Everything you need to know about
NATE Certification
Why is NATE certification important?
- NATE certification helps HVACR employers hire, train and develop the best technicians possible.
- NATE has been supported by the entire HVACR industry for 25 years and is the leader in developing and recognizing professional HVACR technicians.
- The NATE certification badge on an employee or website accreditations assures homeowners of entrusting their home to a reliable and experienced company, leading to delighted homeowners.
92%
Did you know 92% of homeowners prefer to hire certified technicians when selecting an HVAC contractor?
Source: Home Comfort Survey 2022
86%
Did you know 86% of NATE-certified technicians value NATE certification the most over any other HVACR certification?
Source: Decision Analyst Survey , 2021
75%
Did you know 75% of technicians believe NATE certification is worth the effort and cost to obtain?
Source: Decision Analyst Survey , 2021Already Certified?
Learn MoreBenefits of NATE Certification
79% of contractors prefer technicians to be NATE-certified because they remain in the HVAC industry longer and have the proven knowledge to do the job right the first time.* NATE-certified technicians believe their NATE certification gives them more satisfaction and confidence in their job.*
Manufacturers and Distributors support NATE to help develop better contractors—those that sell more high-efficiency equipment, have higher customer satisfaction rates, and thus more opportunities for repeat business.
Utilities appreciate NATE certification’s focus on correctly installing and servicing sophisticated HVACR equipment, which saves energy and money when operating at peak efficiency.
Homeowners look for NATE certification because it ensures that a knowledgeable, well-trained, and highly experienced technician will service their home heating or cooling system.
79%
Did you know 79% of contractors prefer technicians to be NATE-certified?*
*Source: Decision Analyst Survey , 2021
Quan Nguyen
Vice President & General Manager at Lennox
"NATE certification is now the standard upon which all HVACR technicians are measured, a fact that we
have verified through numerous research projects. Looking forward, the HVACR industry is increasingly
dynamic with challenging labor markets, significantly increasing awareness of indoor air quality and
comfort, and changing regulation that will require mildly flammable A2L refrigerants.
For the contractor to succeed and the industry to thrive, it’s critical that each and every technician
is professionally competent to meet the demands of this dynamic market. That’s why the importance of
NATE has never been greater."
74%
Did you know 74% of NATE-certified technicians believe their NATE certification gives them more satisfaction and confidence in their job?
Source: Decision Analyst Survey , 2021
How to earn a NATE certification
The strong partnership between Lennox and NATE offers two pathways to earning NATE certification. Lennox Learning Solutions helps HVACR dealers achieve NATE certification by providing comprehensive training, testing, and support services. Our training programs are designed to help dealers meet NATE standards and prepare for the certification exam. Our team of experts provides guidance and advice to help dealers get the most out of their certification efforts. We also provide ongoing support to help dealers keep their certifications up-to-date and compliant with NATE regulations.
Traditional Pathway: technicians can become NATE certified by taking a core exam and a specialty exam of their choosing. NATE offers thirteen specialty exams for technicians to choose from, and technicians will earn an installation or service certification specialization depending on the exam they completed.
Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5): NATE’s newest certification pathway. The CHP-5 allows technicians to earn their NATE certification through a series of five 30-question exams, each on a different subject domain. Technicians can take up to six months between each exam to study and prepare.
Maintaining Certification
Once certified, technicians must maintain their certification every two years. Before the certification expires, technicians have two options to recertify:
1. They can pay a renewal fee and complete 16-hours of NATE continuing education hours (CEH’s)
or
2. Technicians can retake the specialty exam before the certification expiration date or in the 120-day grace period.
Lennox Learning Solutions offers online courses, one-day technical training courses, and BuildATech® Level 2 which gives technicians the opportunity to earn NATE Continuing Education hours. Automatic submission of earned credits is exclusively offered by Lennox and adds proof of training directly to the technicians' myNATE account.
View CoursesHear what others say about our Nate approved courses
Justin
Advanced AC & Heat Pump Diagnostics
“Only had a basic idea how heat pumps worked. Everything about the boards, reversing valves was completely new to me and great info that will help with diagnostics in the future.”
Eric Williams
Advanced Electrical Diagnostics
“This was a very informative class and Eric is a great instructor who answered all the questions I had asked. I feel more comfortable with the electrical part of troubleshooting. I’m looking forward to attending more classes in the near future.”
Keith Saunders
BuildATech®
“I wanted to tell you what an awesome program the BuildATech® program is. I had my son at 19 years old go through it ... and he is performing like a star.”
Joe Brizz
Advanced AC & Heat Pump Diagnostics
“The class was fantastic. I’m not a seasoned vet in the HVAC business and the class not only reinforced the fundamentals, but identified areas where I need to concentrate my efforts in order to become a better tech.”
FAQs
Get NATE credit for your Learning Solutions training hours.
And we’ll send the hours you earn directly to NATE on your behalf.
It’s simple. Register your NATE I.D. with us, make sure you’re logged into your lennoxpros.com page, click here, and follow the instructions on the page.