North American Technician Excellence (NATE) technicians need to recertify every five years. NATE’s goal is to provide a verifiably well-trained, knowledgeable pool of HVAC/R technicians. Technicians like the option of using continuing education hours of NATE-recognized training to recertify without taking a test. In fact, the most commonly asked question from technicians is "Who offers NATE-recognized training?" This is an opportunity for training institutions.Technicians nationwide are starting to recertify. They can do so by providing proof of NATE-Recognized Training. For a training provider to gain NATE-recognized status for courses they teach, the provider has to fill out a document showing how the training provided aligns with the NATE knowledge base. At www.natex.org under the Educators/Trainers chevron, trainers can download an Alignment Application and check appropriate boxes to show how their training courses match the NATE knowledge base. The Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise (KATEs) are outlines of the NATE knowledge base for each NATE core and specialty. 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. All NATE tests are approved for reimbursement under the Montgomery GI Bill. 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. |