North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

Air Conditioning Service

Credential: Air Conditioning Service  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

Renewal Period: 2 years

North American Technician Excellence (NATE), Air Conditioning Service certification is designed for top level service technicians in the HVAC industry. Air Conditioning Service technicians acquire, evaluate, and interpret necessary readings to determine adequacy and acceptability of meeting system operation specifications, power up and adjust control settings to cycle equipment through all designed-for sequences, and perform sufficient field diagnostic procedures to determine causes of inadequate performance and identify corrective actions. There are no formal education or experience requirements; however, candidates should have knowledge of the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems that are limited to 30 tons or less cooling capacity. Candidates must pass a NATE core exam and air conditioning service specialty exam. This certification is not intended for the HVAC system designer, sales force, or engineering community.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Air Conditioning Service

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 2 years recommended
  • Education
  • Training: Recommended
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

2311 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 410
Arlington, VA  22201

Phone: (877) 420-NATE

Fax: (571) 282-0973
Email: asknate@natex.org

Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

There are no formal education or experience requirements. However, NATE recommends that the candidate have two years of field experience working on air conditioning systems as a service technician and have technical training of theoretical knowledge related to the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems that are limited to 30 tons or less of cooling capacity.

Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

  • Safety (18%)
    • Complying with Government Regulations
    • Personal Safety and Work Practices
    • Personal Safety Around Moving Machinery
    • Electrical Safety
    • Safety Brazing and Soldering Practices
    • Safe Handling of Containers
    • Understanding Hazmat
  • Tools (10%)
    • Tools
    • Tubing Tools
  • Basic Construction (8%)
    • Plans and Specifications
    • Plumbing (Piping) Layouts
    • Room Specs - Clear Span and Ceiling Heights
    • Roofing
    • Ceilings
    • Walls
    • Floors
    • Fenestration
    • Girders and Trusses
    • Chimneys
  • Using Basic Science (10%)
    • Chemistry Basics
    • Electrons in Electricity
    • Electrical Basic Terms
    • Magnetism
    • AC and DC Circuits
    • Basic Circuit Analysis
    • Electricity - Generation and Distribution
    • Solid State Electronics
    • Pressure Measurements
    • Mathematics
    • Mechanics
    • Gas Laws
    • Electrical Load Types
    • Power
  • Achieving Desired Conditions (14%)
    • Temperature
    • Humidity
    • Air Quality
    • Sound
  • Taking Temperature and Humidity Measurements (14%)
    • Physical Measurements - Temperature and Heat
    • Thermometers
    • Humidity Measurement Calculations
  • Basic Electricity (26%)
    • Symbols
    • Field Wiring Diagrams
    • Pictorial Diagrams
    • Schematic (Ladder) Diagrams
    • Single Phase Motors
    • Three Phase Motors
    • Variable Speed Motors
    • Actuator Motors
    • Digital Electrical Meters

  • Installation (15%)
    • Fabricating Copper Tubing
    • Installing Condensing Unit
    • Installing Packaged Units
    • Installing Indoor Equipment
    • Evacuation and Charging
    • Duct Installation
    • Installing Accessories
    • Field Wiring
    • Start-up and Checkout
    • Refrigerant Circuit Tools
    • Recovery/Recycling Machines
    • Airflow Measurements
  • Service (45%)
    • Planned Maintenance
    • Diagnostics
    • Overview of Electrical Troubleshooting
    • Retrofitting
    • Air Balancing
    • Basic HVAC System Analysis
    • Analyzing Reported Symptoms in Cooling
  • System Components (25%)
    • Introduction to Systems
    • Duct Systems
    • Wiring Layouts
    • Components
    • Electromechanical Sensing Controls
    • Refrigerant Circuit Controls
    • Non-Sensing Controls
    • Electronic Controls
  • Applied Knowledge (15%)
    • Air Quality Regulations
    • Electrical Code
    • State and Local Regulations and Codes
    • Fire Protection Regulations and Codes
    • Design Considerations - Comfort
    • Design Considerations - Components
    • Design Considerations - Residential and Light Commercial
    • Mechanical Code
    • Industry Standards
    • Bids and Proposals

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Air Conditioning Service examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Air Conditioning Service credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Air Conditioning Service

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Air Conditioning Service credential has the following recertification information:

  • The Air Conditioning Service certification is renewed every two years. Certification holders must complete 16 continuing education hours (CEHs), submit the application for recertification, and pay a recertification fee or retake the Air Conditioning Service exam and pay applicable testing fees before the certification lapses. 

    Additional information can be found on the NATE website.

  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

Click to go to the external ICAC web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

Click to go to the external ABSNC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

Click to go to the external IAS web site.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

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Updated: April 30, 2021
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