NASTeC | ISCET National Appliance Service Technician Certification

NASTeC Exam FAQ

NASTeC is a voluntary national certification program for technicians who service major home appliances.

NASTeC exams measure the knowledge, ability and skills that technicians need daily to do their jobs right.

Exams are arranged by ISCET through its national network of Certification Administrators, covering most metropolitan and many rural areas. If there is no established Certification Administrator in a particular geographic area, ISCET will make every effort either to obtain an administrator or make arrangements for a test proctor. Tests can be administered in either paper and pencil or using ISCET's Online Testing System, which allows registration and scheduling for tests over the Internet. All test sessions are in the presence of an ISCET Certification Administrator or Proctor.

More than 6,500 appliance technicians from across the U.S. were surveyed to define and rate the many skills required. An appliance industry task force of technical specialists used this data to write exam questions. The group included representatives from six manufacturers, one national retailer, 14 independent businesses and seven vocational schools.

There are four levels of NASTeC Certification

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning*
Cooking
Laundry and Dishwashing
Universal Technician (All three specialties plus basic skills)

*Requires proof of EPA Refrigerant Recovery Certification

To be NASTeC certified, candidates must pass a Basic Skills Exam and at least one of the three specialty exams.

Technicians who pass all four exams (the basic skills exam and specialties) are certified as NASTeC Universal Technicians, the highest available level of recognition for technical expertise given by the major home appliance service industry.

Technicians who pass only the Basic Skills Exam receive a "recognition of achievement" from NASTeC.

Testing Agency
The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) is the professional testing agency to provide administration, scoring and analysis of NASTeC examinations. ISCET services also include the processing of examination applications and the reporting of scores to candidates who take an examination. Exams are arranged by ISCET through its national network of Certification Administrators covering most metropolitan and many rural areas. If there is no established Certification Administrator in a particular area, ISCET will make every effort either to obtain a Certification Administrator or make arrangements for a test proctor. Tests can be administered in either paper and pencil or using ISCET’s Online Testing System (OLT) which allows registration and scheduling for tests over the internet. All test sessions are in the presence of an ISCET Certification Administrator (CA) or Proctor.

Exam Policies

The NASTeC program consists of the following exams:

Basic Skills Examination: 80 multiple-choice questions

Specialty Examinations: Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Disposer and Trash

Compactor Certification Examination: 40 multiple-choice questions

Range/Oven and Microwave Oven Certification Examination: 40 multiple-choice questions

Refrigerator/Freezer, Room Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier Certification Examination: 40 multiple-choice questions

Candidates applying for NASTeC Certification must pass the Basic Skills Examination plus at least one of the three specialty examinations. Candidates passing the Basic Skills Examination and all three specialty examinations are certified as Universal Technicians.

Note: If a candidate fails the Basic Skills Examination, yetpasses one or more of the specialty examinations during thesame test administration, the passing score(s) on the specialtyexamination(s) is considered null unless the candidate retakesand successfully passes the basic exam within one (1) yearfrom the original date of testing. If not, the candidate must reapplyfor the Basic Skills and the specialty examination(s) to qualify for certification. NASTeC certification will not be issuedunless the candidate passes both the Basic Skills Examinationand one specialty within the one-year period

Statement of Non-Discrimination Policy
NASTeC does not discriminate among applicants on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Certification
The National Appliance Service Technician Certification (NASTeC) program was developed by an Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) task force consisting of manufacturer, retailer, independent service and vocational educator representatives to achieve the following objectives:

To promote and recognize competency in the diagnosis, repair and maintenance of major home appliances (refrigerators, room air conditioners, freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, food waste disposers, compactors, ranges, ovens, cooktops and microwave ovens).

To provide employers with a reliable measure of an individual technician's knowledge and abilities. . To provide individuals seeking employment as appliance service technicians with a nationally recognized and valid measure of their competency in appliance service and repair.

To enhance the public image of the profession...To encourage entrance into the profession.
To provide vocational and technical schools with a means to evaluate their appliance training curricula and programs.

Certification Recognitions
Candidates passing the Basic Skills Examination will receive a recognition of achievement in the form of a certificate. Candidates passing the Basic Skills Examination plus one or more of the specialty examinations will receive a NASTeC certificate and wallet card. Candidates successfully passing the exams are permitted to wear the official certification patch on their uniforms. The patch design varies with the level of certification earned. A blue bar is available to those passing the Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Disposer and Trash Compactor Examination; a white bar to those passing the Refrigerator/ Freezer, Room Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier Examination; a red bar to those passing the Range/ Oven and Microwave Oven Examination; and a gold bar to those passing all four examinations and achieving Universal Technician status. Patches and bars are awarded upon passing the appropriate examination(s), and additional can be purchased from NASTeC.

Additionally, NASTeC will promote certification with the consumer media and assist NASTeC-certified technicians in promoting their certification status locally.

Scheduling Examinations
To schedule an exam, fill out the Application on www.nastec.org or go to the ISCET website, www.iscet.org and click on the “Online Store”…or click on “Register for an Exam” and follow the instructions. Using “Register for an Exam will be the most effective way to register. You will be contacted as soon as possible after registration to confirm a time and place for your examination.

