Brownson Technical School
Anaheim, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVACR Technology
GI Bill students (all programs): 47Accredited (national)Student complaints in VA data: 1
VA-approved HVAC programs in California
- Page last updated October 23, 2026
- VA data retrieved October 23, 2026 (Comparison Tool data version 1522)
Quick answer
HVAC training in California is spread across 62 cities, with San Jose the largest at 4 locations.
VA's GI Bill® Comparison Tool lists 80 HVAC training locations in California with 126 approved programs: 60 with school programs and 20 with apprenticeship or on-the-job training. 4 have a VA caution flag.
Before you enroll, open the VA profile to confirm the exact program, and ask the School Certifying Official to confirm your start date. [VA: Choosing a GI Bill approved school]
80 locations, by city
VA profile for Brownson Technical School (opens VA Comparison Tool)
North-West College-Anaheim
Anaheim, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Heating Ventilaton and Air Conditioning
Accredited
South California Chapter Associate Builders and Contractors
Anaheim Hills, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Heating Ventilation and Air
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC Technology
GI Bill students (all programs): 321Accredited
Kern Inyo Mono Counties Plumb and Pipefitters & Ref Air Mech JATC
Bakersfield, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration and AC Mechanic
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education
Baldwin Park, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
VA caution flag
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 17Accredited (national)
Motion Picture Studio Electrician JATC
Burbank, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Air Conditioning Mechanic
JATC Plumbing Pipe Fitting & Refrigeration Industry
Burlingame, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration and AC Fitter
Miracosta College Community Education and Workforce Development
Carlsbad, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Heating Vent and Air Conditioning-HVAC
GI Bill students (all programs): 25AccreditedStudent complaints in VA data: 1
Mayfield College
Cathedral City, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC-R Level 1-Electricity Advanced
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 11Accredited (national)
National Career Education
Citrus Heights, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Commercial Refrigeration Heating and Air
GI Bill students (all programs): 64Accredited (national)
Institute of Technology-Clovis
Clovis, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC
GI Bill students (all programs): 79Accredited (national)
Show all 80 locations
West Hills College Coalinga
Coalinga, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 13Accredited
Inland Refrigeration Joint Journeyman Appr Tng Comm
Colton, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration Mechanic
Compton College
Compton, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Elect
- HVAC and Refrigeration
- Refrigeration
GI Bill students (all programs): 31Accredited
United Assn Local Union 342 Jac
Concord, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration Fitter AC Mechanic
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Ca Air Conditioner and Heating and Insta
- Ca Heating Ventilation Air Conditionin
- Ca Refrigerator Service
GI Bill students (all programs): 503Accredited
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning Codes and Estimating
- Air Conditioning Customer Service
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Proj
- Commercial Refrigeration
- HVAC Building Commissioning
- +1 more
GI Bill students (all programs): 377Accredited
Ata College
El Cajon, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- HVAC Technician II
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 67Accredited (national)
Summit College-El Cajon
El Cajon, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC
GI Bill students (all programs): 69Accredited (national)Student complaints in VA data: 2
Fresno Area Plumbers Pipe and Refrig Fitters JATC
Fresno, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Air Conditioning &refrigeration Mechanic
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC-HVAC Technology I
GI Bill students (all programs): 435Accredited
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC Heating Ventilation Air
GI Bill students (all programs): 94Accredited
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Automotive HVAC Specialist
GI Bill students (all programs): 260Accredited
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Tech
GI Bill students (all programs): 113Accredited
Copper Mountain College
Joshua Tree, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Coa Heating Air Conditioning Services
GI Bill students (all programs): 59Accredited
Uc San Diego Division of Extended Studies
La Jolla, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC Systems Design and Control
GI Bill students (all programs): 149Accredited (regional)
Bassett Adult School
La Puente, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 89Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
La Puente, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC Service Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 64Accredited (national)
Antelope Valley College
Lancaster, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning Specialist
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Spec
- Refrigeration Specialist
GI Bill students (all programs): 306Accredited
Ca State University-Trade Cncl United JATC
Long Beach, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Air Conditioning / Refrigeration
Universal Technical Institute of Southern California
Long Beach, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 488Accredited (national)
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Apprenticeship Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Apprenticeship Air Conditioning and
GI Bill students (all programs): 139Accredited
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC and Refrigeration.
