The American Council for Accredited Certification offers the Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultant (CEAC) to individuals whose knowledge and field experience in environmental allergen investigations warrant professional recognition. Additionally, ACAC offers the CEAC examination to certain license applicants in states where it is required by law.

1. To raise the standards of those engaged in environmental allergen investigations.

2. To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of environmental allergen investigations and the standards and regulations affecting Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultants.

3. To award special recognition to those consultants who have demonstrated verifiable field experience.

4. To qualify applicants for certain state licenses.

Applicants for the CEAC certification must demonstrate academic- and experience-related eligibility.

Applicants must possess one of the following combinations of eight (8) years education and relevant field experience:

• A 4-year post-secondary degree or its equivalent (30 credit hours) in microbiology, engineering, science, architecture, industrial hygiene or a related field of science with a minimum of four (4) years of documented field experience in environmental allergen investigations.

• A 2-year post-secondary degree or its equivalent (15 credit hours) in microbiology, engineering, science, architecture, industrial hygiene or related field of science with at least six (6) years documented experience in environmental allergen investigations.

• No degree with at least eight (8) years of consulting experience in environmental allergen investigations. (High school diploma or GED required.)

Applicants must demonstrate experience in designing and conducting environmental allergen investigations.

ACAC certification candidates document education by submitting transcripts with the application form. Candidates document field experience by submitting four project sheets (included in the application packet).

Applicants for state licenses where the CEAC examination is required must meet the eligibility requirements published by each state.

The Required Body of Knowledge:

(Download study/review packet)

The effective practice of environmental allergen consulting requires detailed knowledge of a variety of subjects ranging from microbiology to the various disciplines of the building sciences. For certification purposes, the candidate for the CEAC designation must demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles of the discipline. In particular, the Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultant (CEAC) examination addresses the following domains of knowledge:

The allergic response in humans

• Potential health effects associated with environmental allergens

• Methods for preventing and reducing exposure

• Role of physicians in addressing allergen issues

Types of allergens and their presence in the built environment

• Scientific data on the full range of environmental allergens

• Common sources of allergens in the built environment

Principles of the Built Environment

• Pathways and driving forces for environmental allergens

• Role of HVAC systems in controlling environmental allergen contaminants

• Psychromterics and moisture control

Investigation principles, procedures, and equipment

• General investigation procedures

• Principles of sampling and monitoring

• Equipment selection, calibration, and operation

• Personal protective equipment

Allergen evaluation and remediation strategies

• Principles of data analysis and interpretation

• Principles of containment engineering and construction

• Common remediation techniques

• Post remediation verification

Guidelines, regulations, and standards

• Federal, state, and local guidelines touching environmental allergens

• Industry guidelines touching environmental allergens

• The ACAC code of conduct

These domains of knowledge are addressed in a variety of industry publications and summarized in this free, optional CEAC exam study review packet.

Recommended Study Procedures:

To prepare for the CEAC exam, first read the reference texts included in the study/review packet in their entirety. Then review the following sections from each text in more detail.

WARNING: Limiting your study to only the following pages will put you in danger of failing the exam. The exam assumes a comprehensive knowledge of each reference text.

APHL, Environmental Laboratories and Indoor Air Testing: A Primer (2015)

Pages 6, 18, 19, 20, and 25

CDC, Healthy Housing Reference Manual, chapter 5 (2006)

Pages 5-2 through 5-5

EPA, Exposure Factors Handbook, chapter 19 (updated 2018)

Pages 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, and 27

Estelle Levetin, PhD, "Methods for Aeroallergen Sampling," Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 2004, 4:376–383

Pages 376, 377, 378, 380, 381, and 382

HHS, Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air (2003)

Pages 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, and 27

HUD, Healthy Homes Issues: Asthma (2012)

Pages 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23, 35, and 42

HUD, Vacuum Dust Sample Collection Protocol for Allergens (2008)

Pages 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13

1. ACAC certification should not be confused with state licensing. State license candidates should read the following section, The State Licensing Process.

