Q&A: RV Technical Institute’s Level 3 Career Path

The RV Technical Institute's technician training program is the RV industry’s gold standard. The team has leveraged decades of industry experience and partnered with the top RV manufacturer and supplier leaders in the field to develop the most up-to-date and influential RV technician training program ever built. Along with the Level 1 and Level 2 courses, the Institute also offers a Level 3 curriculum for RV technicians who are interested in finding a specialty. 

What is Level 3?
For technicians that have completed the Level 1 and Level 2 trainings, Level 3 offers supplier training on specific types of components. The trainings leads to increased skillsets where technicians can perform advanced diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repairs on those systems and components. 

Who teaches the RV Technical Institute’s Level 3 courses?
RV Industry Association supplier members teach the courses. The full list of available supplier trainings is here.

What are the Level 3 specialist areas?
There are five areas of specialty training technicians can pursue:

• Electrical Specialist
  • Demonstrates skill and expertise in converter, inverter, transfer switches, management systems, batteries (including lithium-ion), surge protection, solar, generators
• Chassis Specialist
  • Demonstrates skill and expertise in stabilization, leveling, electric steps, braking systems (including hydraulic and electric), vehicle weights (hitch, axle, and suspension) 
• Electronics Specialist
  • Demonstrates skill and expertise in satellite systems, logic control systems, and control area networks
• Appliance Specialist
  • Demonstrates skill and expertise in furnaces, air conditioning, refrigerators, water heaters (must include traditional, instantaneous, and hydronic or combination systems)
• Slideout Specialist
  • Demonstrates skill and expertise in cable slide-outs, above floor slide-outs, through frame slide-outs (including screw-type, rack and pinion, hydraulic, flush mounted)

How do I become Level 3 certified?
To achieve Level 3, technicians must have successfully passed Level 1 and 2 written and skill-based (practical) exams as well as attend and pass 24 hours of approved vendor trainings within five years for a specific specialty category. Once 24 hours of approved vendor training is completed in a single specialty category, a technician is certified as a Level 3 Technician for that specialty.

Can I become Level 3 certified in more than one area?
Yes, to achieve Level 3 for additional specialties, a technician must complete 24 hours of approved vendor training in another specialty category.  

How long is my Level 3 certification valid?
Level 3 status is good for five years for each specialist category to include all topics listed under each category.

How do I renew my Level 3 certification?
Over the five-year certification time, the technician must acquire 24 hours of continuing education credits of approved training. No trainings older than five years will be counted. 8 of the 24 hours of continuing education credits must be directly related to the specialty held.

I want to teach Level 3— how do I become an accredited training provider?
You can download and submit an application for review and approval of the Curriculum Committee.

Want to learn more about the RV technician career path? Check out the RV Technical Institute’s website or view the full Career Path!