Master Specialist Certifications, intended for experienced technicians, is a series of discipline-specific, hands-on, practical certification exams. They are used to
demonstrate that one not only has the retained knowledge necessary, but can apply their knowledge by passing performance (hands-on) exams.
Prerequisite
To qualify for the title of Master Specialist, a technician must have a minimum of 3 years field experience and achieve a passing score on the related written professional level
HVAC Excellence technician certification, (or equivalent NATE, RSES CM, SM, CMS, UA Star), and pass the hands-on performance test. These certifications must be in the
appropriate related area.
Achieving this credential is not a simple task. The professional technician must demonstrate that they can apply what they know.
Why Hands-On?
A written exam indicates whether a technician has retained the knowledge to be competent, but not whether they can apply their knowledge in a real-world, hands-on environment.
It is one thing to know which solder to use, but it is another to be able to create a structurally sound, leak-free solder joint!
The Master Specialist program requires a technician to demonstrate retained knowledge and application of that knowledge.
Hands-on performance certification:
- Assists employers in hiring competent technicians
- Manufacturers in warranty cost reduction
- Provide consumers with assurance of a technician's competency
- Pinpoint current deficiencies in the technical workforce for education program development
- Provide area–specific and nationally-recognized credentialing
The Master Specialist Certification badge, along with its chevrons, identifies technicians who possess the highest levels of competency; they not only possess knowledge, but can also apply it.
Certification Received
Persons who successfully pass these exams are awarded a certificate of achievement, wallet card, patch, and chevron. These certifications are often used to create a working portfolio
of one's training and credentials.
Who Can Administer the Exams
Administering Master Specialist hands-on performance exams requires; test administrators with proper field and teaching experience, and facilities that possess the necessary working equipment.
Exams Offered
- Residential Heat Pump
- Residential Gas Furnace
- Residential Electric Heat
- Residential Air Conditioning
- Residential Oil Heat
- Commercial Air Conditioning
- Commercial Refrigeration
- Combustion Analysis
- Envelope Leak Testing
- Duct Leak Testing
- Residential Energy Auditing
- Residential Heat Gain and Heat Loss Calculation
- Calculating Indoor Air CFM
- System Leak Testing and Evacuation
- System Charging and Start-up (Weigh-in and verify Subcooling/Superheat)
- Economizer Set-up and Commissioning
- Building Automation Systems (BAS) Set-up and Commissioning
- Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV) Set-up and Commissioning
- TEV Metering Device Troubleshooting (Commercial)
- Outdoor Air Set-up and Commissioning
- Constant Air Volume, A/C and Heat Pump Systems Set-up and Commissioning
- Air Economizer Controls
- Set-up and Commissioning
- Variable Air Volume Set-up and Commissioning
- Water Valve Leakage Testing
- Supply Water Temperature Reset Controls Set-up and Testing
- Fault Detection & Diagnostics for Packaged DX Units Set-up and Commissioning
- Hydronic System Variable Flow Control Set-up and Commissioning
- Variable Refrigerant Flow (Volume) (Coming soon)