Founded in 1997, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, NATE is the certification organization that was developed by, and has been supported by the entire HVACR industry for over 25 years.
In December 2022, NATE announced a forthcoming update to the organization’s Heat Pump specialty certifications to include decarbonization curriculum supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The new topics prepare heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians to install high-efficiency heat pumps in all areas of the United States, particularly in homes with existing fossil fuel heating systems. The updated exam requirements reflect the growing heat pump market, propelled by climate initiatives from DOE and other local and federal agencies.