A Guide to the RV Technician Certification Program

A Guide to the RV Technician Certification Program
“We advertise that we employ certified technicians.
It helps us explain and justify the rates we charge for labor.”
Gary Kraemer, Sales Manager, Webster City RV, Webster City, IA
Experience Counts
Owners view their RVs as an experience, not just a vehicle. As a dealer, you provide and support that
experience. And part of it should be superior service from professional, certified technicians. Certified technicians represent advanced capabilities, enhanced credibility, and perhaps most important,
a serious commitment to your customer base. In fact, in a recent survey of more than 600 dealers,
75 percent believe certified technicians perform better quality work than their non-certified counterparts. And 72 percent believe certified technicians create more satisfied customers.
What’s in it for you?
Numbers don’t lie. Eighty percent of those surveyed reported that certified RV technicians ultimately
make them more money than non-certified technicians. Better service means better business. It’s
just that simple.
“Training and certification
can return 5, 10, even
15 thousand dollars to
the bottom line.”
Jeff Pastore, Hartville RV Center,
Hartville, OH
The Technician Certification Process at a Glance
The goal of the certification program is to identify professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and ability to satisfy established, respected standards on RV diagnostic and repair procedures. Technicians must pass a rigorous testing process designed to measure technical competency and recognize those who meet or exceed industry standards.
Established in 1993, the original program has empowered thousands of technicians in dealerships
across the country. Today, technicians can take advantage of an improved, restructured program,
featuring a special Career Ladder and convenient online testing options. All materials and testprep resources have been updated to reflect the changing needs of the RV industry. So dealers
can rest assured certified technicians possess the skills necessary to enhance their business for
years to come.
The Career Ladder
The Career Ladder is a new and innovative approach to the traditional certification process.
Qualified technicians can choose from two promising career paths:
• Path 1: The current certification testing option in which the candidate becomes a Certified or
Master Technician (Generalist).
• Path 2: The specialty testing option in which candidates can pass one or more of the offered
specialties—body, chassis, electrical systems, appliances or plumbing—to become a Certified
Specialist.
Customized Approach, Unparalleled Results
Not only does the Career Ladder improve certification opportunities for technicians, it’s
scalable to the size of your service operation. In other words, it adapts to you. Technicians can
earn certification in their specific areas of interest and expertise, which translates to more focused
and polished service capabilities for your dealership.
The versatile Career Ladder was also designed to adapt to today’s changing marketplace. Timely
and thorough, this program was built to last.
Technician
Career Ladder
Master Certified Technician
Certified Specialist
in All Areas
Master Score
on Test
Plumbing
Appliances
Certified
Technician
Optional Paths
Electrical Systems
Chassis
Body
Certification Test
Registered
Technician
Technician
Certification Candidate
Certified Specialties
Powerful Training Resources
RV Technician Certification Preparation Online Course
The self-study, self-paced RV Technician Certification Preparation Course helps technicians train
and prepare through comprehensive course sections that match actual certification testing formats. Features include:
• Engaging video, audio voice-over, graphics, and interactive quizzes
• Online mentor-led technician discussion forums
• Challenging practice tests
RVIA Trouble Shooter Clinics
These popular training sessions, offered exclusively through RVIA, track seamlessly with the specialty areas of the Career Ladder. And thanks to increased class time, smaller class sizes, and expanded
hands-on training from leading RV companies, participants will thrive like never before.
RV Service Textbooks
Certification candidates can also benefit from a dynamic series of textbooks developed by the industry’s leading RV service experts. This traditional learning toolkit covers RV components and operating
systems in stunning detail.
Certified Specialty Study Guides
This series of guides—available in .PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format—provides a listing of subject-matter topics, practice test questions and helpful resource tips for each specific RV Specialty area. The
guides are an important test-preparation tool for technicians opting for the Certified Specialist Path.
Investing in Your Business
Getting your technicians certified isn’t an additional “cost.” It’s an investment. And it’s also a
smart way to make a big impact.
There is no charge for securing a technician as a Candidate. And testing for the first step of the
Career Ladder—the Registered Technician—is only $150. This is an easy, credible way to assess
the skills of your current technicians, and an invaluable opportunity to maximize the potential of
your workforce.
Now is the time.
Why wait any longer to complete the ultimate RV experience in your dealership? Today is the day.
To learn more about this valuable program for your technicians, visit www.rvtechnician.com.
Testing Fees
Candidate Technicians.................................................................... No Fee
Registered Technician..................................................................... $150
Certified Specialty Path
Each Specialty............................................................................... $165
Retest for Each Specialty................................................................ $25*
Recertification for Each Specialty..................................................... $50
Generalist Path
Certified/Master Certified................................................................. $325
Retest for Certified/Master Certified.................................................. $25*
Recertification for Certified/Master Certified...................................... $100
*Fee valid for retesting within 90 days.
“We’ve found that the people we have certified have a
better chance of getting the job done right the first time.”
Mick Ferkey, Greeneway, Inc., Wisconsin Rapids, WI
For more information, contact: Registrar - RV Technician Certification Program
3930 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 • T 703.591.7130 Ext. 102
F 703.359.0152 • info@rvda.org • www.rvtechnician.com