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  • HVAC

    Continuing Demand for HVAC Technicians

    The need for skilled, well-trained heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians is predicted to grow (1) as energy costs rise, policy initiatives evolve, and standards change. Concern for the environment and an emphasis on cost-efficient, energy-saving appliances will create excellent job prospects for HVAC technicians who have completed training from an accredited technical school.

    Call or fill out the form below for more information on our Memphis HVAC Program! 

  • Who needs HVAC certifications?

    Persons who perform maintenance, service, repair, or disposal that could release refrigerants (and the chemicals in them) from appliances into the atmosphere are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold specific certifications to ensure that the refrigerants are handled correctly.

    This means that anyone who is working toward earning an HVAC diploma should also pursue EPA certifications.

    That’s why Remington College in Memphis designed a program that offers both hands-on training and opportunities for HVAC certification – because we realize that both are beneficial to students working towards becoming professional HVAC technicians.

    Which types of certifications do HVAC Technicians need?

    The EPA requires all individuals who open a system or container holding a controlled refrigerant to be certified with the EPA Section 608 Certifications.

    Within Section 608 Certifications, there are four types of certifications that HVAC technicians will need before they can begin professionally servicing, repairing, or disposing the appliances they will be trained to work with. Because the job duties that HVAC technicians plan to pursue can vary, it may not be necessary to take all four of the exams.

    Remington College HVAC instructors and staff can help students determine which HVAC certification exams they should take.

    The HVAC certifications are: 

    • Type I - A Type I certification is required for HVAC technicians primarily servicing small appliances such as domestic refrigerators, window air conditioners, and vending machines.
    • Type II - A Type II certification is required for HVAC technicians primarily servicing and disposing equipment using a high pressure refrigerant. Examples of such equipment include residential air conditioners and heat pumps, supermarket refrigeration and process refrigeration.
    • Type III - A Type III certification is required for HVAC technicians primarily servicing and disposing equipment using a low pressure refrigerant. These units are primarily chillers.
    • Universal – A Universal certification is required for HVAC technicians who service all types of equipment.
    • The EPA Universal Certification exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions: 25 Core questions, 25 Type I questions, 25 Type II questions, and 25 Type III questions.
    • A score of 72% is required to pass each section, which means 18 of the 25 questions must be answered correctly in order to obtain each certification.
    • If an HVAC technician taking a Universal Exam fails to pass all sections, but passes the Core Section and at least one other section, a certification card for the types passed will be issued. For example, if you pass the Core questions and Type III questions, but fail Type I and Type II questions, you will have a Type III certification. If retaking the exam, only the sections failed need to be repeated.

    How does Remington College in Memphis help HVAC students earn the EPA certifications they need before seeking employment?

    At our Memphis College, we understand how important HVAC certifications are to gaining employment after graduation and with that in mind we have built them into both our HVAC curriculum and tuition price.

    1. Included in the price of Remington College HVAC student’s tuition is the cost of their first attempt at the EPA certification exams, which would otherwise cost approximately $100.
    2. HVAC students at our Memphis College will receive an HVAC certification study package from Remington College and register to take the EPA 608 Certification exam in their 3rd module.
    3. By the end of their 4th module of HVAC classes, each student will be scheduled to take the EPA exams.
    4. Students will take EPA Universal exam at the Remington College – Memphis Campus.
    5. Test results should be available on www.EPAtest.com within two weeks of the tests being delivered to the EPATest.com. Passing certificates will be mailed to the student’s home addresses.

    The exam breaks down into the following sections:

    • EPA Core section
    • EPA Type I section
    • EPA Type II section
    • EPA Type III section

    If a student does not pass all sections of the exam, but wishes to re-test in order to obtain the EPA Universal certification, it is then up to the student to find their own means of payment and to schedule the re-test with an outside proctor.

    If you live in the Memphis area and are looking for hands-on training that helps prepare you with professional HVAC certifications, contact Remington College today!