What Is PAHRA?
The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) is a programmatic accreditation body created through a partnership between HVACR educators and the HVACR industry. It is the only accreditation program of its kind supported by all major HVACR industry associations.
Purpose of PAHRA
PAHRA’s goal is to raise the quality of HVACR education nationwide. It evaluates high school, technical, and college-level programs based on industry-validated standards to ensure minimum competency levels for graduates. Accreditation serves as a benchmark for employers, confirming that graduates meet baseline skills needed for the workforce.
PAHRA accreditation criteria cover instructors, curriculum, facilities, program structure, and fiscal responsibility. Programs undergo a voluntary, structured evaluation process to compare their offerings against national standards and demonstrate educational quality.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is the process of evaluating educational programs against a set of standards to ensure a consistent, high-quality level of training. PAHRA accreditation is voluntary and driven by non-governmental, industry-aligned standards.
Programs do not accredit themselves. Instead, HVACR industry professionals collaborate with educators to develop criteria and perform evaluations, including on-site assessments.
Goals of PAHRA
- Establish standards for HVACR instructors, students, curriculum, facilities, and funding.
- Promote continuous self-evaluation and program growth.
- Use validated benchmarks developed by HVACR professionals and educators.
- Offer on-site evaluations by qualified industry professionals.
- Recognize programs that meet or exceed national expectations.
How the Accreditation Process Works
- A school requests PAHRA documentation.
- The program decides to proceed and requests an application.
- A self-evaluation period begins (up to 18 months).
- The school completes and submits a self-study report.
- PAHRA assigns a Site Evaluation Team Leader (SETL).
- A two-day site evaluation occurs.
- The PAHRA Accreditation Committee reviews the findings.
- The committee issues one of three outcomes: accreditation, accreditation with conditions, or non-accreditation.
Programs may seek accreditation in one or more of the following:
- Residential A/C and Heating
- Light Commercial A/C and Heating
- Commercial Refrigeration
PAHRA Accredited Educational Organizations
ALABAMA
Alabama Power Company (Utility Training Facility)
2388 County Road 93
Verbena, AL 36091
Bevill State Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
101 State Street
Sumiton, AL 35148
Gadsden State Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
1801 Coleman Road
Anniston, AL 36207
ALASKA
Alaska Vocational Technical Center (Public Post-Secondary)
PO Box 889
Seward, AK 99664
ARIZONA
Gateway Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
108 N 40th street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
CALIFORNIA
Mount San Antonio College (Public Post-Secondary)
1100 N. Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789
COLORADO
Front Range Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
4616 South Shields
Fort Collins, CO 80526
DELAWARE
Delaware Technical and Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
Seashore Highway
Georgetown, DE 19947
FLORIDA
Technical Education Center of Osceola (Public Post-Secondary)
501 Simpson Road
Kissimmee, FL 34744
GEORGIA
West Central Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
997 South Highway 16
Carrollton, GA 30116
Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
496 North Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, GA 30021
Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
16200 Alcovy-Jersey Road
Covington, GA 30014
Gwinnett Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
5150 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30014
ILLINOIS
College of Lake County (Public Post-Secondary)
19351 W. Washington
Grayslake, IL 60030
Elgin Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
Illinois Central College (Public Post-Secondary)
One College Drive
East Peoria, IL 61635
John A. Logan College (Public Post-Secondary)
700 Logan College Road
Carterville, IL 62918
Oakton Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
1600 E. Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
KANSAS
Johnson County Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
MASSACHUSETTS
Cape Cod Regional Technical High School (Public Secondary)
351 Pleasant Lake Avenue
Harwich, MA 02645
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School (Public Secondary)
100 Cook Street
Billerica, MA 01821
MICHIGAN
Grand Rapids Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
151 Fountain NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
MISSISSIPPI
Northwest Mississippi Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
P.O. Box 5362 NWCC
Senatobia, MS 38668
MISSOURI
Linn State Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
1 Technology Drive
Linn, MO 65051
NEVADA
College of Southern Nevada (Public Post-Secondary)
700 College Drive
Henderson, NV 89015
NEW JERSEY
Monmouth County Vocational School (Public-Secondary)
21 Robertsville Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
NEW MEXICO
Central New Mexico Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
525 Buena Vista, SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
NEW YORK
Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. (Private Post-Secondary)
180 Charlotte Street
Rochester, NY 14607
NORTH CAROLINA
Pitt Community College (Public Post-Secondary)
PO Drawer 7007
Winterville, NC 27835
OHIO
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (Public Secondary)
8001 Brecksville Road
Brecksville, OH 44141
Miami Valley Career Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
