For a printable version of this release click here.

NATE C3 Database Enhanced
Contractors can track certification status, expiration dates

(June 12, 2008, Arlington, VA.) — The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Consumer Contractor Connection (C3) online referral service is now an even more powerful tool. NATE has enhanced the site so that contractors may verify the status of a technician’s NATE certification as well as the pending expiration date. Launched in 2002, the C3 provides an online resource, at no cost to the contractor, where consumers can find contractors in their area who employ NATE-certified technicians. The site has received more than 25,000 “visits” in 2008.

NATE President Rex Boynton noted that the C3 will be especially valuable to contractors as 2009 approaches and the benchmark for contractor listings on the C3 increases from 25% to 50% of technicians NATE-certified. In addition to changing the criteria of the C3 program we are raising the requirements to participate in the “Quality Circle” program which is the “elite” level of the C3. The new requirements will move from 75% to 80% of total technicians NATE-certified with at least one NATE-certified technician in each area of service and/or installation.

“We enhanced the site early so that contractors can easily make arrangements to get their technicians’ certifications renewed before they expire. They can also easily see what percentage of their technicians have earned NATE certification and make plans early to meet the new minimum certification percentages,” Boynton noted. The C3 also allows a contractor to verify what NATE specialty certifications a technician has completed. “We expect the enhanced program to be particularly popular with our manufacturer partners; many of whom already require significant NATE participation among their dealer networks,” Boynton stated.

To sign up for the free C3 referral service, contractors should visit the NATE web site at www.natex.org and select the Consumer Contractor Connection in the “Quick Links” section.

NATE, headquartered in Arlington, VA., was founded in 1997 and is the only technician certification organization governed, owned, operated, developed and supported by the HVACR industry.

# # #