Commercial
Facilities Maintenance Training in Minnesota
Minnesota Trade Careers offers a 150-hour, fully online Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program designed for adults entering the field. The curriculum covers safety, plumbing, HVAC, and building controls, and prepares students for recognized certification exams. Flexible scheduling lets you study around existing work or family commitments.
Clear offer
The Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program at Minnesota Trade Careers is a 150-clock-hour, fully online certificate program designed for adults who are new to the trades. You can complete it in roughly 8 weeks studying about 20 hours per week, or stretch to 15 weeks at a lighter pace of 10 hours per week. Course materials remain accessible for 12 months from enrollment, so you can review content after you finish.
All instruction is delivered in English through an online learning platform that includes virtual-reality practice environments. There are no shop visits or travel requirements.
Gross tuition is $7,500 and covers required course materials, platform access, and registration fees for three certification-preparation exams. Contact admissions to confirm available payment options.
- Certification exam preparation included: OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, NATE Ready-to-Work, and EPA Section 608 Type I
- Four course areas: Safety, Tools, and Electrical Testing; Plumbing and Mechanical Systems; HVAC and Appliance Service; Building Controls and Preventive Maintenance
- 100% online delivery with virtual-reality skills practice
- Flexible pacing — approximately 8 or 15 weeks depending on weekly study hours
- Certificate of Completion awarded upon finishing all modules with a minimum score of 70%
- Course materials and platform access available for 12 months from enrollment
Note on certifications
The program prepares you to sit for the listed exams. Earning a credential depends on passing the external exam administered by the certifying body. Exam registration is included in tuition; results are determined by each certifying organization independently.
Why this program
Most trades programs require you to show up at a fixed location on a fixed schedule. That works for some people and not for others. The Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program at MNTC is delivered entirely online, with virtual reality practice built in, so you can work through the material from anywhere in Minnesota without rearranging your life around a classroom.
The curriculum is intentionally broad. Rather than training you on a single trade, it covers safety, electrical testing, plumbing, HVAC, appliances, and building controls in one sequence. That range reflects what entry-level facilities and property maintenance roles actually require day to day.
- 100% online — no commute, no fixed classroom location
- VR practice included alongside video and reading instruction
- Flexible pacing: roughly 8 weeks at 20 hours per week, or 15 weeks at 10 hours per week
- Multi-trade curriculum designed for entry-level facilities roles
- Preparation for three industry credentials: OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, NATE Ready-to-Work, and EPA Section 608 Type I
- Course materials and certification exam registration included in the $7,500 gross tuition
- Course access available for 12 months from enrollment
For Minnesota adults who are changing careers, returning to work, or building a first set of trade skills, this structure removes common barriers without cutting the technical content short.
Certifications included
Gross tuition covers registration fees for three certification exams. The program prepares you to sit for each exam, but earning a credential depends on passing the external exam administered by the issuing body.
| Credential | Issuing body | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10-Hour General Industry | OSHA / authorized trainer | Core workplace safety rules and hazard recognition for general industry settings |
| NATE Ready-to-Work | North American Technician Excellence | Foundational HVAC knowledge for technicians entering the trade |
| EPA Section 608 Type I | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Safe handling of small appliances containing refrigerants under federal regulations |
Exam preparation, not licensure
Completing the Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program prepares you for these exams. It does not constitute professional licensure, apprenticeship registration, or a guarantee of certification. Requirements set by each issuing body apply independently.
Who this is for
This program is designed for adults in Minnesota who are entering the workforce or changing careers. It suits people who want a broad foundation across multiple trades without committing to a single specialty right away.
The format works well for working adults. You can study around a job or family schedule, moving at roughly 10 or 20 hours per week depending on what fits your life.
- Adults 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED
- Career changers looking to move into facilities, apartment, or property maintenance
- Minnesota residents who prefer online study over classroom attendance
- People with some hands-on experience who want structured, credentialed training
- Those exploring whether a maintenance career is the right direction before pursuing a trade apprenticeship
Admission requires proof of U.S. residency and English proficiency. Applicants must be able to perform maintenance tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. Contact admissions to confirm available payment options before enrolling.
Funding options
The gross tuition for the Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program is $7,500. That figure covers required course materials, learning platform access, and registration fees for the listed certification exams, so there are no separate charges for those items.
Payment options vary by student situation and are confirmed on a case-by-case basis. MNTC does not publish specific financing terms here, and this page does not address government grant programs or eligibility criteria for any funding source.
If you have questions about how to cover tuition, the admissions team can walk you through what may be available to you and help you understand next steps before you enroll.
