Wyoming HVAC : How to get certified and licensed in Wyoming

If you’re looking for a career with great prospects for advancement and tremendous potential for growth, you may be considering the HVAC trade. Heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration experts are in high demand in Wyoming and across the country. In fact, the U.S. Board of Labor Statistics estimates a 6% job growth rate for HVAC techs, managers, and installers over the next decade. In Wyoming, the job growth estimates are more than double that, 15%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Whether you’re looking for reliable work in a dynamic industry or you dream of opening your own HVAC contracting company, you’ll likely need a license and some certifications to legally perform work. In our guide, we cover the licensing requirements for HVAC professionals in Wyoming and include some helpful links about exams, insurance requirements, and how to get started as an apprentice.

What are the different types of HVAC licenses in Wyoming?

Wyoming does not issue HVAC licenses at the state level. However, many cities, such as Casper and Cheyenne, two of the state’s largest metro areas, do require licensure to perform certain kinds of HVAC work. Let’s look at the types of licenses these two cities require:

Types of HVAC Licenses in Cheyenne

Cheynne has several types of HVAC licenses, tiered according to your experience and education levels. All licenses are issued by the City of Cheyenne Building Permitting & Licensing department:

• HVAC Master & Contractor
• HVAC Journeyman
• HVAC Apprentice
• Refrigeration Master & Contractor
• Refrigeration Journeyman
• Refrigeration Apprentice

Types of HVAC Licenses in Casper

In Casper, HVAC licenses are issued by the City of Casper Community Development Department. It requires licenses for all HVAC positions, from apprentices to contractors, including HVAC contractors and contractors who perform HVAC work, including sheet metal work or pipe fitting. Licenses available include:

• Mechanical contractor
• Master
• Journeyman
• Apprentice

EPA License

If you plan to work on refrigeration units or cooling equipment that requires refrigerants, you will need an EPA Section 608 Technician Certification issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This certification is optional, but it will broaden your employment opportunities. It permits you to work with refrigerants, is valid in all 50 states, and does not expire.

NATE Certificate

If you want to demonstrate to potential customers or employees that you have specialty HVAC knowledge, consider obtaining a certificate from the North American Technical Excellence organization (NATE). It issues several kinds of certificates, including a ready-to-work certification for apprentices and certifications for niche work. NATE certifications are recognized in all 50 states and do not expire.

Benefits of getting an HVAC license

Although you aren’t required to have a license to perform HVAC work in Wyoming, you may be required by the city or county you reside in to have an HVAC license. Even if your municipality does not require an HVAC license, holding one can demonstrate to clients or employers that you have a specific level of knowledge and training.

Average earnings for HVAC professionals in Wyoming

Hourly HVAC professionals in Wyoming, including service techs, mechanics, and installers, can expect to earn between $18.50 and $55.09 per hour; the state median wage is $31.93 per hour. You may earn more if your employer pays overtime or if they pay more for handling emergency calls on nights or weekends.

Salaried HVAC workers may earn between $59,813 and $83,347 per year; the state median salary is $70,606 per year. Although you are not eligible for overtime if you’re on salary, you may get bonuses if your employer offers them.

Earnings for hourly and salaried HVAC workers depend on their experience, level of training, education, and even where they live. People who work in areas with higher cost of living tend to earn more than those who live in communities with lower cost of living.

How much does it cost to get an HVAC license in Wyoming?

As we noted above, there is no state-wide license for HVAC professionals in Wyoming. However, let’s look at the cost of obtaining a license in Cheyenne and Casper to get an idea of what cities that require licensure may charge.

Cheyenne HVAC license fees

• Contractor licenses: $250
• Master licenses: $100
• Journeyman licenses: $80
• Apprentice licenses: $20

Casper HVAC license fees

• Mechanical contractor: $300
• Master: $75
• Journeyman: $25
• Apprentice:$3
• High-pressure boiler operator: $20
• Low-pressure boiler operator: $10
• Gas fitter: $10

Again, we include these cities for a couple of reasons. First, there are many jobs here, as two of the largest metro areas in the state, and second, you can get an idea of the cost of licenses in the city you choose to work in.

How to get an HVAC license in Wyoming

Each municipality that requires an HVAC license in Wyoming will set its own licensing requirements, including education, experience, and fees. Again, we’ll look at the licensing requirements for Cheyenne and Casper.

Cheyenne HVAC licensing requirements

All HVAC licenses are issued by the City of Cheyenne Building Permitting & Licensing department. It requires all contractors, refrigeration masters, journeymen, and apprentices to hold a license. You can find additional information about contractor licensing testing information here.

The license and application requirements for HVAC and refrigeration work are as follows:  

Contractor licenses:

• Submit the company contractor license application
• Present a certificate of general liability insurance
• If you have employees, submit proof of appropriate Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Master licenses:

• Submit the Master license application
• Pass either the Wyoming (WAM) exam or the ICC National Standard exam
• Submit proof of at least 3 years of journeyman experience PLUS 4 years of apprentice experience
• If you are applying for a refrigeration master license, you must submit proof of a current refrigerant reclamation certification

Journeyman licenses:

• Submit your journeyman application
• Pass either the Wyoming (WAM) exam or the ICC National Standard exam
• Submit proof of at least 4 years of apprentice experience
• If you are applying for the journeyman refrigeration license, you must submit proof of a current refrigerant reclamation certification

Apprentice licenses:

• Submit your apprentice application

Casper HVAC licensing requirements

Casper HVAC licenses, including those for pipefitters, boiler operators, and refrigeration techs, are issued by the City of Casper Community Development Department.

All individual contractors fill out the same application, which must be approved by the contractor’s board. Once your application is approved, you can complete the appropriate testing, or if you passed a qualifying exam in another jurisdiction, you may submit proof of passing that. Casper HVAC apprentices are not required to take an exam.

License requirements in Casper are as follows:

• Mechanical contractor
  • Submit a minimum of $300,000 in property damage liability insurance and $100,000 in personal injury insurance.
• Master
  • Submit proof of 4 years of training in a licensed HVAC contracting business OR proof of apprentice training, AND submit proof of 5 years of experience as a journeyman under a city or state with licensing requirements similar to Casper’s. Must have 9 years total experience.
• Journeyman
  • Submit proof of completing apprentice training or at least 4 years of experience under a licensed professional.
• Apprentice
  • Only permitted to work under the supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor

Exams required for a Wyoming HVAC license

Different cities have different requirements for exams. For example, Cheyenne requires all licensed applicants, aside from apprentices, to take either the Wyoming (WAM) exam or the ICC National Standard exam. Casper, on the other hand,

In addition, the EPA Section 608 Technician Certificate, as well as all the NATE certifications, requires an exam. Check with your municipality to determine what exams you must take.

Wyoming HVAC insurance and bonding requirements

HVAC contractors must submit proof of general liability insurance. In addition, those that have employees must also have Wyoming workers’ compensation coverage. Individual municipalities may have additional insurance requirements.

Some cities or counties may require a surety bond for HVAC contractors or other professionals. In addition, individual clients may have surety bond requirements that are different from those of the city or county.

Wyoming HVAC licensing and renewal requirements

Each city or county that requires a license sets its own renewal and continuing education requirements. For example, all Cheyenne licenses expire after one year. Check your licensing department to make sure that you renew your license on time.