Online Refrigeration Certification Information

Refrigeration certification is more commonly called heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) certification. Individuals may not handle certain refrigerants without passing additional standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at which point they may achieve an appended title known as HVAC-R. Certification cannot be achieved or issued online. However, most of the process to train and qualify for certification exams can be undertaken via the Internet.

Refrigeration Certification

Professional certification for the refrigeration industry is commonly offered by private organizations that aim to acknowledge professional excellence. It is usually voluntary, rather than mandated by the industry at large--although some employers may require their hires to be or become certified.
Certification applications for HVAC professionals may be completed and submitted online. But the actual tests, whether they are knowledge or skills examinations, must be taken either at an approved testing center or in the presence of representatives of the organization that is granting the certification. The process of becoming certified typically requires hands-on performance that is examined by a master technician as well as the completion of a proctored test. To prepare for their exams, prospective HVAC technicians may handle all but their testing via the Internet.

Available Certifications and Certifying Organizations

The major certifying bodies for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration professionals are HVAC Excellence, North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) and the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI). HVAC certifications vary by issuing organization, but generally span a variety of low-level technical certifications covering specific competencies as well as a high-level master's certification that covers a grasp of all aspects of HVAC.
NATE offers 21 installation, service and senior tests, covering areas such as gas and oil heating, heat pumps, commercial refrigeration and heating and cooling efficiency (www.natex.org). The RSES offers official certification from the EPA in refrigerant handling, which is legally required for technicians who will come in contact with certain refrigeration products, as well as two levels of certification in HVAC (www.rses.org). HVAC Excellence provides two kinds of credentials; one kind targets specific areas of HVAC, while the other is a hands-on examination that leads to master specialist certification (www.hvacexcellence.org). NOCTI partners with industrial standards agencies to provide certification opportunities, including four related to HVAC (www.nocti.org).