2. ACAC certification candidates complete and forward the notarized application form, employer affidavits, project sheets and a copy of diploma or transcripts.

3. ACAC certification candidates pass the closed-book examination. If the examination is not successfully passed, a re-examination fee is required before retaking the examination.

4. ACAC certification candidates have up to 90 days from the date of application to complete the application process. Applications left incomplete after 90 days will be considered null and void.

5. ACAC certification candidates wait for the awarding of the certification. The Certification Board meets approximately every four (4) weeks to review the examination results and supporting materials before voting to award the certification.

1. State licensing should not be confused with ACAC certification. ACAC certification candidates should read the previous section, The ACAC Certification Process.

2. State license applicants complete and forward the notarized application form to the ACAC office.

3. ACAC does not require state license applicants to provide documentation of education or field experience in order to sit for the CEAC examination. State licensing agencies may require such documentation as part of the license application process.

4. State license applicants pass the closed book examination. ACAC reports exam scores directly to the appropriate state licensing agencies.

5. State license applicants follow individual state guidelines for completion of the license application.

1. The applicant must complete a 3-hour, closed-book, written examination. The examination questions are based on the listed core skills and required body of knowledge.

2. The examination is closed-book! It is strongly recommended that candidates read the reference materials listed above before taking the examination.

3. There are 120 questions on the examination. Each question is multiple-choice with at least four (4) possible answers. Exam items are drawn from the required body of knowledge according to a blueprint prescribed by the certification board.

4. Passing Score: The passing score for the CEAC examination is set by the CEAC certification board using the Modified Angoff Method. A score of 75% must be achieved to pass this examination.

5. The examination is delivered electronically at an authorized testing center operated by Kryterion, Inc. There are no paper exams. Once a complete application packet is on file in the Council office, the candidate may register for the examination by calling the office at (888) 808-8381.

6. Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before the testing appointment.

7. Candidates must present two forms of government-issued identification at the testing center, one of which must be picture ID.

8. Candidates must follow proctor instructions with regard to conduct, behavior, and the use of personal belongings and test materials, including submitting eyeglasses for inspection and turning out exterior pockets.

9. Candidates failing to abide by these rules will not be permitted to sit for the exam, and a re-examination fee will be required.

10. All examinations contain the same questions; however, the examination questions are presented to each candidate in random order and the examination answers are presented to the candidate in random order.

11. Examinations are graded electronically at the testing facility, and scores are available to candidates immediately. An email is sent to the candidate’s email address confirming test results. In the case of state license applicants, exam scores are also reported directly to the appropriate state licensing agency.

Fees are posed on the ACAC website.

Certification fees are for a two-year certification, and include a non-refundable processing fee.

Examination fees are required prior to taking examinations.

Recertification fees are for a two-year period and require documentation of continuing education. Recertification fees include a non-refundable processing fee.

Re-examination fees apply to those retaking a failed exam.

Penalties for late recertification may be waived in case of documented active military duty or medical issues.

1. The American Council for Accredited Certification is the certifying body for this certification program.

2. All decisions regarding application materials, examinations and the awarding of certifications are made by the CEAC Certification Board, which functions as part of the ACAC.

3. The certifying body’s responsibility to applicants is to provide a credible certification. Operation of the certification program is closely monitored to ensure that reference materials remain current with the industry guidelines and standards and the eligibility requirements for certification are at appropriate levels. Examination questions are developed by certified personnel who are currently active in the field of environmental allergen consulting. Pass/fail scores are set by the CEAC Certification Board using the modified Angoff method. The Board authorizes a periodic statistical review of examination item performance and test reliability and updates the examination to reflect the latest changes in our rapidly evolving field.

4. Certification Board members are required to abstain from voting on any applicant’s completed file that may present a conflict of interest, either personally or professionally.