Eligibility Requirements
All NASTeC examinations (excluding Refrigerator/ Freezer, Room Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier Certification) are open to any individual who submits a completed application and the appropriate fee and documentation.

Applicants for the Refrigerator/Freezer, Room Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier Certification Examination must be certified for refrigerant recovery by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved program to attempt the exam. Individuals applying for this exam must furnish a copy of their certification card prior to testing to verify eligibility.

Payment and Purchase Orders
Fees must be paid in U.S. dollars by check or money order or via VISA or MasterCard. The fee must be for the total amount due, payable to NASTeC. Corporations or schools may submit a purchase order if desired. The purchase order must include a list of applicants and be accompanied by a completed Each applicant must register for the exam either by application from www.nastec.org, the ISCET Online Store at www.iscet.org, or online at www.iscet.org . All candidates names must be listed on the purchase order. The corporation or school will be invoiced within two weeks of receipt of the purchase order. Payment is due within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. Individual test results will not be released until payment is received.

Refunds
The exam fee, minus a $25 processing fee, will be refunded to any candidate who has paid in advance but does not take the exam.

Admission to the Test
Two forms of identification are required to gain admission to the test center. One form must be a current, permanent identification card issued by a governmental agency, which includes both the candidate's signature, and photograph. Only a driver's license (not temporary), state or federally issued I.D., military I.D. or U.S. passport will be accepted. The second form of identification must include the candidate's name and
signature.

If the candidate's name is different than it appears on either form of identification, the candidate must bring proof of his or her name change (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree or court order).

On the Day of the Exam

1. Candidates should arrive at the testing location at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled test time to execute any forms necessary and become acquainted with the Certification Administrator, testing instructions, and distribution of test materials. Candidates will be allowed two (2) hours for the Basic Skills Exam and one (1) additional hour for each specialty exam being taken. There will be no breaks during a testing period and candidates must have the permission of the Certification Administrator to leave the testing area for any reason. No paper or pencils may be taken into the testing area. These will be available for your
use. All paper and pencils must be turned in to the Certification Administrator or Proctor prior to leaving the test area.

2. Bring appropriate identification.

3. Candidates may use hand-held, battery or solar-powered, calculators without paper tape printing or alphabetic memory capabilities during testing.

4. Other than calculators (see #3), electronic devices are not permitted in the testing area, including telephones or signaling devices such as pagers and alarms.

5. No books or other reference materials may be taken into the testing area.

6. No test materials, documents or memoranda of any sort may be taken from the testing area.

7. The exam appointment is only for the date, time, and place scheduled. No-shows will not be eligible for a refund.

8. No Questions concerning the content of the examination may be asked during the testing period. The candidate should listen carefully to the instructions given by the Certification Administrator and should read the directions in the test booklet.

9. The Certification Administrator may dismiss a candidate From the test for any of the following reasons:
If a candidate's admission to the test is unauthorized; If a candidate creates a disturbance, is abusive or
otherwise uncooperative; If a candidate gives or receives exam help; If a candidate attempts to remove test materials or notes From the testing room; If a candidate attempts to take the test for someone else.

Inclement Weather
I n the event of inclement weather, other acts of God or unforeseen emergencies on the day of an exam, the applicant must contact the Certification Administrator who will determine whether circumstances warrant canceling the examination and rescheduling it for another day and time.

Report of Results
When the exams are taken “on line” the examinee will know if he/she passes immediately upon completion of the exam(s). Candidates will be notified within 10 days from receipt of payment by NASTeC whether they have passed or failed the examination…and appropriate certificate(s) and Shoulder Patches with service bars where applicable will be sent. No results will be provided by telephone under any circumstances.

Passing scores are as follows:

Basic Skills Examination: 60 correct out of 80 questions.

Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Food Waste Disposers and Trash Compactors: 27 correct out of 40 questions.

Ranges, Ovens, Cook Tops and Microwave Ovens: 30 correct out of 40 questions.

Refrigerators, Freezers, Window Air Conditioners and Heat/Cool Units: 28 correct out of 40 questions.

Confidentiality
Individual test scores are released ONLY to the individual candidate. Questions concerning test results should be referred to NASTeC in writing.

By taking the examination candidates acknowledge that NASTeC will verify Certification of an individual only upon request and with the individual's certification identification number provided.

New ISO Standards
In 2012 ANSI/ISO announced final revisions to its best practices concerning certification for individuals. The ANSI/ISO body is the standards organization to which most organizations worldwide follow for the operation of their business. These changes revolve around renewal of certification versus lifetime. The standard adopted is to require that certifications have a renewal path and they should not be lifetime. This path is to apply to all past and future certifications. This new standard has been adopted by all the major certification organizations worldwide. The standard allows the organization the freedom to choose how they will treat current certifications and how renewals will be handled. ISCET, being a recognized leader in the electronics certification, has studied and adopted a new certification model to address these new standards.

