Founded in 1997, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. The company's vision is to be the leader in developing and recognizing professional HVACR technicians. The certification organization that was developed by, and has been supported by the entire HVACR industry for over 24 years. NATE exams represent real world working knowledge of HVACR systems. NATE certification exams are developed by a committee of industry experts nationwide that represent HVACR topics pertinent to contractors, educators, manufacturers and utilities. NATE exams are rigorous, multiple-choice, knowledge-based tests which validate a technician’s knowledge.
Contractors prefer NATE-certified technicians because they remain in the industry longer, have the proven knowledge to do the job right the first time and are more productive than non-certified technicians. Manufacturers and distributors know that NATE certification encourages proper installation and service, which means fewer warranty returns and, ultimately, a better bottom line. Educators and trainers benefit from NATE certification's uniform testing standard. Utilities appreciate NATE certification's focus on correctly installing and servicing sophisticated HVACR equipment, which saves energy and money when operating at peak efficiency. Consumers look for NATE certification because it ensures that a knowledgeable, well-trained and highly experienced technician will service their home heating or cooling system. NATE has certified over 35,000 technicians, has over 5,000 testing organizations and has over 5,500 registered contractors.