NATE's Knowledge Areas Of Technician Expertise

There is not a single NATE test--there are 21 NATE tests. The knowledge areas of technician expertise are divided into tests for installation, service and senior technicians. The KATEs are outlines the exams are built from and should be used for study and during training as they represent the knowledge, skills and tasks a technician should possess to do a specific job.

Technician Types

Tests are currently available for installation, service and senior technicians. These tests give technicians a clear career path and recognize different levels of experience and knowledge. Because technicians decide which tests to take, the NATE program can be tailored to their interests, skill level and geographic location. Additionally there is a senior level technician certification which requires two service level certifications, see prerequisites below.

An installation technician prepares an installation site (including removal of existing HVAC/R equipment), fabricates connections, and assembles systems as specified in the installation instructions. The technician must be able to properly power up and set control positions to cycle equipment through primary heating, cooling, and blower operations under on-site or off-site supervision of a service or senior technician. The installation technician takes specialized readings, such as temperatures, refrigerant circuit pressure and basic VOM electrical readings, of both operating and non-operating equipment.

HVAC or HVACR Service Technician

A service technician must be able to accomplish the same tasks as an installation technician, as well as independently power up and adjust control settings to cycle equipment through all designed-for sequences. A service technician must be able to acquire, evaluate, and interpret such readings as may be necessary to determine the adequacy and acceptability of system operation to meet specifications. This technician must be able to perform sufficient field diagnostic procedures to determine causes of inadequate performance and identify corrective actions as necessary.

Senior Level Technician

As a prerequisite to sit for the HVAC Efficiency Analyst exam, the candidate shall hold two (2) certifications by NATE in Service Sector Specialties as follows:
• Air Conditioning (AC) plus one of the following: AD, GS, OL, HG, or HO
• Air Distribution (AD) plus one of the following: AC, GS, HP, OL, HG, or HO
• Gas Heating (GS) plus one of the following: AC, AD, or HP
• Heat Pump (HP) plus one of the following: AD, GS, OL, HG, or HO
• Oil Heating (OL) plus one of the following: AC, AD, HP, HG, or HO
• Hydronics Gas (HG) plus one of the following: AC, AD, or HP
• Hydronics Oil (HO) plus one of the following: AC, AD, or HP