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HVAC Technician apprenticeships in California
California registers HVAC and sheet metal apprenticeships with its Division of Apprenticeship Standards.1 Most run 3 to 5 years, take apprentices from age 16 or 17 or 18, and pay from the first day.
Find a program near you
Enter your ZIP to sort by distance.
43 programs
Air Conditioning Trade Association
Manteca · San Joaquin County
Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 4 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- No test or interview
Associated Builders And Contractors Of San Diego, Inc. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning U.A.C.
Poway
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Worker
- Length
- 4 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Bay Area Sheet Metal JAC
Livermore · Alameda County
Sheet Metal Worker · Test, Adjust & Balancing Technician · Air Conditioning Mechanic · Sheet Metal Ship Yard Worker · Decking, Siding And Metal Building Worker · Air Conditioning Specialist · Service Technician
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 16
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test
Beutler Heating And Air Conditioning Uatc
Mcclellan Afb · Sacramento County
Byd-SMART JATC
Glendora · Los Angeles County
Contra Costa County Plumbing And Pipefitting Industry, JATC
Martinez
Refrigeration Mechanic
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Fresno Area Plumbers, Pipe & Refrigeration Fitters JATC
Fresno · Fresno County
Plumber · Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics And Installers · Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Fresno Sheet Metal Workers J.A.T.C.
Fresno · Fresno County
Sheet Metal Services Technician · Air Balance Testing Technician · Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test
Hometown Heating and Air Inc
Modesto · Stanislaus County
Inland Refrigeration JATC
Colton · San Bernardino County
JATC Plumbing, Pipe-Fitting & Refrigeration Industry of San Mateo County
Burlingame · San Mateo County
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Fitter · Plumber & Pipefitter
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Joint Apprenticeship Committee For The Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry Sacramento � Yolo Districts
Sacramento
Refrigeration Fitter
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- None required
- To get in
- No test or interview
Kern County Sheet Metal JATC
Bakersfield · Kern County
Sheet Metal Worker · Sheet Metal Worker/Services Technician · Sheet Metal Worker/Air Balance Technician · Residential Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- No test or interview
Kern, Inyo & Mono Counties Plumbing, Pipefitter & Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Mechanic J.A.T.C.
Bakersfield
Pipefitter · Maintenance Plumber · Plumber
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Kevin Sullivan Heating & Air, Inc.
Contra Costa County
Los Angeles & Orange Counties Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration J.A.T.C.
San Dimas · Los Angeles County
H.V.A.C. Service Technician
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Modesto Area Sheet Metal Workers JATC
Modesto · Stanislaus County
Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test
Monterey And Santa Cruz Counties Plumbers, Pipe And Refrigeration Fitters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (J.A.T.C.)
Castroville · Monterey County
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics And Installers · Plumber · Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 16
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Monterey, Santa Cruz & San Benito Sheet Metal JATC
Castroville · Monterey County
Napa/Solano Counties Plumbers And Steamfitters J.A.T.C.
Refrigeration And Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Northern California Area Plumbers, Pipe And Refrigeration Fitters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (J.A.T.C.)
Marysville · Yuba County
Plumber · Steamfitter/Pipefitter · Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics And Installers
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
P H C C Of The Greater Sacramento Area U.A.C.
Sacramento
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Service And Repair (Residential And Commercial)
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Pipe Trades Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Of Santa Clara And San Benito Counties
San Jose
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (Equipment Service & Maintenance)
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 17
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test
Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors
Sacramento · Sacramento County
San Diego & Imperial Counties Pipe Trades Service Refrigeration & Air Conditioning J.A.C.
Santee
Service Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
San Luis Obispo County Plumbing, Pipefitting, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Local 403
San Luis Obispo
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic · Maintenance Plumber · Pipefitter · Plumber · Steamfitter
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Santa Barbara County Pipe Trades J.A.C.
Buellton
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Santa Clara County Automotive Repair Trades J.A. & E.A.C.
San Jose
Refrigeration Unit Mechanic
- Length
- 3 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test
Service Champions Heating & Air Conditioning
Brea · Orange County
Sheet Metal JATC of San Diego
San Diego · San Diego County
Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Smart Workforce Center
Weaverville · Trinity County
thesmartcenter.bizSmart Workforce Center
Redding · Shasta County
thesmartcenter.bizSmart Workforce Center
Yreka · Siskiyou County
thesmartcenter.bizSmart Workforce Center
Crescent City · Del Norte County
thesmartcenter.bizSolar Turbines Incorporated Joint Apprenticeship Committee
San Diego
Sheet Metal Experimental Mechanic
- Length
- 4 years
- Minimum age
- 16
- Education
- None required
- To get in
- No test or interview
Southern Ca Sheet Metal JATC
City Of Industry · Los Angeles County
Southern California Chapter Of The Associated Builders And Contractors, Inc., Sheet Metal Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee
Anaheim
Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 4 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Southern California Sheet Metal Ja&Tc
Basset
Sheet Metal Worker
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 17
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Southern California Sheet Metal JATC
City of Industry · Los Angeles County
Test And Balance Technician · Sheet Metal Worker · Sheet Metal Service Technician
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 17
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test
Tri-Counties Sheet Metal & A/C JAC
Ventura
Sheet Metal Worker · Sheet Metal Service Worker
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
U.A. Local 38 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee Of The Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry
San Francisco
Refrigeration Mechanic
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
United Association Local Union 342 J.A.T.C.
Concord
Refrigeration Fitter / Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
Ventura County Plumbing & Pipefitting J.A.C.
Ventura
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Length
- 5 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- High school or GED
- To get in
- Written test + interview
No programs match. Clear the county or type filter, or try a nearby ZIP.
