Certification is a way to demonstrate professional knowledge, a specific skillset, and the ability to do a particular job. In the HVAC market, earning certifications provides benefits to contractors as well as technicians.
Paying for certifications
Historically, typically 70% of technicians paid for their certifications. Now the numbers have flipped, and about 70% of contractors currently pay for certifications because they see the value-add they can provide to keep employees with an organization. Paying for certifications, simply put, keeps technicians on the team.
“Talking to contractors, we find that the thing that keeps them up at night is the need to find good help,” says John Lanier, COO of NATE (North American Technician Excellence), located in Arlington, Va. “We want to help them.”
non-profit certification organization
86% of technicians value NATE certification over any other technician certification
NATE is a non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians, offering a range of certifications, from entry-level (“ready to work”) to professional-level. Certification involves passing a core exam on basic concepts and then a second exam on a selected specialty among a dozen or so offered, such as gas furnace, air conditioning heat pump, or light commercial refrigeration.
NATE’s goal is to be the pioneer in developing and recognizing professional HVACR technicians. Some 86% of technicians value NATE certification over any other technician certification, according to an independent survey conducted by Decision Analyst and sponsored by NATE.
CHP-5 program
The new NATE Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) program offers a five-step series of self-paced exams that mirror the likely professional development path of an HVAC technician.
Completion of the fifth exam earns the designation “NATE Certified Professional.” The five exams cover fundamentals, electrical and controls, comfort and airflow, installation, and service.
two-year validity
Certification is awarded for a two-year period, during which technicians are required to take 16 continuing education hours to recertify (instead of passing another test).
Continuing education is offered in conjunction with manufacturers, wholesale distributors, technical schools, and other association chapters. Continuing education “credits” can be uploaded and tracked through a system at the NATE website.
Preparedness in NATE-certified technicians
In a survey, four out of five contractors said they prefer their technicians to be NATE-certified
“When NATE was created, it was about making technicians better,” says Lanier. “They are the face of the industry because they come into the home to fix or service the equipment. Over the years, we have worked to make the organization more accessible to technicians and contractors by understanding the challenges they face.”
In a survey, four out of five contractors said they prefer their technicians to be NATE-certified, and 76% of contractors see their NATE-certified technicians as better prepared.
Certificate training, venues for exams
Most technicians surveyed said that NATE certification gives them more confidence in their work and more credibility with homeowners. Some 75% of the technicians NATE surveyed said they are more likely to stay with their employer if they receive assistance with their certification and training.
NATE certification exams can be offered at a variety of venues, including HVAC distribution centers, career and technical schools, and manufacturer sites for companies such as Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, Emerson, and Goodman. Also, larger contractors can provide certification testing at their facilities for groups of technicians, with someone from the contractor’s staff (who is not a direct supervisor) proctoring the test.
Live online proctoring
A new NATE offering is “live online proctoring” of a certification exam. It enables proctors to monitor exam-takers remotely, providing additional flexibility for those wishing to become certified. Introduced about six months before the COVID pandemic, the online approach gained popularity even faster during lockdowns that prohibited gathering at regular sites for exams.
An advantage of online testing is that it requires less time and doesn’t take the technician out of the field. Currently, 12-15% of NATE certification exams are taken using online proctoring.
Certificate assistance
We recognize the world the technicians are working in and realize that pursuing certification is secondary"
Four out of five NATE-certified technicians have received some form of assistance from their employers and 84% of the companies surveyed that employed NATE-certified technicians provided some sort of assistance to their technicians during the certification process.
Part of making NATE accessible is recognizing the time challenges of technicians, and the need for flexibility when adding certification to the mix. “We recognize the world the technicians are working in and realize that pursuing certification is secondary to making a living,” says Lanier.
Study guides, Incentives with certification
Generally, certification is not a requirement of a job but is something that technicians can pursue on their own to demonstrate they are a cut above. There are also instances when a contractor may offer technicians a pay increase as an incentive to earn a certification, which is also a great addition to a resume.
Certification exams are the tip of the iceberg of what NATE offers. NATE also supplies a series of study guides for each certification; in effect, providing a final review before taking a test.
VR simulations, videos, and knowledge
The training combines varied formats, including “field-like” 3D and VR simulations, videos, and knowledge
NATE Training Academy, offered through a partnership with Interplay Learning, is a new online platform designed to provide technicians with a way to train for NATE certification exams at their own pace. The training combines varied formats, including “field-like” 3D and virtual reality (VR) simulations, videos, and knowledge checks.
The certification confirms the value of training. “All the test does is demonstrate the competence of the technician,” says Lanier. “We urge training, whether ours or someone else’s. The study guide then helps with final preparation.”
Challenging but not difficult
A misconception in the industry is that NATE certification exams are “really, really hard,” says Lanier. “They are challenging, but if you train and use the study guide, they are not that difficult. Some may see it as a daunting task, but if you prepare for it, it is not that big a deal.”
Consumers may enter a ZIP code at the NATE website to locate contractors in their area that have NATE-certified technicians. The locator system attracts around 5,000 searches a month.