Talk to admissions about payment
Admissions staff can review your situation and confirm which payment options may apply to you. Contact them before enrolling to get accurate information for your circumstances.
Ready to discuss your options?
Reach out to the MNTC admissions team to ask about payment options for the Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program.
How enrollment works
- 1
Check the admission requirements
You must be 18 or older, hold a high school diploma or GED, provide proof of U.S. residency, demonstrate English proficiency, and be able to perform maintenance tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. Review these before you apply.
- 2
Contact admissions
Reach out to the MNTC admissions team to ask questions, confirm your eligibility, and learn about available payment options for the $7,500 gross tuition. Staff can walk you through what documentation you will need to submit.
- 3
Submit your application
Complete the enrollment application and provide the required documents, including your diploma or GED and residency proof. Admissions will review your file and confirm acceptance.
- 4
Enroll and gain platform access
Once accepted, you are registered for the program. Your learning platform access, required course materials, and certification exam registrations are included in gross tuition. Course materials remain available for 12 months from your enrollment date.
- 5
Begin your coursework
The program is 150 clock hours, delivered 100% online with virtual-reality practice. You can pace your study around your schedule — roughly 8 weeks at 20 hours per week, or 15 weeks at 10 hours per week are common approaches for Minnesota students.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact MNTC admissions to confirm eligibility and discuss payment options before you apply.
Common questions
**How much does the program cost?**
Gross tuition is $7,500. Required course materials, learning platform access, and registration for the listed certification exams are included. Contact admissions to confirm available payment options.
**How long does it take to finish?**
The program is 150 clock hours. You may estimate about 8 weeks studying 20 hours per week, or 15 weeks at 10 hours per week. Course materials remain available for 12 months from enrollment.
**Is the training fully online?**
Yes. All instruction is delivered online and includes virtual-reality practice environments. There are no required in-person sessions.
**What certifications will I be prepared for?**
The curriculum prepares you to sit for the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, NATE Ready-to-Work, and EPA Section 608 Type I exams. Exam registration for these is included in tuition. Passing those exams is separate from completing the program and is determined by the certifying bodies.
**What do I need to enroll?**
You must be 18 or older, hold a high school diploma or GED, provide proof of U.S. residency, demonstrate English proficiency, and be able to perform maintenance tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. No trade prerequisites are listed beyond these requirements.
**What credential do I earn from MNTC?**
Students who complete all modules with a minimum score of 70% receive a Certificate of Completion from Minnesota Trade Careers. This is distinct from any external certification, apprenticeship registration, or professional licensure.
**What topics does the program cover?**
Coursework spans general-industry safety, hand and power tools, electrical measurement, plumbing and water systems, pumps and belts, appliances, HVAC, building controls, and preventive maintenance using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Take the next step
Start your facilities maintenance training
The Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program is 100% online, 150 clock hours, and designed for adults entering the field. Contact admissions to confirm enrollment dates, payment options, and whether the program fits your schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Buildings and Facilities Maintenance program take to complete?
▾
The program is 150 clock hours, delivered 100% online. You may estimate about 8 weeks studying 20 hours per week, or 15 weeks at 10 hours per week, depending on your schedule. Course materials remain accessible for 12 months from enrollment.
What certifications does the program prepare me for?
▾
The curriculum prepares you to sit for the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, NATE Ready-to-Work, and EPA Section 608 Type I exams. Registration fees for those listed exams are included in the gross tuition. Completing the program and passing external exams are separate steps; MNTC does not issue those credentials directly.
What topics are covered in the facilities maintenance training?
▾
Coursework spans four areas: Safety, Tools, and Electrical Testing; Plumbing and Mechanical Systems; HVAC and Appliance Service; and Building Controls and Preventive Maintenance, including use of a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). The curriculum is designed to give entry-level learners a broad foundation across the trades most common in Minnesota facilities and property maintenance roles.
What are the admission requirements for this program in Minnesota?
▾
Applicants must be 18 or older, hold a high school diploma or GED, provide proof of U.S. residency, demonstrate English proficiency, and be able to perform maintenance tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. No trade prerequisites are listed beyond those admission requirements.
How much does the facilities maintenance program cost, and what is included?
▾
Gross tuition is $7,500, which covers required course materials, learning platform access, and registration for the listed certification exams. For questions about payment options, contact MNTC admissions directly to confirm what may be available to you.
What kinds of roles does this training prepare me for in Minnesota?
▾
The program is designed to prepare learners for entry-level positions in facilities, apartment, and property maintenance. According to BLS OEWS data for Minnesota (SOC 49-9071, May 2025), general maintenance and repair workers held approximately 29,660 positions statewide. Completing this program does not guarantee employment; individual outcomes vary.