ACAC certifications are current for two years from the date of issue. The certificate holder must accumulate forty (40) Re-certification Credits (RCs) prior to the certificate’s expiration date. Each RC represents one (1) hour of continuing education or professional development. The certificate holder may accumulate the required hours at any time during the two-year certification period. An updated list of typical recertification activities is available on the Council website.

Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultants who do not acquire sufficient CEAC Re-certification Credits by their recertification date will be notified in writing to cease using the CEAC designation. They will be listed as expired on the Council website and will no longer be listed as a CEAC in any ACAC publication until such time as they resubmit to the certification process and successfully meet the current criteria for certification. Appropriate fees will apply.

1. The CEAC Certification Board is responsible for all facets of the certification program, including the review and evaluation of applications, the development and administration of examinations, the granting and reissuing of certificates and the adjudication of complaints against certificants.

2. Suspensions: If a Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultant does not accumulate the required re-certification credits, certification shall terminate unless, in the judgment of the Certification Board, extenuating circumstances exist and the deficiency can be readily overcome. Examples of extenuating circumstances include documentation of active military service or documentation of a serious medical condition.

3. Complaints: If a Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultant fails to abide by the ACAC Code of Conduct or is formally accused of gross negligence in the performance of his or her professional duties, the Certification Board may vote to refuse re-certification.

4. Appeals: Any holder of a valid Council certification or applicant for such a certification may appeal the decisions of the Certification Board.

5. Complaints or appeals shall be made in writing via certified mail to the Certification Administrator.

6. In the case of complaints, the Certification Administrator shall forward the complaint to the accused certificant and allow him or her ample time to respond.

7. The Certification Administrator, at the direction of the Executive Committee, may forward complaints or appeals to the appropriate Certification Board.

8. The Certification Board shall rule on all complaints or appeals by unanimous vote.

9. Complaints or appeals may be continued in writing via certified mail to the National Advisory Board.

10. The National Advisory Board shall be the final court of appeal and will rule on complaints or appeals by unanimous vote.

11. In resolving complaints or appeals, ACAC may rule only on its own decisions to grant or deny certification and recertification.

1. Retired Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultants may be granted emeritus status in their designation as long as they are retired from professional practice as a CEAC . Such persons will be granted the title “Emeritus.”

2. Re-certification Fees for Emeritus (Retired) Status: $100 USD for each two-year certification.

3. Continuing education is not required,

4. To return to active status, emeritus certificants must notify the Council in writing and pay a fee for a two-year active certification. At the end of the two-year period, all normal re-certification policies will apply.

1. A CEAC may use the designation name on organization letterheads, business cards and all forms of address. When using the CEAC designation, we encourage the spelling out of the designation fully in smaller print immediately below the signature block, as in the following example:

   John Doe, CEAC
   Council-certified Environmental Allergen Consultant
   Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification

2. Certification is for individuals only. The CEAC designation may not be used to imply that an organization or firm is certified.

3. The CEAC designation may NOT be used by individuals who pass the CEAC examination in order to obtain a state license, unless those individuals also complete the ACAC certification process as described in this handbook.

The ACAC code of conduct applies to all certificants, staff and volunteers of the organization.

The American Council for Accredited Certification offers the Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigator (CEAI) to individuals whose knowledge and field experience in environmental allergen investigations warrant professional recognition. Additionally, ACAC offers the CEAI examination to certain license applicants in states where it is required by law.

1. To raise the standards of those engaged in environmental allergen investigations.

2. To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of environmental allergen investigations and the standards and regulations affecting Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigators.

3. To award special recognition to those consultants who have demonstrated verifiable field experience.

4. To qualify applicants for certain state licenses.

Applicants for the CEAI certification must demonstrate academic- and experience-related eligibility.

Applicants must possess one of the following combinations of two (2) years education and relevant field experience:

• A 2-year post-secondary degree or its equivalent (15 credit hours) in microbiology, engineering, science, architecture, industrial hygiene or related field of science with at least one (1) year documented experience in environmental allergen investigations.

• No degree with at least two (2) years of consulting experience in environmental allergen investigations. (High school diploma or GED required.)

