Why should manufacturers support NATE certification?
Because it shows your commitment to quality.

Everyone in the industry (including the consumer) benefits from NATE’s program of technician certification. Currently NATE tests cover residential and light commercial equipment, but within the next eighteen months commercial certification tests will appear.

Most manufacturers include NATE as a component of one of more of their "preferred provider" programs--meaning many contractors are having technicians certified to belong to these programs.

Nationally recognized for its stringent standards, NATE testing and certification encourages the proper installation and service of HVAC equipment by highly skilled and trained technicians who have verified their skills through independent third-party testing. Certified technicians installing your units means fewer warranty returns of components without OEM defects as defective-- and fewer returns means a better bottom line for you. That’s a primary reason members of AHRI, GAMA and the manufacturing community support NATE technician certification. Most manufacturers include NATE-certification as a cornerstone of one of more of their “preferred provider” programs for contractors. For example, through the York Liberties Program, for contractors who employ NATE certified technicians to do York warranty work .

Certification is a way to move toward the assurance that products which are meticulously manufactured to operate in an optimum fashion for consumer savings and satisfaction function at the high level that your company designed in them. Some contractors report a 2% increase in GPM, and others report a 20% reduction in callbacks. Whatever makes a contractor more profitable ultimately means that a he can pay his/her bills and will order more products, and that benefits the manufacturer.

Finally there is company and product image to consider. As much as 37% of compressors returned to manufacturers as “defective” were actually fine when they came out of the box, but were victims of installation error.  Estimates vary from 30%-50% of returned-as-defective units suffer installation error. Instead of taking it on the chin, the uncertified technician blamed the problem on the manufacturer and returned the unit as defective. NATE-certified technicians have the knowledge to do the job right the first time because they have proven their knowledge of heating and air conditioning, and that ultimately means the unit will be installed right and will operate efficiently, and in the energy and cost efficient manner in which it was designed—and installation by a NATE certified technician helps insure a better bottom line for manufacturers.

Supporting NATE shows customers you are committed to a high, measurable standard of HVAC technician excellence and knowledge. They want a comfortable home system, and you want to provide them with one.

Regardless of how well engineered and constructed equipment is, it will never operate at optimum efficiency if it not properly installed--and that means customers who bought or use your products will get less than they paid for, and they will be unhappy. Actively supporting technician certification through NATE ensures that those technicians who work for contractors that have a business relationship with you can provide customers with the highest customer-recognized standards of service and satisfaction.

The technician is the face of the HVACR industry which the consumer first meets, usually under trying circumstances. A well-trained technician who is knowledgeable helps contractors and ultimately manufacturers retain customers.

The Trained Technician's Advantage
A well-trained technician is a good technician.

A concerned contractor asked, "What if I train them and they go to work for someone else?"

A trainer replied, "What if you don't, and they stay?"

NATE-certified technicians are not an expense, they’re an investment!

Why should HVAC/R technicians be certified?
The benefits of NATE certification for HVAC/R technicians are similar to those of any professional certification program: Certification creates enhanced public perception and measurable third-party recognition of a technician’s skills and knowledge.

NATE's program is similar to the successful Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification program. Inexperienced automotive technicians with ASE certification make close to $2,000 more annually than their peers; experienced ASE-certified technicians make nearly $6,000 more a year on average than their uncertified peers, according to a 1996 survey conducted by the Market-Scope division of Babcox Publications, reported in Brake and Front End magazine.

How does certification benefit me as an HVAC/R manufacturer?
About a third of all systems returned as defective are in reality A-OK when they leave the box, but they suffer from inefficient installation or installer error. Systems which are correctly installed and serviced have fewer warranty returns of components without defects. That can represent a significant savings.

Manufacturers benefit from the more positive perception of the industry by consumers that certification brings. An HVAC/R system is only as good as the technician who installs and services it. Being committed to supporting a high, measurable standard of technician excellence and knowledge is an important way to show your commitment to providing quality equipment.

Why do we need a program like NATE?
Consumers (87% of them) want it. Successful programs in other industries show that consumers believe in the value of certification and prefer to deal with professionals whose knowledge has been verified by an independent, credible entity like NATE.

NATE's credibility is because it is supported by the entire HVACR industry, not just one segment. There is a seat for everyone around NATE's table. Its Board of Trustees has voting representatives from all segments of the industry- manufacturers, contractors, distributors, educators, technicians, utilities, associations, unions, and governmental groups.

