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Recreational vehicles have various unique systems and components. The National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) is a popular school for educating individuals about these items.
We’ve heard from others in the community who have attended courses and even graduated with certificates. But is the NRVTA legit?
Today, we’re looking at the National RV Training Academy to see whether or not it’s worth attending. Let’s get started!
What Is the NRVTA?
The National RV Training Academy provides high-quality training and education about recreational vehicles. The information they provide helps individuals maintain and repair RVs. They’ve gone above and beyond to create an almost perfect learning environment.
They have a 20,000-square-foot facility with seven climate-controlled RV bays, five classrooms, and over 1,200 square feet of training space. Their facilities incorporate the latest technologies to maximize the potential of each student.
Some students complete courses here for personal growth and development. However, many others aim to start businesses in inspections, solar installation, and mobile technicians.
Where Is the NRVTA Located?
The NRVTA campus is in the East Texas city of Athens. It’s approximately 180 miles north of Houston and 70 miles southeast of Dallas. With a population of just under 13,000, it’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of a major city.
It’s a great environment to escape the chaos to focus on learning about recreational vehicles.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend NRVTA?
Like many educational programs, the NRVTA isn’t free. However, when it comes to pricing, it’s not so clear. We contacted the academy while writing this article to inquire about costs.
We told them our goal is to provide readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information. However, they were unwilling to discuss expenses and stated they could not publish them online.
We get it, pricing changes constantly, and they don’t want inaccurate information published online. They have a brand and reputation to protect.
However, they do have their 2022-2023 Course Catalog online. According to these documents, course fees range from $2,342 to $8,942. If they’re like most schools, prices increase slightly from year to year. Depending on the program, a ballpark figure is between $2,500 and $9,000.
It’s important to remember that these fees aren’t the total cost. You’ll likely have to purchase tool kits, food, and lodging. Various options are available within 10 to 15 minutes of the school, but they can sell out fast.
What Programs Does NRVTA Offer?
If you want to improve your knowledge and experience working with RVs, the National RV Training Academy offers several programs. Let’s see which ones work for you.
Registered RV Service Technician
The Registered RV Service Technician program is an entry-level technician program. The entire program takes approximately a week to complete. It includes 28 hours of lectures and 12 hours of lab for the RV Fundamentals Training.
Students receive propane, plumbing, and AC/DC electrical systems training. In addition, students will learn troubleshooting techniques for standard components like RV refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters, and furnaces.
The only other course in this program is the RVTAA Registered RV Service Technician Certification Exam Review. These eight hours of lectures prepare students for the exam. They’ll typically administer the test the following day.
Those who complete this course should have the entry-level skills required to enter the RV industry. Graduates have various employment opportunities, including working with equipment supplies, repair shops, and dealerships.
Advanced RV Service Technician
The Advanced RV Service Technician is a step up and more hands-on than the previous course. Students learn to apply technical knowledge to real-life scenarios throughout this five-week course. This program is excellent for individuals already in the industry wanting to take the next step in their careers.
Courses include classes on air conditioners and heat pumps, external systems, absorption refrigerators, and water heaters and furnaces. The final course is the RVTAA Certified RV Technician Certification Exam Review to prepare for the final exam.
You can take a few optional courses if you want to go the extra mile and extend your knowledge. These courses cover generators, solar, and starting a small business.
Master RV Service Technician
The Master RV Service Technician Program is for highly proficient individuals. It’s for those focusing on troubleshooting, RV living, and the reconstruction of critical systems.
The two-week program requires courses on generators and solar power. You also must take the eight-hour RVTAA Master Certified RV Technician Certification Exam Review course.
It’s important to note that to be eligible for this program, you must have three years of experience working as an RVTAA Certified RV Service Technician. In addition, you must also have 24 Continuing Education Units. These CEUs must be in RV manufacturer factory training on RV systems.
Educated RV Owner
More people than ever have purchased campers in recent years. As a result, we’re seeing many owners experiencing issues. Some dealers are better than others at educating customers on a new purchase. However, it’s not entirely their responsibility.
The Educated RV Owner program can help you know what to do when things don’t go as planned. It provides a basic understanding of the many processes so you can approach your RV with confidence. The NRVTA claims graduates can fix 80% of the issues they experience while on the road.
This five-day program is a mixture of lectures and hands-on labs. You’ll have fun, meet new people, and learn more than you thought about recreational vehicles.
RV Inspector
The RV Inspector program is a three-week course. Students learn various technical fields, including how to test and inspect vehicles. They’ll gain an understanding of the complex systems and how to evaluate and report issues they discover.
With so many RVs sold in recent years, there’s a huge need for quality inspectors. Once students finish the RV Fundamentals Training, Principles of an RV Inspection, and Advanced RV Inspector Training courses, they can take the NRVIA Certified RV Inspector Exam Review course.
After successfully passing the NRVIA Certified RV Inspector Exam, graduates can go on to start inspecting rigs. Many inspectors set their schedules in some areas, stay busy, and make a generous amount of money.
Keep in Mind: Is it better to DIY or hire a tech for your RV? Let’s take a look!
RV Service Technician
The RV Service Technician program teaches the basic skills necessary for new technicians in the RV industry.
This one-week course prepares students for the RVTAA Registered RV Service Technician Exam. If you want to work in the RV industry, this course can be a tremendous first step.
Reasons to Attend NRVTA
There are several reasons why you should consider attending NRVTA. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons students choose this training academy.
Hands-on Training
As you may have noticed, many of the programs include hands-on labs. You can learn from a book and then put the knowledge to work.
These labs provide an excellent opportunity for students to see and touch components in a non-threatening environment. Having a professional a few feet away can ease stress and create a healthy learning environment.
Professional Certifications
You may be savvy with your hands or mechanically inclined, but professional certifications are essential. Employers and potential customers value them.
They see them as providing validity to your skills and abilities. The NRVTA helps students prepare for the exams to achieve these certifications.
Career Opportunities
Completing courses and programs at the NRVTA can open various doors for career opportunities. The academy has working relationships with an extensive list of companies in the industry.
So whether you want to join another company or start your own business, attending the NRVTA can help you take the necessary steps.
Keep in Mind: Just because you’re on the road, doesn’t mean you can’t work! Find Unique Jobs in Your RV With CoolWorks
Networking Opportunities
If you have yet to discover it, it’s not what you know but who you know. Attending the NRVTA allows you to brush shoulders with others in the industry. You never know who you’ll sit next to in class or work with during a lab.
Networking is an excellent space for future advancements and opportunities. Whether personal or professional, networking can be incredibly beneficial.
Peace of Mind
The more you know about RVs, the better, especially if you live on the road. It’s not a question of if something will go wrong, but when something goes wrong.
By attending the NRVTA, you can have confidence you know how to address issues when they occur. Your RV will stay in fantastic shape, and you’ll be ready for whatever adventures you have planned.
Is NRVTA Worth It?
While we haven’t attended the NRVTA, we know several people who have. We have heard from them that the education they gained from the courses was well worth it. They now put their skills and knowledge to use while traveling.
These graduates can help friends, family, and other RVers with issues when they occur. We even know a few who have used their education to create lucrative businesses to fund their travels. Many find that attending the NRVTA is money well spent.
Will the National RV Training Academy be in your future?
