The demand for skilled HVAC technicians is on the rise across the country. In fact, anticipated job growth with nationwide opportunities are two of the greatest factors for those deciding to move forward with a career as an HVAC technician. To be competitive in this industry means staying on top of training and industry-specific certifications. There are several certifications that anyone wishing to be a skilled HVAC and Refrigeration technician should have.
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Certification This is the gold standard for technicians and is nationally recognized and respected. It is not legally required, but is highly recommended for anyone wishing to work in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry. This exam covers the following areas:
HVAC Excellence Certification This is another prominent industry certification that focus on experience rather than book smarts. The two more prestigious of these certifications are known as the ‘Professional Level’ and the ‘Master Specialist Level’. To earn the Professional Level in HVAC Excellence Certification, a technician must prove that they have a minimum of two years of field experience as well as score well in a comprehensive exam highlighting specialty HVAC/R topics such as residential heat pump and ventilation services. To go one step further and earn the Master Specialist Level in HVAC Excellence Certification, a technician must prove a minimum of three years of field experience in addition to having already obtained the Professional Level Certification.
EPA 608 Certification As an HVAC/R technician, you’ll be working with equipment that uses refrigerant which is a hazardous compound that requires sensitive handling. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires any technician or contractor that’ll be accessing systems or containers that store refrigerant to obtain special EPA 608 certifications. There are four different types or levels of the EPA 608, each of which pertain to different types of equipment and refrigerant exposure. A technician may need to only obtain one, depending on their duties, while others may seek to pass the required exams and obtain the highest level certification for greater job growth. The following is a quick break down of these four types of EPA 608 Certifications:
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North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Certification This is the gold standard for technicians and is nationally recognized and respected. It is not legally required, but is highly recommended for anyone wishing to work in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry. This exam covers the following areas:
- Air Conditioning
- Air Distribution
- Heat Pumps
- Gas Furnaces
- Oil Pumps
- Hydronics Gas
- Hydronics Oil
- Light Commercial Refrigeration
- Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst
HVAC Excellence Certification This is another prominent industry certification that focus on experience rather than book smarts. The two more prestigious of these certifications are known as the ‘Professional Level’ and the ‘Master Specialist Level’. To earn the Professional Level in HVAC Excellence Certification, a technician must prove that they have a minimum of two years of field experience as well as score well in a comprehensive exam highlighting specialty HVAC/R topics such as residential heat pump and ventilation services. To go one step further and earn the Master Specialist Level in HVAC Excellence Certification, a technician must prove a minimum of three years of field experience in addition to having already obtained the Professional Level Certification.
EPA 608 Certification As an HVAC/R technician, you’ll be working with equipment that uses refrigerant which is a hazardous compound that requires sensitive handling. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires any technician or contractor that’ll be accessing systems or containers that store refrigerant to obtain special EPA 608 certifications. There are four different types or levels of the EPA 608, each of which pertain to different types of equipment and refrigerant exposure. A technician may need to only obtain one, depending on their duties, while others may seek to pass the required exams and obtain the highest level certification for greater job growth. The following is a quick break down of these four types of EPA 608 Certifications:
- Type I Certification – Deals with the installation and repair of small appliances such as window air conditioners, domestic refrigerators, and vending machines.
- Type II Certification – Deals with installation, repair, and disposal of equipment and appliances containing high pressure refrigerant such as heat pumps, residential air conditioners, process refrigeration, and commercial refrigeration.
- Type III Certification – Deals with the installation, repair, and disposal of equipment and appliances containing low pressure refrigerant common in more complex industrial equipment.
- Universal Certification – This fourth type of certification denotes a technician’s ability to install, repair, and depose of all types of equipment no matter the refrigerant type.
State Licensing for HVAC/R Technicians A state license provides proof to both an employer and a client that a technician has been professionally trained and is qualified according to state board requirements. If you are trained in one state, but move to another, it’s important to contact your new state’s professional licensing department to learn about the specific requirements for a license and how to proceed.
Becoming an HVAC/R Technician Getting the best certifications and a state license affords you more privileges and greater opportunities, such as the promotion to supervisory or managerial positions.
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