6800 Hoke Road
Clayton, OH 45315
North High School (Public Secondary)
64 Steiner Avenue
Akron, OH 44301
RETS College (Private Post-Secondary)
555 E. Alex Bell Road
Centerville, OH 45459
Great Oaks Institute of Technology (Public Post-Secondary)
3254 East Kemper Road
Cincinnati, OH 45241
RG Drage Career Center (Public Secondary)
6805 Richville Drive
Massillon, OH 44646
University of Northwestern Ohio (Public Post-Secondary)
1441 N. Cable Road
Lima, OH 45805
Pike County Career Tech Center (Public Secondary)
175 Beaver Creek Road
Piketon, OH 45661
OKLAHOMA
Autry Technology Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
1201 W. Willow
Enid, OK 73703
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
4601 N. Choctaw Road
Choctaw, OK 73020
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
2403 N. 41st Street East
Muskogee, OK 74403
Indian Capital Technology Center Sallisaw (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
401 E. Houser Industrial Blvd
Sallisaw, OK 74955
Indian Capital Technology Center-Tahlequah (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
240 VoTech Road
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Meridian Technology Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
1312 South Sangre Road
Stillwater, OK 74074
Moore Norman Technology Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
4701 12th Avenue, NW
Norman, OK 73069
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
2610 Sam Noble Parkway
Ardmore, OK 73401
Tulsa Technology Center (Public Secondary, Public Post-Secondary)
3420 South Memorial Drive
Tulsa OK 74145-1390
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania College of Technology (Public Post-Secondary)
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701
Somerset County Technology Center (Public Secondary)
281 Technology Drive
Somerset, PA 15501
WASHINGTON
Bates Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
1101 South Yakima Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98405
TEXAS
Vernon College (Public Post-Secondary)
2813 Central Expressway East
Wichita Falls, TX 76302
WEST VIRGINIA
Ben Franklin Vocational Center (Public Secondary)
500 28th Street
Dunbar, WV 25064
Carver Career Center (Public Post-Secondary)
4799 Midland Road
Charleston, WV 25306
WISCONSIN
Blackhawk Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
6004 Prairie Road
Janesville, WI 53547
Chippewa Valley Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
620 West Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Moraine Park Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
235 N. National Avenue
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Western Technical College (Public Post-Secondary)
400 Seventh Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a self-evaluation?
An internal review comparing the program to industry standards. It identifies strengths and weaknesses and is the first step in the accreditation process.
How long do programs have to complete the evaluation?
Up to 18 months. A six-month completion is encouraged.
What is a site evaluation?
A team of industry professionals visits the school for two days to verify the self-evaluation and collect additional context.
Who conducts the site visit?
A Site Evaluation Team Leader (SETL), assigned by PAHRA, and 2–4 qualified HVACR professionals selected by the school. Team members must have five years of experience and cannot have ties to the school.
How long does accreditation last?
Five years from the date of approval.
What are the costs?
$200 per training area
$500 site visit fee
$400 SETL honorarium
Variable travel and lodging costs for the SETL
Is a specific curriculum required?
No. However, course content must meet PAHRA’s standards for topics, equipment, tools, and hours.
Must programs use a specific textbook?
No. Textbooks must be approved by the institution and not more than six years old.
Is the Industry Competency Exam (ICE) required?
Yes. Programs must administer the ICE exams. A 70% pass rate across three years is expected.
Must students take the EPA 608 Certification?
Yes. It is required for graduation from PAHRA-accredited programs.
What are the benefits of PAHRA accreditation?
Increases program funding opportunities.
Attracts donations of equipment from manufacturers.
Improves employment outcomes for graduates.
Enhances community and industry standing.
Generates local and national media coverage.
Provides an official PAHRA plaque recognizing accredited programs.
Industry Associations Supporting PAHRA
- ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)
- AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute)
- ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, & Air-Conditioning Engineers)
- HARDI (Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International)
- PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association)
- RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)
- NATE (North American Technician Excellence)
Background on ACCA Management
In 2018, PAHRA’s management transitioned to ACCA. This move was intended to strengthen the program and address contractor concerns about graduate competency. A new board of directors was formed, and PAHRA reaffirmed its mission to align HVACR education with industry needs.
PAHRA Loses Their Website
In June of 2025, PAHRA’s official website (pahrahvacr.org) expired and was listed for auction on GoDaddy. The domain was purchased by an unrelated third party, and the original content became inaccessible.
This page was created to preserve the historical information about PAHRA accreditation and maintain visibility for the programs that earned accreditation status. This site is not affiliated with PAHRA or ACCA. While all information was verified at the time of publication, no guarantee is made regarding future changes.
