RSES questions

[bmwruss]

I'm in my first year of HVAC school. I'm really enjoying it, learning a lot and looking forward to pursuing a career in the HVAC field. Threw this forum, I've learned about rses.org. I've checked out the site, but haven't pulled the trigger on paying for membership. I'm just not totally sure just yet if it's what I need right now. My question is, as a first year student, will rses.org supply me with the tools (educational, not literal) and resources that will be beneficial to, and further my career?

[TriplePoint]

Students get half off membership for first year. The material is discounted for members and is some of the best I have come across. I am a student member myself and plan on keeping it because I believe in there mission.

JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[valdelocc]

RSES varies from city to city, before paying for the membership you should find your chapter and ask the chapter officers about local training and education, see what they have to offer and how many members they have.
Paying dues to RSES international without having a strong local chapter is not worth the investment.

[bmwruss]

Thank you Valdelocc. That's what I needed to know. I'll do some research locally before joining.

[supertek65]

RSES is the best thing that ever happened to my career!!!!!


you still gotta read it and invest your own time.


you can buy kids books and a donkey to ride to school!

but all they do is
stand on the books and f&%& the donkey!!!!!!!

[bmwruss]

O-kay, now I'm totally confused. For the student discount rate, I can give a try for the first year, then after the year is up, I can decide weather it's worth continuing from there.

[supertek65]

Student rate as long as you are a student.

It is year to year no contract.

How ever long you are in school or a student?

Our apprentices are students for 5 years.

[TriplePoint]

Just checked the website and it says a period of four years.



JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[TriplePoint]

You can find the chapter info under the About Us tab.

JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[TriplePoint]

Forgot to add that once you locate the chapter near you. Click that link and the past meeting minutes will appear. Click on a few of those so you can see the attendance count.

JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[supertek65]

good job doing your homework triplepoint aka p3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kinda like RG3

[TriplePoint]

Thanks TEK, 3pt. works for me. It has a nice ring to it. :thumbup:



JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[supertek65]

3pt it is!

I always thought exothermicity would be a good user name!
or XOTHERM
sounds like a thermodynamic superhero

[TriplePoint]

XOTHERM = BADA$$
XOTHERMcms = BADA$$ you call when your stumped and your hair is falling out from scratching your head repeatedly. Lol

JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[Kenrob]

I joined RSES right out to trade school. Here's what I've learned...

The chapters are "all volunteer" so some are weak while others are strong. Some may have more emphasis in an area of the trade, ie; resi, commercial, or refrigeration.
I joined a weak chapter and help them to build it up. Now we have great guest speakers, seminars, and do NATE testing, etc.
If you are in a large market, you may have more than one chapter, in which you can try them all out and move you membership if you want.
If you don't like what your chapter is doing, eventually join the board and help steer it in the direction you want.

[bmwruss]

I checked the website and the closest chapter to me is Orlando, which is too far from me. Jacksonville is closer but there is no chapter there. For now, I'm going to hold off on membership.

[supertek65]

if you join you can go on line and get learning material!

it is by far the best learning material available today.

RSES tech 1 would be good for you.

frank

[TriplePoint]

TEK are you talking about elearning modules?

JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[valdelocc]

TEK are you talking about elearning modules?

JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

I think he is taking about buying RSES training material at a discounted price plus getting the monthly magazine.
At least for me the biggest deal breaker is to have a strong chapter like we do in my neck of the woods.

[TriplePoint]

Gotcha, I was kind of curious about the elearning material. Thought thats what he was talking about.

Thats stinks that you dont have a strong chapter. The chapter in my area has been inactive for a minute but 45 minutes away is an active chapter that I plan on attending in the future.



JASON sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[supertek65]

i dont know much about e learning but the tech 1,2,3 manuals and interactive CD's are awesome!

[71CHOPS]

dude, spend the money to join. you won't regret it. you get a monthly magazine that is loaded with information. plus they have started a CE credit section to keep up your NATE cert. hours.
and you get the Service Application Manual....it's only about 5000pages of info. on everything from A/C to CO2 systems.

Even though it's a little way for you to travel, it's well worth going to a meeting here and there just to meet other techs. There are guys in our chapter that don't mind me calling them to pick their brains when I'm stumped. I never would have had that benefit otherwise. Learning is key in this field, if you don't continue your education on your own, you'll never grow as a technician.

like i said, money well spent.....on a great investment......your career!

[roofdude]

I guess it does depend on the chapter you join. The chapter I joined in Texas was a complete waste of time and money.

[supertek65]

Roofdude

I am sure there are plenty of real weak chapters.

For me it is worth it just to get the literature and the journal.

Also so you can test your skills and take the exams.

[supertek65]

Btw

Roofdude is a cool user name

[roofdude]

Thanks supertek, you are right. I was unfortunate to join a weak chapter. I was just venting a little about my negative experience. I'm sure most of the chapters are worth joining, and I think it also looks good on a resume.

