How to become an HVAC technician in West Virginia

2,000 hours of supervised work, then the state exam.¹ West Virginia licenses HVAC technicians through the West Virginia Division of Labor.¹

2,000hours of work before the exam

Pick your way in

Every route ends at the same place: 2,000 logged hours and the state exam.

A program hires you, pays you on the job and runs your classes.

Learn the basics, then find work to log your hours.

Get hired as a helper by a licensed HVAC contractor and log hours on the job.

HVAC Technician license from the West Virginia Division of Labor.

Start as an apprentice or trainee
Join a registered apprenticeship, take a trade school program, or work as a helper for a licensed contractor.
Issued by
West Virginia Division of Labor
Compare the ways in
Log 2,000 hours2,000 hrs
About 1 year of full-time work under a licensed HVAC technician. Keep your own log of hours and pay stubs.
Issued by
Your employer signs off
Time
2,000 hrs
What counts as hours
Pass the hVAC Technician exam
Apply to the West Virginia Division of Labor with your hours, then book the exam with Prov.
Issued by
West Virginia Division of Labor
Exam, fees and code book
Keep it currentEvery year
Renew every year. None required by the Act or the rule
Issued by
West Virginia Division of Labor
Time
Every year
Renewal and continuing education
Run your own shop
To bid and contract on your own you need an HVAC contractor license or registration.
Issued by
West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
West Virginia contractor license

Already logging hours?

Exam vendor, code book, fees, renewal and reciprocity for the West Virginia hvac technician license.

Pay once you're working

$48,850

a year is the median for HVAC technicians in West Virginia ($23.49 an hour, May 2025).⁴

West Virginia median $23.49 an hour

About 1 years of full-time work: the hvac technician license requires 2,000 hours of supervised experience.¹

Yes. West Virginia licenses HVAC contractors through the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.²

Projections Central expects about 180 HVAC technician openings a year in West Virginia through 2034, counting new jobs and people leaving the trade.³

Next step

2 registered programs in West Virginia. Enter your ZIP to see the closest ones and what they ask for.