Business & Cross-Cutting · course plan
⚠ Pending professional review
This course plan, its lessons and its assessments has not yet been verified by a credentialed professional in the field or by a certification or approval body. It is a study draft and may contain errors. Do not use it as instructions for work on a job site or on live equipment. Always follow your instructor, your supervising professional, and current official references and regulations.
VoTechWorks program approval and accreditation are still in progress. Credentials are issued only by the certifying bodies named in each program, after their own exams.
Appliance Repair
10 courses · 900 clock hours · 3–6 mo full-time. Grading is competency-based: each course requires the written exam, a competent skills demonstration with zero safety faults, a signed log, and a passed safety audit; percentage weights only rank performance above the competency floor.
10courses
55lessons
900hours
35assessments
Development progressPlanCourses, lessons and assessments written for this tradeLessons55 of 55 lesson pages writtenPractice439 practice questionsResources117 reference entries (study list)Review0 lesson pages reviewed by a licensed professional
Study now: 55 lesson pages are open (lesson titles below are links).
BUS-APPL73-01 Universal core
Universal Core: Safety, Math, Communication & Career for Appliance Repair
148 hr · $1,185 COMPLIMENTARY
This course establishes the foundational knowledge and habits every appliance repair technician must have before touching live equipment or refrigerants. Learners complete OSHA 10-hour general industry training, first aid/CPR, and trade-specific hazard protocols including lockout/tagout and electrical PPE selection. The course also builds the technical math, blueprint reading, digital tool skills, and professional communication needed to succeed in the shop, on the job site, and on national certification exams.
Outcomes- Demonstrate lockout/tagout procedures and select correct PPE for electrical, refrigerant, and thermal hazards without prompting.
- Perform trade math calculations—unit conversion, Ohm's Law, series/parallel circuits, and refrigerant capacity—accurately to within 5% on timed problems.
- Interpret wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and service bulletins for common household appliances.
- Use a digital multimeter, manufacturer service portals, and job-management software to locate data and document a repair.
- Write a professional customer repair estimate and communicate a technical finding clearly to a non-technical audience.
- Describe the pathway, exam areas, and work-readiness expectations for the PSA Certified Appliance Professional and EPA 608 credentials.
Course text
This course establishes the foundational knowledge and habits every appliance repair technician must have before touching live equipment or refrigerants. Learners complete OSHA 10-hour general industry training, first aid/CPR, and trade-specific hazard protocols including lockout/tagout and electrical PPE selection. The course also builds the technical math, blueprint reading, digital tool skills, and professional communication needed to succeed in the shop, on the job site, and on national certification exams.
How the course runs. 7 blocks: Hazard Recognition and OSHA 10 General Industry; Lockout/Tagout, Electrical PPE, and Appliance-Specific Hazards; First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Response; Trade Math: Measurement, Conversions, and Electrical Calculations; Technical Reading: Wiring Diagrams, Tech Sheets, and Service Bulletins; Digital Tools: Diagnostic Software, Parts Lookup, and Job Documentation; Professional Communication, Customer Relations, and Career Readiness.
What competent looks like. Demonstrate lockout/tagout procedures and select correct PPE for electrical, refrigerant, and thermal hazards without prompting. Perform trade math calculations—unit conversion, Ohm's Law, series/parallel circuits, and refrigerant capacity—accurately to within 5% on timed problems. Interpret wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and service bulletins for common household appliances. Use a digital multimeter, manufacturer service portals, and job-management software to locate data and document a repair. Write a professional customer repair estimate and communicate a technical finding clearly to a non-technical audience. Describe the pathway, exam areas, and work-readiness expectations for the PSA Certified Appliance Professional and EPA 608 credentials.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hazard Recognition and OSHA 10 General Industry | 22 | theory | Learners identify workplace hazards common to appliance repair and complete the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry program requirements. |
| OSHA 10-Hour General Industry course materials (authorized provider), OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry standards reference, lab safety poster set, camera or smartphone for hazard hunt, hazard-report form template | Learner submits the OSHA 10 completion card or certificate of completion AND scores 80% or higher on a 25-question written quiz covering electrical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards specific to the appliance repair environment. |
| 2 | Lockout/Tagout, Electrical PPE, and Appliance-Specific Hazards | 20 | demo | Learners demonstrate a correct six-step lockout/tagout procedure on a de-energized appliance trainer and select the right PPE for electrical, refrigerant, and high-heat work scenarios. |
| LOTO station with practice locks and tags (washer trainer, dryer trainer), PPE selection bin (arc-rated gloves, nitrile gloves, safety glasses, face shield, steel-toe boots, leather gloves), discharge resistor tool, practice capacitors, NFPA 70E reference (current edition), lab safety journal | Instructor uses a 10-point LOTO performance checklist; learner must earn 9/10 (no safety-critical steps missed) to pass. PPE selection must be 100% correct for the live-circuit scenario; any error requires immediate remediation and re-check. |
| 3 | First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Response | 10 | practice | Learners earn a recognized first aid/CPR certification and describe the emergency response steps for the three injuries most likely in appliance repair: electrical shock, refrigerant exposure, and lacerations. |
| CPR manikins (at least 1 per 2 learners), AED trainer unit, first aid kit for instruction, Safety Data Sheets for common refrigerants (R-134a, R-410A, R-22), scenario script cards, lamination pouches | Learner presents a valid CPR/first aid completion card from the authorized provider AND correctly sequences all steps in at least 2 of 3 emergency role-play scenarios as evaluated by the instructor on a pass/fail rubric. |
| 4 | Trade Math: Measurement, Conversions, and Electrical Calculations | 30 | theory | Learners solve trade-relevant math problems—unit conversion, Ohm's Law, power calculations, series/parallel resistance, and basic refrigerant quantity—correctly on timed, un-aided exercises. |
| Scientific calculator, vernier caliper, digital multimeter (one per learner or pair), breadboard trainer kit, resistor assortment, instructor-created problem set workbook, sample wiring diagrams, graph paper | Timed 20-problem written quiz (no calculator for the first 5 unit-conversion problems, calculator allowed for remaining 15); passing score is 80% overall with no fewer than 4/5 correct on the un-aided section. |
| 5 | Technical Reading: Wiring Diagrams, Tech Sheets, and Service Bulletins | 22 | theory | Learners correctly trace and interpret a complete appliance wiring diagram, identify all symbols and component callouts, and extract a specific repair procedure from a manufacturer tech sheet or service bulletin. |
| Printed wiring diagrams for washer, gas range, and refrigerator (OEM service data, current production models), colored highlighters, manufacturer tech sheets, internet-connected computer or tablet, OEM service portal access (instructor provides login), printed diagram legend reference sheet | Learner correctly traces and labels all four circuits on the washer diagram (graded with an answer-key overlay; 3/4 circuits must be fully correct) AND earns 70% or higher on the tech-sheet comprehension questions. |
| 6 | Digital Tools: Diagnostic Software, Parts Lookup, and Job Documentation | 22 | lab | Learners use a manufacturer service portal and industry parts-lookup tool to locate a part number, check availability and price, and complete a standardized digital work order from complaint to close. |
| Internet-connected computers or tablets (one per learner), accounts on at least one OEM service portal and one parts aggregator, work-order template (instructor-created, mirroring industry software), appliance spec plates or lab units with spec plates, printer for final work order | Completed work order must have zero errors in model/serial number, correct part numbers for all three components, and a legible, complete customer complaint and technical diagnosis section; instructor grades on a 10-point rubric and 8/10 is required to pass. |
| 7 | Professional Communication, Customer Relations, and Career Readiness | 22 | practice | Learners write a professional repair estimate, explain a technical finding in plain language to a simulated customer, and present a complete career-entry portfolio including a resume, cover letter, and credential pathway plan. |
| Repair estimate template, sample job listing (real posting), resume and cover letter formatting guide, PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam outline (from PSA website), EPA 608 Type I exam overview, word processing software, instructor-created customer role-play scenario scripts, communication rubric | Repair estimate must contain all required sections and no arithmetic errors (pass/fail on completeness, 80% on rubric). Role-play scored on a 12-point rubric (4 points each: technical accuracy, plain language, customer empathy); 9/12 required to pass. Portfolio must include all three documents and a complete credential plan to receive credit. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Regulation Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% correct (32/40 questions) | A 40-question multiple-choice and short-answer written exam covering OSHA 10 general industry hazards, lockout/tagout steps, PPE selection for electrical and refrigerant work, first aid emergency sequences, and right-to-know obligations under OSHA HazCom—directly mapped to the safety and regulatory awareness areas of the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam. Learners who score below 80% complete targeted remediation and take an alternate form within one week. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Technical Math and Reading Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% correct (24/30 questions) | A 30-question timed exam combining multiple-choice, fill-in, and diagram-interpretation items: Ohm's Law and power calculations, series/parallel circuit analysis, unit conversions, and reading a wiring diagram to answer diagnostic questions—aligned to the math and electrical fundamentals competencies tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam. Learners must show all work on calculation items; an answer without supporting work is marked incorrect. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Career Portfolio and Work-Order Project | Project | 25% | 80% on a 25-point rubric across four categories | Learners submit their complete career-entry portfolio (resume, cover letter, credential pathway plan) alongside a fully completed, error-free digital work order for an assigned diagnostic scenario, demonstrating technical reading, documentation, and digital tool competency in one integrated artifact. The instructor evaluates accuracy of technical content, professionalism of written communication, completeness of the credential plan, and correct use of the parts-lookup and work-order system, with no single category scoring below 60% of its available points. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Safety and Communication Oral Defense | Oral / panel | 25% | Pass on all three required demonstration elements; no safety-critical errors allowed | In a 15-minute individual oral and demonstration session, the learner performs a live LOTO procedure on a lab appliance, correctly selects PPE for two hazard scenarios presented without warning by the instructor, and explains to a simulated customer (played by the instructor) both the safety reason why the repair cannot start until LOTO is complete and the estimated cost and timeline from their work order. Any failure on a safety-critical step (missed LOTO step, wrong PPE for live-circuit scenario) results in an automatic fail and mandatory remediation before the next course begins. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
BUS-APPL73-02 Trade course
Electrical Diagnostics for Appliance Repair
73 hr · $790 COMPLIMENTARY
Students develop the ability to safely diagnose and document electrical faults in residential appliances using meters, wiring diagrams, and systematic troubleshooting procedures. Topics span AC/DC circuit theory, component testing, motor circuits, and control systems found in major household appliances. Lesson content maps directly to the electrical theory and diagnostic sections of the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam.
Outcomes- Apply lockout/tagout procedures and select appropriate PPE before performing any electrical test on a residential appliance.
- Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage, resistance, and current and interpret readings against manufacturer specifications.
- Read and trace a ladder-style or pictorial wiring diagram to identify circuit paths, load devices, and control components.