Effective September 1, 2013, all certifications passed after this date will require renewal every two years. Recognizing our duty to our current lifetime certificate holders we will not require them to renew their certificate but those who chose not to by August 31, 2015 will have their certification listed as “Legacy”, which will indicate they have not chosen to renew their certification under the current standards. Holders of Associate CET and Associate CET+ certifications taken before September 1, 2013 will expire at the four (4) year anniversary of their certificate unless renewed using continuing education. ISCET will use the “Continuing Education” model for renewal of certificates. This requires all certified persons to accumulate twenty (20) clock hours of training (i.e. attending classes at schools, manufacturer events, or conventions), passing additional certifications in their field, self-study or teaching over a two year period. Individuals who meet the renewal standard will have their certification listed as “Registered” to indicate their commitment to keep their knowledge and skills current for a changing industry.

In order to assure that all holders of ISCET certification are still valued by industry these changes are necessary. In keeping with our commitment to our certificate holders we offer the renewal of their certificates at no charge, while they are current members of ISCET. Certificate holders who are not members will be charged a $50 fee for the first certification and $10 for each additional. If the certificate holder renewal totals $70 or more, the fee will be capped at $70 and they will automatically be enrolled as a member of ISCET with all eligible renewals processed. (Ex. A CET who holds a Journeyman in Computers, a CSR, a CSM and a MST who is not a member of ISCET would be charged a maximum of $70 which would automatically enroll them as members and the listed certifications would be registered if all education requirements have been met.)

Recertification
Certifications awarded by NASTeC should be renewed every two years. Registration is accomplished by taking courses designed to keep abreast of technology advances, reading published books and/or articles having to do with advancing technology, etc.

NASTeC Basic Certified Appliance Technician (CAT) certification holders will be required to renew their certification every 2 years. Individuals certified prior to 9/1/2013 must renew their certification by 8/31/2015 or the certification will be moved to “Legacy” status. NASTeC Basic Certified Appliance Technicians can renew their certification by 1) passing a NASTeC Journeyman level Certified Appliance Technician examination within the next 24 months or 2) completing 20 clock hours of appliance continuing education within the 24 months prior to the expiration of their certification.

CEU credits must be earned during the two years prior to the expiration of your certification to be valid.

Questions About the Exam
Candidates will not have access to the examinations or to specific questions or answers. Candidates may comment on any test question, the administration of the examination or the test center facilities in writing addressed to NASTeC, 3000-A Landers St., Ft. Worth, TX 76107.

Duplicate Score Reports and Certification Identification
Requests for duplicate score reports must be made in writing to NASTeC. Depending on the method used for testing (Paper & Pencil Or Online) some information can not be duplicated. The request must include the candidate's name, Social Security number, complete address, daytime phone number, test date, the name
of the certification administrator and signature. To order a duplicate score report, send a check for $15 payable to NASTeC at NASTeC, 3000-A Landers St.,, Ft. Worth, TX 76107. To pay by credit card, call NASTeC at 800-946-0201 giving the above Information and a VISA or MasterCard number for payment. Include the expiration date on the card and your signature.

Lost certification cards and certificates may be replaced for a $20 fee. The request must include the candidate's name, Social Security number, complete address, daytime phone number, test date, the name of the certification administrator, signature and payment. To order a duplicate card and certificate, send a check for $20 payable to NASTeC at NASTeC, 3000-A Landers St., Ft. Worth, TX 76107. To pay by credit card, call NASTeC at 800-946-0201 giving the above Information and a VISA or MasterCard number for payment. Include the expiration date on the card and your signature.

Requests for Hand Scoring
Test scoring is performed electronically by the use of ScanTron equipment. Candidates who do not pass the exam may request a manual -verification of the ScanTron scoring. Requests for manual scoring must be submitted to NASTeC in writing within 30 days of the test date with a $20 hand-scoring fee. The request must include the candidate's name, Social Security number, complete address, day time phone number, test date,
the name of the Certification Administrator, signature, and a copy of the score report. Candidates will be notified of the hand scoring results within 30 days. To order manual scoring of an examination, send a check for $20 payable to NASTeC at 3000-A Landers St., Ft. Worth, TX 76107. To pay by credit card, call NASTeC at 800-946-0201, giving the above Information and a VISA or MasterCard number for payment. Include the expiration date on the card and your signature. You must then mail the copy of the score report to the above address.

Re-Exams
There is no limit to the number of times unsuccessful candidates fee and meet all eligibility requirements in effect at the time of applying for re-examination. To apply for reexamination, candidates must request, re-register for the examination in the same manner as previously.

Revocation of Certification
An individual's Certification will be revoked for falsifying an application or misrepresenting their Certification status.

Self-Assessment Exam
If you plan to take the Basic Skills Examination, you can assess how well you will perform by taking the Self-Assessment Examination (SAE). This practice test is identical to the actual Basic Skills Examination in terms of content area, number of questions (80), and range of difficulty. You can choose to score your examination from the answer key provided. To order the SAE, send a check for $26 payable to NASTeC at 3000-A Landers St., Ft. Worth, TX 76107. To pay by credit card, call NASTeC at 800-946-0201, giving the above Information and a VISA or MasterCard number for payment. Include the expiration date on the card and your signature.

You may also order the SAE online here.