Union locals and training centers in California
Call the local or its training center for the next application date.
SMART union locals
- SMART Local 104Livermore(925) 314-8600
- SMART Local 105Glendora(909) 305-2800
- SMART Local 170Pico Rivera(562) 695-4066
- SMART Local 206San Diego(619) 265-0501
- SMART Local 434Rancho Cucamonga(909) 239-9189
- SMART Local 1707Quail Valley
Sheet metal training centers
- Kern and Northern Los Angeles Counties AC & SMW JATC620 Enterprise Way, Bakersfield(661) 832-1187
- Monterey, Santa Cruz & San Benito Counties JATC11060 Commercial Parkway, Castroville(408) 263-1712
- Southern California JATC Training Center633 North Baldwin Park Blvd., City of Industry(626) 968-3340
- North Bay Counties JATC4350 Central Place, Suite A, Fairfield(707) 863-0416
- West Bay Counties JATC4350 Central Place, Suite A, Fairfield(707) 863-0416
- Fresno Area Sheet Metal Workers JATC5410 E. Home Ave., Fresno(559) 255-3665
- East Bay Counties JATC1401Greenville Road, Livermore(510) 483-9035
- Northern California Valley Sheet Metal JATC3665 Bleckely Street, Mather(916) 922-9381
5 more centers
- Modesto Area Sheet Metal Workers JATC841 Lone Palm Ave., Suite A, Modesto(209) 614-5458
- Sheet Metal JATC San Diego4596 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego(619) 265-2758
- Santa Clara County JATC2350 Lundy Place, San Jose(408) 263-1712
- Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers JATC - Santa Maria2325 Skyway Dr. Suite L, Santa Maria
- Tri-Counties Sheet Metal JATC1794 Goodyear Ave., Ventura(805) 642-2211
PHCC chapters (heating, cooling, plumbing)
- PHCC of California1820 Tribute Road Ste A, Sacramento(916) 925-7390
- PHCC of Orange, Riverside, & San Bernardino Counties1158 N. Gilbert St, Anaheim(714) 896-0153
- PHCC of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties135 Lindbergh Ave #C, Livermore(925) 455-4188
- PHCC of Greater Los Angeles Area, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties2869 Glenview Ave, Los Angeles(323) 913-7335
- PHCC of the Redwood EmpirePO BOX 750293, Petaluma(707) 658-1041
- PHCC of the Sacramento Valley1820 Tribute Road, Sacramento(916) 426-8013
- PHCC of San Diego9920 Scripps Lake Drive Ste. 102, San Diego(858) 693-3855
- PHCC of San Francisco & San Mateo CountiesPO Box 280032, San Francisco(650) 922-2541
ACCA member contractors near you
Pipefitters and HVAC service techs also apprentice through the UA: UA locals in California.
Union or open shop?
Union
Run by a joint committee of the SMART sheet metal local or the UA pipefitters local and union contractors. You apply to the committee, take an aptitude test and an interview, and wait on a ranked list. The committee sends you to its contractors.
Pay is a set share of the union journey-level rate and steps up on a schedule. Classes are nights or week-long blocks, usually paid for by the program.
Open shop
Run by ACCA or PHCC chapters, ABC or a single HVAC contractor. You usually get hired by a member contractor first, and the contractor enrolls you.
Your employer sets the pay and the raises. Classes are nights or weekends, and some programs charge tuition.
What do programs ask for?
From the 30 state-registered programs in the list above.
Age
At least 16 or 17 or 18.
High school diploma or GED
28 of the 30 state-registered programs list one. Bring a transcript.
Algebra
Electrical and sheet metal programs usually want one year of high school algebra with a passing grade.
Aptitude test or interview
26 of 30 list a written test and 20 an interview. Union programs rank applicants by the two.
Driver's license and drug screen
Many programs ask for both, since apprentices drive between job sites.
Applying this month
Get your papers together1 week
High school transcript or GED, a photo ID, and your birth certificate or proof of age. Programs that ask for algebra want the transcript that shows it.
- Time
- 1 week
Practice for the aptitude test2 to 4 weeks
Union programs test algebra and reading. A few evenings with a practice test helps your ranking.
- Time
- 2 to 4 weeks
Pick three programs and check their dates1 evening
Union programs take applications in set windows, some once a year. Open-shop programs and employer programs often take them year-round.
- Time
- 1 evening
Apply, then keep working
Apply to all three. While you wait, a helper or trainee job with a licensed contractor gives you hours and a reference.
Can't get in yet?
Pre-apprenticeship
Short programs that teach the basics and help with the application. California lists these:1
Start on a crew
Licensed contractors hire helpers with no experience. Keep a log of your hours and employers; many programs and license boards count them. If you'd rather learn the basics first, 46 schools in California have HVAC technician programs.
The license steps in CaliforniaHow do you get into an HVAC technician apprenticeship in California?
Pick programs near you, check each one's website for its application dates, and apply to more than one. Union programs test and interview, then rank applicants; open-shop programs usually start once a member contractor hires you.
How much do HVAC technician apprentices make in California?
Programs set their own scales, usually a share of journey-level pay that rises every year. For a floor, the lowest-paid tenth of all HVAC technicians in California earned $22.57 an hour or less in May 2025.
HVAC Technician pay in CaliforniaOther routes in California
Sources
- California Division of Apprenticeship Standards, apprenticeship program search (data as of 10/28/2026) (dir.ca.gov, 10/28/2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor, apprenticeship.gov registered apprenticeship partners (apprenticeship.gov)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, California, May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)