Appliance Service Technicians

Certification or Licensing

The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians provides the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Program (NASTeC), which offers certification on four levels: refrigeration and air conditioning, cooking, laundry and dishwashing, and universal technician (all three specialties plus basic skills). Passing the basic skills exam and at least one specialty is needed for NASTeC certification, and passing all four exams is needed to become a NASTeC Universal Technician.

The Professional Service Association (PSA) also offers certification to appliance repairers. PSA offers the Certified Appliance Professional (CAP) certificate with Master Technician rating to technicians who pass an examination. The exam features more than 300 questions that test technicians' skills and knowledge.

In some states, appliance technicians may need to be licensed or registered. Licenses are granted to applicants who meet certain standards of education, training, and experience and who pass an examination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires certification for all technicians who work with appliances containing refrigerants known as chlorofluorocarbons. Since these refrigerants can be harmful to the environment, technicians must be educated and tested on their handling in order to achieve certification to work with them.