HVAC Technician Certification Program - Mountain West Trade School

Mountain West Trade School

Program Overview

The HVAC Technician program is a 100-clock-hour, online distance-education course that prepares learners for entry-level positions as HVAC apprentices, installer assistants, and service helpers. The curriculum integrates HVAC fundamentals, electrical theory for HVAC/R, refrigeration principles, gas furnace simulations, and the EPA Section 608 certification pathway.

The program emphasizes hands-on competency through embedded virtual reality simulations and gas furnace troubleshooting labs. Graduates are positioned to sit for the NATE Ready-to-Work, OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry, and EPA Section 608 Universal credentialing exams.

Quick Facts

Program Length	100 Clock Hours
Delivery Format	100% Online — Asynchronous Distance Education with VR Lab Component
Modules	14
VR Labs	11
Typical Duration	5 weeks at 20 hrs/week, or 10 weeks at 10 hrs/week (maximum 12 months)
CIP Code	47.0201 — Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology
SOC Codes	49-9021 (HVAC Mechanics), 49-9071 (Maintenance & Repair Workers)
Target Occupations	HVAC Apprentice, HVAC Installer Assistant, Refrigeration Helper, Maintenance Technician
Industry Credentials Targeted	NATE Ready-to-Work · OSHA 10 Construction Industry · EPA 608 Universal · ATC HVAC Certification (American Trade Certification)

Lead Instructor — Dan Parker

The HVAC Technician program is led by Dan Parker (John “Dan” Parker), a Missouri-based HVAC/R instructor and business owner with more than a decade of field, classroom, and consulting experience in residential and commercial HVAC. Dan is the named instructor of record for student Q&A, manual review, and the weekly virtual office hours.

Background & Credentials

HVAC/R Instructor, Poplar Bluff Career Technical Center (2020–present)
Owner, Need Air — HVAC and facilities service company, Poplar Bluff, MO (2015–present)
Former HVAC Tech Consultant, HVAC Insurance Co. — damage diagnostics, Southeast Missouri territory (2014–2019)
M.S., Career and Technology, University of Central Missouri (2021); Industry Training concentration (2023)
B.S., Business Administration (Production & Operations), Southwest Missouri State University
HVAC/R Certificate, Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center
EPA Section 608 Universal certification
OSHA 10

Target Audience & Prerequisites

This program is designed for adult learners seeking entry-level competency. Applicants must meet the following:

Minimum age 18 years
U.S. residency and English proficiency for course materials and credentialing exams
Functional reading and basic math (fractions, decimals, simple algebra)
Computer literacy and access to required technology
Physical ability to perform basic mechanical tasks (with or without reasonable accommodation)
No prior HVAC experience required

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Describe the function of major HVAC system components and their role in residential and light-commercial systems.
Apply electrical fundamentals, including AC/DC, Ohm’s Law, and meter use to HVAC circuits.
Identify and explain refrigeration principles, including the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer, and refrigerant behavior.
Perform basic HVAC system diagnostics using a digital multimeter and standard service tools.
Diagnose compressor, capacitor, contactor, and motor faults using systematic troubleshooting procedures.
Explain heat pump operation, defrost cycles, and applications across climate zones.
Apply OSHA 10 Construction Industry safety standards to HVAC jobsite tasks.
Demonstrate evacuation and charging procedures using EPA Section 608 best practices.
Troubleshoot gas furnace sequence-of-operations faults including thermostat, ignition, and flame-sensor failures.
Demonstrate workplace readiness skills including customer communication, ethical conduct, and jobsite professionalism.

Course Schedule & Modules

The program is organized into 14 sequential modules totaling 100 clock hours. Modules are gated — students must pass each module’s assessment before advancing.

Module 1 — Introduction to HVAC | 4 Hours

HVAC Systems
Components of an HVAC System
How Air Conditioning Works
Major Heating Components
Basic Tools

Module 2 — OSHA 10 Construction Industry | 10 Hours

Introduction to OSHA
Fall Hazards
Avoiding Electrocution Hazards
Struck-By Hazards
Caught-In or -Between Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment
Health Hazards in Construction
Excavations
Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal
Scaffolds
Hand and Power Tools
Safe Driving Practices
Emergency Action Plans and Fire Protection
Cranes
Welding and Cutting
Final Assessment