Applicants must demonstrate experience in designing and conducting environmental allergen investigations.

ACAC certification candidates document education by submitting transcripts with the application form. Candidates document field experience by submitting four project sheets (included in the application packet).

Applicants for state licenses where the CEAI examination is required must meet the eligibility requirements published by each state.

The Required Body of Knowledge:

(Download study/review packet)

The effective practice of environmental allergen consulting requires detailed knowledge of a variety of subjects ranging from microbiology to the various disciplines of the building sciences. For certification purposes, the candidate for the CEAI designation must demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles of the discipline. In particular, the Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigator (CEAI ) examination addresses the following domains of knowledge:

The allergic response in humans

• Potential health effects associated with environmental allergens

• Methods for preventing and reducing exposure

• Role of physicians in addressing allergen issues

Types of allergens and their presence in the built environment

• Scientific data on the full range of environmental allergens

• Common sources of allergens in the built environment

Principles of the Built Environment

• Pathways and driving forces for environmental allergens

• Role of HVAC systems in controlling environmental allergen contaminants

• Psychromterics and moisture control

Investigation principles, procedures, and equipment

• General investigation procedures

• Principles of sampling and monitoring

• Equipment selection, calibration, and operation

• Personal protective equipment

Allergen evaluation and remediation strategies

• Principles of data analysis and interpretation

• Principles of containment engineering and construction

• Common remediation techniques

• Post remediation verification

Guidelines, regulations, and standards

• Federal, state, and local guidelines touching environmental allergens

• Industry guidelines touching environmental allergens

• The ACAC code of conduct

These domains of knowledge are addressed in a variety of industry publications and summarized in this free, optional CEAC exam study review packet.

Recommended Study Procedures:

To prepare for the CEAI exam, first read the reference texts included in the study/review packet in their entirety. Then review the following sections from each text in more detail.

WARNING: Limiting your study to only the following pages will put you in danger of failing the exam. The exam assumes a comprehensive knowledge of each reference text.

APHL, Environmental Laboratories and Indoor Air Testing: A Primer (2015)

Pages 6, 18, 19, 20, and 25

CDC, Healthy Housing Reference Manual, chapter 5 (2006)

Pages 5-2 through 5-5

EPA, Exposure Factors Handbook, chapter 19 (updated 2018)

Pages 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, and 27

Estelle Levetin, PhD, "Methods for Aeroallergen Sampling," Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 2004, 4:376–383

Pages 376, 377, 378, 380, 381, and 382

HHS, Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air (2003)

Pages 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, and 27

HUD, Healthy Homes Issues: Asthma (2012)

Pages 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23, 35, and 42

HUD, Vacuum Dust Sample Collection Protocol for Allergens (2008)

Pages 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13

1. ACAC certification should not be confused with state licensing. State license candidates should read the following section, The State Licensing Process.

2. ACAC certification candidates complete and forward the notarized application form, employer affidavits, project sheets and a copy of diploma or transcripts.

3. ACAC certification candidates pass the closed-book examination. If the examination is not successfully passed, a re-examination fee is required before retaking the examination.

4. ACAC certification candidates have up to 90 days from the date of application to complete the application process. Applications left incomplete after 90 days will be considered null and void.

5. ACAC certification candidates wait for the awarding of the certification. The Certification Board meets approximately every four (4) weeks to review the examination results and supporting materials before voting to award the certification.

1. State licensing should not be confused with ACAC certification. ACAC certification candidates should read the previous section, The ACAC Certification Process.

2. State license applicants complete and forward the notarized application form to the ACAC office.

3. ACAC does not require state license applicants to provide documentation of education or field experience in order to sit for the CEAI examination. State licensing agencies may require such documentation as part of the license application process.

4. State license applicants pass the closed book examination. ACAC reports exam scores directly to the appropriate state licensing agencies.

5. State license applicants follow individual state guidelines for completion of the license application.

1. The applicant must complete a 3-hour, closed-book, written examination. The examination questions are based on the listed core skills and required body of knowledge.

