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HVAC Schools in New York
12 schools in New York offer HVAC-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 1 registered apprenticeship program in New York trains HVAC apprentices — see apprenticeships.
Occupation pay is what working HVAC professionals in New York earn (all experience levels) — school "earnings" figures above are medians for each school's recent federally-aided students across all its programs, which read lower.
HVAC licensing in New York: Licensed at city/county level
New York has no state HVAC license — requirements are set city by city. New York City issues no dedicated HVAC license (related work is permitted through NYC DOB-licensed trades such as master plumbers and oil-burner installers), while cities like Buffalo require a municipal contractor license with insurance and workers' comp filings. The one universal requirement is federal EPA Section 608 certification for anyone handling refrigerants.
Official source: None statewide — local agencies such as the NYC Department of Buildings and the City of Buffalo Department of Permit & Inspection Services · Exam: No state exam. Local exams/competency requirements vary by city; EPA 608 exam required for refrigerant work. · Typical requirement: Set by each locality. Buffalo requires a city contractor license application with insurance and NYS workers' comp filing (Form CE-200); NYC licenses adjacent trades (master plumber for gas piping, oil-burning equipment installer, high-pressure boiler operating engineer) rather than a general HVAC credential. EPA Section 608 certification is federally required for refrigerant handling everywhere.
Official license records related to HVAC in New York
From the U.S. Department of Labor's License Finder — these may include contractor, specialty, or related licenses beyond entry-level requirements:
- Locomotive Engineer — Transportation Department~Long Island Railroad
- Certified Motor Vehicle Inspector — NYS Department of Motor Vehicles~Division of Vehicle Safety and Clean Air
- Conductor LIRR — Transportation Department~Long Island Railroad
- Licensed Motor Vehicle Body Damage Estimator — NYS Department of Motor Vehicles~Division of Vehicle Safety and Clean Air
- Bail Bond Agent — NYS Department of Financial Services~Applications and Licensing
- Podiatrist — NYS Education Department~State Board for Podiatry
Wage and license data provided by CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and Minnesota DEED.
Schools, ranked by earnings per tuition dollar
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk County Community College | Selden | public | $5,258 | 33.9% | $49,907 |
| Monroe Community College | Rochester | public | $6,353 | 28.2% | $40,174 |
| Fulton-Montgomery Community College | Johnstown | public | $6,696 | 36.2% | $39,535 |
| Hudson Valley Community College | Troy | public | $8,501 | 36.4% | $45,460 |
| Erie Community College | Buffalo | public | $7,765 | 31.8% | $41,228 |
| Mohawk Valley Community College | Utica | public | $8,987 | 37.6% | $39,850 |
| Dutchess Community College | Poughkeepsie | public | $10,065 | 33.4% | $43,929 |
| Erie 1 BOCES | West Seneca | public | $12,987 | 89.1% | $47,114 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred | public | $15,016 | 56.9% | $50,445 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Delhi | public | $17,225 | 52.1% | $51,629 |
| Apex Technical School | Long Island City | private nonprofit | $14,826 | 79% | $41,093 |
| Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES | Liverpool | public | $19,002 | 76.5% | $40,658 |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Figures are institution-wide federal medians for each school as a whole — not HVAC graduates specifically. Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
Common questions: HVAC school in New York
- How much do HVAC schools cost in New York?
- The median annual net price (what students actually pay after aid) across 12 HVAC schools in New York is $9,526. Individual schools range widely — the table above shows each school's real cost, not sticker price.
- Do you need a license to work as a HVAC in New York?
- New York has no state HVAC license — requirements are set city by city. New York City issues no dedicated HVAC license (related work is permitted through NYC DOB-licensed trades such as master plumbers and oil-burner installers), while cities like Buffalo require a municipal contractor license with insurance and workers' comp filings. The one universal requirement is federal EPA Section 608 certification for anyone handling refrigerants.
- Can you get paid to train as a HVAC in New York?
- Yes — New York has 1 registered apprenticeship program where you earn wages while you train instead of paying tuition. See the HVAC apprenticeships page for the current list.
- What does a HVAC earn in New York?
- Working HVAC professionals in New York earn a median of $74,430 per year, ranging from about $48,560 to $100,680 (U.S. Department of Labor). This is what people in the job earn, which differs from a school's reported graduate-earnings figure.
Aid deadlines for HVAC programs in New York
Federal and state aid programs have windows and deadlines. Get them for your trade and state, plus program matches.
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HVAC schools in nearby states
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See all states & the full HVAC guide →