Educator Credentialing

Dave Wyett, Greg McKendall, Duane Bjornson, Thomas Tebbe, Eugene Silberstein, Certified Master HVACR Educators.

The qualifications of the HVAC Educator are unique. The Educator must meet the State’s requirements for instructors and possess a background in the HVAC industry.

Educator Credentialing validates an instructor has mastered the subject matter to teach the competencies in their curriculum. HVAC Excellence has developed a specific set of exams for HVACR educators, Certified Subject Matter Educator (CSME) exams.

These exams comply with Federal regulations as they are separate and different from the exams offered to students and technicians within the same field. The regulations make certain teachers have a deeper understanding of the subject matter and the theory that supports it than a student or person in the field. Additionally, it assures teachers are not taking exams that they themselves may have administered.

Certified Subject Matter Educator (CSME)

CMSE is conferred upon those who have met their State’s requirements for instructors and the standards of competency in a specific subject as established by HVAC Excellence (e.g. "Certified Heat Pump Educator").

Certified Master HVACR Educator (CMHE)

The Certified Master HVACR Educator credential is a terminal certification and the highest credential that can be conferred upon an HVACR educator.

CMHE is conferred upon those who have:

• Met their State’s requirements for instructors
• Obtain a passing score of 80% or better on six area specific CSME exams
  1. Electrical
  2. Air Conditioning
  3. Light Commercial Air Conditioning
  4. Light Commercial Refrigeration
  5. Electric Heat
  6. Gas Heat, Oil Heat or Heat Pumps
• Obtain a passing score of 80% or better on the Capstone exam which covers technical education methodologies, principles, and practices, which attest to their pedagogical skills.

The title of Certified Master HVACR Educator (CMHE) is not easily attained as it demonstrates a person is at the top of their field having passed seven exams.

The “Certified Master HVACR Educator” credential identifies an educator’s professional competency and attests to their commitment to continued professional development.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans may qualify for benefits that cover all or part of the cost of the exams.

For Additional Information

Call 1-800-394-5268

Areas of Certification

• Core - Capstone
• Air Conditioning
• Light Commercial Refrigeration
• Gas Heat
• Heat Pumps
• Electrical
• Light Commercial Air Conditioning
• Electric Heat
• Oil Heat

Download a copy of the "CORE" Study guide here.

Listen to professor Eugene Silberstein co-author of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology in an interview about his books and the CMHE process.

Term of Certification

CMHE certification shall remain in effect as long as the certified educator continues in uninterrupted service, with no more than a two year sabbatical, as an HVACR educator.