Becoming a Heat Pump Technician: all courses in 2026

In 2026, the heat pump technician is central to the energy renovation of buildings. Installation, commissioning, maintenance: it works on complex thermal systems with high environmental value.

To practice, you need skills in electricity, refrigerants and hydraulics. CAP, Bac Pro, professional titles and refrigeration certifications allow access to the profession. This sheet details the missions, training, salaries and opportunities of the PAC technician.

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The different types of training available
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1. TP Thermal Installer/Heat Pump Installer

• Duration: 6 to 12 months
• Audience: beginners, retraining, artisans wishing to specialize.
• Objective: install, connect, configure and maintain air/water, air/air heat pumps.
• Where? AFPA, GRETA, centers specialized in climate engineering.

2. Bac Pro TMSEC or Bac Pro Energetic

• Duration: 3 years
• Audience: young people who want to work in heating and air conditioning.
• Advantage: excellent base in thermal, hydraulic, electrical.
• Where? CFA, vocational high schools.

3. BTS FED — HVAC option

• Duration: 2 years.
• Audience: post-bac aiming at advanced technical missions.
• Advantage: preparation for diagnostics, complex commissioning and dimensioning.
• Where? CFA, technical high schools, higher schools.

4. RGE QualiPAC (essential)

• Duration: 3 to 5 days.
• Audience: technicians wishing to officially intervene on PAC installations.
• Advantage: allows the company to be certified for financial aid (MaPrimeRénov, CEE).
• Where? Authorized Qualit'Enr organizations.

5. VAE/Continuing education

• Audience: heating engineers, air conditioners, multi-service technicians.
• Objective: obtain a PAC certification or promote field experience.
• Ideal for: increase your skills without going back to a long training course.

Comparison of Heat Pump Technician training

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Skills taught in training

By training yourself as a Heat Pump Technician, you learn how to install, maintain and troubleshoot thermal equipment essential to the energy transition. A technical, versatile and in high demand job.

🧰 Installation and commissioning of PACs

• Installation and connection of indoor and outdoor units.
• Construction of refrigeration, hydraulic and electrical connections.
• Parameterization, adjustments and commissioning of systems.
• Performance control and optimization of yields.

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❄️ Refrigeration techniques & climate engineering

• Notions of thermodynamics and the refrigeration cycle.
• Control of refrigerants and their impacts.
• Diagnosis of faults: pressure losses, leaks, electrical anomalies.
• Preventive and curative maintenance of air/air, air/water, geothermal heat pumps.

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⚡ Safety & regulations

• Installation standards (NF, RT/RE2020, electrical safety regulations).
• Environmental rules related to refrigerants.
• Soldering procedures, vacuum drawing, tightness testing.
• Safe handling of tools and equipment under pressure.

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🛠️ Professional situation

• Interventions for individuals and professionals.
• Resolution of faults in real conditions.
• Reading electrical and refrigeration diagrams.
• Practical work in the workshop + alternating field missions.

Access conditions

• CAP/BEP thermal or Bac Pro Energetic to access the first installations.
• Bac Pro TISEC/TMSEC/MEE recommended to evolve quickly.
• BTS FED option climate engineering to aim for more technical positions.
• For a redevelopment : accelerated training + certificate of refrigerant suitability.

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The steps to integrate a training

• Parcoursup for CAP, Bac Pro or BTS oriented thermal/energy.
• Specialized organizations (AFPA, GRETA, PAC centers): direct applications.
• Adult retraining : financing via CPF, France Travail, Transition Pro.
• Alternation : often the fastest way to integrate an HVAC installation company.

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From installer technician to heating expert
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✅ Confirmed PAC technician: complex interventions, adjustments, advanced hydraulics.

✅ PAC technical referent: support for field teams.

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Project supervision and management
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Heating team leader: coordination of several technicians.

Junior CVC Business Manager: sizing, quotation, customer follow-up.

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Creation or resumption of activity
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Independent PAC installer: installation + repair.

HVAC company: you hire and manage your own teams.

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Bridges to other professions
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Air conditioning technician: rise in multi-energy.

PAC trainer: for RGE certified organizations.

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