FREE North American Technician Excellence Questions and Answers 2026
Prepare for the FREE North American Technician certification. Practice questions with answer explanations covering all exam domains.
- Each of the five NATE Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) exams contains 30 questions. (North American Technician Excellence)
- The NATE Senior Level Efficiency Analyst exam is an open-book examination containing 100 questions. (North American Technician Excellence)
- Each NATE Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) exam has a 60-minute time limit. (North American Technician Excellence)
- The NATE Senior Level Efficiency Analyst exam has a four-hour time limit. (North American Technician Excellence)
- The NATE Senior Level Efficiency Analyst exam requires a passing score of 75%. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE requires a score of at least 70% on the Core and installation/service specialty certification exams. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE lists a $30 fee for renewing the Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) certification using continuing education hours. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE directs candidates to the Live Online Proctoring tab of their NATE account for current online exam pricing. (North American Technician Excellence)
- NATE CHP-5 and Traditional pathway certifications require recertification every two years. (North American Technician Excellence)
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against North American Technician Excellence. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
NATE Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (CHP-5 — each exam) | 30 questions per exam | North American Technician Excellence |
| Number of questions (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | 100 questions; open book | North American Technician Excellence |
| Number of questions (Traditional pathway — Core) | 50 questions | North American Technician Excellence |
| Number of questions (Traditional pathway — Specialty) | 100 questions | North American Technician Excellence |
| Time limit (CHP-5 — each exam) | 60 minutes per exam | North American Technician Excellence |
| Time limit (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | 240 minutes | North American Technician Excellence |
| Passing score (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | 75% | North American Technician Excellence |
| Passing score (Traditional pathway — Core and installation/service specialties) | 70% or higher | North American Technician Excellence |
| Exam fee (CHP-5 — renewal using continuing education) | $30 renewal fee | North American Technician Excellence |
| Exam fee (Live Online Proctoring) | Current prices available in myNATE | North American Technician Excellence |
| Validity (CHP-5 and Traditional pathway) | Two years | North American Technician Excellence |
| Renewal (CHP-5 and Traditional pathway) | 16 continuing education hours plus renewal fee | North American Technician Excellence |
| Delivery | In person or remotely proctored online | North American Technician Excellence |
| Eligibility (Senior Level Efficiency Analyst) | Two qualifying NATE Service specialty certifications | North American Technician Excellence |
| Testing window | On demand through approved testing organizations | North American Technician Excellence |
| Testing window (CHP-5) | Up to six months between exams | North American Technician Excellence |
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against North American Technician Excellence. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free NATE - North American Technician Excellence Study Tools
Interactive NATE - North American Technician Excellence resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- NATE - North American Technician Excellence practice test — 92 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- NATE - North American Technician Excellence flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- NATE - North American Technician Excellence study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- NATE - North American Technician Excellence cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
Sample NATE - North American Technician Excellence Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free NATE - North American Technician Excellence practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What does a suction line accumulator protect in a refrigeration system?
- A. Liquid line from high pressure
- B. Compressor from liquid refrigerant slugging
- C. Condenser from excess load
- D. Expansion device from debris
Answer: B. Compressor from liquid refrigerant slugging
The accumulator traps liquid refrigerant on the suction line, boiling it off slowly rather than allowing it to enter and damage the compressor.
What is the function of the delayed oil valve (solenoid valve) on some oil burners?
- A. Prevent oil flow during power outages
- B. Stop oil flow immediately on burner shutdown to prevent after-drip and after-fire
- C. Regulate oil pressure during high-fire mode
- D. Allow oil to flow only on a call for heat
Answer: B. Stop oil flow immediately on burner shutdown to prevent after-drip and after-fire
The delayed oil valve closes instantly when the burner shuts off, preventing oil drip into the combustion chamber that could cause after-fire and smoke.
What EPA regulation governs refrigerant handling and requires recovery before service of commercial refrigeration equipment?
- A. EPA Section 404
- B. EPA Section 608
- C. Clean Water Act
- D. OSHA 29 CFR 1910
Answer: B. EPA Section 608
EPA Section 608 prohibits venting refrigerants and requires certified technicians to recover refrigerant before opening any refrigerant circuit.
What annual maintenance item is most critical for oil burner efficiency?
- A. Replacing the transformer
- B. Replacing the nozzle and cleaning the strainer, electrodes, and heat exchanger
- C. Adjusting the thermostat anticipator
- D. Flushing the oil tank
Answer: B. Replacing the nozzle and cleaning the strainer, electrodes, and heat exchanger
An annual tune-up including nozzle replacement and cleaning ensures complete combustion, maximum efficiency, and safe operation.
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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- natex.org — Fees, retake policy, score validity, renewal, passing score, score release, test dates, exam format, time limit, eligibility · verified Oct 2026