NATE Exam Preparation

Detailed below are the many publications and products available to prepare for the NATE series of examinations. These materials can be used by the individual preparing for an exam on his/her own or are excellent materials for instructors and/or industry trainers to hold a NATE preparation class.

Printed Publications/Electronic Books

NEW! Preparing for the NATE Exam Series - Published by RSES, Preparing for the NATE Exam is a series of training manuals designed to give HVACR service technicians and installers the tools they need to be successful in mastering the key concepts required to pass the NATE certification examinations.

Books in the series are written in clear and concise language and illustrated with four-color graphics that clarify important details. Most manuals are available in both hard copy and electronic format. Titles currently available in this series include:

Core Essentials
Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
Air Distribution

Titles to be published in 2010 include:

Gas and Oil Heating
Hydronics
Commercial Refrigeration

For more information on these manuals click on the titles above or visit the RSES online store.

The Residential and Light Commercial HVACR Service Technician Reference Manual/Guide for NATE Certification
The NATE Certification Guide/HVACR Reference Manual is a 604-page publication with material relevant to six Service Level exams – Core, Air Distribution, Air Conditioning, Gas Heating, Oil Heating and Heat Pump. The manual is designed more as a reference publication than a concise study guide for a particular exam. The NATE KATEs are included at the beginning of each relevant section. Many users find it a handy general reference tool to have on hand, as well as use it as the basis for test preparation.

For more information on this manual, visit the RSES online store.

CDs and DVDs

The NATE Service Reviews are on CD and utilize Microsoft PowerPoint and can be used in conjunction with the manual. There are two versions of the CDs: Instructor and Technician.

The Instructor version is designed as a visual aid to supplement a live instruction class, where the instructor is adding content to what’s presented on the CDs. It is generally recommended to use the CD to guide the class, with each student using the print manual as well. Current NATE Instructor Service Reviews available include:

Core Service
Air Conditioning Service
Air Distribution Service
Gas Heating Service
Heat Pump Service

The Technician version is designed for a self-study environment, where no instructor is present. As such, these CDs are much longer and contain more material than the Instructor versions. Current NATE Service Reviews available include:

Core Service
Air Conditioning Service
Air Distribution Service

The third option, developed by Prokup Technical Publishing, includes the following four test refresher DVD/CDs:

HVAC SMS NATE Core Test Refresher DVD and CD
HVAC SMS NATE Gas Furnace Test Refresher DVD and CD
HVAC SMS NATE Heat Pump & Air Conditioning Test Refresher DVD and CD
HVAC SMS NATE Air Distribution Test Refresher DVDs

Where can I get training and/or take the exam?

RSES and many of its Chapters are official testing and training organizations of NATE. We offer both specific training programs and NATE’s complete family of tests for service technicians and installers, and the specialties under the HVACR umbrella.

Training and testing for NATE certification is conducted through the local RSES Chapters. View the RSES Events Calendar to find scheduled exams in your area or contact your local Chapter to obtain testing date and location information in your area.

You may also find more scheduled test dates and locations directly through NATE at natex.org.

Need more information?
For further information on NATE training products, programs, or testing schedules please call RSES headquarters at 800/297-5660 or 847/297-6464, or e-mail us at certification@rses.org.

Search Entire Site

RSES is the leading education, training and certification preparation organization for HVACR professionals. RSES publishes various comprehensive industry training and reference materials in addition to delivering superior educational programs designed to benefit HVACR professionals at every stage of their careers through instructor-led training courses, online training for HVAC, educational seminars, interactive CD and DVD products, industry-related reference manuals, and helpful technical content through Service Application Manual chapters, the RSES Journal, the RSES Journal archives and feature articles, as well as web-exclusive features.

Beginning with basic theory and extending to complex troubleshooting, training courses covering refrigeration and air conditioning, heating, electricity, controls, heat pumps and safety may be conducted in a classroom environment or though self study. RSES publications may be purchased by schools, contractors, manufacturers or any other industry group wanting to conduct comprehensive training programs. Seminars covering air conditioning troubleshooting, electrical troubleshooting, compressor training, condenser training, refrigerant piping practices, DDC controls, and more are held in various cities across North America.

Select training programs offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and NATE Continuing Education Hours (CEHs).

In addition, RSES offers industry certification preparation materials for refrigerant handling (EPA Section 608), R-410A and North American Technician Excellence (NATE) examinations.

RSES’ monthly magazine, RSES Journal, serves HVAC contractors, service technicians, students, operations/maintenance managers, engineers and technicians who work in the residential, light commercial, commercial and institutional markets on air conditioning, warm-air heating, refrigeration, ventilation, electrical, ice machines, chillers, hydronic heating, piping, refrigeration control and energy management, building automation, indoor air quality and duct cleaning, and sheet metal fabrication equipment and/or systems.