North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) is a certification organization for HVAC technicians based on a rigid set of guidelines that promotes excellence and customer service in the industry. NATE administers the leading testing and certification program for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC-R) technicians. NATE-administered tests, which focus on applied knowledge, are supported by the entire HVAC-R industry. NATE-certified technicians must have passed at least one of five tests conducted by the organization that validates their expertise within the industry.