- Perform a systematic, symptom-based diagnostic sequence to isolate an open, short, or high-resistance fault in an appliance electrical circuit.
- Test and evaluate common electrical components—including motors, solenoids, thermostats, switches, and capacitors—and determine whether each is serviceable or requires replacement.
- Document diagnostic findings, parts decisions, and corrective actions in a written service record that meets industry standards.
Course text
Students develop the ability to safely diagnose and document electrical faults in residential appliances using meters, wiring diagrams, and systematic troubleshooting procedures. Topics span AC/DC circuit theory, component testing, motor circuits, and control systems found in major household appliances. Lesson content maps directly to the electrical theory and diagnostic sections of the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam.
How the course runs. 6 blocks: Electrical Safety and Lockout/Tagout for Appliance Work; DC and AC Circuit Theory Applied to Appliances; Reading Wiring Diagrams and Schematic Symbols; Multimeter Techniques: Voltage, Resistance, and Continuity Testing; Motors, Capacitors, and Control Components; Systematic Fault Diagnosis on Complete Appliances.
What competent looks like. Apply lockout/tagout procedures and select appropriate PPE before performing any electrical test on a residential appliance. Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage, resistance, and current and interpret readings against manufacturer specifications. Read and trace a ladder-style or pictorial wiring diagram to identify circuit paths, load devices, and control components. Perform a systematic, symptom-based diagnostic sequence to isolate an open, short, or high-resistance fault in an appliance electrical circuit. Test and evaluate common electrical components—including motors, solenoids, thermostats, switches, and capacitors—and determine whether each is serviceable or requires replacement. Document diagnostic findings, parts decisions, and corrective actions in a written service record that meets industry standards.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Safety and Lockout/Tagout for Appliance Work | 10 | theory | Students will correctly identify electrical hazards present in residential appliances and execute a complete lockout/tagout procedure on a de-energized appliance before any diagnostic work begins. |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 summary card, non-contact voltage testers, digital multimeters (Fluke 117 or equivalent), personal lockout locks and tags, hasp devices, de-energization log forms, PPE (safety glasses, insulated gloves rated 1000 V), sample appliances (washer, range, refrigerator) disconnected from supply | Student completes the lockout/tagout station checklist without prompting and verifies zero voltage at all test points on all three appliances; instructor marks pass if all six steps are performed in correct order with no skipped verification — 100% completion required, no partial credit. |
| 2 | DC and AC Circuit Theory Applied to Appliances | 12 | theory | Students will apply Ohm's Law and series/parallel circuit rules to calculate expected voltage, current, and resistance values in appliance circuits and explain the difference between 120 V and 240 V residential supply configurations. |
| Whiteboard and markers, DC breadboard kits with resistors and jumper wires, 6 V battery packs, digital multimeters, appliance nameplate data sheets (dryer, dishwasher, range), Ohm's Law reference cards, student calculation worksheets | Students submit the ten Ohm's Law problems and the dryer/dishwasher worksheet; pass requires correct answers on at least 8 of 10 calculation problems and correct identification of both fuse sizes with written justification — 80% score. |
| 3 | Reading Wiring Diagrams and Schematic Symbols | 10 | demo | Students will trace a complete circuit path on a ladder-style wiring diagram, identify every component by its standard schematic symbol, and predict which components will be energized given a stated appliance operating mode. |
| Printed ladder diagrams for a top-load washer, electric dryer, and dishwasher (sourced from manufacturer service manuals), schematic symbol reference sheet (ANSI/IEEE standard symbols), colored highlighters, pencils, whiteboard for instructor demo | Students submit the three completed and labeled diagrams; pass requires all symbols correctly identified and current paths correctly traced for the assigned operating modes with no missing nodes — instructor checks each diagram, pass threshold is 80% of components and paths correct. |
| 4 | Multimeter Techniques: Voltage, Resistance, and Continuity Testing | 14 | lab | Students will accurately measure AC voltage at live test points, component resistance with power removed, and continuity through switches and fuses using a digital multimeter, comparing each reading to the manufacturer's specification to determine acceptability. |
| GFCI-protected 120 V training boards (wired appliance simulation boards), digital multimeters, insulated test leads with alligator clips, set of eight bench-tested appliance components with spec sheets, deliberately faulted training board, component measurement log forms, manufacturer service data for each component type | Student lab log reviewed by instructor: all eight component readings recorded with correct units, pass/fail decisions match instructor key, and both board faults identified by location and fault type — pass requires 7 of 8 component evaluations correct and both faults identified, approximately 85% accuracy. |
| 5 | Motors, Capacitors, and Control Components | 14 | practice | Students will test a single-phase induction motor and its start capacitor, identify the run and start windings using resistance measurements, and evaluate solenoids, thermostats, and door switches for correct operation using multimeter and manufacturer data. |
| Washing machine and dryer single-phase motors (belt-drive and direct-drive types), run and start capacitors (various ratings), resistor discharge tool (10,000 ohm, appropriate wattage), digital multimeters with capacitance function, manufacturer wiring diagrams and component spec sheets, service record forms, safety glasses, insulated gloves | Students submit the motor terminal identification worksheet and component evaluation log; pass requires correct identification of common/start/run terminals on both motors and correct pass/fail determination for all components with supporting measurements — 80% of evaluations must match instructor key. |
| 6 | Systematic Fault Diagnosis on Complete Appliances | 13 | lab | Students will diagnose a stated electrical symptom on a complete residential appliance from customer complaint through confirmed repair using a structured diagnostic sequence, wiring diagram, and multimeter, and record findings in a complete service document. |
| Two instructor-faulted appliances (washer and dryer, or dryer and dishwasher), sealed fault cards, wiring diagrams, digital multimeters, non-contact voltage tester, lockout/tagout equipment, service record forms (work order format), parts reference catalog or manufacturer parts lookup printout | Instructor evaluates the completed service records and observes the diagnostic process: pass requires correct identification of both faults with supporting measurements, proper lockout/tagout performed at the start of each diagnosis, and a complete service record with no missing fields — both faults must be identified correctly to pass this lesson. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Theory and Diagram Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 70% or higher (35 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question written exam covering Ohm's Law calculations, series and parallel circuit behavior, 120 V and 240 V supply configurations, schematic symbol identification, and circuit tracing on ladder diagrams; questions are drawn from the same knowledge areas tested in the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam's electrical theory section. Students who score below 70% complete a targeted remediation activity and retake an alternate-form exam once. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Multimeter and Component Testing Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Pass requires correct procedure on all safety steps and correct evaluation of at least 4 of 5 assigned components | The instructor assigns the student five unlabeled appliance components and one live test point on a training board; the student must perform lockout/tagout where applicable, select correct meter function and range, obtain and record a reading, compare it to a provided spec, and state a pass/fail decision for each. The evaluator uses a standardized checklist; any missed lockout/tagout step is an automatic fail regardless of other scores. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Diagnostic Log | Log | 15% | Pass requires all entries present, measurements recorded with correct units, and fault identifications verified against instructor fault cards on at least 5 of 6 logged exercises | Students maintain a running lab log throughout the course recording test point locations, meter readings, component evaluations, fault identifications, and corrective action decisions from every lab and practice lesson. The completed log is submitted at the end of the course and reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and logical reasoning; it mirrors the kind of documentation expected in professional service records and supports the PSA exam's applied diagnostic competencies. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Electrical Safety Compliance Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% — all safety items on the checklist must be observed; any single failure results in an immediate stop and requires remediation before reassessment | An unannounced observation conducted by the instructor during one of the final two lab sessions: the evaluator uses a standardized checklist to verify that the student selects and wears correct PPE, performs a complete lockout/tagout sequence in correct order, verifies zero energy before probing, uses one-hand meter technique on live circuits, and returns the appliance to a safe state after testing. This check is a graduation requirement for the course independent of other assessment scores. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-APPL73-03 Trade course
Refrigeration Principles and System Diagnosis
73 hr · $790 COMPLIMENTARY
This course covers the refrigeration cycle, refrigerant handling under EPA Section 608 regulations, and systematic diagnosis of sealed-system and component faults in domestic refrigerators and freezers. Students develop hands-on skills with manifold gauges, leak detection tools, and temperature measurement while practicing proper safety and environmental compliance. Lesson content maps directly to PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains and the EPA 608 Type I written exam.
Outcomes- Explain the mechanical refrigeration cycle—compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation—and identify each component's function in a domestic refrigerator or freezer.
- Demonstrate safe refrigerant handling practices compliant with EPA Section 608 regulations, including proper use of recovery equipment and leak detection methods.
- Connect and read a manifold gauge set to diagnose high-side and low-side pressure conditions and interpret readings against published pressure-temperature charts for common refrigerants.
- Perform systematic electrical and mechanical diagnosis on compressors, start components, thermostats, defrost systems, evaporator fans, and condenser fans using a multimeter and temperature probes.
- Complete a documented repair procedure—from customer complaint through parts replacement to operational verification—meeting industry workmanship standards.
- Apply lockout/tagout, PPE selection, and refrigerant recovery procedures correctly before opening any sealed system, achieving zero critical safety violations on all evaluated tasks.
Course text
This course covers the refrigeration cycle, refrigerant handling under EPA Section 608 regulations, and systematic diagnosis of sealed-system and component faults in domestic refrigerators and freezers. Students develop hands-on skills with manifold gauges, leak detection tools, and temperature measurement while practicing proper safety and environmental compliance. Lesson content maps directly to PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains and the EPA 608 Type I written exam.
How the course runs. 6 blocks: The Refrigeration Cycle and System Components; Refrigerant Safety, Regulation, and EPA 608 Type I Requirements; Refrigerant Recovery and Manifold Gauge Operation; Compressor and Start Component Diagnosis; Defrost System, Evaporator Fan, and Temperature Control Diagnosis; Integrated Fault Diagnosis and Repair Documentation.
