Appliance Repair Technician Certification - Mountain West Trade School

Mountain West Trade School

Program Overview

The Appliance Repair Technician program is a 100-clock-hour, online distance-education course preparing learners for entry-level positions in residential and light-commercial appliance service. The curriculum covers tools and customer service, OSHA 10 General Industry, electrical fundamentals and diagnostics, refrigeration and cooling, washers and dryers, gas and electric cooking appliances, dishwashers and garbage disposals, and EPA Section 608 Core + Type I certification preparation. Graduates are positioned to sit for the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry and EPA Section 608 Core + Type I credentialing exams, and the ATC Appliance Repair Certification exam.

Quick Facts

Program Length	100 Clock Hours
Delivery Format	100% Online — Asynchronous Distance Education with VR Lab Component
Modules	13
Lecture / Lab Split	88 Lecture · 12 Lab/Sim
VR Labs	6
Typical Duration	5 weeks at 20 hrs/week, or 10 weeks at 10 hrs/week (maximum 12 months)
CIP Code	47.0106 — Appliance Installation and Repair Technology
SOC Codes	49-9031 (Home Appliance Repairers)
Target Occupations	Appliance Repair Technician, In-Home Service Technician, Warranty/Service Contract Technician, HVAC/Refrigeration Apprentice (overlap)
Industry Credentials Targeted	OSHA 10 General Industry · EPA 608 Core + Type I · ATC Appliance Repair Certification

Lead Instructor — Dan Parker

The Appliance Repair program is led by Dan Parker (John “Dan” Parker), a Missouri-based career technical instructor and owner of an HVAC and facilities service company. As an EPA 608 Universal–certified technician who works across HVAC/R, sealed systems, electrical, and gas appliances daily, Dan is the named instructor of record for student Q&A, manual review, and the weekly virtual office hours.

Background & Credentials

HVAC/R Instructor, Poplar Bluff Career Technical Center (2020–present)
Owner, Need Air — HVAC and facilities service company, Poplar Bluff, MO (2015–present)
Former HVAC Tech Consultant, HVAC Insurance Co. (2014–2019)
M.S., Career and Technology, University of Central Missouri (2021)
B.S., Business Administration, Southwest Missouri State University
HVAC/R Certificate, Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center
EPA Section 608 Universal certification
OSHA 10
Hands-on field experience with major residential appliances including refrigeration, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and gas/electric cooking equipment

Target Audience & Prerequisites

Minimum age 18 years
Functional reading and basic math (fractions, decimals)
Computer literacy and email proficiency
Technology requirements per Program Policies
Physical capability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform in-home service tasks (with or without reasonable accommodation)
No prior appliance-repair experience required

Program Learning Outcomes

Identify and safely use appliance-service tools and demonstrate professional in-home service conduct.
Apply OSHA 10 General Industry safety standards to appliance-service tasks.
Apply electrical fundamentals — Ohm’s Law, multimeter use, and circuit analysis — to appliance diagnostics.
Diagnose and service residential clothes dryers (gas and electric).
Diagnose and service residential refrigerators, ice makers, and window air conditioners.
Apply EPA Section 608 Core and Type I refrigerant-handling requirements.
Diagnose and service top-load and front-load clothes washers.
Service gas and electric cooking appliances, including microwaves, with attention to combustion safety.
Service and install dishwashers and garbage disposals.
Demonstrate workplace readiness for in-home appliance service.

Course Schedule & Modules

The program is organized into 13 sequential modules totaling 100 clock hours. Modules are gated — students must pass each module’s assessment before advancing.