GI Bill students (all programs): 246Accredited
Maxine Waters Employment Prep Ctr
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC Technician
Accredited
Phcc of the Greater Los Angeles Area
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- HVAC
Contra Costa County Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC
Martinez, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration Mechanic
Merced College
Merced, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Commercial Refrigeration Technician
- HVAC-Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 173Accredited
Dehart Technical School
Modesto, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Facilities Maintenance-HVAC Course 1
- HVAC-R Facilities Maintenance Course 3
GI Bill students (all programs): 16Accredited (national)
Institute of Technology-Modesto
Modesto, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 24Accredited (national)
Laney College
Oakland, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Commercial HVAC Systems
- Environmental Control Tech-R-Lc HVACR
- Refrigeration Technology
- Residential and Light Commercial HVAC
GI Bill students (all programs): 53Accredited
Butte College
Oroville, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Commercial HVACR Coa
- HVACR Coa
- HVACR Level I
- HVACR Level II
- HVACR Level III Coa
- HVACR Level IV Coa
- +1 more
GI Bill students (all programs): 297Accredited
Charter College Oxnard
Oxnard, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC and Refridgeration Blended
GI Bill students (all programs): 7Accredited
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Accredited
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Commercial Gas Heating
- Green HVAC Commercial
- Green HVAC Residential
- Residential Gas Heating
GI Bill students (all programs): 266Accredited
Capstone College
Pasadena, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 19Accredited (national)
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
VA caution flag
- Ca Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
GI Bill students (all programs): 179Accredited
Universal Technical Institute INC-California Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVACR Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 374Accredited (national)
Institute of Technology INC Redding
Redding, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 15Accredited (national)Student complaints in VA data: 1
American College of Healthcare and Technology
Riverside, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVACR Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 22Accredited (hybrid)
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVAC Commercial Technology
- HVAC Residential Technology
GI Bill students (all programs): 510Accredited
Trane Technologies-Rocklin
Rocklin, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- HVAC Service Technician
American River College
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning Service
- Refrigeration Service Technician Apprent
- Refrigeration Svc Tech Apprentice Lv I
- Refrigeration Svc Tech Apprentice Lv II
- Refrigeration Svc Tech Apprentice Lv III
- Refrigeration Svc Tech Apprentice Lv IV
GI Bill students (all programs): 562Accredited
Plumbing Pipefitting Ind Sacramento Yolo Dist JATC
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration Fitter
Universal Technical Institute INC-Northern California
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVACR Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 214Accredited (national)
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Heating Ventilation Air Condition and
GI Bill students (all programs): 319Accredited
Summit College
San Bernardino, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC
GI Bill students (all programs): 32Accredited (national)Student complaints in VA data: 1
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Cond Heating and Adv Refrigeration
- Coa-HVACR Installation and Repair
- Coa-HVACR Maintenance and Construction
- Coa-HVACR Service and Direct Digital Co
- Coa-HVACR Systems Design and Control
GI Bill students (all programs): 911Accredited
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Joint Journeyman and Apprentice Training Cntr
San Dimas, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration and Air Cond Fitter
The JATC of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry Local 38
San Francisco, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Center for Employment Training San Jose
San Jose, CA
VA-approved
School program Private
VA caution flag
- HVAC Technician and Green Technology
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 24Accredited (national)
Institute for Business and Technology
San Jose, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Commercial Refrigeration Heating-Air
GI Bill students (all programs): 233Accredited (national)Student complaints in VA data: 1
Pipe Trades JATC of Santa Clara and San Benito Co
San Jose, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration and AC Service and Maint
San Jose City College
San Jose, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Condition-Refrigeration- Level 2
- Air Condition-Refrigeration- Level 3
GI Bill students (all programs): 172Accredited
Bay Area Sheet Metal Jac
San Leandro, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Air Conditioning Specialist
San Luis Obispo County Plumbing JATC
San Luis Obispo, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration and AC Mechanic
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning Heating and
GI Bill students (all programs): 1,159Accredited
Summit College-Santa Ana
Santa Ana, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC
GI Bill students (all programs): 22Accredited (national)Student complaints in VA data: 1
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- HVACR Fundamentals
GI Bill students (all programs): 289Accredited
San Diego and Imperial Counties Pipe Trades JATC
Santee, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration HVAC
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement
GI Bill students (all programs): 202Accredited
El Camino College
Torrance, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Elect
- HVAC and Refrigeration
- Refrigeration
GI Bill students (all programs): 338Accredited
Ventura Co Plumbing & Pipefitting JATC
Ventura, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrig and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Basic HVAC-R Service Technician Ccp
GI Bill students (all programs): 409Accredited
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
Visalia, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and
Accredited (regional)
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
GI Bill students (all programs): 612Accredited
Intercoast Colleges West Covina
West Covina, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- HVAC Technician
GI Bill students (all programs): 91Accredited (national)
North-West College-West Covina
West Covina, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 13Accredited (national)
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Honda Acura Heating and Air Conditioning
GI Bill students (all programs): 159Accredited
Yuba Plumbers & Pipefitters Jac
Yuba City, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mech.
Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool program data, retrieved October 23, 2026. School details come from VA's data file dated October 8, 2026. The list is sorted by city, then name. It isn't a ranking.
Common questions
How many GI Bill-approved HVAC programs are in California?
VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool lists 126 approved programs at 80 locations in California as of October 23, 2026. That's about 5% of the 1,767 HVAC locations in VA's data nationally. By type: 37 public colleges and technical schools, 22 for-profit schools, 20 employers and apprenticeship sponsors, 1 private nonprofit school.
Which cities in California have HVAC programs?
By number of locations: San Jose (4), Los Angeles (3), Sacramento (3), Anaheim (2), Bakersfield (2), El Cajon (2) and 56 more cities.
Are there paid HVAC apprenticeships in California that take the GI Bill?
Yes. 20 locations offer VA-approved on-the-job training in California (21 programs); 20 of them are registered apprenticeships. With the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you're paid wages plus a monthly housing payment that steps down every six months.
[VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool] [VA: On-the-job training and apprenticeships]
Do any HVAC schools in California have VA caution flags?
Yes. 4 locations have a VA caution flag. Each flag is shown on its listing in VA's wording. Read it before you enroll.
Other trades in California
← All HVAC/R programs · Does the GI Bill cover HVAC school?
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool data (ComparisonToolData.xlsx)”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Choosing a GI Bill approved school”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.