FAQs

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• Is the new curriculum and certification career path supported by the industry?

  The RV Industry Association and the RV Dealers Association contributed a combined $10 million dollars to create the curriculum, credentialing a 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.

• Where is the RV Technical Institute located?

  The new 18,000 square foot facility, located at 3333 Middlebury Street in Elkhart, Indiana, and sits on 3.34 acres. There are currently seven classrooms in the facility, 10,000 square feet of shop/bay space with 17-foot ceilings to accommodate two to three RVs--enough space for learning, depending on RV type, and component training.

• What does the new technician career path look like and how do technicians achieve each level?

  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.

  Learn more about the RVTI technician training career pathway.

• How long does each RV Technical Institute certification last and what do I need to do to re-certify?

  • Level 1: Good for life with no re-certification or continuing education requirements. Technician must keep their personal information and employment information up-to-date in the LMS.
  • 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. Technician must keep their personal information and employment information up-to-date in the LMS.
  • 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 repeat. Technician must keep their personal information and employment information up-to-date in the LMS.
  • Level 4: 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 RV Technical Institute 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. Technician must keep their personal information and employment information up-to-date in the LMS.

• How do I transfer my RVDA/RVIA certification to the new RV Technical Institute certification?

  Certifications under the previous RVDA/RV Industry Association Technician Certification Program were automatically transitioned to the RV Technical Institute. RVDA/RVIA certifications transitioned to the following designations under the new RV Technical Institute’s program:

  • Registered technicians were re-designated as a Level 1 Certified Technician. Level 1 Certification is good for life.
  • Certified Technicians were re-designated as a Level 2 Certified Technician
  • Certified Technicians with proof of required supplier trainings completed within the past five years will be granted the corresponding RV Technical Institute 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 were re-designated as a Level 4 Master Certified Technician

• Where can I get trained and find a schedule of classes?

  All RV Technical Institute classes are held online, at our headquarters facility in Elkhart, Indiana, or provided through one of of our Authorized Learning Partners. Interested in our individual annual subscription for easy online access? Enroll here.

• How do I attend a live or hybrid training session at the Elkhart Campus?

  • Click here to view the schedule of live/hybrid classes available.
  • To attend a live class at RVTI, you must first purchase an individual subscription.
  • Once your subscription has been purchased the online training course will automatically be loaded into your learner dashboard.
  • DO NOT access the online training course. Instead, email RVTI at certfication@rvti.org or call 574-549-9080 to get moved into the live or hybrid training session.
  • A confirmation for the new live or hybrid training session with schedule and instructions will be emailed to you.

• How much does it cost?

  An annual individual subscription costs $600 includes Level 1 and Level 2 training and one attempt at each exam. Retests cost an additional $75.00 per exam that needs to be retaken.

  A location subscription gives a corporate location (if there are multiple location a location subscription is required for each location) the ability to enroll an unlimited number of employees/technicians into Level 1 & 2 training and testing. Location subscriptions costs $1500. 

  All training, testing and re-testing must be completed by the end of the annual subscription or must be renewed for another year to complete. 

• How long is each class?

  Level 1 is a 40 hour one week course that includes a two-hour written and two-hour performance exam on the last day of class.

  Level 2 is a 130 hour four week course that includes a 3-hour written an three-hour performance exam on the last day of class.

• How do I become an Authorized Learning Partner?

  The RV Technical Institute’s Authorized Learning Partner program is a network of regional training partners approved to deliver RV Technical Institute’s standardized training on a local or regional basis. Learning 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 RV Technical Institute 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 three week-long, in-person RV Technical Institute’s Train the Trainer Course
  • Attend the Annual RV Technical Institute’s Trainer Conference in Elkhart, Ind.
  • Ensure proctoring of exams are not done by dealer employees
  • Meet minimum national average student completion and pass rates
  • Submit to program audits

  Learn more about becoming an authorized RVTI Learning Partner.