Module 1 — Introduction to Appliance Repair | 3 Hours

Introduction to Appliance Repair
Ethical Repair and Customer Service
Basic Tools

Module 2 — OSHA 10 General Industry | 10 Hours

Introduction to OSHA
Fall Hazards
Avoiding Electrocution Hazards
Struck-By Hazards
Caught-In or -Between Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment
Health Hazards in Construction
Excavations
Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal
Scaffolds
Hand and Power Tools
Safe Driving Practices
Emergency Action Plans and Fire Protection
Cranes
Welding and Cutting
Final Assessment

Module 3 — Electrical Fundamentals | 12 Hours

Module 4 — Virtual Reality Labs | 6 Hours | VR Lab

Module 5 — Clothes Dryers | 7 Hours

Gas Combustion
Principles of Drying
Installation
Dryer Components, Wiring, and Troubleshooting
Dryer Gas Burner System

Module 6 — Refrigeration and Cooling Systems | 10 Hours

Basic Refrigeration
Brazing and Lok Ring
Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling, System Evacuation, Leak Detection, and Recharging
Window AC
Ice Maker Troubleshooting
Ice Machine Troubleshooting

Module 7 — Washers | 12 Hours

Types and Styles
Theory of Operations
Key Components by Sequence of Operations
Agitation and Tumble
Motors and Pumps
Drive Systems
Suspension Systems
Washer Chemistry — Water & Detergents
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
Installation

Module 8 — Gas Cooking Appliances | 7 Hours

Understanding Gas Systems and Safety
Proper Burner Combustion & Safety
Flame Characteristics & Ignition
Direct Spark Ignition
Adjustment and Repair Procedures to Minimize Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Module 9 — Electric Cooking Appliances | 10 Hours

Theory of Operation — Radiant & Induction
Types and Styles
Cooktop Surface and Components
Oven Cooking and Components
Oven Door and Components
Self-Clean and Components
Convection, Steam Cooking, and Components
Electric Cooking Appliances Troubleshooting Basics

Module 10 — Garbage Disposals | 4 Hours

Types/Styles and Theory of Operation
Key Components by Sequence of Operations
Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
Installation

Module 11 — Dishwashers | 6 Hours

Dishwasher Basics and Repair
Theory of Operations
Key Components by Sequence of Operation
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Installation

Module 12 — EPA 608 Exam Preparation | 5 Hours

EPA 608 Core
EPA 608 Type I

Module 13 — ATC Appliance Repair Certification Prep | 8 Hours

Electrical Safety, Multimeter Use & Circuit Reading
Refrigerator & Freezer Systems
Laundry — Washers & Dryers
Cooking Equipment — Gas & Electric Ranges, Ovens, Microwaves
Dishwashers
Customer Service & Service Documentation
Tools, Parts & Service Practices

Grading & Assessment

Component	Pass Standard	Format
Module quizzes & knowledge checks	Pass each	Online
Virtual reality labs & skills simulations	Pass each	Online / VR headset or desktop
Mid-program competency assessment	Must pass	Online (proctored)
Participation & timely completion	Required	LMS activity tracking
Final comprehensive exam	Must pass	Online (proctored)

Completion Requirements

Pass all 13 modules in sequence
Pass the mid-program competency assessment
Complete all virtual reality lab tasks with passing scores
Pass the final comprehensive exam (proctored)
Sit for the OSHA 10 General Industry, EPA Section 608 Core + Type I, and ATC Appliance Repair Certification exams

Student Supports

Instructor office hours held weekly via video conference and asynchronous messaging
1:1 tutoring available on request for technical concepts and exam preparation
Career services including resume review, mock interviews, and direct introductions to employer network
Technical support for LMS, VR headset configuration, and proctoring software (response within one business day)
ADA accommodations available — contact Student Services within the first two weeks of enrollment

After the Program

Graduates pursue positions including Appliance Repair Technician (residential and light commercial), In-Home Service Technician, Warranty/Service Contract Technician, and Apprentice Technician in HVAC/refrigeration overlap roles. Common employers include manufacturer service networks (Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG), national service contractors (Mr. Appliance), and independent appliance service businesses.

Academic Integrity & Attendance

Students are expected to log into the learning management system and engage with course material at least three days per week. A student who has not logged in for 14 consecutive days will be contacted by Student Services and may be required to submit a written catch-up plan. Students must complete all coursework independently. All proctored exams use identity verification and session recording.

Appliance Repair Technician — Course Catalog