| Program Title | Major Appliance Repair Technician — 3-Week Intensive |
| CIP Code | 47.0603 — Appliance Installation and Repair Technology |
| SOC Code | 49-9031 — Home Appliance Repairers |
| Program Length | 3 weeks (15 business days / approximately 120 clock hours) |
| Instruction Method | Hybrid/blended — classroom lecture, hands-on lab, and supervised field observation. Final delivery-hour breakdown is subject to approval. |
| Hours by setting | Theory/lecture: ______ hours · Lab: ______ hours · Clinical/externship: ______ hours |
| Location | 290 Charlotte Rd, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 |
| Class Size | Maximum 16–20 students per session |
| Class Schedule | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (with breaks) |
This program provides comprehensive training in the diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of major household appliances including washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators. Students develop proficiency in electrical fundamentals, use of diagnostic tools, reading wiring and schematic diagrams, sealed refrigeration systems, and EPA 608 refrigerant handling requirements. The program also covers professional business practices including scheduling, invoicing, warranty claims, and customer service.
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
| Day | Topic | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Safety fundamentals · Electrical theory (voltage, current, resistance) · Ohm's Law · Proper use of PPE | 8 |
| Day 2 | Digital multimeter (DMM) operation · Testing continuity, voltage, and amperage · Component-level testing | 8 |
| Day 3 | Reading wiring diagrams & schematics · Tracing circuits · Identifying switches, relays, and motors | 8 |
| Day 4 | Washer systems: water valves, drain pumps, drive motors, control boards, door switches, suspension | 8 |
| Day 5 | Dryer systems: heating elements, igniters, thermostats, thermal fuses, drive motors, venting · Lab practicum | 8 |
Written quiz on electrical fundamentals and Ohm's Law (minimum 70%). Practical exam: correctly test three electrical components using a DMM.
| Day | Topic | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 6 | Dishwasher systems: wash motors, drain pumps, water inlet valves, control boards, spray arms, door latches | 8 |
| Day 7 | Gas & electric ranges/ovens: bake/broil elements, igniters, temperature sensors, spark modules, surface elements | 8 |
| Day 8 | Microwave ovens: magnetron, high-voltage components, door switches, capacitor safety, inverter technology | 8 |
| Day 9 | Advanced diagnostics: intermittent failures, error codes, control board troubleshooting, tech support communication | 8 |
| Day 10 | Lab practicum: diagnose and repair 3 appliances from symptom to resolution · Mid-program written assessment | 8 |
Written assessment on kitchen appliance systems (minimum 70%). Practical exam: diagnose two kitchen appliances from reported symptoms to root cause.
| Day | Topic | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day 11 | Refrigeration fundamentals: refrigerant cycle, sealed system components (compressor, condenser, evaporator, metering device) | 8 |
| Day 12 | Sealed system diagnosis: pressures, temperatures, superheat/subcooling calculations · EPA 608 regulations & preparation | 8 |
| Day 13 | Business practices: starting a service business, scheduling, routing, invoicing, warranty claims, parts ordering, customer relations | 8 |
| Day 14 | Servicer Edge field management software training · NASTEC exam review · EPA 608 exam review | 8 |
| Day 15 | Final written examination · TASA Race practical competition · Certificate and race-day awards ceremony | 8 |
Final written examination covering all program content (minimum 70%). Final practical assessment is delivered as the TASA Race: two teams complete timed washer or dryer diagnostics, an approved simple repair, and a controlled disassembly-and-reassembly task. Judges score safety, quality, customer-home professionalism, teamwork, tool control, and technical accuracy. RC rock-crawler relays follow each technical round with five-second driver turns.
The TASA Race uses a NASCAR-inspired pit-crew format without representing or affiliating with NASCAR. Students are divided into Team Blue and Team Orange. Both teams receive comparable appliance assignments and complete the same three technical rounds:
Assessment emphasis: speed is considered only with safe, accurate work. Students earn points for customer-home professionalism, PPE, tool organization, clear communication, respectful teamwork, clean documentation, and quality control. Points are deducted for unsafe energized work, careless tool handling, guessing, disrespect, leaving debris, skipping a functional test, or other unprofessional conduct.
Individual recognition: TASA Race Champion, Best Diagnostic Technician, Golden Multimeter Award, Best with Tools, Fastest Safe Repair, Reassembly Excellence, Most Professional Servicer, Best Team Player, Clean Pit Award, Rock Crawler Relay Champion, Best Customer Communication, Safety Excellence, and Most Improved Competitor.
| Grade | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | 70% – 100% | Certificate of Completion awarded |
| Conditional Pass | 60% – 69% | Additional remediation required before certificate |
| Fail | Below 60% | Certificate not awarded; may re-enroll at reduced tuition |
All TASA instructors are experienced appliance repair professionals with a minimum of 10 years of field experience. Instructors hold relevant certifications including NASTEC and EPA 608 Universal. The program founders operate Thompson Appliance Service, a family-owned appliance service business with over 40 years of continuous operation.