2. The examination is closed-book! It is strongly recommended that candidates read the reference materials listed above before taking the examination.

3. There are 100 questions on the examination. Each question is multiple-choice with at least four (4) possible answers. Exam items are drawn from the required body of knowledge according to a blueprint prescribed by the certification board.

4. Passing Score: The passing score for the CEAI examination is set by the CEAI certification board using the Modified Angoff Method. A score of 75% must be achieved to pass this examination.

5. The examination is delivered electronically at an authorized testing center operated by Kryterion, Inc. There are no paper exams. Once a complete application packet is on file in the Council office, the candidate may register for the examination by calling the office at (888) 808-8381.

6. Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before the testing appointment.

7. Candidates must present two forms of government-issued identification at the testing center, one of which must be picture ID.

8. Candidates must follow proctor instructions with regard to conduct, behavior, and the use of personal belongings and test materials, including submitting eyeglasses for inspection and turning out exterior pockets.

9. Candidates failing to abide by these rules will not be permitted to sit for the exam, and a re-examination fee will be required.

10. All examinations contain the same questions; however, the examination questions are presented to each candidate in random order and the examination answers are presented to the candidate in random order.

11. Examinations are graded electronically at the testing facility, and scores are available to candidates immediately. An email is sent to the candidate’s email address confirming test results. In the case of state license applicants, exam scores are also reported directly to the appropriate state licensing agency.

Fees are posed on the ACAC website.

Certification fees are for a two-year certification, and include a non-refundable processing fee.

Examination fees are required prior to taking examinations.

Recertification fees are for a two-year period and require documentation of continuing education. Recertification fees include a non-refundable processing fee.

Re-examination fees apply to those retaking a failed exam.

Penalties for late recertification may be waived in case of documented active military duty or medical issues.

1. The American Council for Accredited Certification is the certifying body for this certification program.

2. All decisions regarding application materials, examinations and the awarding of certifications are made by the CEAI Certification Board, which functions as part of the ACAC.

3. The certifying body’s responsibility to applicants is to provide a credible certification. Operation of the certification program is closely monitored to ensure that reference materials remain current with the industry guidelines and standards and the eligibility requirements for certification are at appropriate levels. Examination questions are developed by certified personnel who are currently active in the field of environmental allergen consulting. Pass/fail scores are set by the CEAI Certification Board using the modified Angoff method. The Board authorizes a periodic statistical review of examination item performance and test reliability and updates the examination to reflect the latest changes in our rapidly evolving field.

4. Certification Board members are required to abstain from voting on any applicant’s completed file that may present a conflict of interest, either personally or professionally.

ACAC certifications are current for two years from the date of issue. The certificate holder must accumulate forty (40) Re-certification Credits (RCs) prior to the certificate’s expiration date. Each RC represents one (1) hour of continuing education or professional development. The certificate holder may accumulate the required hours at any time during the two-year certification period. An updated list of typical recertification activities is available on the Council website.

Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigators who do not acquire sufficient CEAI Re-certification Credits by their recertification date will be notified in writing to cease using the CEAI designation. They will be listed as expired on the Council website and will no longer be listed as a CEAI in any ACAC publication until such time as they resubmit to the certification process and successfully meet the current criteria for certification. Appropriate fees will apply.

1. The CEAI Certification Board is responsible for all facets of the certification program, including the review and evaluation of applications, the development and administration of examinations, the granting and reissuing of certificates and the adjudication of complaints against certificants.

2. Suspensions: If a Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigator does not accumulate the required re-certification credits, certification shall terminate unless, in the judgment of the Certification Board, extenuating circumstances exist and the deficiency can be readily overcome. Examples of extenuating circumstances include documentation of active military service or documentation of a serious medical condition.

3. Complaints: If a Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigator fails to abide by the ACAC Code of Conduct or is formally accused of gross negligence in the performance of his or her professional duties, the Certification Board may vote to refuse re-certification.

