Certs for Success: Accreditation That Can Help You Stand Out

Skilled HVACR technicians, most employers would agree, are the key ingredient to running a successful contracting business. They keep customers, other employees, and themselves safe. They’re efficient. They are good at solving problems in the field, on their own. And, because they’re on the frontlines, they’re well-positioned to build client trust.

But finding skilled technicians, as most contractors would attest, is hard. In this climate, many businesses must train up their new (inexperienced) hires and accept that it will take some time before these individuals can achieve optimal performance. At the same time, it’s also necessary to ensure that seasoned techs continue to learn about the new developments and systems that apply to their trade. Earning — and maintaining — industry certifications is one way technicians and their employers may address these challenges. This can establish individual technicians and the businesses they represent as the go-to source of all things HVACR.

Certifications are also a good employee retention tool, argues John Lanier, president at NATE (North American Technician Excellence), a non-profit technician certification body with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

“There is an expectation now, with the younger folks that are being hired, that there will be ongoing development opportunities,” Lanier says.

NATE Certification

NATE offers several different certifications to address technicians with varying degrees of knowledge and on-the-job experience.

Those new to the industry are directed toward the Ready-to-Work certificate, which covers basic safety best practices, HVAC concepts, and tools of the trade. Additionally, the HVAC Support Technician certificate is for those who have worked in the field for six months to a year.

Lanier notes that for HVAC contracting businesses, the Ready-to-Work certificate can serve as a job applicant screening tool. “If you have a couple of candidates and you aren’t sure which one to land on, give them this test [and] see who performs better on it, [and] who has a better understanding of the basics of the industry,” he explains.

Technicians seeking full-fledged NATE Certification can choose to pursue one of two “pathways” (or sets of exams). Those who opt for the traditional pathway are required to take a core exam as well as a specialty test of their choice. On the other hand, the Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) pathway comprises five different exams: HVAC Fundamentals, Comfort and Airflow, Electrical and Controls, Installation, and Service. These exams consist of 30 questions each.

Lanier explains that the CHP-5 pathway was designed to help techs focus their studies instead of preparing for an exam that covers all five topics in one shot. This lets technicians spend more time reviewing the course material they find most difficult (which, he says, is often Electrical and Controls).

“[They can] better prepare and have a greater likelihood of success on the exam,” Lanier said.

Technicians are NATE-certified once they pass the requisite exams, which they must take through an approved testing organization or remote, live online proctoring. To maintain their certification, techs must retest every two years or complete 16 hours of continuing education. NATE says that this keeps people up to date on the latest HVAC equipment, standards, and technologies.

While there are no prerequisites to fulfill prior to taking the exams, NATE recommends that technicians have two years of experience before pursuing certification. To prepare, techs combine what they learn on the job with formal training, which is often provided by their employers, as well as distributors and manufacturers. The NATE Training Academy is another resource that future test-takers may take advantage of.

Depending on the situation, individual technicians may invest in their own certification or share the fees with their employer. In many cases, Lanier says, it’s the contractor who foots the entire bill. He adds that some HVACR contracting businesses will only hire certified technicians, while others will offer a pay differential to those with certification.

According to research conducted by NATE and field service software developer XOi Technologies, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, NATE-certified techs completed 20.6% more jobs during peak season (in this case, during the months of June, July, and August 2024). Lanier emphasizes that this is great for both contractors and their customers.

“Wouldn’t you want to make sure you put the best possible team in the field?” Lanier challenged. “The contractor owns the business that they’ve put their blood, sweat, and tears into growing. But the technician who knocks on our front door is the business. From my perspective, you want to have the most highly trained, highly effective individual out there as the face of your business.”

Here are some other certifications that apply to HVACR technicians:

EPA Section 608

EPA Section 608 certification is mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. There are four different certification exams, each tailored to the type of equipment the technician will install, service, or dispose of. Type I certification concerns small appliances; Type II is dedicated to the service and disposal of high or very high-pressure appliances (with the exception of small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioners); and Type III focuses on the service and disposal of low-pressure appliances. As its title suggests, Universal certification is targeted at those who will be servicing equipment of all types.

The exams are proctored, and techs must complete them through a certifying body that has been approved by the EPA. Certification requirements don’t apply to apprentices if they are under constant supervision by a certified technician.

National Comfort Institute (NCI)

Based in Sheffield Lake, Ohio, the National Comfort Institute is a training and membership organization that serves HVAC and building performance contractors. Its High-Performance HVAC certifications are designed for residential and light commercial HVAC contractors, as well as energy raters and weatherization contractors. For plumbers charged with installing boilers and water heaters, Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Analyst training and certifications are available.

Among NCI’s residential certifications are Certified Residential Air Balancer; Certified Residential System Performance Specialist; Certified Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Analyst; Certified Duct System Optimization Specialist; and Certified Refrigerant-Side Performance Technician.

NCI’s commercial certifications include Certified Hydronic Balancing Technician; Certified Commercial Air Balancer; Certified Commercial System Performance Specialist; and Certified Economizer and Ventilation Specialist.

“The training and certifications progressively build on each other, allowing the professional to move up an education ladder,” explained Dominick Guarino, NCI president and CEO. “This body of training ultimately helps them test and improve the entire HVAC system, including equipment, and air and hydronic distribution systems.”

ESCO Institute

Based in Mount Prospect, Illinois, ESCO Institute offers what it calls “progressive levels of HVACR Certification.” These include EPA and employment-ready certifications (the latter of which is designed for employers who need to test job candidates’ basic knowledge of HVACR principles). The organization also offers a host of professional certifications, including Combustion Analysis, Head Pump Installer, Light Commercial Refrigeration, and Residential Air Conditioning. Among its specialized certification offerings are A3 Refrigerants: Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Safety and Green Awareness.

ACCA

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), based in Alexandria, Virginia, offers its QA and QI certification programs to both members and non-members. The QA Residential Service & Installation Certification is designed to help techs and contractors demonstrate to customers their compliance with HVAC installation best practices. The QI (Quality Installation) certificates are issued upon the completion of the job to confirm — to both the technician and the homeowner — that the systems were properly installed. There are two QI certificates: Verified Equipment Operation and Verified System Performance.

RSES

The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), with headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill., provides a variety of certification programs, including Certificate Member (CM). It’s reputed to be a tough exam (around 30 percent of test-takers pass, according to the organization) and covers 18 topics, such as Commercial Refrigeration Load & Insulation, Refrigeration Evaporants, and Oils & Refrigerants. One must be an RSES member to take the exam and achieve a score of at least 70% to pass.

Needless to say, industry certifications are more than just credentials for HVAC contractors — they’re a strategic advantage. They signal a commitment to quality workmanship, ongoing education, and adherence to evolving standards, helping contractors differentiate their business in a crowded field.