Who is NATE and what does it do?
NATE, North American Technician Excellence Inc., is an independent, third-party certification body for HVAC/R 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.  

Who Supports NATE?
The entire HVAC/R industry supports NATE: manufacturers, utilities, wholesalers, educators, technicians, contractors and trade associations.  The NATE coalition includes:

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA);
• Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI);
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE);
• Building Performance Institute (BPI);
• Eastern Heating & Cooling Council (EHCC);
• Edison Electric Institute (EEI);
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI);
• Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA);
• Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI);
• Hydronics Industry Alliance (HIA);
• National Energy Management Institute (NEMI, an organization representing Sheet Metal Contractors and Sheet Metal Workers);
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors--National Association (PHCC--NA);
• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES);
• Service Roundtable;
• Skills USA;
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); and
• the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What are the NATE tests like?
NATE exams are multiple-choice, knowledge-based, and test what 80% of technicians have an 80% chance of encountering once yearly.  There are 21 NATE installation, service, and senior tests. Specialties include Air Conditioning, Air Distribution, Heat Pumps, Gas Heating, Oil Heating, Hydronics Gas, Hydronics Oil, Light Commercial Refrigeration, Commercial Refrigeration, and HVAC Efficiency Analyst. Candidates have four hours to complete a NATE test session.

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, troubleshooting, and service and installation topics.

How can technicians add additional specialties?
Certified technicians can add other certifications by passing additional specialty exams. Re-taking the core is not necessary.

Who does best on a NATE test?
Field technicians with at least two years' experience who have completed some instruction from an educational institution, trade association, or other training source do best.   Review, study and experience are important to preparing for the test.

How challenging is the NATE test?
Very, 66%-68% pass -- but for candidates taking a class or review course, passing rates are 80% -92%.  The NATE-ACE test was developed and validated using a survey and with the input of the entire industry—those who pass can prove they know heating and cooling.  There are over 27500 NATE certifications which have been issued.

How can technicians prepare for the NATE exam?
Technicians can prepare by studying and reviewing HVAC/R textbooks or taking NATE-recognized preparation courses and training. ACCA, PHCC, and RSES have jointly produced a NATE training reference.  KATEs (Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise) are available for study for each section. Review courses or study sessions through local association chapters, schools, or trainers help a candidate prepare for the test.

Tips successful test-takers give about the NATE test.
Be prepared! Hit the books! Download and study the Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise.  Take a review or refresher course.  Get a good night's sleep.  Read each exam question carefully. There are no trick questions, just special conditions like a real-life diagnosis of an HVACR problem. If a candidate thinks about a question, usually the correct answer becomes obvious.

What does the NATE test cost?
Prices vary.  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 for pricing.

Who can become a testing organization?
All of NATE’s coalition partners can give the NATE test.  Any organization in the HVAC/R industry, e.g. a school, a wholesaler/distributor, manufacturer, association, utility, etc. can become a testing organization (TO) by applying and following the guidelines.  TO’s provide proctors who have to abide by NATE’s proctor guidelines. Materials are available for download at Information/Forms/Data.

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 HVAC/R 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. Technicians wishing to recertify using continuing education can download a list of NATE-recognized courses at Training and Testing Resources.

Why should I support NATE certification?
Because it makes good business sense to do so. Certification matters – it ‘s a matter of dollars and sense.  Certification is about professionalism, pride, and proficiency--and consumer trust because NATE-certified technicians know heating and cooling.