CFESA Raises Requirements for Master Technician Designation
The path to earning Master Technician status from the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA) will become a little more rigorous beginning next year.
As of Jan. 1, 2027, Master Technician applicants will need to pass three of the four CFESA certification exams, have five years of industry experience, and receive manager approval. Technicians who earned Master Technician status before 2027 will retain their designation and follow the existing recertification process.
The Master Technician status is CFESA’s highest technician designation and recognizes advanced expertise across multiple disciplines. Core skills that are part of the certification include electric, gas, steam, and refrigeration.
To help technicians achieve those certifications and build their skills, CFESA is offering several in-person trainings this winter. All courses will be held at CFESA headquarters in Fort Mill, South Carolina, except for a special EGS&W training that will be presented in Los Angeles.
A five-day training course for those looking to enter or have been recently hired into the foodservice equipment repair industry will take place Nov. 2-6. Candidates for this new technician training should have little to no industry knowledge or skill set. The training will include company expectations, customer service, kitchen equipment operation, and the basic principles of electric, gas, and steam. The cost is $1,000 for CFESA members and $2,000 for nonmembers.
Those wishing to learn more about combi oven repair can take a special training course on Nov. 9-13. This training session will consist of four consecutive one-day training classes, each led by factory trainers from a combi oven manufacturer. All equipment will be connected to the proper utilities so that it can run and operate just as it would in a customer’s facility. The skill level for participants should be mid-level to seasoned technicians. Entry-level technicians will not have the skill set needed to participate in this course. The cost is $500 for CFESA members only.
A training course for high-speed oven repair will be held Nov. 16-20. This session will consist of four consecutive one-and-a-half-day training classes, each led by factory trainers from a high-speed oven brand. Each manufacturer will cover installation and setup, proper operation and programming of the equipment, service troubleshooting, and maintenance. Technicians must be familiar with electric and gas theory and have a working knowledge of foodservice equipment. Entry-level technicians will not have the skill set needed to participate in this course. The cost is $500 for CFESA members only.
A course covering ice machine repair will be held Dec. 7-11. The session will feature four consecutive one-day training classes led by factory trainers from ice machine brands. Each manufacturer will cover installation and setup, proper operation and programming, service troubleshooting, and maintenance. The skill level for participants should be mid-level to seasoned technicians. Entry-level technicians will not have the skill set needed to participate in this course. The cost is $500 for CFESA members only.
Finally, a course teaching hands-on troubleshooting for electric, gas, steam, and water will be held Dec. 14-19. This course is designed for the technician who has worked in the field for two years or less or needs a confidence boost to work independently. Technicians must be familiar with the electric, gas, and steam theory and possess a basic mechanical aptitude. The cost is $1,000 for CFESA members and $2,000 for nonmembers.