[spliskin]

Access to the SAMS (Service Application Manuals) online is worth the dues. (Free with membership) You have a question or problem you'll find the answer in there. No other organization has the wealth of HVACR info RSES has. Pretty much anyone who is good in this trade either is or was an RSES member.

[steve wright]

I have been a member (RSES) since 1978, it has been great for my career.

RSES is known as the Training Authority, they are on the cutting edge of new information that we need to excell in the service field.

There is no long term commitment and I think the RSES Journal and SAM are worth the price of membership.

[supertek65]

I agree!

I will never give up my membership!

If things were so tight that I could not afford $100 bucks a year or whatever it is?
keeping in mind that this money goes to an HVAC educational society, I would have hit rock bottom!

If you think you can not afford it?
get a coffee can on January 1 of 2013 and put a quarter in it every day until 2014 and then join!



Access to the SAMS (Service Application Manuals) online is worth the dues. (Free with membership) You have a question or problem you'll find the answer in there. No other organization has the wealth of HVACR info RSES has. Pretty much anyone who is good in this trade either is or was an RSES member.


I have been a member (RSES) since 1978, it has been great for my career.

RSES is known as the Training Authority, they are on the cutting edge of new information that we need to excell in the service field.

There is no long term commitment and I think the RSES Journal and SAM are worth the price of membership.

[TriplePoint]

Just ordered the Tech 1 manual. I am looking forward to using the disc. RSES training materials are the best out there.

RSES's = the (.)(.)'s

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[J/D]

[QUOTE=TriplePoint;14511191]Just ordered the Tech 1 manual. I am looking forward to using the disc. RSES training materials are the best out there.

I bought the three disc set to prepare for the CM test at first I thought they were pricey,that is until I started using them. AWSOME I dont regret buying them and I passed the CM test the first time due in part to the discs.:cheers:

[T.J.]

i have a few RSES questions i hope y'all can help me with.

after reading a few posts about the subject i sent off & recieved their info packet.i plan on joining & ordering some of their stuff.my questions are on what i should order.

a little background first - i attended & graduated (pretty high in my class) a tech school HVAC program several years ago.like an idiot i did nothing with what i learned from it.i decided to do something else and now i regret not going into heating & air.i have decided to give heating & air another try but,i have lost alot of what i had learned.

my questions : what would be the best to order? start with manual 1? just the manual or order the CD's with it?

any advice would be appreciated.

T.J.

[TriplePoint]

I dont know about the best order but I am going through the rac and tech 1 materials at the same time. I did order the manual and disc. Its a whole lot of material but I really enjoy soaking it all up.

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[supertek65]

good job 3pt!!!!!!!!

i could not focus on both of those at once!!!!!!!!!!

[supertek65]

good job!!!!!!!!!

are you going to take a CMS exam?




[QUOTE=TriplePoint;14511191]Just ordered the Tech 1 manual. I am looking forward to using the disc. RSES training materials are the best out there.

I bought the three disc set to prepare for the CM test at first I thought they were pricey,that is until I started using them. AWSOME I dont regret buying them and I passed the CM test the first time due in part to the discs.:cheers:

[TriplePoint]

Undecided at the moment but I am leaning towards RAC sm test first then testing out on the tech 1 material when I get through it. I saw that you can take a final for each of the 3 cm manuals.

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[supertek65]

thats cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it will pay off, I promise!



Undecided at the moment but I am leaning towards RAC sm test first then testing out on the tech 1 material when I get through it. I saw that you can take a final for each of the 3 cm manuals.

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[J/D]

[QUOTE=supertek65;14515971]good job!!!!!!!!!

are you going to take a CMS exam?


Thanks supertek65 I am planning on taking a CMS exam, the one thing I' ve learned from taking the CM test is there is ALOT I dont know, but I WILL keep studying. I feel its the only way to be good at this trade.

[supertek65]

you are correct sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



[QUOTE=supertek65;14515971]good job!!!!!!!!!

are you going to take a CMS exam?


Thanks supertek65 I am planning on taking a CMS exam, the one thing I' ve learned from taking the CM test is there is ALOT I dont know, but I WILL keep studying. I feel its the only way to be good at this trade.

[timebuilder]

i have a few RSES questions i hope y'all can help me with.

after reading a few posts about the subject i sent off & recieved their info packet.i plan on joining & ordering some of their stuff.my questions are on what i should order.

a little background first - i attended & graduated (pretty high in my class) a tech school HVAC program several years ago.like an idiot i did nothing with what i learned from it.i decided to do something else and now i regret not going into heating & air.i have decided to give heating & air another try but,i have lost alot of what i had learned.

my questions : what would be the best to order? start with manual 1? just the manual or order the CD's with it?

any advice would be appreciated.

T.J.

After hearing about how tough the CM test is I decided to break down and get the 3 manuals myself. I'm working my way through them. It's like wading through alligators but I think it'll pay off in the long run.

[bmwruss]

As I stated when I started this post, I'm new to this industry and still in HVAC school. So forgive me if I ask simpleton questions. What is the CMS exam and CM test?