How can I become involved in supporting NATE?
Manufacturers' support is crucial to the success of a voluntary, industry-wide program like NATE. While there are many ways to support NATE, here are three key ways to foster technician excellence:

1. Offer incentives to contractors who employ NATE-certified technicians. This could include underwriting the cost of tests, buyers' discounts, warranty rebates, higher labor allowances during warranty periods, and installation rebates.
2. Incorporate NATE into your technician education programs. This could include having your field service personnel certified, incorporating NATE information in your training programs, offering reduced training costs for those who become NATE certified, and becoming a NATE Testing Organization.
3. Advertising NATE in your corporate materials. This could include placing NATE information in your co-op advertising, putting the NATE logo on equipment and systems, using the NATE name and logo in consumer literature, and recommending using NATE-certified technicians in your corporate marketing.

NATE certification creates a win-win-win situation. The key is that certified technicians equal more qualified technicians, and that equals fewer warranty returns of components without defects.

What kinds of certification are available?
Currently NATE certification is for residential and light commercial systems. But soon NATE will add its first all commercial refrigeration test. Currently we can define light commercial systems as those which go up to 35 tons cooling or up to 400,000 BTUs of heating.

NATE exams are designed to allow a technician to be certified in specific product areas of the residential and light commercial HVAC/R industry :

• Air Conditioning,
• Air Distribution,
• Air-to-Air Heat Pumps,
• Gas Furnaces,
• Oil Furnaces,
• HVAC Efficiency Analyst (Senior Level),
• Hydronics Gas
• Hydronics Oil
• Light Commercial Refrigeration, and
• Commercial Refrigeration.

Certification is available in one, some, or all of these areas.

Exams are available for senior, service, and installation technicians. The KATEs show all skills, tasks and items a technician should know to do that job.

Service technicians primarily ensure that equipment is operating as designed; installation technicians may also specify and install equipment. The tests - installation, service, and senior - give technicians a clear career path and recognize increasing levels of experience and knowledge. Because technicians decide which tests to take, the NATE program can be tailored to the individual's interests, skill level, and geographic location.

What kind of information is covered in the exams?
To become NATE certified a technician must pass both a CORE and a SERVICE test of his choice in either SERVICE or INSTALLATION paths.

The Core test covers fundamentals of electricity, fundamentals of heat transfer, a little customer service, some safety, and some communications and mathematics questions. Specialty tests then focus on elements and principles of air conditioning, air distribution, air to air heat pumps, gas heating, or oil heating. To earn certification, the technician should pass both a CORE and a SPECIALTY tests with a 70% or better on each.

The test covers information that 80% of technicians have an 80% chance of encountering at least once in a 12-month period.

Who developed these exams?
The NATE technical committee developed and oversees the Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise (KATEs) from which all questions are drawn. Each exam was developed by its own expert committee, comprised of 8 to 14 industry experts representing a wide variety of perspectives (contractors, educators, manufacturers, utilities, etc.).

Who can take the NATE certification exams?
Anyone interested in obtaining certification may take the NATE test, provided they are registered to take the test with the testing organization giving the test and pay the proper fees.

Are there educational or work experience requirements?
NATE tests are tests of applied knowledge. NATE makes it clear that both knowledge and experience are necessary to pass the stringent NATE exam. There are no formal educational requirements, but we strongly suggest that examinees have some formal training provided by an employer, a vocational school, or other learning institution.

To increase their chances of success, we also recommend they have some experience working with the equipment for the sector in which they wish to be certified:

• one year of experience for installation technician tests and
• two years of experience for service technician tests.

Does NATE offer training or study guides for the NATE tests?
NATE does not offer training for the NATE tests. NATE cannot train, derive revenue from training, or help in the creation of training materials because that would create a conflict of interest and would compromise NATE’s disinterested third-party status Our partners use the KATEs to create training for the NATE series of tests.

The NATE program focuses solely on certification and is designed to strengthen existing training and education programs instead of competing with them. NATE collaborates with trainers and educators to set knowledge and skill standards.

Where and when can technicians take the exams?
NATE's goal is to make exams easily available to technicians. Exams are offered year-round throughout the United States by approved NATE Testing Organizations. Many different businesses can offer the NATE tests:

• Manufacturers
• Wholesalers/distributors
• Educational facilities (junior colleges, colleges, technical schools, and vo-tech schools)
• Utilities
• Associations (ACCA, EHCC, PHCC, RSES, etc…)
• Unions (NEMI, etc…)

What is a NATE Testing Organization?
A NATE Testing Organization is one that has been approved by NATE to offer our certification exams. Local Organizations typically offer exams on a regular schedule determined by local demand. Educational Organizations include NATE testing with their curriculum and offer tests at the conclusion of their training or continuing education programs for students who already have at least one year of work experience. If in doubt, contact local sources and ask them to become a NATE testing organization—or set your company up as a testing organization.

How does my company become an official NATE Testing Organization?
Any organization may apply to become a NATE Testing Organization. Download both Testing Organization and Proctor Guidelines, Policies & Procedures, and then download an application for each. Complete the 1-page applications and fax them to NATE. In about 2 weeks you should be approved as both a proctor and a testing organization.