The Central Pennsylvania Sheet Metal Workers Training Center has achieved a major industry milestone, becoming the first Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) lab on the East Coast certified to conduct the hands-on portion of the TABB Technician Certification Exam.
During the week of June 23, 2025, our facility was officially recognized by the International Certification Board (ICB) and the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) as meeting the rigorous standards required to serve as a certified hands-on testing lab. This achievement makes the Central PA Training Center one of only a select few locations in the country qualified to administer the full performance-based TABB exam, a credential accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
The TABB certification process has undergone a major transformation. In recent years, with updatednational standards that require testing labs to meet detailed criteria, including lab setup, equipment calibration, airflow simulation, instrumentation, and evaluator qualifications. These enhanced requirements, developedby the ICB, administered with oversight from NEMI, and backed by ANAB accreditation, ensure that every certified technician is evaluated under consistent, high-quality conditions.
The Central PA Training Center responded by upgrading its facilities, investing in TAB equipment, and preparing its instructors and evaluators to meet the latest national benchmarks. Following an in-depth review, the lab was officially approved as a TABB testing site, making it the first hands-on testing site on the East Coast.
“This is a huge win for our members and for the future of TAB certification in our region,” said Royce Book. “It means our apprentices and journey-level workers can now pursue full TABB Technician Certification, including the hands-on portion, right here in Central Pennsylvania.”
TABB (Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Bureau) certifications are the only ANSI-accredited TAB credentials in the HVAC industry. Being certified not only demonstrates technical competence but also opens the door to specialized, high-demand work in testing, balancing, and commissioning systems for energy efficiency and performance.
With this new lab certification, the Central PA Training Center continues to set the standard, expanding opportunities for local members and reinforcing the high standards of excellence expected from union-trained sheet metal professionals.