Sign In:
Last Name:
Member ID/Password: Forget your password?

Certification Information

Exam Fees / Preparation / Retake / Testing Centers / Keeping Current / Cancellation

WHY CERTIFICATION?


• improve and ensure high performance standards throughout the radiant industry
• recognize experience and skills of radiant technicians
• encourage technicians to seek professional training and continued education
• add credibility and recognition to qualified technicians and the industry
• give confidence to consumers

FOUR STEPS - Using COMIRA TESTING CENTERS

PREPARE FIND A TESTING CENTER REGISTER TAKE EXAM

INSTALLER CERTIFICATION

(100 multiple choice questions - 2 hrs)
The Hydronic Installer Certification recognizes the knowledge base of a technician concerned primarily with the actual hands-on field installation of materials and equipment. A RPA certified installer should have the ability to read properly prepared system design plans and working drawings, select the appropriate equipment, assemble parts and fittings in a neat and orderly fashion, possess the skills required for installing and servicing the systems, and document the installation.
 

DESIGNER CERTIFICATION

(100 multiple choice questions - 2 hrs)
The Hydronic Designer Certification recognizes the knowledge base of a technician concerned primarily with system sizing, design skills and appropriate equipment specification. A RPA certified designer should have the ability to calculate heat loads, appraise design needs, do system layout schematics and drawings, select and size the proper equipment, and provide installers with clear, concise construction documentation.

EXAM FEES

EXAM FEES
 

NON-MEMBERS

RPA MEMBERS
Designer Exam

$300

$150
Installer Exam

$300

$150
Both Exams (same day)

$450

$225
     

EXAM RETAKE FEES
Designer Exam

$150

$75
Installer Exam

$150

$75
Both Exams (same day)

$225

$113

Prices subject to change without notice.

RECOMMENDED STUDY MATERIALS

  • RADIANT BASIC manual
  • RPA Standard Guidelines
  • RADIANT PRECISION manual (Designer Exam)

    Other resources

  • I=B=R or similar course on basic hydronics
  • RPA Webinars
  • MODERN HYDRONICS by John Siegenthaler
  • Manufacturer's courses
  • Field experience

EXAM RETAKE

Should an applicant fail to achieve the 80% passing score required on any particular exam, the exam may be retaken following a seven-day waiting period. An applicant may retake the exam as many times as necessary to achieve a passing score.

EXAM SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

RPA offers over 500 Testing Centers through a network by Comira and RPA Wholesaler Members. Find a Testing Center near you or take the exam at special RPA events such as the RPA National Conference.

CERTIFICATION ACHIEVEMENT

Upon meeting the certification requirements, the successful applicant will receive

1. Certificate of Completion for achieved certificate
2. "RPA Certified" patch that can be sewn on shirt or jacket
3. "RPA Certified" truck decal for achieved certificate
4. Special identifier on the RPA website Directory
5. Recognition in the RPA Radiant Panel Report newsletter
6. Consumer brochures detailing advantages of selecting an RPA Certified technician.

* Additional patches or decals may be purchased from the RPA
* RPA reserves the right to withhold certification if it finds that an applicant's qualifications and other standards cannot be verified.

RE-CERTIFICATION

The Radiant Panel Association has made some changes in their re-certification process for both the Hydronic Installer and the Hydronic Designer certifications. Beginning July 1, 2008 the following requirements must be met in order to re-certify for the RPA Hydronic Installer and Hydronic Designer certifications.

Option 1: Complete two CEU's* per certification and per year of RPA approved continuing education courses.

RPA approved continuing education courses include:

A. Live RPA online seminars (1 CEU* each)
B. Recorded RPA online seminars (1 CEU* each)
C. RPA classroom seminars (CEU* class specific)
D. RPA Conference seminars (1 CEU* each)
E. RPA home study courses (CEU* course specific)
F. Local RPA Chapter approved seminars (CEU* course specific)

OR...

Option 2: Re-examination in the original content areas.

*Continuing Education Unit (CEU) = approximate unit per 1 hr of training.

These new requirements are easily met by attending the many online webinars that the Radiant Panel Association sponsors each month or by attending one of our education classes.

Please visit RPA Events for an updated list of all our educational opportunities.

CERTIFICATION CANCELLATION

An RPA Certified technician's certification may be cancelled if

1. the individual does not apply for re-certification at the end of two years
2. RPA certification review board receives two or more verifiable and unresolved complaints of poor quality or workmanship, substandard design or installation, or antagonistic customer relationships. (complaints can be appealed)