Are rated load amps the same as full load amps?

Rated load amps and full load amps are not the same number, though they describe the same idea. FLA is a motor's current at rated horsepower and voltage. RLA is a compressor term: the manufacturer's tested rating under its design conditions.

You will see RLA on air conditioners and refrigeration nameplates, FLA on general-purpose motors. FLC, full load current, is the NEC's table version used for sizing.

For wire and breaker work the hierarchy is fixed: use the NEC table FLC for conductors and short-circuit protection, use the nameplate for overloads.

Mixing them up usually oversizes small circuits and undersizes big ones, and inspectors know exactly which table you should have opened.

The HP to FLA converter gives table values by horsepower and voltage in one step.