The ACCA National Capital chapter in Washington, D.C., was recognized as the top ACCA testing organization for North American Technician Excellence in 2008.

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America chapter conducted 184 tests to edge out the San Antonio and the Kansas City chapters, which conducted 118 tests and 113 tests, respectively.

An awards ceremony was held at the March 24-26 ACCA conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We are honored and thrilled to receive this award,” said Debbie Risher, president of the Washington-based chapter. “At ACCA-NCC we understand the value of NATE certification of all HVACR technicians. Certification increases the image of the heating and cooling industry in the consumer’s eyes. We not only offer NATE certification to the HVACR industry in the Washington, D.C., metro area throughout the year, but we also provide the core certification test to all of our third-year apprentices and the heat pump test to our fourth-year apprentices. This increases their value to their employer.”

“The ACCA-NCC did an outstanding job supporting and promoting NATE testing and certification in 2008,” said Pat Lampel, chief marketing officer at NATE. “This chapter serves as a great example for other chapters and organizations that are helping to promote NATE moving forward. The ACCA-NCC has taken many steps to help encourage NATE certification, one of which was providing tips on test preparation and including test schedules in their monthly newsletter.”

“ACCA has been a true partner — it’s clear they support NATE certification, believe in it and really understand the value NATE brings in helping to increase professionalism in the HVACR industry, said Rex Boynton, NATE president. “NATE is the culmination of several years worth of work by ACCA and other industry organizations to establish one single, nationwide certification. We certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without ACCA’s ongoing support.”