Thursday, March 29, 2012

HVACR Certifications

I am sure most professional technicians and HVACR educators consider themselves fully certified. Indeed, most of us hold multiple paper credentials awarded by different industry organizations. However, I bet I can find a few that you didn’t even know existed. That is, until someone specifically requests a particular certification for a job. So I decided to put together a list of organizations that offer credentials that you can obtain that relating to the HVACR industry. Each includes a link so you can do your own research into the credentials that organization offers. My list will not cover state and local licensure – that is another very lengthy topic. All of these certifications typically involve time and money. Some require years of documented field practice before testing. Others require membership in a particular organization. Many simply require passing a test. All strive to distinguish dedicated, trained professionals from a guy with a pickup truck and a pair of channel locks. I have tried to group them into areas of interest.

For HVACR Students there are
Air Conditioning, Heating. and Refrigeration Institute Industry Competency Exam AHRI ICE
HVAC Excellence Employment Ready

For HVACR Instructors there are
Air Conditioning Contractors of America Educators Program in Instructor Certification ACCA EPIC
HVAC Excellence Certified Master HVACR Educator CMHE

For Technicians installing and servicing HVACR equipment there are
North American Technical Excellence NATE
HVAC Excellence Technician Certification
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Certificate Member RSES  CM and CMS
National Air Filtration Association Certified Air filter Specialist NAFA CAFS

For technicians doing testing and balancing there are
National Environmental Balancing Bureau NEBB Certified Professional
Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau TABB
Associated Air Balance Council AABC

For people involved in building performance and commissioning there are
Building Performance Institute BPI
US Green Building Council LEED
Building Commissioning Association BCA

For people involved in building design and performance there is
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air conditioning Engineers ASHRAE.

For building inspectors and code officials there are
International Code Council ICC
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials IAPMO

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