[supertek65]

CM is certificate member

CMS is certificate Member Specialist





As I stated when I started this post, I'm new to this industry and still in HVAC school. So forgive me if I ask simpleton questions. What is the CMS exam and CM test?




Certificate Member (CM)


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Certificate Membership is a classification of RSES membership, which originated in 1935. Exclusive to RSES members, this designation is earned after successfully passing a rigorous examination.


The CM examination tests 18 categories of knowledge required in the installation and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. It requires a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of mechanical refrigeration theory, as well as working knowledge of installation, service and troubleshooting procedures.


The Importance of the CM Designation

Achieving CM status can have a significant effect on your career. From direct financial incentives to long-term job security, attaining CM provides your employer with the criteria by which to evaluate and reward your personal commitment to continuing education. RSES Certificate Members are recognized industry-wide as possessing high levels of HVACR knowledge and many employers offer incentives for successful CM-test completion!


“Kerr Controls feels that it’s very important for our employees to stay current with industry developments. We believe RSES programs provide excellent avenues to accomplish that goal – to the extent that the company not only pays the employees’ annual membership dues, but covers costs for them to attend conferences where CM testing is held. If an employee passes the CM test, we have a $500 bonus for them!”

Kevin Toomey
Sales Manager
Kerr Controls Limited
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada

Advancement in the RSES Technical Institute

RSES members who earn CM classification also advance within the RSES Technical Institute to Level IV – Advanced Tech CM.


Exam Structure and Categories

There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the examination. A grade of 70% is required to pass.


To document the difficulty of the CM examination, RSES International Headquarters keeps accurate records of the examinations given and the results of each. Current pass rates are roughly 30%.


View the breakdown of exam categories for the CM exam.


Who Can Take the CM Exam?

Any RSES member who is in good standing and is an Active member may take the exam. RSES Canada requires two years of Active membership for their members before taking the exam.


What is the Cost to Take a CM Exam?

Every RSES member has the opportunity to take the exam for a $25.00 fee.



Certification Preparation

RSES recommends the Technical Institute Manuals 1, 2, and 3, which provide a comprehensive course of study for those members who wish to prepare for the CM exam. Click on the titles below to view further details on these manuals:


RSES Technical Manual 1

RSES Technical Manual 2

RSES Technical Manual 3



What Does RSES Do to Promote My Achievement?

All successful CM candidates receive two personalized wall certificates; one indicating their new status in the organization as a Certificate Member and the other an RSES Technical Institute Level 4 certificate suitable for framing along with a patch promoting their new status.

In addition, all future correspondence includes the CM designation with the member’s name – and the member is encouraged to do the same. With the member’s permission, his or her employer is notified of successful passing. Further, the names of successful candidates are included in each month’s RSES Journal, as well as listed in press releases and broadcast e-mail sent to industry peers and publications.

Each year, the member with the highest score (Society-wide) on the CM exam receives the John Spence Award at the RSES Annual Conference. In addition, Certificate Members can purchase the exclusive RSES CM ring.

Where can I take the examination?
Certificate Member (CM) examinations may be offered at State or Regional training events, through a local Chapter, at International Seminars or the Annual RSES Conference.

View the RSES Events Calendar to find scheduled exams in your area or contact your local Chapter to obtain course information in your area.


Need more information?

For further information on the Certificate Member (CM) examination please call RSES headquarters at 800/297-5660 or 847/297-6464, or e-mail us at certification@rses.org.










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[supertek65]

Certificate Member Specialist (CMS)
A Certificate Member Specialist (CMS)
has passed a comprehensive and difficult
exam in a specific area of expertise.
Current pass rates for Specialist exams
average approximately 20%. Only about
2.5% of the RSES membership holds this
prestigious classification of membership.
CMS exams are available only to RSES
CM members. There are eight categories
of testing from which to choose:
l Commercial Refrigeration
l Commercial Air Conditioning
l Heating
l HVACR Electrical
l Controls
l Domestic Service
l Heat Pump
l Dynamic Compression

[steve wright]

FYI to all regarding CM Exam, Jayson Goff will be presenting a CM Prep Session at the RSES Conference next week (11-14-2012 to 11-16-2012).

There will be a lot of other educational stuff going on too. Go to RSES.org conference and check it out.

There is just so much to learn, I am close to 60 and I have seen our industry change rapidly especially over the past five year, and it is going to get even faster. It is so important to keep learning.

Be the best at something, some area of our work, grab ahold to it and purpose in your heart that you will study and learn to be the best in that area!

[T.J.]

i want to thank everyone for the info/advice.i appreciate it.

guess i will join up and start with manual1 -w-the CD's

thanks again,
T.J.

[sto2299001]

if you join you can go on line and get learning material!

it is by far the best learning material available today.

RSES tech 1 would be good for you.

frank

That material vs this one?? Which is better any thoughts?

http://www.prokupmediastore.com/Air-Conditioning_c_32.html

[supertek65]

Rses is better but this stuff is good.

[joemach]

I guess it does depend on the chapter you join. The chapter I joined in Texas was a complete waste of time and money.

It is what you make of it.

How involved were you?