In an effort to increase the number of certified HVAC technicians and, perhaps more importantly, recertify techs, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has updated its certification program.
NATE will now certify technicians in two years, a significant reduction from the previous five-year requirement. In addition, certification may now be maintained with proof of 16 hours of specialty-related continuing education within a two-year period. The previous recertification specifications required 60 hours of training over a five-year period. The latest update has dropped such requirements by an average of four hours per year.