HVAC schools in Jacksonville offer campus training, a public college certificate and paid apprenticeship routes. Compare seven programs below, including evening HVAC classes, published tuition and the steps toward EPA 608 certification before you choose a start date.
Public college trainingFSCJ: 1,350 clock/contact hours
Evening intakeFSCJ: January 2027; enrollment opens October 2026
Refrigerant workEPA Section 608 test required for covered work
Paid apprenticeshipNEFBA: four years; next applications March 8, 2027
Compare HVAC training in Jacksonville
These options include certificate, diploma, degree and apprenticeship training at Jacksonville locations. The check line under each school identifies its institutional license or accreditation source, registered apprenticeship listing or federal provider status.
School statement: "accredited by" SACSCOC. Part-time enrollment opens October 2026 for January 2027. Prepares for EPA 608; confirm cohort hours because the page also shows a general schedule.
School statement: "licensed by the Florida Department of Education" (CIE #5115). Catalog covers residential, commercial and transport systems. January 11, 2027 is the next published college term; confirm HVAC-R intake.
School states it is "licensed by the Florida Department of Education" (CIE #5115). Catalog lists 60 credits and 1,050 hours; CIE lists 65 credits and 1,100.5 hours. Confirm the curriculum and next intake.
Catalog statement for Jacksonville: "Licensed by:" Florida Commission for Independent Education, license #2331. Campus lists November 30, 2026 and January 11, 2027 starts; confirm the selected format.
Jacksonville appears under "Licensed by:" Florida CIE, license #2331, in the catalog. Upcoming starts: November 30, 2026 and January 11, 2027; the November curriculum expands to 1,000 contact hours.
Next application window opens March 8, 2027 for 2027-2028. Florida DOE's 2024-2025 report lists registered sponsor FL008730002; current provider pages checked October 27, 2026. No walk-ins.
Federal provider statement: "fully funded by the federal government." Generally serves eligible low-income students ages 16-24, including adults 18-24. Applications are available online; confirm a training seat and arrival date.
Compare campus classes with paid work and related instruction. FSCJ publishes a January 2027 evening cohort; NEFBA opens its next application window March 8, 2027.
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Practice installation and service
Review the lab subjects before choosing HVAC training. J-Tech's program covers diagnosis, repair and installation, while TWS Refrigeration Technologies prepares students for service and maintenance work.
Florida law provides a local journeyman route through a registered, state-approved apprenticeship or 12,000 on-the-job hours, plus an approved proctored exam and specified code coursework. Ask Jacksonville's Construction Trades Qualifying Board which category applies to your planned work.
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Plan separately for contracting
If you plan to qualify an air-conditioning contracting business, review Florida DBPR's experience requirements. The agency lists four years of experience or a qualifying combination of college and experience; request the full application requirements for the license category.
Jacksonville HVAC employment and wages
The BLS May 2025 OEWS estimates reported 3,340 heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers (SOC 49-9021) in the Jacksonville, FL metro area. The median wage was $28.17 an hour and $58,590 a year. May 2025 is the latest release listed on the BLS tables page.
These figures describe an occupation across the metro, including workers with different experience levels. They do not state what a new graduate will receive or count current vacancies. When you review an offer, ask about the starting rate, weekly hours, service-call schedule and responsibility for tools. Compare those written terms with your full training bill.
HVAC tuition and training assistance
FSCJ publishes approximately $3,942 in-state tuition. J-Tech's 2026-2027 catalog lists $28,140 diploma tuition and $42,679 degree tuition. TWS's 2026-2027 catalog lists $18,400 for Refrigeration Technologies and $22,000 for Electro-Mechanical Technologies. Fees and supplies can add to tuition, so request the full agreement.
For eligible study, complete the FAFSA and ask about Pell Grants through FSCJ financial aid. Veterans can check VA education benefits for approved non-college training before committing funds. CareerSource Northeast Florida, the local American Job Center network, reviews WIOA training assistance based on eligibility, approved providers and available funding. For employer-supported training, NEFBA combines paid employment with tuition-free instruction. Its next application window is in 2027.
TWS Refrigeration Technologies lists seven months, and its combined electro-mechanical program lists ten months for upcoming starts. FSCJ offers a 12-month daytime route and a 24-month evening route. Calendar length and classroom hours are different measures. Check the start date, weekly attendance and lab requirements before you plan time away from work.
Does finishing HVAC school give me EPA 608 certification?
You must pass an EPA-approved test for Section 608 certification. Completing school coursework alone does not establish that you passed it. EPA's requirements distinguish Type I, Type II, Type III and Universal credentials by equipment category. The credential does not expire. Ask the training provider which exam it offers and whether testing is built into your program.
Can I study HVAC at night?
Yes. FSCJ's program page lists part-time classes Monday through Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., over 24 months, with a January 2027 cohort. TWS Electro-Mechanical Technologies also advertises evening classes. Ask for the schedule attached to your enrollment agreement, including labs, because available class times can differ by cohort.
Can I earn money during HVAC training?
NEFBA's HVAC apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with related instruction over four years. The next application window opens March 8, 2027. Tuition is covered, but the provider lists charges for books, a required shirt and testing. Ask how employer placement works and when you would begin both work and classes.
Is an EPA card the same as a contractor license?
EPA certification covers specified refrigerant work. Florida has separate contractor qualifications, and DBPR lists experience requirements for air-conditioning contractor applicants. Jacksonville also has a Construction Trades Qualifying Board covering heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration classifications. Before offering services on your own, confirm the license and local certificate needed for the exact work you intend to perform.