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correct) to anyone who does not fully understand a question, does not read the question and all the answers carefully, or makes common errors in using information about refrigerants or refrigeration system operations. CertComm also will validate questions for practice tests to help candidates prepare to earn these new HVACR credentials. That is an essential part of RETA’s commitment to help refrigeration operators and technicians meet RETA’s mission to improve safety and efficiency throughout the industry. RETA includes one practice test in the registration fee for each credential that is on its ANAB-accredited list.

request its fifth five-year cycle with an entirely new application in August 2027. RETA was among the first 20 credentialing bodies (CBs) in the world to meet the ANSI 17024 Standards with CARO and CIRO in 2008. Today just 89 CBs have 305 ANAB accredited programs worldwide. Just as RETA also has non-accredited programs for energy efficiency and instructors, existing HVACR programs that will not be submitted for ANAB accreditation may continue. For example, any credential that is restricted to members is not eligible for ANAB accreditation. Maintaining ANAB accreditation is not assured even after meeting the Standards. Forty CBs have voluntarily surrendered ANAB accreditation for some or all programs because they did not meet the annual requirements. Microsoft and NATE are among CBs that surrendered all their ANAB accreditations. RETA’s Education Committee recently completed the first step in building new HVACR credentials that will meet ANSI 17024 Standards with publication of a new

entry-level book for HVACR training. More updated references will follow and lead to additional credentials. ANAB accreditation requires performance data to demonstrate that each program is performing as intended. For example, RETA created CRST for service technicians in 2018 but needed until 2022 to document that it met all 17024 Standards. HVACR credentials are likely to meet this requirement much faster. ANSI Standards require a firewall between education and certification to assure that creation, validation and security of each credentialing exam by RETA’s Certification Committee (CertComm) is totally independent of the Education Committee. The firewall also forbids instructors who teach classes to prepare candidates for these credentialing exams from serving on CertComm. CertComm must validate all questions for any exam before it can be eligible for ANAB accreditation. All questions on RETA certification exams include one BEST answer and three incorrect answers. Incorrect answers may seem plausible (or

Dr. Ron Rodgers RETA Accreditation Manager and Psychometrician

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