What competent looks like. Explain the mechanical refrigeration cycle—compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation—and identify each component's function in a domestic refrigerator or freezer. Demonstrate safe refrigerant handling practices compliant with EPA Section 608 regulations, including proper use of recovery equipment and leak detection methods. Connect and read a manifold gauge set to diagnose high-side and low-side pressure conditions and interpret readings against published pressure-temperature charts for common refrigerants. Perform systematic electrical and mechanical diagnosis on compressors, start components, thermostats, defrost systems, evaporator fans, and condenser fans using a multimeter and temperature probes. Complete a documented repair procedure—from customer complaint through parts replacement to operational verification—meeting industry workmanship standards. Apply lockout/tagout, PPE selection, and refrigerant recovery procedures correctly before opening any sealed system, achieving zero critical safety violations on all evaluated tasks.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Refrigeration Cycle and System Components | 10 | theory | Students will be able to trace the refrigeration cycle through each component on a diagram and explain the pressure-temperature relationship for refrigerants used in domestic appliances. |
| Cutaway refrigerator unit or large poster-quality diagram, pressure-temperature reference charts (R-134a, R-600a), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology (Whitman et al.) textbook, component-identification worksheet, whiteboard. | Component-identification quiz: student must correctly label at least 9 of 12 components and answer at least 3 of 4 pressure-temperature calculation questions correctly (75% pass threshold). |
| 2 | Refrigerant Safety, Regulation, and EPA 608 Type I Requirements | 12 | theory | Students will be able to state the legal requirements of EPA Section 608 for small appliances (Type I), identify regulated refrigerants by type, and describe proper personal protective equipment and emergency procedures for refrigerant exposure. |
| EPA Section 608 Type I study guide (current edition from EPA or approved test provider), Safety Data Sheets for R-134a and R-600a, chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, sample refrigerant cylinders (empty demonstrators), OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 reference (lockout/tagout). | Written practice quiz scored by instructor: minimum 75% (15/20 questions correct); PPE demonstration evaluated on a pass/fail checklist—all required items must be correctly selected and donned with accurate verbal rationale to pass. |
| 3 | Refrigerant Recovery and Manifold Gauge Operation | 14 | lab | Students will correctly connect a manifold gauge set to a domestic refrigerator, read high-side and low-side pressures, and operate a self-contained recovery machine to capture refrigerant in compliance with EPA Section 608 Type I requirements. |
| Manifold gauge set (R-134a rated), EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery machine, refrigerant recovery cylinders, trainer refrigerators (R-134a or R-600a), pressure-temperature charts, lab log sheets, electronic refrigerant scale, safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves. | Instructor observes full gauge connection, reading, and recovery sequence using a procedural checklist; all critical safety steps (PPE on, lockout/tagout confirmed before service port access, no venting) must be completed with zero critical errors; pressure readings must be recorded within ±2 psig of instructor-verified gauge; lab log entry must be complete and legible. |
| 4 | Compressor and Start Component Diagnosis | 12 | demo | Students will use a multimeter to test compressor winding resistance and continuity, test PTC starters and overload protectors, and determine whether a compressor is electrically serviceable. |
| Digital multimeter (auto-ranging), assorted hermetic compressors (working and known-faulty), PTC starters, current-sensing relays, overload protectors, diagnosis forms, manufacturer service data or appliance service manuals (matching trainer units), safety glasses, insulated gloves. | Each student must perform the winding resistance test independently and record all three resistance values; instructor verifies technique and recorded values are within 10% of actual; five-fault interpretation exercise graded by instructor—minimum 4 of 5 correct diagnoses to pass. |
| 5 | Defrost System, Evaporator Fan, and Temperature Control Diagnosis | 13 | practice | Students will systematically diagnose defrost system faults—including defrost heater, defrost thermostat (bi-metal), defrost timer or control board, and evaporator fan motor—and verify the thermostatic or electronic temperature control operates within specification. |
| Trainer refrigerators with accessible defrost systems, digital multimeter, defrost heaters (correct and replacement spec), bi-metal thermostats, defrost timers, evaporator fan motors, diagnostic flowcharts, lab log sheets, ice bath container, thermometer, safety glasses, insulated screwdrivers. | Instructor-assessed simulation repair: student must correctly identify the faulty defrost heater, install replacement part, and verify operational defrost cycle within the lab period; written worksheet must show all test values with correct pass/fail conclusions—minimum 80% of test entries accurate to pass. |
| 6 | Integrated Fault Diagnosis and Repair Documentation | 12 | lab | Students will complete an end-to-end diagnosis, repair, and documentation sequence on an unknown-fault refrigerator, producing a professional repair order that meets industry standards and includes all required safety steps. |
| Trainer refrigerators with pre-set faults (variety across class), digital multimeter, manifold gauge set, temperature probes or digital thermometer, lockout/tagout kit, PPE (safety glasses, insulated gloves), replacement parts inventory (thermostats, heaters, fan motors, start components), standardized repair order forms, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology textbook. | Repair order graded on a rubric: correct root-cause identification (required to pass); all safety steps initialed by instructor with zero critical omissions (required to pass); temperature verification within rated range at end of observation period; repair order clarity and completeness scored—minimum 75% on rubric total. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration and EPA 608 Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% (38 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice written exam covering the refrigeration cycle, pressure-temperature relationships, refrigerant types and properties, EPA Section 608 Type I legal requirements, recovery procedures, and electrical component theory. Questions are drawn from the lesson content and modeled on both PSA Certified Appliance Professional and EPA 608 Type I exam formats to give students direct preparation for both credentials. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Manifold Gauge and Recovery Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Zero critical safety errors; all procedural steps completed correctly on instructor checklist (100% of critical items, 80% of non-critical items) | The student is observed connecting a manifold gauge set to a trainer refrigerator, recording and interpreting pressure readings, and completing a full refrigerant recovery to the required level using an EPA-compliant recovery machine—all within a set time limit. The instructor uses a standardized procedural checklist; any omission of a critical safety step (PPE, lockout/tagout, no venting) results in an automatic failure and requires a remediation and re-demonstration before the student may progress. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Diagnostic Lab Log | Log | 15% | Minimum 80% of entries complete and accurate across all six lessons; no missing safety documentation | Students maintain a running lab log throughout all six lessons, recording test values, component pass/fail conclusions, gauge readings, and recovery weights for every hands-on activity. The completed log is collected at the end of the course and graded for accuracy of recorded values, completeness of safety and PPE notation, and clarity of written conclusions—serving as evidence of consistent engagement with the diagnostic process. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Pre-Work Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% of critical safety items correct; any critical failure requires immediate remediation before lab participation resumes | At the start of each lab or practice lesson, the instructor or a designated observer conducts a brief safety verification: the student must correctly identify required PPE for the task, state the lockout/tagout steps applicable to the equipment being used, and locate the SDS for any refrigerant involved. This check is unannounced on at least two of the six lessons; a critical failure on any item halts the student's lab participation until remediation is complete and the check is re-administered. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-APPL73-04 Trade course
Laundry Appliance Diagnosis and Repair
73 hr · $790 COMPLIMENTARY
This course covers the mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems found in residential top-load and front-load washers, dryers (gas and electric), and combination units. Students develop the skills to diagnose component failures using systematic troubleshooting methods, perform repairs to manufacturer standards, and verify safe operation before returning units to service. Lesson content is mapped to the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains covering mechanical systems, electrical diagnostics, and customer-ready documentation.
Outcomes- Diagnose mechanical faults in washer drive systems, suspension, bearings, pumps, and door/lid assemblies using service documentation and test equipment.
- Diagnose and repair electrical and electronic faults in washers and dryers, including motor control boards, sensors, thermistors, thermostats, heating elements, and gas ignition systems, using a digital multimeter and wiring diagrams.
- Apply lockout/tagout procedures and gas-line safety practices consistently before beginning any repair on laundry appliances.
- Read and interpret wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and error-code charts to develop a logical repair plan for top-load, front-load, and gas or electric dryer faults.
- Perform a complete operational verification test after repair, confirming correct cycle sequencing, water fill, temperature, spin speed, and exhaust airflow.
- Complete a professional repair order with symptom description, parts used, labor time, and test results suitable for review by an employer or the PSA exam portfolio.
Course text
This course covers the mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems found in residential top-load and front-load washers, dryers (gas and electric), and combination units. Students develop the skills to diagnose component failures using systematic troubleshooting methods, perform repairs to manufacturer standards, and verify safe operation before returning units to service. Lesson content is mapped to the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains covering mechanical systems, electrical diagnostics, and customer-ready documentation.
How the course runs. 6 blocks: Laundry Appliance Systems Overview and Safety; Reading Wiring Diagrams and Using Test Equipment for Laundry Appliances; Washer Mechanical Systems: Drive, Suspension, Bearings, and Pump; Washer Electrical and Electronic Controls: Boards, Sensors, and Error Codes; Gas and Electric Dryer Heating Systems and Airflow Diagnosis; Complete Appliance Diagnosis Simulation and Professional Documentation.
