Obtain information on the requirements to become licensed in HVAC in your state. Requirements vary from state to state. There is no nationwide licensing board that covers HVAC certification. Obtaining this information is important to ensure that your course meets the requirements of your state, if there are any.
Contact several local HVAC employers and ask whether they would consider hiring someone with training completed through a home-study course. If so, great. If not, ask what their reasons are for preferring students who attended a brick and mortar institution. If they have hired employees from independent study programs, ask whether they can recommend a program to you that provides a quality education.
Investigate several online courses that offer HVAC training. While a correspondence course is an option, online training is superior due to simulation programs that allow students to learn hands-on techniques via the Internet. Choose a course that fits your budget and allows you to learn at your own pace. Most home-study programs are set up this way to allow students to spend as little or as much time as needed on any particular topic. Ask if the institution offers job placement and, if so, what its placement rate is. Courses with lifetime job placement are attractive options. Ask what certification is offered upon successful completion of the course and whether it is affiliated with any professional HVAC organizations.
Enroll in the training program of your choice. Before you enroll, check into its refund and withdrawal policies in case you find that its training does not live up to your expectations. Find out what happens if you need to take time off from your studies due to circumstances beyond your control. Will you have to start from scratch, or can you pick up where you left off? Ensure that you have instructors you can contact for assistance in the event of any problems understanding the course material.
Devote yourself to your studies. With a home-study course, you only get out of it what you put into it. Discipline yourself to work diligently and obtain the highest grades possible. The better your GPA, the more attractive you are to future employers.
Complete all course requirements and receive your degree or diploma.