Module 3 — NATE Ready to Work | 6 Hours

Module 4 — HVAC-Specific Safety | 2 Hours

Compressed Gas Safety

Module 5 — HVAC Fundamentals | 14 Hours

Module 6 — Electrical for HVAC/R | 22 Hours

Atoms & Electrons — Ohm’s Law
AC & DC Current
Meters, Circuits, Loads, and Switches
Symbols and Wiring Diagrams
Motors and Motor Starting
Compressor Relays and Capacitors
Contactors and Motor Starters
Troubleshooting Motors
Thermostats and Heating Controls
Refrigeration Controls and Timers
Power Distribution, Delta, and Wye Systems
Electrical Panels, Circuit Breakers, and Disconnects

Module 7 — HVAC Maintenance | 3 Hours

HVAC Maintenance

Module 8 — Evacuation and Charging | 3 Hours

Evacuation and Charging

Module 9 — HVAC Troubleshooting | 3 Hours

HVAC Troubleshooting

Module 10 — EPA Section 608 Universal | 8 Hours

Module 11 — Gas Furnace Sequence of Operations | 3 Hours

Gas Furnace Sequence of Operations

Module 12 — Gas Furnace Simulations (VR Lab) | 10 Hours

Module 13 — Electric Furnace Sequence of Operations | 2 Hours

Electric Furnace Sequence of Operations

Module 14 — ATC Certification Prep | 10 Hours

Refrigeration Cycle Theory & Pressure-Temperature
Component Identification
HVAC Electrical
System Diagnostics, Charging & Recovery
Airflow & Ductwork
Combustion Safety & Gas Furnace Basics
EPA Section 608 Content
Personal Safety & PPE

Grading & Assessment

This program uses a strict pass/fail standard. Students must pass every module to advance and must successfully complete every required assessment component to earn the Certificate of Completion.

Component	Pass Standard	Format
Module quizzes & knowledge checks	80% required	Online
Virtual reality labs & skills simulations	80% required	Online / VR headset or desktop
Participation & timely completion	Required	LMS activity tracking
OSHA 10 Certification Exam	80% required	CareerSafe Online
NATE Ready to Work Exam	80% required	Third party through NATEX
EPA 608 Certification Exam	80% required	Online (proctored)
ATC HVAC Certification Exam	80% required	Online (proctored)

Technology & Materials

Reliable internet connection (minimum 10 Mbps recommended for VR streaming)
Laptop, desktop, or Chromebook with current Chrome or Edge browser
Webcam and microphone for proctored assessments
Access to the online Learning Portal (provisioned at enrollment)
Digital course workbook, reference materials, and trade-specific code references (provided)
Virtual reality lab access via Meta Quest 3 / Pico headsets, or desktop equivalent on Windows or macOS

Desktop Hardware Requirements (VR Labs Without a Headset)

Component	Windows	macOS
Operating System	Windows 10 64-bit or later	macOS Monterey (12) or later
Processor	Quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.5 GHz or faster	Quad-core Intel, 2.5 GHz or faster
Memory	8 GB RAM or more	8 GB RAM
Graphics	DirectX 11 or 12 compatible (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 2GB / AMD Radeon R7 370 2GB or better)	Metal 1.2 compatible graphics card

Completion Requirements

To earn the Certificate of Completion, students must:

Pass all 14 modules in sequence
Pass the mid-program competency assessment
Complete all virtual reality lab tasks with passing scores
Pass the final comprehensive exam (proctored)
Sit for the NATE Ready-to-Work, OSHA 10 Construction Industry, ATC HVAC Certification, and EPA Section 608 Universal credentialing exams

Student Supports

Instructor office hours held weekly via video conference and asynchronous messaging
Technical support for LMS, VR headset configuration, and proctoring software (response within one business day)
ADA accommodations available — contact Student Services within the first two weeks of enrollment

After the Program

Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions including HVAC Apprentice, HVAC Installer Assistant, Refrigeration Helper, and Residential Service Technician (under supervision). With on-the-job experience and continued education, common career paths include NATE Certified Technician, Licensed HVAC Contractor (state-dependent), and Commercial Refrigeration Specialist.

Academic Integrity & Attendance

Students are expected to log into the learning management system and engage with course material at least three days per week. A student who has not logged in for 14 consecutive days will be contacted by Student Services and may be required to submit a written catch-up plan before continuing.

Students are expected to complete all coursework independently. Sharing assessment answers, submitting another person’s work, or using unauthorized aids during proctored exams may result in module failure or dismissal from the program. All proctored exams use identity verification and session recording.

HVAC Technician — Course Catalog