What competent looks like. Diagnose mechanical faults in washer drive systems, suspension, bearings, pumps, and door/lid assemblies using service documentation and test equipment. Diagnose and repair electrical and electronic faults in washers and dryers, including motor control boards, sensors, thermistors, thermostats, heating elements, and gas ignition systems, using a digital multimeter and wiring diagrams. Apply lockout/tagout procedures and gas-line safety practices consistently before beginning any repair on laundry appliances. Read and interpret wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and error-code charts to develop a logical repair plan for top-load, front-load, and gas or electric dryer faults. Perform a complete operational verification test after repair, confirming correct cycle sequencing, water fill, temperature, spin speed, and exhaust airflow. Complete a professional repair order with symptom description, parts used, labor time, and test results suitable for review by an employer or the PSA exam portfolio.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laundry Appliance Systems Overview and Safety | 10 | theory | Students will identify the major mechanical, electrical, and gas subsystems of top-load washers, front-load washers, gas dryers, and electric dryers, and correctly state the lockout/tagout and gas-line isolation procedure for each type before touching any component. |
| Disassembled top-load and front-load washers (static display units), gas and electric dryer (static display units), manufacturer tech sheets and wiring diagrams, blank exploded-view worksheets, LOTO kits with personal hasps and padlocks, non-contact voltage testers, manual gas shutoff valve mockup, shop LOTO log forms; Reference: manufacturer service manuals, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 (LOTO standard) | Students must correctly label at least 90% of components on the exploded-view diagram and demonstrate the full LOTO sequence without a prompt on both the electric and gas units; any missed LOTO step requires an immediate repeat demonstration before the student advances. |
| 2 | Reading Wiring Diagrams and Using Test Equipment for Laundry Appliances | 12 | demo | Given a wiring diagram and a laundry appliance with a known simulated fault, students will trace the circuit path from power supply to the suspect component, set up a digital multimeter correctly, and obtain a resistance, continuity, or voltage reading that confirms or rules out the faulty component. |
| Bench DMMs (Fluke 117 or equivalent), laundry appliance wiring diagram packets (top-load washer, front-load washer, electric dryer, gas dryer), control board trainer boards with insertable fault components, thermal cutoffs, thermistors, heating elements, colored pencils, DMM probe leads, safety glasses, manufacturer tech sheets; Reference: Whirlpool/GE/LG service manuals, PSA study guide electrical section | Each student independently measures a resistance and a voltage on an assigned component and records the reading; the value must be within the instrument's stated accuracy of the instructor-verified reference value, and the student must correctly state whether the component passes or fails the spec—pass rate 100% for safety-critical measurements; students who record an incorrect conclusion repeat the measurement with instructor coaching. |
| 3 | Washer Mechanical Systems: Drive, Suspension, Bearings, and Pump | 16 | lab | Students will disassemble and reassemble the drive system, suspension assembly, tub bearing, and drain pump of both a top-load and a front-load washer, correctly torquing or securing fasteners per service documentation, and verify proper operation by running a short cycle at the end of the lab. |
| Two top-load washers (one with worn coupler, one with pump blockage), two front-load washers (one with worn bearing, one with torn boot seal), front-load bearing driver set, torque screwdriver set, suspension rods and shocks (new and worn comparison set), door boot seal clamp tool, repair order forms, smartphone with vibration-measurement app, safety glasses, mechanically resistant work gloves; Reference: manufacturer service manuals for each unit, PSA study guide mechanical section | Instructor inspects each reassembled machine before the student powers it on: all fasteners are present and tightened, boot clamp seated without gaps, hoses connected, and no stray tools inside the cabinet (100% pass required for safety check); the post-repair spin cycle must complete without error codes or excessive vibration—any failure requires the student to diagnose and re-repair before sign-off. |
| 4 | Washer Electrical and Electronic Controls: Boards, Sensors, and Error Codes | 12 | lab | Students will retrieve and interpret error codes from a front-load washer control board, use resistance and voltage measurements to confirm or rule out the indicated faulty sensor or actuator, and replace the defective component, clearing the fault and completing a normal wash cycle. |
| Front-load washer trainers with programmable fault injection capability or manually installed defective components, bench DMMs, thermistors (good and faulty), door latch switches, dual-coil water inlet valves, pressure switches, short lengths of pressure hose, cups of warm water, structured lab log forms, service manuals and error-code charts for units in use, safety glasses; Reference: manufacturer service manuals, PSA study guide electronic controls section | Students submit a completed lab log for each of three assigned fault scenarios; the log must include the retrieved code, the correct component identified as suspect, the measured value, the spec value, and the repair action—pass requires all three logs completed with correct diagnosis and a successful post-repair cycle run observed by the instructor. |
| 5 | Gas and Electric Dryer Heating Systems and Airflow Diagnosis | 15 | practice | Students will diagnose a no-heat or insufficient-heat complaint on both a gas dryer and an electric dryer by testing the heating element, thermal cutoff, high-limit thermostat, gas valve coils, igniter, and blower wheel, then perform the correct repair and verify exhaust air temperature and airflow with instruments. |
| Two electric dryers (with inserted faults: open element, open thermal cutoff, failed thermostat), two gas dryers (with inserted faults: failed igniter, open valve coil), replacement heating elements, thermal cutoffs, thermostats, igniters, gas valve coil kits, clamp-type and contact thermometers, anemometer or airflow meter, combustion-safe thermometer, LOTO kits, gas shutoff valve, safety glasses, leak-detection solution, customer advisory note forms; Reference: manufacturer service manuals, NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) general awareness, PSA study guide heating systems section | Each student must independently identify the correct faulty component (no hints after initial LOTO check), replace it, and produce an exhaust air temperature reading within the manufacturer's specified operating range during a live heat cycle observed by the instructor; students who misdiagnose may attempt a second fault scenario but must document the error in their lab log. |
| 6 | Complete Appliance Diagnosis Simulation and Professional Documentation | 8 | practice | Students will independently diagnose and repair a fully assembled laundry appliance presenting an unknown complaint, complete a professional repair order with parts and labor, and perform a final operational verification test confirming the unit is safe and fully functional. |
| Four to six laundry appliances with pre-installed unknown faults (mix of types), sealed fault cards, repair order forms, service manuals and tech sheets for all units, DMMs, LOTO kits, contact and clamp thermometers, anemometer, standard hand tools, safety glasses, work gloves, portfolio submission checklist; Reference: manufacturer service manuals, PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam content outline | Pass requires: correct fault identified and repaired (verified by instructor fault card), repair order complete and legible with all fields filled, post-repair test cycle completed without fault codes, and zero safety violations during the session; any safety violation requires a full safety remediation session before the student may retake the simulation. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laundry Systems Written Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 70% or higher (each safety-related question must be answered correctly regardless of overall score) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering washer and dryer mechanical systems, electrical circuits and components, gas ignition sequences, error-code interpretation, and airflow safety; questions are drawn from the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam content domains to reinforce credential readiness. Students who score below 70% or miss any safety question receive targeted remediation and one retake opportunity. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Hands-On Diagnosis and Repair Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Student must correctly diagnose and repair the assigned fault, complete the repair order, and run a successful post-repair cycle within the allotted time; zero safety violations permitted | Each student is assigned one unknown-fault laundry appliance (washer or dryer, type randomly selected) and must perform the complete service call process—customer symptom intake, LOTO, diagnosis, repair, documentation, and operational verification—observed by the instructor using a standardized rubric. This assessment directly mirrors the PSA practical competency standards for appliance diagnosis. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log Portfolio | Log | 15% | All required lab log entries submitted; at least 80% of entries rated complete and accurate on the rubric; no entries with blank safety fields | Students maintain a running lab log throughout the course, recording measured values, spec values, fault conclusions, repair actions, and post-repair test results for every assigned lab activity across Lessons 3, 4, and 5. The portfolio is reviewed at course end to confirm systematic troubleshooting habits and accurate technical documentation consistent with industry repair-order standards. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Safety Compliance Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% compliance on all observed safety behaviors; any failed item requires immediate remediation and re-observation before the student may continue lab work | The instructor completes a standardized safety observation checklist for each student at least twice during the course—once during the mechanical lab and once during the gas dryer heating lesson—verifying correct LOTO execution, PPE use, gas-line isolation, tool handling, and proper reassembly before energizing. This checkpoint is a prerequisite for the skills demonstration assessment and reflects OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 compliance standards embedded throughout the PSA exam content. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-APPL73-05 Trade course
Cooking Appliances: Diagnosis, Repair, and Safety
73 hr · $790 COMPLIMENTARY
Students develop hands-on competency in diagnosing and repairing gas and electric cooking appliances, including ranges, ovens, cooktops, and microwave ovens. The course covers electrical and gas systems, ignition circuits, heating elements, controls, and ventilation components using industry-standard diagnostic procedures. Lesson content maps to PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains covering cooking appliance systems and safe work practices.
Outcomes- Diagnose and repair common faults in electric and gas ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, and countertop microwave ovens using wiring diagrams and systematic diagnostic procedures.
- Safely shut down, lock out, and restore gas and electrical energy sources on cooking appliances in compliance with OSHA lockout/tagout requirements before any service work.
- Test and replace heating elements, igniters, gas valves, thermostats, temperature sensors, and electronic control boards using appropriate meters and manufacturer specifications.
- Verify appliance operation against manufacturer performance specifications after repair and complete a written service order with parts used, labor, and test results.
- Identify and respond to gas leak hazards using a combustible-gas detector, follow proper ventilation procedures, and describe mandatory reporting obligations when a gas leak cannot be immediately corrected.
- Interpret wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and service manuals to support accurate diagnosis and to document repair procedures consistent with PSA professional standards.
Course text
Students develop hands-on competency in diagnosing and repairing gas and electric cooking appliances, including ranges, ovens, cooktops, and microwave ovens. The course covers electrical and gas systems, ignition circuits, heating elements, controls, and ventilation components using industry-standard diagnostic procedures. Lesson content maps to PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains covering cooking appliance systems and safe work practices.
How the course runs. 6 blocks: Energy Sources, Codes, and Lockout/Tagout for Cooking Appliances; Electric Range and Oven Systems: Circuits, Elements, and Controls; Gas Range and Oven Systems: Burners, Igniters, and Gas Valves; Electronic Controls, Temperature Sensors, and Self-Cleaning Oven Systems; Microwave Oven Safety, Components, and Repair; Range Hood, Ventilation Systems, and Final Appliance Checkout.
What competent looks like. Diagnose and repair common faults in electric and gas ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, and countertop microwave ovens using wiring diagrams and systematic diagnostic procedures. Safely shut down, lock out, and restore gas and electrical energy sources on cooking appliances in compliance with OSHA lockout/tagout requirements before any service work. Test and replace heating elements, igniters, gas valves, thermostats, temperature sensors, and electronic control boards using appropriate meters and manufacturer specifications. Verify appliance operation against manufacturer performance specifications after repair and complete a written service order with parts used, labor, and test results. Identify and respond to gas leak hazards using a combustible-gas detector, follow proper ventilation procedures, and describe mandatory reporting obligations when a gas leak cannot be immediately corrected. Interpret wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and service manuals to support accurate diagnosis and to document repair procedures consistent with PSA professional standards.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy Sources, Codes, and Lockout/Tagout for Cooking Appliances | 10 | theory | Students will explain the hazards associated with 120 V and 240 V electrical circuits and natural gas/LP gas supplies on cooking appliances and correctly apply lockout/tagout procedures before opening any unit. |
| Training gas range (gas supply disabled or inerted), 240 V training panel with lockable breakers, digital multimeter, combustible-gas leak detector, lockout hasps and tags, OSHA 1910.147 reference handout, manufacturer service manual excerpt, dry-erase wiring diagram poster | Student correctly completes a written lockout/tagout checklist with zero omissions and scores 80% or higher on a 10-question oral or written quiz covering gas and electrical hazards, PPE selection, and OSHA 1910.147 steps. |
| 2 | Electric Range and Oven Systems: Circuits, Elements, and Controls | 14 | lab | Students will use a wiring diagram to trace the complete circuit path for a surface element and a bake/broil element, then test and replace a defective element and a faulty infinite switch using correct meter technique and manufacturer resistance specifications. |
