FIND A TECHNICIAN
Here is helpful information on finding a piano technician, including details on the meanings of the two current PTG classifications.  Please review this information first.

About the PTG
The Piano Technicians Guild, the official organization of the Registered Piano Technician, is the world's premiere source of expertise in piano service and technology. Based in Kansas City, KS, the PTG has over 4100 members throughout the United States, Canada and around the world. The mission of the Piano Technicians Guild is to promote the highest possible standards of piano service by providing members with opportunities for professional development, by recognizing technical competence through examinations and by advancing the interests of its members.

The two current PTG classifications for piano technicians
Because the field of Piano technology is an unregulated trade, the Piano Technicians Guild has set its own standards of quality for piano technicians.  There are two types of members: Registered Piano Technicians and Associates. 

What's the difference between RPT and Associate membership classifications?
The PTG is a trade association, and Associate Membership is open to anyone with a professional or avocational interest in piano technology. However, the title of Registered Piano Technician must be earned by passing a series of rigorous examinations.  Members who have not passed the RPT examinations may avail themselves of PTG's extensive educational offerings in preparation for taking the RPT exams, and may advertise their PTG Associate membership.










RPT and Associate are the only two classifications for piano technicians, concerning PTG.
Any advertising that includes PTG or Piano Technicians Guild, must include the named individual and their classification, RPT or Associate.  There are no other credentials or classifications such as 'journeyman', 'certified', 'member', 'certified member', 'allied tradesman', 'Jedi knight', 'Registered Craftsman', ‘registered tuner technician’, ‘grasshopper’, etc..…just RPT and Associate.










About the RPT exams...
The RPT examinations are in three parts.
1. Written Exam:
This exam tests basic knowledge of piano design, tuning theory, repair and general piano technology.

2. Standardized Tuning Exam:
At least three examiners, set up a "master tuning" by tuning a test piano until they are convinced as a group that every note is in the best possible place. This "master tuning" is then used as the standard against which the examinee is measured. Using sensitive electronic measuring equipment, the examinee's tuning is compared against the "master tuning." This system gives a fair and standardized test for all chapters of the Piano Technicians Guild.

3. Technical Exam:
This tests the proper assembly and adjustment of the moving parts of piano action models for vertical and grand pianos. It concludes with several bench repairs which are common to piano service, including broken strings, key repairs and broken action parts.   All of these exams are time limited and must be performed to specific tolerances.

RPT does not represent a rebuilder of pianos
The rating of RPT is not meant to be a rating for a piano rebuilder; it is meant to show that the technician is ready to handle normal piano service and repair.

Find a Technician
The following RPT and Associate members have chosen to have their information displayed on PTG websites.
Members who need to make changes, please CLICK HERE.

Disclaimers
All expressions of opinion and all statements of supposed fact are published on the authority of the author as listed, and are not to be regarded as expressing the view of the Chapter or the Piano Technicians Guild, Inc., unless such statements or opinions have been adopted by the Boston Chapter or the Piano Technicians Guild, Inc. For more info: CONTACT US