The value of NATE certification

In today’s economic climate, professionals across all fields are seeking ways to increase their business by differentiating themselves from the competition — and the HVAC/R industry is no different. One strategic step towards staying ahead of the curve is through gaining North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification.

What is NATE?

Founded in 1997, NATE is an independent, third-party, non-profit certification body for HVAC/R technicians. With headquarters in Arlington, Va., NATE is the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration practices.

While other organizations and companies offer training and administer tests to technicians, NATE creates these tests for certification. The tests represent real-world working knowledge of HVAC and HVAC/R systems and are developed by NATE’s dedicated technical committee, comprised of various industry professionals, including contractors, educators, manufacturers and utilities.

Technicians can earn certification in one or more specialty areas, depending on their concentration and focus. Several of the most common specialties, for example, are heat pump, gas service and air conditioning. There are also numerous other specialties to choose from, and many technicians are certified in multiple areas.

Why is NATE certification important?

By obtaining NATE certification, a technician demonstrates, to the customer and contractor alike, his or her ongoing ability to perform at the industry’s highest standards, which increases their professional demand on all fronts. Many contractors insist that the technicians they partner with are NATE-certified, while an increasing number of homeowners are seeking out the NATE “stamp of approval” when scheduling HVAC/R installation and service.

In addition, the value of NATE certification continues to grow as the industry evolves. Continual changes require industry professionals to stay ahead of the curve by regularly updating their knowledge and information about the industry, equipment and regulations.

NATE certification helps technicians demonstrate their commitment to ongoing excellence.

How do I become NATE-certified?

To become NATE-certified you must pass a core exam and a specialty test of your choice. The core test covers the candidate’s general knowledge in the areas of safety/tools/soft skills, heat transfer/comfort and electrical systems. Specialty exams cover the candidate’s knowledge of the installation, service maintenance and/or repair of HVAC/R systems.

There are a total of 22 different NATE specialty exams, all of which cover information that nearly all technicians have an 80 percent chance of encountering each year.

In order to determine which NATE specialty test(s) to pursue, a technician can review the various knowledge areas of technician expertise, or KATEs, which are outlines of the information covered in each exam. Not only are KATEs a source of information when deciding which specialty or specialties best fit a technician’s career path, they are also excellent resources to use as reference material while preparing for the exams, since they represent the knowledge, skills and abilities required to pass.

Where do I become NATE-certified?

Various testing locations are available throughout the country. NATE offers an online tool that allows technicians to search for testing locations in their area by entering their zip code at www.natex.org/test.

How can I prepare for the NATE test?

To prepare for any NATE test, it’s important to first review the KATE outline that the exam falls under. Each KATE makes it easy to cross-reference the included material with the index of any HVAC or HVAC/R test or reference book to locate the correct information to study.

In addition, many of NATE's partners have created training materials and courses, which they sell, to help technicians study for certification tests. A list of partners who offer training support is available on the NATE website, as well as a training locator at www.natex.org/training.

How long does NATE certification last?

NATE certification lasts for five years from the date the technician is certified. The expiration date is listed on the wallet card and certificate that the technician receives upon certification. Each technician can also access their account information online to easily manage their certification status.

Once a technician has taken the time to become NATE-certified, it’s in their best interest to maintain this recognition of expertise through regular recertification. NATE aims to make it as easy as possible for technicians to maintain their certification. There are two ways to recertify:

• Contact any NATE testing organization to schedule a time to retake the NATE specialty test(s) that are expiring. There is no special exam for recertification, and it is not necessary to re-take a CORE test unless certification has already lapsed.

• Provide proof of 60+ hours of training in your specialty within the last five years. To recertify using continuing education, you must submit the Technician Application for Recertification Form available at www.natex.org/recertify. Documentation of non-recognized courses can also be submitted as proof of the 60 hours of training, as long as they are technical and related to your specialty.

Credentialing is an important element of any recognized profession, and maintaining those credentials is just as important as gaining them.

Not only is NATE certification the leading certification program for technicians in the HVAC/R industry, it’s also the only testing program supported by the entire profession.

By becoming NATE-certified, today’s technicians prove that they have the knowledge and skills to get the job done right, and ultimately to increase their value in the eyes of both the contractor and the customer.

For more information, visit www.natex.org.