| Four free-standing electric ranges (240 V, faulted by instructor), digital multimeter, clamp meter, infrared thermometer, replacement bake elements, infinite switches, oven temperature sensors, thermal limiters, nut drivers, torx drivers, wiring diagrams, tech sheets, service orders | Each student correctly identifies and replaces the assigned fault component within 45 minutes, achieves a measured resistance within 10% of the manufacturer spec on the replaced part, and submits a complete service order scored at 80% or higher on a four-item rubric (complaint, diagnosis, repair, test result). |
| 3 | Gas Range and Oven Systems: Burners, Igniters, and Gas Valves | 16 | lab | Students will diagnose ignition failures and burner performance problems on gas ranges by testing spark ignition modules, hot-surface igniters, and gas valve coils, and will safely replace a defective component after proper energy isolation. |
| Four gas ranges connected to a lab gas supply with individual shutoffs, combustible-gas leak detector, clamp meter, digital multimeter, replacement hot-surface igniters, spark electrodes, ignition modules, gas valve assemblies, leak-detection solution, wiring diagrams, manufacturer tech sheets, lockout/tagout equipment, ventilation fan | Student locates and correctly replaces the assigned fault within 50 minutes, clamp-meter reading on the new hot-surface igniter falls within the manufacturer's specified amperage range, and a post-repair leak check shows zero detected leakage; any student who skips the leak-check step must repeat the station before passing. |
| 4 | Electronic Controls, Temperature Sensors, and Self-Cleaning Oven Systems | 12 | demo | Students will interpret fault codes displayed by an electronic range control, test an oven temperature sensor against a manufacturer resistance-versus-temperature chart, and determine whether the control board or the sensor is the root cause of an inaccurate oven temperature complaint. |
| Two electronic control ranges (one with injected fault code), hot-plate water bath, calibrated immersion thermometer, digital multimeter, two oven temperature sensors (one defective), manufacturer service manuals with resistance charts, fault-code lookup sheets, lab notebooks, self-clean oven wiring diagram poster | Students correctly identify the root-cause component (sensor vs. control board) in a written diagnostic summary scored by the instructor; must match the pre-determined correct answer and cite at least one supporting measurement; passing score is 80%. |
| 5 | Microwave Oven Safety, Components, and Repair | 12 | theory | Students will explain the lethal stored-energy hazard of microwave oven high-voltage capacitors, safely discharge a capacitor using an approved resistive discharge tool, and diagnose common microwave faults including a failed magnetron, door-interlock switch failure, and a blown thermal cutoff. |
| Countertop microwave ovens (unplugged, capacitors discharged by instructor before class), resistive capacitor discharge tool, digital multimeter, wiring diagram handouts, labeled component diagram poster, replacement door-interlock switches, thermal cutoffs, fuse, instructor demonstration unit | Each student verbalizes and physically demonstrates the correct capacitor discharge sequence in the correct order without prompting; any student who reaches toward a high-voltage component before discharging receives immediate remediation and must repeat before progressing; written fault-diagnosis worksheet passes at 80% correct component identification. |
| 6 | Range Hood, Ventilation Systems, and Final Appliance Checkout | 9 | practice | Students will diagnose and repair common faults in range hood ventilation systems including motor failures, grease-filter condition, and control switch faults, and will complete a full pre-return checkout procedure on a repaired cooking appliance using a written checklist. |
| Two range hoods with pre-faulted motors and switches, replacement motors, speed-selector switches, digital multimeter, tissue paper for airflow test, previously repaired training ranges, calibrated oven probe thermometer, standardized checkout checklist, blank service orders | Student completes the checkout checklist with all items addressed, oven temperature test result is within ±25 °F of set point, and the completed service order scores 80% or higher on a five-item rubric; any missed safety item (e.g., unsigned lockout/tagout restoration step) requires immediate correction and repeat of that checklist section. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Appliances Written Examination | Written exam | 25% | 75% correct (30 of 40 questions) | A 40-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering gas and electrical hazards, ignition system theory, heating element and sensor circuits, electronic control fault codes, microwave high-voltage safety, and ventilation systems; questions are aligned to PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam content domains for cooking appliances. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Practical Diagnosis and Repair Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Technician independently identifies the root-cause fault, replaces the correct component, and verifies operation within 60 minutes; all rubric items rated at 2 of 3 or higher; lockout/tagout step must be rated 3 of 3 or the attempt is immediately failed and rescheduled | The instructor introduces a single fault (drawn randomly from a pool covering electric element failure, gas igniter failure, sensor fault, or door-interlock switch fault) into a training appliance; the student performs the complete service sequence from lockout/tagout through final functional test, scored on a six-item rubric covering safety, diagnostic process, measurement accuracy, repair quality, functional verification, and documentation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log and Service Order Portfolio | Log | 15% | At least 5 of 6 lesson lab logs submitted and each scoring 80% or higher on a four-item rubric: completeness, measurement accuracy, correct fault identification, and professional documentation format | Students maintain a lab log throughout the course recording measurements, fault codes, part numbers, and test results for every lab and practice activity; the portfolio is reviewed at course end to confirm consistent application of diagnostic documentation standards expected by PSA professional credentialing. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Safety Compliance Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% on all mandatory safety behaviors; any single omission results in a failing mark for that behavior, mandatory remediation, and a repeat safety check before the student may continue lab work | The instructor uses a 10-item binary (pass/fail per item) safety observation checklist to evaluate each student's performance during the practical skills demonstration, verifying correct PPE use, proper lockout/tagout sequence, combustible-gas leak check completion after gas system work, and safe capacitor discharge procedure on microwave units. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-APPL73-06 Trade course
Sealed Systems: Refrigerant Handling, Diagnosis, and Repair
73 hr · $790 COMPLIMENTARY
This course covers the refrigeration sealed system as found in domestic refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, and combination appliances, from thermodynamic principles through hands-on brazing, evacuation, charging, and leak testing. Students develop the diagnostic reasoning and safe refrigerant-handling practices required by EPA Section 608 Type I and tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam. Emphasis is placed on proper recovery, recycling, and recharge procedures for small appliances using low-pressure and HCFC/HFC refrigerants.
Outcomes- Explain the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle and identify the function of each sealed-system component — compressor, condenser, metering device, and evaporator — using correct trade terminology.
- Safely recover, recycle, and recharge refrigerant in a small sealed system in full compliance with EPA Section 608 Type I requirements, using certified recovery equipment and completing required documentation.
- Perform nitrogen-pressure leak testing and electronic/bubble-soap leak detection on a sealed system, locate all leaks, and document findings per professional service standards.
- Braze copper-to-copper and copper-to-steel joints using an oxy-acetylene or air-acetylene torch with proper flux, alloy, and post-braze cleanup, achieving leak-free joints verified by pressure test.
- Evacuate a sealed system to a deep vacuum using a two-stage vacuum pump and micron gauge, verify system dryness, and charge the system to the manufacturer's specified weight or pressure.
- Diagnose sealed-system faults — including restricted capillary tube, failed compressor, overcharge, undercharge, and moisture contamination — using manifold gauge readings, temperature differentials, and amp-draw measurements, then select and justify the correct repair.
Course text
This course covers the refrigeration sealed system as found in domestic refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, and combination appliances, from thermodynamic principles through hands-on brazing, evacuation, charging, and leak testing. Students develop the diagnostic reasoning and safe refrigerant-handling practices required by EPA Section 608 Type I and tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam. Emphasis is placed on proper recovery, recycling, and recharge procedures for small appliances using low-pressure and HCFC/HFC refrigerants.
How the course runs. 6 blocks: Refrigeration Fundamentals and Sealed-System Components; EPA Section 608 Regulations, Refrigerant Safety, and Recovery; Leak Testing, Nitrogen Pressure Testing, and System Integrity; Brazing Techniques for Sealed-System Repair; Evacuation, Dehydration, and System Charging; Sealed-System Diagnosis: Faults, Manifold Readings, and Repair Decisions.
What competent looks like. Explain the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle and identify the function of each sealed-system component — compressor, condenser, metering device, and evaporator — using correct trade terminology. Safely recover, recycle, and recharge refrigerant in a small sealed system in full compliance with EPA Section 608 Type I requirements, using certified recovery equipment and completing required documentation. Perform nitrogen-pressure leak testing and electronic/bubble-soap leak detection on a sealed system, locate all leaks, and document findings per professional service standards. Braze copper-to-copper and copper-to-steel joints using an oxy-acetylene or air-acetylene torch with proper flux, alloy, and post-braze cleanup, achieving leak-free joints verified by pressure test. Evacuate a sealed system to a deep vacuum using a two-stage vacuum pump and micron gauge, verify system dryness, and charge the system to the manufacturer's specified weight or pressure. Diagnose sealed-system faults — including restricted capillary tube, failed compressor, overcharge, undercharge, and moisture contamination — using manifold gauge readings, temperature differentials, and amp-draw measurements, then select and justify the correct repair.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refrigeration Fundamentals and Sealed-System Components | 10 | theory | Students will be able to trace refrigerant flow through the vapor-compression cycle, state the pressure-temperature relationship for common refrigerants (R-134a, R-600a, R-410A), and identify every major sealed-system component and its function without reference materials. |
| Cutaway domestic refrigerator unit, P-T reference charts for R-134a / R-600a / R-410A, component card-sort sets, blank P-H diagram worksheets, HVACR Fundamentals textbook (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, Whitman et al., current edition), dry-erase markers | 10-question P-T conversion quiz graded immediately; pass mark is 80%. Instructor reviews labeled P-H diagrams and initials each student's sheet; all components must be correctly identified before the student advances to Lesson 2. |
| 2 | EPA Section 608 Regulations, Refrigerant Safety, and Recovery | 12 | demo | Students will be able to state the Type I regulatory requirements for small appliances under EPA Section 608 — including venting prohibition, recovery requirements, and technician certification — and correctly set up and operate a recovery machine to remove refrigerant from a small appliance into a DOT-approved cylinder. |
| EPA Section 608 Technician Certification study guide (current edition), certified refrigerant recovery machine, DOT-approved recovery cylinders, refrigerant scale, manifold gauge sets (R-134a), PPE (safety glasses, refrigerant-rated gloves, closed-toe shoes), domestic refrigerator trainer units, service ticket forms, mock EPA 608 Type I quiz | 20-question mock EPA 608 Type I quiz; pass mark is 70% (mirrors the actual exam standard). Instructor physically inspects each student's manifold connection on the trainer before authorizing any refrigerant handling; all connections must be correct and leak-free (verified by sight) to pass the connection check. |
| 3 | Leak Testing, Nitrogen Pressure Testing, and System Integrity | 12 | lab | Students will be able to pressure-test a sealed system with dry nitrogen to the manufacturer's specified test pressure, locate all intentionally introduced leak points using an electronic leak detector and bubble solution, and document findings on a standard service report. |
| Dry nitrogen cylinders with regulators, Schrader valve adapters, manifold gauge sets, electronic refrigerant leak detectors (heated-diode or infrared type), bubble-solution leak-detection fluid, trainer sealed-system units (with pre-seeded leaks), service report forms, PPE (safety glasses, gloves), instructor demonstration unit | Students must locate all three seeded leaks and complete an accurate service report; 100% leak detection required to pass (missing any seeded leak is a fail and the student repeats the activity). Service report is reviewed by instructor for accuracy of location description and repair recommendation; report must earn 80% of available points. |
| 4 | Brazing Techniques for Sealed-System Repair | 14 | practice | Students will be able to prepare, flux, and braze copper-to-copper and copper-to-steel refrigerant tubing joints using an air-acetylene torch, producing joints that are visually sound and pass a 200 psi nitrogen pressure test with zero detectable leaks. |
| Air-acetylene torch kit (torch body, B-tank acetylene cylinder, air tip), copper tubing (1/4-inch and 3/8-inch OD), copper sweat fittings, steel fittings, pipe cutter, deburring tool, emery cloth, flux paste (for copper-to-steel), phosphor-copper brazing alloy (Phos-Cu), silver-bearing alloy, nitrogen cylinder with regulator, fire extinguisher (Class B:C), heat shield/fire blanket, PPE (shade-5 welding goggles, leather gloves, flame-resistant apron), ventilation/local exhaust | Graded 4-joint assembly must hold 200 psi nitrogen for 10 minutes with zero bubble-solution leaks (pass/fail). Instructor also rates each of 5 visual criteria (full alloy flow, no voids, no excess alloy drips, clean quench, no torch damage to tubing) on a 4-point rubric; students must score 3 or 4 on all five criteria to pass. Students who fail repeat the exercise on a new assembly. |
| 5 | Evacuation, Dehydration, and System Charging | 12 | lab | Students will be able to evacuate a sealed system to 500 microns or lower using a two-stage vacuum pump and micron gauge, hold the vacuum to verify dryness, and recharge the system to the manufacturer's specified refrigerant weight using a refrigerant scale, verifying charge by suction-line temperature differential. |
