NATE is an acronym for North American Technician Excellence. It is the sole technician certification organization run, owned, managed, developed, and sustained by the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. It is also the biggest nonprofit certification organization for HVACR technicians. Cost, prerequisites, and benefits are factors to consider when deciding to become NATE certified.
Cost
The cost of NATE testing is set by each authorized testing organization. These organizations have been chosen to receive and conduct NATE tests. The NATE certification cost in a large city coastal city such as Los Angeles or New York is likely to be different than one in a landlocked rural community. Several different types of exams are also available for live online proctoring.
Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites or formal training needed for technicians working in the HVACR industry prior to taking NATE exams. However, they are designed to evaluate professionals’ applied knowledge in their field. It is strongly recommended that those taking the exam have some formal training from a technical school or other educational institution or provided by an employer.
Benefits
There are many benefits to earning a NATE certification. One advantage is that technicians can stand out from others in the job market with proof of advanced-level competency in the HVACR industry. Contractors have reported that technicians with NATE certifications tend to be more productive and stay in the industry longer. Homeowners are more comfortable with technicians working on their homes when they have advanced knowledge certifications. Manufacturers and distributors generally prefer technicians with NATE-certified technicians because they have the knowledge to install equipment properly, which results in fewer warranty claims.
A little research may be needed to determine the exact cost of NATE certifications, but remote live online proctoring prices are listed on the NATE website. Prerequisites are not required before testing, and HVACR technicians can benefit from having a NATE certification.