"Through this partnership, we can provide increased credentialing opportunities for those individuals training under an NCCER-Accredited Sponsor, said NCCER President Don Whyte.

NATE now officially lists NCCER�s HVAC and Sheet Metal programs as recognized training for NATE recertification. This means that NATE-certified technicians with 60+ hours of recognized NCCER HVAC or Sheet Metal training may obtain NATE recertification without having to retake a specialty exam.

We found NCCER�s HVAC and Sheet Metal programs to be supportive of NATE�s five specialty-area exams and cover the appropriate KATE knowledge areas, says NATE President Rex Boynton.

NCCER Accredited Assessment Centers and Sponsors may now offer the NATE certification exams. To find out how, visit www.natex.org and download the NCCER-Affiliated Testing Organization Guide. NCCER-certified proctors need only complete and return the application to be NATE-approved.>p>NATE, the recognized certifying body of HVAC Installers and Service Technicians nationwide, offers a Core exam plus the following specialty-area exams in residential and light commercial: Air Conditioning, Air Distribution, Gas Warm Air Heating, Heat Pumps-Air to Air, and Oil Warm Air Heating.

For more information on NCCER course to NATE exam alignments or to ask about recertification, contact Daniele Dixon at 352-334-0911. For more information on becoming an NCCER-Affiliated Testing Organization with NATE, contact Carl Smith or Alina Boskovich at 703-276-7247.

NCCER, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation, develops and publishes the Contren Learning Series, which includes construction, maintenance, and pipeline curricula for more than 35 craft areas, industry-developed safety programs, management education programs, and a complete line of skills assessments. For more information on NCCER, call 888-622-3720 or visit www.nccer.org.

NATE is an independent, non-profit coalition of industry leaders providing comprehensive, nationwide testing and certification for HVAC technicians. NATE certification is designed for Installation and Service technicians who work on residential and light commercial equipment and systems. It is recommended that technicians have at least two years of field experience before sitting for the NATE exams. NATE is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, call 703-276-7247, or visit http://www.natex.org.