| Two-stage vacuum pumps, micron gauges (electronic thermocouple or Pirani type), manifold gauge sets, refrigerant cylinders (R-134a), refrigerant scale, digital clamp-on thermometers or thermocouple probes, trainer refrigerator units (freshly brazed or recovered), P-T reference charts, appliance data plates, evacuation data log sheets, post-charge data sheets, PPE | Micron gauge must read 500 microns or below before student is authorized to break vacuum and charge; instructor verifies reading. Charge weight must be within ±0.25 oz of the manufacturer specification (verified by instructor on the scale). Calculated superheat on the post-charge data sheet must be within the expected range for the appliance type; instructor reviews data sheet and must award 80% or better to pass. |
| 6 | Sealed-System Diagnosis: Faults, Manifold Readings, and Repair Decisions | 13 | lab | Students will be able to connect manifold gauges and instruments to a running appliance, interpret suction pressure, discharge pressure, amperage draw, and temperature differentials to correctly diagnose at least four distinct sealed-system fault conditions, and write a complete repair recommendation supported by measured data. |
| Five pre-faulted trainer refrigerators (each faulted to a different condition by instructor before class), manifold gauge sets, clamp-on ammeters, digital thermometers with probes, diagnostic data table worksheets, printed scenario exercise packets, PPE, service report forms, PSA study guide (sealed-system sections) | Diagnostic data table: students must correctly diagnose at least 4 of 5 trainer units (80%) with supporting data to pass. Individual written scenario exercise: scored on a 20-point rubric (5 points per scenario: 2 for correct fault identification, 2 for supporting measurements cited, 1 for correct repair); pass mark is 16/20 (80%). Scenarios are reviewed and returned with written feedback the following class day. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sealed Systems Written Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 70% (35 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering refrigeration cycle theory, P-T relationships, EPA Section 608 Type I regulatory requirements, refrigerant identification and safety, component functions, manifold gauge interpretation, and fault diagnosis. Questions are drawn proportionally from the EPA 608 Type I and PSA Certified Appliance Professional sealed-system exam content areas so that success on this exam predicts readiness for both credential exams. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Sealed-System Repair Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | All four stations must be passed individually; a failed station is repeated once before a final score is assigned | Students rotate through four timed stations scored by the instructor on a rubric: (1) manifold gauge connection and recovery setup (correct connections, correct valve sequence, PPE worn); (2) one brazed joint that holds 150 psi nitrogen for 5 minutes with zero leaks; (3) evacuation to 500 microns or below verified on the micron gauge; (4) charge by weight within ±0.25 oz of specification. Each station is rated pass/fail, and all four must be passed to earn a course pass on this assessment. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Lab Log and Service Documentation Portfolio | Log | 15% | 80% aggregate score across all submitted entries | Students maintain a lab log throughout the course containing completed data sheets, service reports, diagnostic tables, and post-charge assessments from every lab and practice lesson. The portfolio is scored holistically by the instructor at the end of the course against a rubric that evaluates completeness of data, accuracy of diagnosis and calculations, correct use of trade terminology, and professional presentation of repair recommendations consistent with PSA service documentation standards. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Refrigerant Handling Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% — any critical safety error results in immediate stop and a mandatory repeat of the relevant lesson before re-check | Before any live refrigerant work is authorized on the skills demonstration day, the instructor conducts a direct observation checklist covering: correct PPE donned (safety glasses, refrigerant-rated gloves), recovery machine set up before system is opened, refrigerant cylinder properly secured and weighed, no venting observed, all hose connections verified before valve opening, and completed service ticket with recovered weight recorded. Every item on the 10-point checklist must be observed as correct; this check is a prerequisite safety gate, not a graded assessment, and does not count toward the course grade but must be passed to sit the skills demonstration. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-APPL73-07 Trade course
Customer Service for Appliance Repair Professionals
72 hr · $780 COMPLIMENTARY
This course develops the communication, professionalism, and business skills appliance repair technicians need to build customer trust, close service calls effectively, and represent an employer's brand in the field. Topics include service-call workflow, written and verbal communication, complaint resolution, invoicing and estimates, and the professional conduct standards assessed by the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam.
Outcomes- Conduct a complete residential service call from arrival to close, demonstrating professional greeting, diagnosis explanation, and written documentation that meets industry standards.
- Explain technical findings and repair options to a non-technical customer using plain language, avoiding jargon, and confirming understanding before proceeding.
- Prepare a clear, accurate written estimate and final invoice that itemizes labor, parts, and applicable fees in compliance with typical state consumer-protection disclosure requirements.
- Apply conflict-resolution techniques to de-escalate at least three common customer-complaint scenarios during role-play without supervisor intervention.
- Identify and apply safe, professional in-home conduct practices, including PPE use, floor protection, and workspace cleanup, consistent with OSHA general-industry housekeeping expectations and PSA professional standards.
- Use a digital field-service platform to create work orders, capture customer signatures, look up warranty status, and submit job completion records.
Course text
This course develops the communication, professionalism, and business skills appliance repair technicians need to build customer trust, close service calls effectively, and represent an employer's brand in the field. Topics include service-call workflow, written and verbal communication, complaint resolution, invoicing and estimates, and the professional conduct standards assessed by the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam.
How the course runs. 6 blocks: The Service-Call Lifecycle: Arrival to Close; Plain-Language Technical Communication; Estimates, Invoices, and Consumer Disclosure; Conflict Resolution and Complaint Handling; In-Home Professionalism and Safe Conduct; Digital Tools and Field Documentation in Practice.
What competent looks like. Conduct a complete residential service call from arrival to close, demonstrating professional greeting, diagnosis explanation, and written documentation that meets industry standards. Explain technical findings and repair options to a non-technical customer using plain language, avoiding jargon, and confirming understanding before proceeding. Prepare a clear, accurate written estimate and final invoice that itemizes labor, parts, and applicable fees in compliance with typical state consumer-protection disclosure requirements. Apply conflict-resolution techniques to de-escalate at least three common customer-complaint scenarios during role-play without supervisor intervention. Identify and apply safe, professional in-home conduct practices, including PPE use, floor protection, and workspace cleanup, consistent with OSHA general-industry housekeeping expectations and PSA professional standards. Use a digital field-service platform to create work orders, capture customer signatures, look up warranty status, and submit job completion records.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Service-Call Lifecycle: Arrival to Close | 10 | theory | Students will describe every step of a residential service call in sequence and explain the purpose and professional standard for each step. |
| PSA Certified Appliance Professional candidate handbook, sample service-order forms, service-call walkthrough video, whiteboard for class discussion | Exit quiz of 15 multiple-choice questions covering service-call sequence and professional standards; pass = 80% (12/15 correct). |
| 2 | Plain-Language Technical Communication | 12 | demo | Students will translate a written technical diagnosis into a spoken explanation that a non-technical customer can understand and confirm, without omitting safety-relevant information. |
| Diagnosis scenario cards (instructor-prepared, 10 scenarios), plain-language communication rubric, sample PSA exam vignettes on customer communication, whiteboard | Each student delivers one live 90-second explanation assessed on rubric (clarity, accuracy, empathy, next steps, no false claims); pass = score of 3 out of 4 or higher on each rubric dimension. |
| 3 | Estimates, Invoices, and Consumer Disclosure | 12 | practice | Students will prepare an accurate written estimate and a completed final invoice for a simulated repair job, including all required itemization and customer authorization fields. |
| Sample estimate and invoice forms (blank and completed model), job scenario packets, calculators, laptop or tablet with field-service software demo loaded, PSA professional standards reference | Students submit one hand-written estimate and one digital invoice for a new scenario; pass = all required fields present, labor and parts totals arithmetically correct, customer authorization field included, and no fabricated parts numbers (instructor checklist, all items must pass). |
| 4 | Conflict Resolution and Complaint Handling | 12 | practice | Students will apply a structured de-escalation method to resolve three simulated customer-complaint scenarios without supervisor intervention and without violating company or consumer-protection norms. |
| Complaint-scenario scripts (three scripts, instructor-prepared), de-escalation rubric, PSA professional conduct section of candidate handbook, sample company escalation policy template | Role-play observer rubric scores reviewed by instructor; each student must achieve a passing score (3 of 4 or higher on each dimension: acknowledgment, professionalism, resolution offered, policy compliance) in at least two of three scenarios to pass. |
| 5 | In-Home Professionalism and Safe Conduct | 14 | lab | Students will perform a simulated in-home service call demonstrating correct PPE selection, floor and appliance protection, workspace cleanup, and professional conduct behaviors consistent with OSHA general-industry housekeeping expectations and PSA standards. |
| Training appliances (washer or refrigerator with seeded faults), shoe covers, drop cloths, tool bag with standard hand tools, PPE (safety glasses, gloves), professional conduct and safety checklist, camera or smartphone for documentation | Instructor scores the live simulation on the professional conduct and safety checklist (20 items covering PPE, floor protection, tool management, explanation quality, cleanup, and close); pass = 18 of 20 items met with no safety violations allowed. |
| 6 | Digital Tools and Field Documentation in Practice | 12 | lab | Students will use a digital field-service workflow to create a work order, document diagnostic findings with photos, capture a customer electronic signature, and submit a completed job record with all required fields. |
| Tablets or laptops, field-service software demo platform (program-provided), scenario cards, training appliances with seeded faults, smartphone or tablet camera, field-documentation checklist, PSA exam reference on professional documentation | Submitted PDF job record is scored against the field-documentation checklist (15 items: customer info, appliance model/serial, diagnosis description, parts listed with quantities, labor time, photo attached, e-signature captured, totals correct, job status closed); pass = 14 of 15 items complete and all dollar totals arithmetically correct. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% (40 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer written exam covering service-call procedure, plain-language communication principles, estimate and invoice requirements, consumer disclosure norms, conflict-resolution steps, in-home professional conduct standards, and digital documentation requirements—aligned to the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam competency areas for professionalism and customer relations. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Full Service-Call Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Pass requires a score of 90% or higher on the rubric (no safety or consumer-harm items may be missed) | Each student performs a complete, unscripted 30-minute residential service call on a training appliance with a seeded fault, evaluated by the instructor using a 20-item rubric covering professional arrival, plain-language diagnosis explanation, written estimate presented before work, repair execution or clear referral, workspace protection and cleanup, and invoice close with customer signature—directly matching PSA professional conduct standards assessed in the certification exam. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Service-Call Documentation Lab Log | Log | 15% | All 10 entries submitted; average documentation checklist score of 85% or higher across entries; no entry may have an arithmetic error in totals | Students maintain a log of at least 10 simulated and role-play service calls completed throughout the course, with each entry including the work-order form or digital record, a diagnostic photo, the estimate, the final invoice, and a one-paragraph self-reflection on customer communication; the log demonstrates progressive improvement and is reviewed by the instructor at mid-course and at course end. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Professional Conduct and Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | All critical safety and consumer-conduct items must be marked compliant; zero tolerance for missing PPE or leaving the workspace unsecured | A direct observation checklist completed by the instructor during the final skills demonstration verifying that the student wore appropriate PPE, protected floors and surfaces, kept tools organized and never unattended, disposed of old parts properly, made no unauthorized promises to the customer, and left the workspace in the condition it was found—consistent with OSHA general-industry housekeeping expectations and PSA professional standards. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-APPL73-08 Capstone
Capstone Project: Full-Scope Appliance Diagnosis, Repair, and Documentation
108 hr · $1,080 COMPLIMENTARY
Students independently diagnose, repair, and document a set of real or instructor-staged appliance faults spanning electrical, refrigeration, laundry, cooking, and sealed-system categories, integrating every technical and professional skill built across the program. Each student produces a complete technician repair file—service order, wiring diagrams, parts list, cost estimate, and safety log—and defends their work before a panel of instructors. This course directly reinforces the diagnostic and documentation competencies tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam.
