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The Highest Level of Competency

Master Specialist Hands-On Certifications

A written exam shows a technician has the knowledge. Master Specialist proves they can apply it — through discipline-specific, hands-on, practical performance exams. The highest level a technician can earn.

28
Hands-On Exams
3+ yrs
Field Experience
Apply
Not Just Know
[ 01 ]   Why Hands-On

Knowing isn't the same as doing.

A written exam indicates whether a technician has retained the knowledge to be competent — but not whether they can apply it in a real-world environment.

It is one thing to know which solder to use; it is another to create a structurally sound, leak-free solder joint. The Master Specialist program requires a technician to demonstrate both retained knowledge and its application.

The Master Specialist badge, along with its chevrons, identifies technicians who possess the highest levels of competency.

Hands-On Performance Certification…
Assists employers in hiring competent technicians
Helps manufacturers reduce warranty costs
Provides consumers assurance of a technician’s competency
Pinpoints workforce deficiencies for education program development
Provides area-specific and nationally-recognized credentialing
Prerequisite

A minimum of 3 years field experience, a passing score on the related written Professional Level certification (or equivalent NATE, RSES CM/SM/CMS, UA Star), and a passing hands-on performance test — all in the appropriate related area.

Certification Received

A certificate of achievement, wallet card, patch, and chevron — often used to build a working portfolio of one's training and credentials.

Who Can Administer

Test administrators with proper field and teaching experience, at facilities possessing the necessary working equipment.

[ 02 ]   Exams Offered

28 hands-on performance exams.

Filter by area or search by name. Each is a discipline-specific, practical performance test.

01
Residential Heat Pump
Residential
02
Residential Gas Furnace
Residential
03
Residential Electric Heat
Residential
04
Residential Air Conditioning
Residential
05
Residential Oil Heat
Residential
06
Residential Energy Auditing
Residential
07
Residential Heat Gain & Heat Loss Calculation
Residential
08
Commercial Air Conditioning
Commercial
09
Commercial Refrigeration
Commercial
10
TEV Metering Device Troubleshooting (Commercial)
Commercial
11
Combustion Analysis
Diagnostics & Testing
12
Envelope Leak Testing
Diagnostics & Testing
13
Duct Leak Testing
Diagnostics & Testing
14
Calculating Indoor Air CFM
Diagnostics & Testing
15
System Leak Testing & Evacuation
Diagnostics & Testing
16
System Charging & Start-up (Subcooling/Superheat)
Diagnostics & Testing
17
Water Valve Leakage Testing
Diagnostics & Testing
18
Fault Detection & Diagnostics for Packaged DX Units
Diagnostics & Testing
19
Economizer Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
20
Building Automation Systems (BAS) Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
21
Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV) Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
22
Outdoor Air Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
23
Constant Air Volume A/C & Heat Pump Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
24
Air Economizer Controls Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
25
Variable Air Volume Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
26
Supply Water Temperature Reset Controls Set-up & Testing
Controls & Commissioning
27
Hydronic System Variable Flow Control Set-up & Commissioning
Controls & Commissioning
28
Variable Refrigerant Flow (Volume)
Controls & Commissioning
Soon
[ 03 ]   For Educators & Proctors