The Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) is a new certification pathway designed to mesh a technician’s training and certification efforts with their on-the-job learning. This new way to earn NATE certification consists of five 30-question exams instead of our traditional 50-question core exam and 100-question specialty exam.

Each exam covers one of five different subject domains: HVAC Fundamentals, Electrical and Controls, Comfort and Airflow, Installation, and Service. NATE recommends taking the exams in order for the easiest progression, however technicians can take the exams in any order they choose. Candidates can take up to six months between each exam to study and prepare.

With this new certification structure, the Nate goal is to help technicians more easily understand the certification process and group together content areas in ways that make preparing for the exams more straight forward.

Technicians that prefer the traditional Core and Specialty exam pathway can continue to use those exams to become certified; the traditional pathway is not being removed.

HVACR Technicians that earn their NATE certification using the CHP-5 will need to complete recertification requirements every two years in order to maintain their certification.