Outcomes- Diagnose at least four appliance faults across a minimum of three appliance categories (refrigeration, laundry, cooking, and/or electrical) using systematic test procedures and document findings to industry-standard service-order format.
- Execute safe repairs on live appliances, correctly applying lockout/tagout, appropriate PPE, and EPA 608 refrigerant-handling requirements wherever refrigeration work is performed.
- Produce a complete technician repair file for each appliance—including annotated wiring diagram, test data, parts identification, labor and parts cost estimate, and warranty notation—that meets PSA professional documentation standards.
- Demonstrate professional customer communication by writing a clear, jargon-free repair summary suitable for presenting findings and recommendations to a customer.
- Defend diagnostic reasoning and repair decisions verbally before an instructor panel, articulating why each test was chosen, what the data showed, and what alternative causes were ruled out.
- Evaluate the cost-effectiveness and safety compliance of their own repair against manufacturer service data and current applicable codes, identifying any work that would require escalation or part-out recommendation.
Course text
Students independently diagnose, repair, and document a set of real or instructor-staged appliance faults spanning electrical, refrigeration, laundry, cooking, and sealed-system categories, integrating every technical and professional skill built across the program. Each student produces a complete technician repair file—service order, wiring diagrams, parts list, cost estimate, and safety log—and defends their work before a panel of instructors. This course directly reinforces the diagnostic and documentation competencies tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Capstone Orientation and Fault-Set Assignment; Supervised Fault Diagnosis and Repair Execution; Repair-File Assembly and Peer Technical Review; Defense Presentation and Panel Evaluation.
What competent looks like. Diagnose at least four appliance faults across a minimum of three appliance categories (refrigeration, laundry, cooking, and/or electrical) using systematic test procedures and document findings to industry-standard service-order format. Execute safe repairs on live appliances, correctly applying lockout/tagout, appropriate PPE, and EPA 608 refrigerant-handling requirements wherever refrigeration work is performed. Produce a complete technician repair file for each appliance—including annotated wiring diagram, test data, parts identification, labor and parts cost estimate, and warranty notation—that meets PSA professional documentation standards. Demonstrate professional customer communication by writing a clear, jargon-free repair summary suitable for presenting findings and recommendations to a customer. Defend diagnostic reasoning and repair decisions verbally before an instructor panel, articulating why each test was chosen, what the data showed, and what alternative causes were ruled out. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness and safety compliance of their own repair against manufacturer service data and current applicable codes, identifying any work that would require escalation or part-out recommendation.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capstone Orientation and Fault-Set Assignment | 12 | theory | Students review the capstone rubric, select or receive their assigned appliance fault set, and develop a written diagnostic plan that sequences tests, identifies required tools, lists safety controls, and estimates time for each appliance. |
| Capstone rubric and repair-file template (instructor-issued), program safety reference card, OSHA lockout/tagout reference, EPA 608 Type I quick-reference, appliance tech sheets and OEM service manuals (digital and print), blank wiring diagram worksheets | Completed pre-diagnostic planning worksheet earns sign-off from instructor before student may enter the shop; pass standard is that all four safety-control fields are correctly completed and at least two reference sources are identified per appliance — any missing safety entry requires correction and re-review before proceeding. |
| 2 | Supervised Fault Diagnosis and Repair Execution | 54 | lab | Students independently diagnose each assigned appliance using systematic test procedures, perform the necessary repair, and record all measurements, part numbers, and observations in real time on the standardized service order. |
| Assigned faulty appliances (instructor-staged or student-sourced with approval), digital multimeter, clamp meter, manometer set, refrigerant recovery/recharge equipment (EPA-compliant), thermometer, wiring diagram binder, OEM service manuals, service order forms, parts catalog (current supplier), PPE kit (safety glasses, insulated gloves, cut-resistant gloves), LOTO kit, EPA 608 Type I reference card | Instructor spot-checks each completed service order at the function-test stage; pass standard is that measured test values are recorded (not estimated), the identified fault matches the staged fault confirmed by instructor key, and the function-test result meets the manufacturer's published specification — any discrepancy requires the student to repeat the diagnostic step before proceeding. |
| 3 | Repair-File Assembly and Peer Technical Review | 24 | practice | Students compile all service orders, annotated diagrams, cost estimates, and customer summaries into a complete technician repair file and conduct a structured peer technical review to identify gaps before the defense. |
| Completed service order forms, annotated wiring diagrams, parts catalog printouts, capstone rubric, peer-review checklist, file folders or binders, reflective memo template | Pre-defense instructor check: the repair file passes when every required section is present, all test data fields contain measured values, and no safety entry is blank — files with more than two outstanding red-marked deficiencies are returned for correction and rescheduled defense; the student must resolve all deficiencies before the defense date. |
| 4 | Defense Presentation and Panel Evaluation | 18 | practice | Students present their repair file and verbally defend their diagnostic reasoning, repair decisions, safety compliance, and customer communication choices before a two-person instructor panel, demonstrating PSA-level professional competence. |
| Completed and approved repair file, annotated wiring diagrams, capstone rubric and scoring sheet, PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam content outline (for panel question reference), whiteboard or flip chart for diagram explanation during Q&A | Panel scores the defense using the capstone rubric; pass standard is a score of 75% or higher overall with no individual safety-compliance criterion scored at zero — a zero on any safety criterion (missing LOTO, missing PPE, incorrect EPA handling) constitutes an automatic not-yet regardless of overall score, requiring remediation and retake. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Repair Project | Project | 60% | All assigned appliances successfully diagnosed and repaired with function-test results meeting manufacturer specifications; all service orders completed with measured data; panel rubric score of 75% or higher with no safety criterion scored at zero. | The core assessment is the completed repair work itself: instructor-verified function tests confirm each appliance was correctly diagnosed and restored to operating specification, and the service orders provide a traceable record of the student's systematic diagnostic process. This directly maps to the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam domains covering diagnosis, repair procedures, and safety compliance. Meets specification · Within estimate · Workmanship · Safety · Documentation |
| Technician Repair File Portfolio | Portfolio | 20% | All required sections present and complete; all test data fields contain measured values (not estimates); wiring diagrams annotated with fault location; cost estimate within 15% of instructor reference pricing; customer summaries written in plain language with no unexplained technical jargon; peer-review sheet included and signed. | The repair file portfolio demonstrates the student's ability to document work to industry-professional standards, combining technical accuracy with the communication skills required for both PSA credentialing expectations and real-world employer requirements. The reflective memo shows the student's capacity for self-assessment, a professional practice emphasized in the PSA Certified Appliance Professional competency framework. Completeness · Organization · Evidence quality |
| Oral Defense | Oral / panel | 20% | Panel rubric score of 75% or higher overall; no safety-compliance criterion scored at zero; student correctly responds to at least three of four targeted panel questions without prompting; one retake permitted within two weeks with a written remediation plan. | The oral defense evaluates whether students can explain their technical reasoning clearly and respond to unfamiliar follow-up questions, mirroring the real-world expectation that a professional technician can justify decisions to supervisors, customers, and inspectors. Panel questions are drawn directly from PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam content areas, giving students practice articulating knowledge they will need to demonstrate on the credentialing exam. Explains decisions · Answers technical questions · Professional communication |
BUS-APPL73-09 Externship / clinical
Externship / Worksite Placement
162 hr · $650 COMPLIMENTARY
Students complete 162 hours of supervised, paid or unpaid work experience at an approved appliance repair shop, service center, or in-home service operation under a journeyman or master technician mentor. Learners apply classroom skills to real customer appliances, practice professional conduct, and build the documented work history required for PSA Certified Appliance Professional eligibility. Performance is evaluated by both the site supervisor and the program instructor using a structured rubric.
Outcomes- Perform diagnosis and repair of at least three appliance categories (refrigeration, laundry, cooking, or sealed systems) on live customer units under mentor supervision, meeting the shop's quality standard.
- Apply lockout/tagout and PPE procedures correctly on every job observed or performed at the worksite without prompting.
- Complete legible, accurate work orders and parts documentation for each job assigned, conforming to the employer's record-keeping format.
- Demonstrate professional communication with customers and coworkers in scheduling, status updates, and repair explanations as rated satisfactory or above by the site supervisor.
- Identify and escalate unsafe conditions or repairs beyond current authorization to the supervising technician before proceeding.
- Accumulate and log a minimum of 162 documented worksite hours with timestamped daily entries verified by the supervisor's signature.
Course text
Students complete 162 hours of supervised, paid or unpaid work experience at an approved appliance repair shop, service center, or in-home service operation under a journeyman or master technician mentor. Learners apply classroom skills to real customer appliances, practice professional conduct, and build the documented work history required for PSA Certified Appliance Professional eligibility. Performance is evaluated by both the site supervisor and the program instructor using a structured rubric.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Worksite Orientation and Expectations; Supervised Diagnostic and Repair Rotations; Customer Communication and Professionalism in the Field; Placement Wrap-Up, Portfolio Assembly, and Final Supervisor Evaluation.
