The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) launched last year with a brand-new curriculum featuring hands-on training and instruction from top RV industry experts. This program, designed to be the only industry-wide credential, provides RV service technicians with the experience and expertise needed by manufacturers, dealerships and repair shops nationwide. RVTI’s goal is to improve skills such as testing RV systems, diagnosing, repairing, replacing RV component parts and increase proficiency and efficiency for our RV customers.
With the onset of the new program there have been numerous questions from technicians and dealers. Here are the most frequently asked questions with their answers:
Q: Is this new curriculum and certification career path supported by the industry?
A: The RVIA and the RVDA contributed a combined $10 million dollars to create the curriculum, credentialing and career path for RV service technicians, along with an institute to deliver the new and improved curriculum. It is the only industry-wide supported path to certification.
Q: What does the new technician career path look like and how do I achieve each level?
A: The new technician career path is divided into four levels of proficiency. A technician will be awarded a Level 1, 2, 3 or Level 4 master technician credential based on successfully demonstrating the required knowledge and skills at each level. Each level builds on the foundation of the previous level and allows the technician to become a generalist or a specialist. The program will cover theory, application and troubleshooting.
Level 1: A pre-delivery inspector (PDI) technician with a proven skill set to prepare an RV for customer delivery by verifying the operation of all components. To achieve this level, you must successfully pass Level 1 written and skill-based (practical) exams.
Level 2: A technician that has theoretical knowledge of all the systems and components within an RV and a proven skill set to be able to perform basic diagnostics, troubleshooting and repairs on those systems and components. To achieve this level, you must successfully pass Level 1 and 2 written and skill-based (practical) exams.
Level 3: A technician that has completed the supplier trainings on specific types of components and increased their skill set to be able to perform advanced diagnostics, troubleshooting and repairs on those systems and components. To achieve this level, you must successfully pass the Level 1 and 2 written and skill-based (practical) exams and attended and passed 24-hours of approved hands-on vendor trainings within five years covering the minimum topics listed for each specialty.
Level 4: The Master Technician has completed all five designated specialties through vendor trainings and is proficient in troubleshooting and repair of all the major systems and components within an RV.
Q: What does this mean for my current certification?
A: The RVDA/RVIA Technician Certification Program has transitioned to the RVTI and current registered, certified or master certified technicians will have the following designations under the new RVTI program:
Registered technicians will be re-designated as a Level 1 Certified Technician.
Certified Technicians will be re-designated as a Level 2 Certified Technician.
Certified Technicians Level 2 with proof of required supplier trainings completed within the past five years will be granted the corresponding RVTI Level 3 specialty and re-designated as a Level 3 Certified Technician and/or a Level 4 Master Certified Technician, as appropriate.
Master Certified technicians will be re-designated as a Level 4 Master Certified Technician. Current registered, certified or master certified technicians can expect to receive their new RVTI credentials at no charge during the 2020 transitional year. All expiration dates remain the same for your current certification.
Q: How long does each certification last and what do I need to do to re-certify?
A: Level 1: Good for life with no re-certification or continuing education requirements. A yearly information and employment verification check-in are needed to stay active.
Level 2: Good for five years. Over this period, the technician must acquire 24 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs) of approved hands-on or online training. No training older than five years will be counted and a yearly information and employment verification check-in are needed to stay active.
Level 3: Good for five years. Over this period, the technician must acquire 24 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs) of approved hands-on or online training. Eight of the 24 hours of CEUs must be directly related to the specialty held. No training older than five years will be counted and no trainings can be repeated. A yearly information and employment verification check-in are needed to stay active.
Level 4 Master Technician: Good for five years. Over this period, the technician must acquire 24 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs) of approved hands-on or online training. These training can include participation in RVTI or other industry-approved activities such as curriculum development, train-the-trainer programs and leadership training. No training older than five years will be counted and a yearly information and employment verification check-in are needed to stay active.
Q: My program certification has expired, am I grandfathered into the new program?
A: Only current, valid certifications will be transferred into the new program. The RVTI’s recertification procedures are in development and will be announced when they are available.
Q: Where can I get trainer and find a schedule of classes?
All RVTI classes are held at either at its headquarters facility in Elkhart, Indiana, or provided through one of the RVTTI’s Authorized Licensed Partners. A schedule of classes and instructions on how to signup will be posted at www.RVTI.org.
Q: How long is each class and what are the costs?
A: Level 1 is one week, plus a two-hour practical test time to be assigned the following week. Cost: Free for 2020 if you currently work in the RV industry, $1,000 if you are not.
Level 2 is seven courses, each approximately a week in length with practical testing included. Cost: $500 a week or $2,500 for all seven weeks if you currently work in the RV industry, $1,000 a week or $5,000 for all seven weeks if you are not in the RV industry.
Q: How do I become an authorized licensed partner?
A: The RVTI’s Authorized Licensed Partner program is a network of regional training partners approved to deliver RVTI’s standardized training on a local or regional basis. Licensed partners have access to the institute’s full curriculum, training materials and soon-to-be launched learning management system (LMS) and testing, as well as training from the institute’s staff on how to track student progress and deliver the curriculum. To become an RVTI Authorized Licensed Partner, you must:
• Use the LMS to track and register students, receive curriculum updates and deliver the curriculum to students.
• Ensure course instructors are Level 2 Certified RV Technicians who have completed the week-long RVTI’s Train the Trainer Course.
• Attend the Annual RVTI’s Trainer Conference in Elkhart, Indiana, ($300 fee/instructor).
• Ensure proctoring of exams are not done by dealer employees.
• Meet minimum national average student completion and pass rates.
• Submit to program audits.
Dealers interested in becoming an Authorized Licensed Partner should contact RVTI at (703) 620-6003 ext. 396 or [email protected].
Q: When is the Train the Trainer and how do I sign up?
A: Classes will be held in Elkhart on March 2, April 13 and June 29. You can sign up for a class here.
If you have additional questions regarding the RVTI and its training programs, email [email protected].
