ARLINGTON, Va. - In order to create a more mutually supportive relationship with its testing organizations, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) announced that, as of Jan. 1, 2009, it will begin recognizing its testing organizations as NATE Partners, and will categorize them as either Platinum Testing Partners or Traditional Testing Partners, according to the amount of support they provide to NATE’s certification testing process.

Platinum Testing Partners, those organizations performing at the top level, will have sold 150 tests in 2008 or an average of 150 tests in the past three years, and will have conducted at least five testing sessions this year. Benefits of becoming a Platinum Testing Partner include a priority listing on the NATE Website and eligibility for revenue sharing and rebates at the end of the year should NATE achieve its financial goals. Traditional Testing Partners will have conducted at least two testing sessions this year, and will also be listed on the NATE Website.

Both Platinum and Traditional Testing Partners must actively promote NATE testing and display the NATE logo on their Websites. In return, these Partners will continue to receive downloadable marketing materials and other promotional support from NATE.

These changes in testing organization classification come as NATE prepares to launch its consumer Website in January 2009. The new Website, in conjunction with planned changes to the requirements for NATE’s Consumer Contractor Connection (C3) contractor referral service, are designed to increase awareness of NATE certification, educate consumers on the importance of hiring contractors who employ NATE-certified technicians, and help increase demand for NATE testing.

“NATE testing organizations play a critical role in the ability of HVACR technicians to obtain certification,” said Rex Boynton, president of NATE. “Our goal is to thank these testing partners for their support of NATE and encourage them to further promote testing and certification, as well as to continue to raise the bar for both technician and contractor excellence.”

For more information on NATE certification or how to become a testing organization, visit www.natex.org/certification_tests.htm.

Publication date:12/01/2008