What competent looks like. Perform diagnosis and repair of at least three appliance categories (refrigeration, laundry, cooking, or sealed systems) on live customer units under mentor supervision, meeting the shop's quality standard. Apply lockout/tagout and PPE procedures correctly on every job observed or performed at the worksite without prompting. Complete legible, accurate work orders and parts documentation for each job assigned, conforming to the employer's record-keeping format. Demonstrate professional communication with customers and coworkers in scheduling, status updates, and repair explanations as rated satisfactory or above by the site supervisor. Identify and escalate unsafe conditions or repairs beyond current authorization to the supervising technician before proceeding. Accumulate and log a minimum of 162 documented worksite hours with timestamped daily entries verified by the supervisor's signature.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worksite Orientation and Expectations | 10 | field | The student will complete the employer's onboarding process, identify shop safety hazards and emergency procedures, and correctly execute the first supervised work order from intake to close-out. |
| Employer onboarding packet, shop safety data sheets, work-order system (software or paper), standard hand tools and multimeter, PPE kit, placement journal (student-maintained log), program externship handbook | Supervisor signs the Orientation Checklist confirming the student located all safety equipment, completed site-specific safety acknowledgment, and closed out the first work order without errors; all boxes must be checked to pass. |
| 2 | Supervised Diagnostic and Repair Rotations | 110 | field | The student will independently diagnose faults and perform repairs across at least three appliance categories under mentor supervision, completing each job to the employer's quality standard. |
| Full field tool kit (multimeter, clamp meter, manifold gauge set, refrigerant identifier, wiring diagram resources, hand tools), OEM tech sheets and service bulletins, employer's work-order system, EPA 608 certification card (for any refrigerant handling), placement journal, employer evaluation forms | Student receives a rating of Satisfactory or above on at least 80 percent of completed employer evaluation forms across the rotation; any Unsatisfactory rating triggers a documented remediation plan signed by the supervisor and instructor before hours in that category count toward completion. |
| 3 | Customer Communication and Professionalism in the Field | 22 | field | The student will demonstrate professional verbal and written communication with customers at every touchpoint — scheduling, arrival, diagnosis explanation, cost estimate, and follow-up — as rated satisfactory by the supervisor. |
| Employer communication templates (email or phone scripts), placement journal, professionalism rubric (program-provided), employer's customer management system or log | Supervisor rates the student Satisfactory or above on professionalism in at least four of the five observed customer interactions and approves all three written follow-up summaries without substantive revision; any below-standard interaction is documented and a coached retry is required. |
| 4 | Placement Wrap-Up, Portfolio Assembly, and Final Supervisor Evaluation | 20 | field | The student will compile a complete externship portfolio documenting hours, job variety, and competencies, and will participate in a final evaluation meeting with the supervisor, achieving a passing composite score. |
| Externship portfolio binder, all signed daily log sheets, representative work orders, weekly goal records, program Final Employer Evaluation Form, hours-completion certificate, placement journal | Portfolio is complete with all required documents and 162 verified, supervisor-signed hours; supervisor's Final Employer Evaluation Form composite score is 70 percent or above across all rubric categories; self-evaluation is present and substantive; hours certificate is signed — all four conditions must be met to pass the course. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Repair Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 70% | Earns Satisfactory or above on all five rubric categories (diagnosis accuracy, repair quality, safety compliance, documentation, and professionalism) on at least 80 percent of employer evaluation forms completed during the rotation lessons; no single safety violation may remain uncorrected at job close-out. | The supervising technician completes a structured employer evaluation form for each assigned job throughout the 132 hours of diagnostic and customer-communication field lessons, rating the student on diagnosis accuracy, repair quality, safety compliance, work-order documentation, and professionalism. The program instructor reviews the cumulative forms at the midpoint and at course end, and contacts the supervisor if the rating trend falls below the passing threshold so a remediation plan can be implemented. Competency · Safety · Attendance · Conduct · Initiative |
| Externship Portfolio and Daily Log | Log | 30% | All 162 hours are present and carry supervisor signatures on daily log sheets; job log lists repairs across at least three appliance categories; three representative work orders are included; Final Employer Evaluation Form composite score is 70 percent or above; self-evaluation is substantive (minimum one page addressing all four required points); hours-completion certificate is signed — every condition must be met for a passing grade. | The student submits the complete externship portfolio assembled during the final wrap-up lesson, including signed daily logs, the categorized job log, three annotated work orders, weekly improvement-goal records, the written self-evaluation, the signed Final Employer Evaluation Form, and the hours-completion certificate. The program instructor reviews the portfolio for completeness, authenticity, and depth of reflection, and records the final composite employer rating as the summative course grade. Complete · Verified |
BUS-APPL73-10 Exam prep
Certification Exam Preparation: PSA Certified Appliance Professional & EPA 608 Type I
45 hr · $450 COMPLIMENTARY
This course systematically reviews every domain tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam and the EPA 608 Type I exam, closing knowledge gaps identified through diagnostic testing and timed practice. Learners complete full-length mock exams under realistic conditions, analyze their results, and build confident test-taking strategies before sitting the credentialing exams.
Outcomes- Score at or above the passing threshold on a full-length PSA Certified Appliance Professional mock exam covering electrical diagnostics, refrigeration, laundry, cooking appliances, sealed systems, and customer service domains.
- Score at or above the passing threshold on a full-length EPA 608 Type I mock exam covering regulations, refrigerant handling, recovery equipment, and leak detection for small appliances.
- Use a diagnostic score report to identify personal weak domains and apply targeted study to raise performance in those areas before exam day.
- Demonstrate correct test-taking strategies including time management, elimination of distractors, and careful reading of scenario-based questions.
- Complete all required exam registration steps, including verifying eligibility, selecting a testing site or approved online proctor, and submitting required documentation.
- Explain the scope, portability, and renewal requirements of both credentials to a prospective employer or customer in plain language.
Course text
This course systematically reviews every domain tested on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam and the EPA 608 Type I exam, closing knowledge gaps identified through diagnostic testing and timed practice. Learners complete full-length mock exams under realistic conditions, analyze their results, and build confident test-taking strategies before sitting the credentialing exams.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Diagnostic Assessment and Exam Orientation; Targeted Domain Review — PSA Exam Content Areas; Targeted Domain Review — EPA 608 Type I Content Areas; Full Mock Examinations and Exam-Day Readiness.
What competent looks like. Score at or above the passing threshold on a full-length PSA Certified Appliance Professional mock exam covering electrical diagnostics, refrigeration, laundry, cooking appliances, sealed systems, and customer service domains. Score at or above the passing threshold on a full-length EPA 608 Type I mock exam covering regulations, refrigerant handling, recovery equipment, and leak detection for small appliances. Use a diagnostic score report to identify personal weak domains and apply targeted study to raise performance in those areas before exam day. Demonstrate correct test-taking strategies including time management, elimination of distractors, and careful reading of scenario-based questions. Complete all required exam registration steps, including verifying eligibility, selecting a testing site or approved online proctor, and submitting required documentation. Explain the scope, portability, and renewal requirements of both credentials to a prospective employer or customer in plain language.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic Assessment and Exam Orientation | 8 | practice | Learners complete a timed diagnostic mock exam for each credential, score their results by domain, and produce a written personal study plan prioritizing weak areas. |
| Printed PSA Certified Appliance Professional diagnostic mock exam (instructor-developed, aligned to published PSA exam blueprint); printed EPA 608 Type I diagnostic mock exam (aligned to EPA study guide and ESCO Institute or equivalent practice materials); answer keys with domain crosswalk; blank domain score-tracking worksheet; pens; calculator. | Learner submits a completed domain score report for both exams and a written study plan; instructor reviews plan for accuracy and realism — pass requires the study plan to correctly identify at least three specific weak topics per credential and to allocate study time proportional to score deficits. |
| 2 | Targeted Domain Review — PSA Exam Content Areas | 16 | theory | Learners review and demonstrate understanding of each PSA Certified Appliance Professional content domain through instructor-led explanation, worked examples, and peer quiz rounds focused on their documented weak areas. |
| PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam blueprint (published by Professional Service Association); instructor-prepared review slide decks and station handouts for each domain; sample wiring diagrams and service manual excerpts for major appliance brands; OSHA 10 general industry reference card; whiteboard and markers; PSA-style practice question bank (instructor-developed); personal score-tracking spreadsheet. | Three timed quiz scores are recorded; learner must average 75% or higher across the three quizzes to demonstrate readiness to proceed — learners below 75% on any single domain quiz complete a structured re-study assignment on that domain before the mock exam lesson. |
| 3 | Targeted Domain Review — EPA 608 Type I Content Areas | 9 | theory | Learners review and demonstrate understanding of all EPA 608 Type I exam content areas, including applicable regulations, refrigerant safety and environmental impact, recovery requirements, and small appliance service procedures. |
| EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Program study guide (EPA publication or ESCO Institute equivalent approved resource); refrigerant properties reference chart (ASHRAE refrigerant safety classifications); EPA 608 Type I practice question sets; printed venting prohibition and record-keeping summary card; whiteboard; calculator. | Two timed practice set scores are recorded; learner must score 75% or higher on each set — learners below threshold review missed items with instructor one-on-one and complete an alternate question set before the mock exam lesson. |
| 4 | Full Mock Examinations and Exam-Day Readiness | 12 | practice | Learners sit full-length, timed mock exams for both credentials under realistic exam conditions, analyze final results against passing thresholds, and complete all pre-exam administrative steps to be registration-ready on the final day of instruction. |
| Full-length PSA Certified Appliance Professional mock exam (instructor-developed, full item count matching published exam blueprint); full-length EPA 608 Type I mock exam (matching published content outline); detailed rationale answer keys for both mocks; exam-day readiness checklist handout; Professional Service Association website access; approved EPA 608 testing provider list; domain progress tracking sheet showing all four lessons; pens; timer. | Learner scores 75% or higher on the PSA mock exam AND 70% or higher on the EPA 608 Type I mock exam (thresholds reflect published passing standards and allow a reasonable buffer) AND submits a completed exam-day readiness checklist — learners who do not meet both score thresholds receive a written remediation plan with specific resources and are encouraged to schedule additional self-study before the live exam date. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Credential Full Mock Examination | Mock certification exam | 100% | 75% or higher on the PSA Certified Appliance Professional mock exam AND 70% or higher on the EPA 608 Type I mock exam, both administered under timed, closed-book, exam-day conditions. | Learners sit back-to-back full-length mock exams replicating the format, time limits, and content distribution of the actual PSA Certified Appliance Professional and EPA 608 Type I credentialing exams; results are scored by domain so learners and instructors can confirm readiness or identify any remaining gaps requiring self-study before the live exam appointments. Score · Time management |
Program completion
External credential: EPA 608 Type I; PSA Certified Appliance Professional
Students sit the PSA Certified Appliance Professional exam administered by the Professional Service Association and the EPA Section 608 Type I exam administered through an EPA-approved certifying organization. Pass standard: Credential issued by the body.
Back to Appliance Repair · How the school gets authority to award these credentials
