WESTPORT, CONN. -North American Technician Excellence Inc., a leading independent certification program for technicians in the HVAC industry, will again offer certification testing for residential and light commercial HVAC Technicians at AHR Expo 2004, Jan. 26-28 in Anaheim, Calif..

In its continuing effort to promote excellence among industry technicians, NATE is providing the test session as a certification opportunity for the hundreds of technicians who will be attending AHR Expo, the world’s leading HVACR exposition. Technicians can also register to take their specialty re-certification test at the show.

NATE will hold its session on Jan. 26, 2004, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The NATE-sponsored exams provide technicians with certification testing for five industry specialties: air conditioning, air distribution, gas heating, heat pumps and oil heating. The testing session consists of a morning review class (8:30-11:30) for industry professionals who will be taking the test and for those interested in learning more about the test and getting re-educated. The four-hour exam in the afternoon (12:30-4:30) consists of the Core exam and one Specialty exam, both of which are required for certification. Technicians should pre-register at the NATE web site to insure that NATE brings adequate copies of the test they wish to take.

“The response from technicians who have completed the exam at the AHR Expo has been excellent,” said Rex Boynton, NATE president. “We administered dozens of certification tests at last year’s AHR Expo and we expect 2004 to be even better.”

According to Boynton, NATE’s certification exams reflect a consensus opinion on what technicians need to know to effectively service and install today’s sophisticated HVAC systems. As an independent, non-profit national organization supported by a broad-based coalition of industry leaders, NATE represents a shared commitment to improving the HVACR industry through voluntary testing and certification.

Advance registration for the NATE test session at AHR Expo is available by completing the online registration form at www.natex.org/forms & data.

On-site registration is available and technicians can also register through the California-area chapters of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors-National Association, and Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. These associations are also promoting this testing opportunity to their members.

Information on the AHR Expo, Jan. 26-28, 2004 at the Anaheim Convention Center, is available by calling 203-221-9232, fax 203-221-9260, or at www.ahrexpo.com.