A certified HVAC tech can be an exciting career for anyone that loves working with different systems and platforms to heat, cool and ventilate homes. In most cases – as an HVAC tech – you will be visiting homes, apartment complexes, businesses and schools to install, repair and maintain heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, you may also be hired to install ductwork in a home to prepare for the installation of a heating or AC system. However, if you want to work your way up in the HVAC career and field, you will need to apply for a number of different credentials. When it comes down to it, becoming an HVAC technician today requires jumping through many more hoops than there used to be.
Here are some of the necessary credentials for becoming a certified HVAC tech.
One of the most important documents you must have is the North American Technician of Excellence certificate. The NATE, as it is sometimes called, is something that you usually apply for after a couple of years of being on the field. While you aren’t required to have a NATE, it can hugely help your chances of landing a higher position in the HVAC field. The get your NATE, you must apply to take an exam – the exam will go over a whole slew of advanced knowledge in order to test your HVAC skills.
Another certification you will need to become a certified HVAC tech is the HVAC Excellence certificate, which you can get in two different levels: the professional certification level and the master certification level. In most cases, if you want to acquire the professional level of the HVAC Excellence certification, you must have two years of experience in the field. For the master level, you must have three years of experience. When it comes down to it, you can get these certifications after taking a detailed and in-depth exam. If you pass, you will receive your certification.
Next, if you want to work with refrigerants- especially large and small air conditioning units as a certified HVAC tech then – you will need to get your Environmental Protection Agency certification. There are many different levels of this certification that you can acquire, and each level can give you more capacity and power as an air conditioner specialist. The Environmental Protection Agency has a tight grasp on the people who can handle refrigerants, because these refrigerants can pose a lot of damage to the environment. When it comes down to it, an entry level certification with the EPA will allow you to handle only five pounds of refrigerant, but with a more advanced certificate, you can handle much more refrigerant, which can certainly broaden your employment opportunities in the field.
Lastly, when it comes to getting your HVAC credentials, you want to first get certified. Having your certifications will allow you to have more versatility and you will be more desirable to employers. For instance, Florida Bryant Air Conditioner Dealers has over 200 skilled and experienced HVAC techs with high levels of certification. When it comes down to it, if you want to maximize your chances of getting your leg in the door of the industry and if you want to make a higher salary, investing the time and money into getting these certifications is vital.
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