renewal form
• Pay the renewal fee
  • For licenses issued on or before December 31, 2020 – $200
  • For licenses issued on or after January 1, 2021 – $100
• Complete 8 hours of approved continuing education

MC Registration

Your MC license will expire on December 31 regardless of when issued.

To renew, you must…

• Complete and sign the MC License Renewal form
• Pay the renewal fee
  • For licenses issued on or before December 31, 2020 – $250
  • For licenses issued on or after January 1, 2021 – $125
• Proof of bonding, general liability insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance

EPA Certification

Aside from the state-level HVAC license, you also need to obtain the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

It’s a mandatory national certification that proves you can properly and safely handle refrigerant-containing equipment.

It has 4 types, and you can apply for any one of these depending on the equipment you mostly work with.

• Type I
• Type II
• Type III
• Universal

To learn which type you need to get, check out our guide to the EPA certification.

Potential Salary

As mentioned, HVAC technicians in Alaska are one of the top earners in the country.

Per BLS, the salary ranges between $37,280 and $100,280, with an average of $70,100 a year as of May 2021.

Take a look at the table below for the salaries in 10 of Alaska’s cities.

Regional Salary

This page is also available in Spanish.