Application & review process.
A clear, five-step path from application to final determination — with full transparency on timeline, fees, and what assessors look for at every stage.
Completion time depends largely on your program's response time at each step of the process.
From application to accreditation.
Submit Application & Program Video
The school submits its application and fee to HVAC Excellence, along with a narrated program video (submittal instructions) highlighting the facility. The review board then determines whether the program is a viable candidate; if candidacy is granted, the program receives the accreditation manual and has one year to complete the review.
Equipment & Workstations
Diversity of equipment, trainers, and workstations — inside and outside.
Safety Systems
Fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, first aid kits, emergency cutoffs, mechanical exhaust.
Tool Room & Storage
Test & diagnostic equipment, recording instruments, hand tools, vacuum pumps, recovery & brazing equipment, refrigerant storage.
Training Library
Audio-visual equipment, books, slides, videos, and other learning resources.
Classroom Area
The instructional spaces used for the program.
Student Computers
Computing resources available to students.
Instructor Office(s)
Dedicated faculty office space.
Team Member Assigned
Once candidacy is granted, a member of the HVAC Excellence team is assigned to work with the school throughout the process — serving as a single point of contact and providing guidance and support during the review period.
Submit Self-Study ~45 DAY REVIEW
A completed self-study is submitted electronically via the Upload Portal (or shipped on three USB drives to the Accreditation Department). The review board assesses the documentation — approximately 45 days from receipt — to determine readiness for an onsite evaluation.
Onsite Visitation
If the self-study is accepted, onsite evaluation assessors (Accreditation Specialists/Surveyors) are selected and work with the institution to schedule the visit. Most onsite visits are completed in one day, though program complexity and the number of programs evaluated may extend it. The full visitation sequence is detailed below.
Final Determination ~45 DAYS
The assessors submit their recommendations to the accreditation review board, which assesses the recommendations and supporting documentation to make a final determination on each program's accreditation status. This decision typically takes up to 45 days.
The onsite visitation sequence.
A structured day of conversations and validation — from the morning conference to the exit interview.
Morning Conference
An open discussion among school personnel and assessors — a forum to ask questions and understand the onsite visitation process.
School Administrator Interview
Insights into factors that impact the program: management, resources, facilities, and overall support from administration.
Student Services Interview
Admission standards, placement records, transcript and health-record management, school-to-work transition, employment follow-up, and financial aid.
Financial Services Interview
Funding sources, student fees, annual budget formulation, distribution of grants and Perkins funds, and other financial considerations.
Review Standards with Instructor
The assessor meets faculty, students, and advisory committees, visiting classrooms, labs, and storage areas to validate the self-study.
Exit Interview
A closing meeting with instructors and administrators summarizing the assessor's findings.
Final Determination
The Accreditation Review Board evaluates the self-study and findings to decide each program's status — typically up to 45 days.
Fees & expenses, in full.
The following expenses are invoiced to the institution upon completion of the onsite evaluation.
After accreditation is awarded.
Terms of Accreditation
Programs awarded a six-year accreditation have met or exceeded all standards. Programs seeking accreditation of multiple disciplines may receive different terms for each.
Identified compliance issues carry a 90-day resolution period. If unresolved, the program may submit an implementation plan detailing corrections and timeframe.
Annual Reporting
Accredited programs submit an annual report documenting significant changes — staff, curriculum, program hours, or lab relocation — to confirm ongoing compliance.
- Late submission triggers a notice of non-compliance with a 30-day window to resolve.
- Programs are exempt during their first 12 and final 12 months of accreditation.
Granted to a program that has submitted its application, program video, and fees. Limited to one year; an additional year may be granted for extraordinary compliance issues.
Issued by the review board when it believes an accredited program is out of compliance. The program must address the issues within a specified period or submit an approved plan of action.
When a program fails to resolve compliance issues within the required time after a notice, its accreditation is suspended until the situation is resolved.
Disclaimer: HVAC Excellence reserves the right to refuse accreditation and will refund the application fee if accreditation is refused.
Ready to begin the process?
Questions about accreditation? Our team is ready to guide you through every step.