What is PAHRA?

The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) is an independent, third party organization that is a partnership between heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) educators and the HVACR industry that will award accreditation to programs that have met and/or exceeded industry validated standards.

This programmatic accreditation program is the only one that is supported by the major industry associations.

Purpose of PAHRA?

  • The purpose of PAHRA is to improve the quality of training offered at all levels of education by meeting or exceeding established industry standards in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry. Through the PAHRA program, employers of HVACR graduates will be assured that their students have met minimum competency levels required for graduation and certification, as determined by the HVACR industry associations.
  • The development of the evaluation standards for educational programs in HVACR is the work of all the parties interested in the HVACR Industry and the educational future of the industry's technicians.
  • The PAHRA program was developed, supported and implemented by all segments of the HVACR industry as well as many HVACR educators, administrators and vocational technical education state supervisors. This partnership is called the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).
  • The HVACR industry understands the importance of evaluation and the effectiveness of the methods of assessment. PAHRA's purpose is to set procedures, policies and standards that must be met to establish uniformity and ensure a basic level of educational quality across the HVACR Industry's high schools, community colleges, universities and vocational schools-public and private.
  • Criteria establish a systematic approach for the program to assess instructional usefulness, and stimulate continued planned growth. Criteria for the assessment establish the important benchmarks that create the program profile. A school seeking accreditation voluntarily accepts the criteria for comparing its HVACR program to national standards established by the industry.

 

For more information, read the Frequently Asked Questions.