Is American Trade Certification a government agency?
No. ATC is an independent, private credentialing body. Our credentials are not licenses, and they do not replace any state-issued license required to perform regulated work in your jurisdiction. ATC credentials demonstrate that a holder has passed our examination and met our published standards — they sit alongside, not on top of, state licensing.
Who can sit for an ATC examination?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have completed the minimum hours of related instruction listed for their chosen credential. Instruction may be delivered by any qualified provider — school, employer, apprenticeship program, or military — provided the curriculum maps to ATC's published competency framework.
How are exams administered and proctored?
All ATC examinations are proctored. Written exams are delivered at approved testing sites or through ATC-approved remote proctoring. Practical components are evaluated in person by an ATC-qualified evaluator. Examination integrity is paramount: no take-home exams, no open-book components, no exceptions.
How does the public verify a credential?
Anyone can use the public registry on this site to confirm a credential's status. Verification returns the discipline, the holder's name, issue and expiration dates, and current status (active, expired, or revoked). Personal contact information is not published.
How is a credential renewed?
ATC credentials are valid for three years. Renewal requires either documented work experience in the discipline (typically 2,000 hours over the three-year period) or completion of approved continuing education, plus a current OSHA card where applicable. Lapsed credentials may be reinstated within 12 months by passing a reduced refresher exam.
Are ATC credentials accepted by employers?
ATC credentials are designed to give employers a defensible, third-party signal of competency. Acceptance varies by employer and jurisdiction; ATC does not guarantee hiring or licensing outcomes. We publish our standards so employers can evaluate them on their own terms.
Can a training school enroll its students in ATC certification?
Yes. Approved training providers can register cohorts for ATC examinations and issue branded preparation materials that map to ATC's competency frameworks. Provider approval is based on curriculum alignment and instructor qualifications. Contact us for the provider application packet.
