Educator Credentialing Exams
The qualifications of the HVAC Educator are unique. It requires that the Educator meet the State’s requirements for instructors and possess a background in the HVAC industry.
HVAC Educator Certification is a program used to validate mastery in the subject matter needed to teach the competencies required by students for success as technicians
in an ever changing industry.
Educator Credentialing validates that 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.
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”).
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 that 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 that teachers
are not taking exams that they themselves may have administered.
Certified Master HVACR Educator (CMHE)
CMHE is conferred upon educators that have successfully passed the CMHE Capstone exam, Electrical, Air Conditioning, Light Commercial Air Conditioning, Light Commercial Refrigeration,
Electric Heat and either Gas Heat, Oil Heat or Heat Pumps.
The Capstone exam covers technical education methodologies, procedures, and issues.
The “Certified Master HVACR Educator” credential identifies an educator’s professional competency and attests to their commitment to continued professional development.
The title of Certified Master HVACR Educator (CMHE) is not easily attained, as it demonstrates that a person is at the top of their field in six specialty areas. To earn the status of CMHE,
an instructor must obtain a passing score of 80% or better on six area specific HVAC CSME exams. Additionally, the instructor must pass the Capstone exam which covers technical
education methodologies, principles, practices, which attest to their pedagogical skills. The Certified Master HVACR Educator credential is a terminal certification and the highest credential
that can be conferred upon an HVACR educator.
HVAC Excellence strongly encourages administrators to require credentialing of their instructors. We recognize that the essence of any quality program begins with quality instruction.
The credentialing process can help schools and states set their agenda for professional development.
CMHE is conferred upon those instructors who:
- Provide evidence of meeting their state’s requirements for educators.
- Achieve a minimum score of 80% on the CMHE "CAPSTONE" exam.
- Achieve a minimum score of 80% in six area specific HVAC Excellence CSME exams.
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.
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.