How to Work on Air Conditioners

Complete high school or earn your GED. Attend a post-secondary institution that offers an HVAC program, such as a technical school, trade school or community college. These programs may take between six months and two years to finish.

Work as an assistant to an experienced HVAC technician after graduation. To earn your own license, you generally need experience first -- this means working for another contractor or business doing things like cleaning furnaces, assisting on jobs and checking circuitry.

Check with your locality to determine the requirements for getting your license. For example, according to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection, a contractor in Pittsburgh must have at least four years experience before taking an exam. According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, however, in Ohio you must have at least five years experience.

Register to take your exam with the International Code Council. This exam may cover both small business practices and HVAC contractor skills.

Apply with your locality, be it your city or your state, for your license after passing the examination. You may need proof of business insurance, a passing grade letter from the ICC, photo identification and other documents.