Joan Knapp & Associates (Princeton, NJ) were retained by NATE to analyze the test. They will analyze the test data base, create a survey, and in effect put their fingers on the pulse of the NATE test and the industry. This will insure that the NATE test conforms to the jobs, tasks, and skills performed by both service and installation technicians in the heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration business for the core, air distribution, air-conditioning, heat pump, gas heat, and oil heat tests.

A valid test must analyze the market for which it is intended, and then break it down into specific jobs, tasks, and skills. Tasks and skills which comprise the jobs being tested are sent to individuals in the industry, including technicians, manufacturers, contractors, wholesalers, educators, associations, and utilities to ensure that the test accurately reflects the tasks which those technicians taking specific tests routinely perform. The NATE test reflects what 80% of technicians need to know 80% of the time.

The job-task analysis has been completed. Now NATE wishes to invite any members of the industry who wish to participate in its survey. Contact Pat Murphy, NATE's Director of Technical Development at (703) 600-0363 or email him at pmurphy@natex.org for survey information. All responses will be kept confidential and are used for purposes off statistical validation only.

NATE- Air Conditioning Excellence (ACE) tests cover installation and service of HVAC/R residential and light commercial equipment. A technician can certify in five specialties: air conditioning, air distribution, gas heating, heat pump, and oil heating. To be certified the technician must pass a Core and a Specialty exam; his certification remains valid for five years, and after five years, the technician has to recertify.

NATE is a coalition of many partners:

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA);
  
• Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI);
  
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE);
  
• Building Performance Institute (BPI);
  
• Edison Electric Institute (EEI);
  
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI);
  
• Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA);
  
• Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI);
  
• National Energy Management Institute (NEMI);
  
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association (PHCC-NA);
  
• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES);
  
• Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SMACNA);
  
• Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA);
  
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the
  
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

NATE is the only nationally recognized HVACR test supported by the entire industry including the Environmental Protection Agency and endorsed by the Department Of Energy. NATE tests are approved for reimbursement under the Montgomery GI Bill.

"You Can't Match the Patch."

For further information on NATE or the NATE Air Conditioning Excellence exams, call 1-(877)-420-NATE (6263), or visit NATE's web site, www.natex.org.