Testing organizations are independent of NATE and fall into the following categories: HVAC equipment distributors, schools, chapters of national trade associations (ACCA, RSES, and PHCC--NA), national alliances like International Service Leadership, contractors, manufacturers, utilities, and even NATE at national trade shows. (NATE's Web site www.natex.org lists contact names and numbers of testing organizations by state.) Most offer the test to provide a service to the industry - that of fostering and facilitating excellence in the installation and servicing of heating and cooling equipment. The number of testing organizations has grown since NATE’s incorporation. Seventy-two sites became testing organizations for NATE in 2001.

Who gives the most NATE exams? Rex Boynton, NATE president, said, "I appreciate the efforts of all organizations that held a NATE exam session, and want to give special recognition to the individuals representing the organizations who in 2001 went the extra mile." John Sigerson of O’Connor Company, a distributor in Omaha, tops the list with the most exam sales and attributes this to joining forces with the Nebraska public utilities to foster technician excellence. "Working with utilities is a good thing," he maintains.

The tally of top producers is organized by organization type.

Manufacturers - The Trane Company (8 sessions in various cities/143 exams), Armstrong Air Conditioning (3 sessions in various cities/34 exams), International Comfort Products (1 session in Texas/30 exams)

Educators/Trainers - Eastern Heating & Cooling Council (8 sessions in New Jersey/123 exams), Vista Rio Adult School (3 sessions in California/93 exams), Service Technician Training Center (5 sessions in New York/66 exams)

Utilities - Alabama Power Co./HVAC Training Center (5 sessions/28 exams), Portland General Electric (2 sessions in Oregon/25 exams)

Wholesalers - O’Connor Company in a joint effort with Nebraska utilities (6 sessions/142 exams and first place overall!), Mid-Way Supply (5 sessions in Illinois/60 exams), Comfort Air Supply (9 sessions in Colorado/47 exams)

Associations/Alliances (not a chapter of a national association) - International Service Leadership (7 sessions in various cities/85 exams), Plumbing & Mechanical Professionals of Virginia (1 session/25 exams), Refrigeration & A-C Contractors Association (1 session in Florida/20 exams)

Service Contractors - Monsen Engineering (1 session in New Jersey/65 exams), Apple Heating (1 session in Ohio/28 exams), Advanced Heating & Air (3 sessions in California/23 exams)

Chapters of Air Conditioning Contractors of America - ACCA-National Capital Area (4 sessions in DC metro area/95 exams), North Texas Chapter (5 sessions/76 exams), Utah Heating & A-C Contractors (2 sessions/76 exams)

Chapters of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society - Greater Chicago Chapter RSES (2 sessions/44 exams), Columbus Chapter (2 sessions in Ohio/35 exams), St. Joseph Valley Chapter (3 sessions in Indiana/32 exams)

Chapters of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National-PHCC North Central Indiana Chapter (1 session/15 exams).

Various factors enable some groups to have higher test sales. Training is the key factor. Many top performers like Sigerson offer review classes followed closely by exam sessions. North Texas ACCA Chapter Executive Patrice Pruitt said, "We have better success than most other chapters because we are continually offering training of some type. We have a NATE prep course starting tonight [January 23] and we have a record number of 17 people signed up for it!"

To whom does certification matter? If you’re reading this publication, you care about excellence. Who else? "Today’s customers are quite knowledgeable and want the seal of approval indicating they’ve used a professional," claims Vince Schwede, CFM Equipment (Sacramento) and winner of the NATE-certified Technician Olympics 2000, who recently ran his first NATE exam session.

For more information about the HVAC industry’s technician certification program, call toll-free 1-877-420-NATE or visit www.natex.org.