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Who is NATE and what does it do?

NATE, North American Technician Excellence Inc., is an independent, third-party certification body for HVACR technicians.  NATE tests technicians; others train.  Testing validates the technician's knowledge and a training program's instruction. NATE-approved testing organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada offer NATE tests.  Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in five specialty areas: air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating & oil heating

What are the NATE Air Conditioning Excellence tests like?

NATE-ACE exams are multiple-choice, knowledge-based, and test what 80% of technicians have a chance of encountering once yearly.  There are twelve NATE installation and service tests: a core and five specialty tests each. Specialties include air distribution, air-conditioning, heat pumps, gas heating and oil heating. Candidates have four hours to complete a NATE test session. Future tests cover energy efficiency, hydronics, and commercial air-conditioning & refrigeration.

How does a technician become certified?

To become certified, a technician must pass both a Core and a Specialty exam.  A passing score is 70%; 35 of 50 questions on a Core test and 70 of 100 Specialty test questions. Certification lasts for five years, after which a technician must re-certify.

What do the Core and Specialty tests cover?

The core test covers basic math, customer relations, and fundamentals of electricity, heat transfer and comfort. The specialty tests cover system components, applied knowledge, diagnostics, roubleshooting, and service and installation topics.

What does the NATE test cost?

Prices vary.  Base prices are $65/Core, and $85/each Specialty. Testing Organizations may mark them up to cover expenses.  Many bundle the test with training, and charge for both as a package deal.  Contact your local testing organization.

Why take a test? Why support NATE?

Technicians taking the test can prove they're the best.  Those who pass can wear the NATE patch, a symbol recognized by the industry and growing numbers of consumers as the mark of technician excellence and place the NATE decal on their truck.

Contractors support the test because certified technicians remain in the industry longer, do the job right the first time, and are believed to be more productive than non-certified ones.  Only contractors employing NATE-certified technicians can be listed on NATE's Consumer-Contractor Connection web page, and can request a free contractor marketing kit with logos, ad slicks etc.

Manufacturers & distributors win with NATE because certification encourages proper installation and service of equipment by knowledgeable technicians, and this means fewer warranty returns and ultimately, a better bottom line.

Educators and trainers benefit from a uniform standard of knowledge that allows them to better prepare the technician workforce of tomorrow.

Utilities support NATE because properly trained and tested technicians are skilled in assuring the proper installation and servicing of sophisticated HVAC/R equipment that operates at peak efficiency and saves energy.

NATE assures consumers that a knowledgeable technician will service their home heating or cooling system. 87% of consumers prefer a certified technician to work on their home comfort system. That's powerful.  Independent third party certification has great value and implies a good reputation to those looking for an HVACR contractor. NATE’s Consumer Contractor Connection business locator helps consumers identify contractors employing NATE-certified technicians.

What should I know about NATE recertification?

NATE certification lasts five years. Technicians can recertify by testing, by continuing education, or by a combination of testing and continuing education. Details are www.natex.org web site FORMS & DATA page where technicians wishing to recertifying using continuing education can download a list of NATE-recognized courses.

Questions? See www.natex.org, for test information, to apply as a testing organization, or to learn more about North American Technician Excellence, Inc.  Email csmith@natex.org or call NATE at 1 (703) 600-0361.