4. Appeals: Any holder of a valid Council certification or applicant for such a certification may appeal the decisions of the Certification Board.

5. Complaints or appeals shall be made in writing via certified mail to the Certification Administrator.

6. In the case of complaints, the Certification Administrator shall forward the complaint to the accused certificant and allow him or her ample time to respond.

7. The Certification Administrator, at the direction of the Executive Committee, may forward complaints or appeals to the appropriate Certification Board.

8. The Certification Board shall rule on all complaints or appeals by unanimous vote.

9. Complaints or appeals may be continued in writing via certified mail to the National Advisory Board.

10. The National Advisory Board shall be the final court of appeal and will rule on complaints or appeals by unanimous vote.

11. In resolving complaints or appeals, ACAC may rule only on its own decisions to grant or deny certification and recertification.

1. Retired Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigators may be granted emeritus status in their designation as long as they are retired from professional practice as a CEAI. Such persons will be granted the title “Emeritus.”

2. Re-certification Fees for Emeritus (Retired) Status: $100 USD for each two-year certification.

3. Continuing education is not required,

4. To return to active status, emeritus certificants must notify the Council in writing and pay a fee for a two-year active certification. At the end of the two-year period, all normal re-certification policies will apply.

1. A CEAI may use the designation name on organization letterheads, business cards and all forms of address. When using the CEAI designation, we encourage the spelling out of the designation fully in smaller print immediately below the signature block, as in the following example:

   John Doe, CEAI
   Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigator
   Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification

2. Certification is for individuals only. The CEAI designation may not be used to imply that an organization or firm is certified.

3. The CEAI designation may NOT be used by individuals who pass the CEAI examination in order to obtain a state license, unless those individuals also complete the ACAC certification process as described in this handbook.

The ACAC code of conduct applies to all certificants, staff and volunteers of the organization.

The American Council for Accredited Certification offers the Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technician (CEAT) to individuals whose knowledge of environmental allergen investigations warrants professional recognition. Additionally, ACAC offers the CEAT examination to certain license applicants in states where it is required by law.

1. To raise the standards of those engaged in environmental allergen investigations.

2. To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of environmental allergen investigations and the standards and regulations affecting Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigators.

3. To qualify applicants for certain state licenses.

Individuals are eligible for the CEAT certification who can attest to their involvement in the field of environmental allergen investigations and consulting.

Applicants for state licenses where the CEAT examination is required must meet the eligibility requirements published by each state.

The Required Body of Knowledge:

(Download study/review packet)

The effective practice of environmental allergen consulting requires detailed knowledge of a variety of subjects ranging from microbiology to the various disciplines of the building sciences. For certification purposes, the candidate for the CEAI designation must demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles of the discipline. In particular, the Council-certified Environmental Allergen Investigator (CEAI ) examination addresses the following domains of knowledge:

The allergic response in humans

• Potential health effects associated with environmental allergens

• Methods for preventing and reducing exposure

• Role of physicians in addressing allergen issues

Types of allergens and their presence in the built environment

• Scientific data on the full range of environmental allergens

• Common sources of allergens in the built environment

Principles of the Built Environment

• Pathways and driving forces for environmental allergens

• Role of HVAC systems in controlling environmental allergen contaminants

• Psychromterics and moisture control

Investigation principles, procedures, and equipment

• General investigation procedures

• Principles of sampling and monitoring

• Equipment selection, calibration, and operation

• Personal protective equipment

Allergen evaluation and remediation strategies

• Principles of data analysis and interpretation

• Principles of containment engineering and construction

• Common remediation techniques

• Post remediation verification

Guidelines, regulations, and standards

• Federal, state, and local guidelines touching environmental allergens

• Industry guidelines touching environmental allergens

• The ACAC code of conduct

These domains of knowledge are addressed in a variety of industry publications and summarized in this free, optional CEAC exam study review packet.

Recommended Study Procedures:

To prepare for the CEAT exam, first read the reference texts included in the study/review packet in their entirety. Then review the following sections from each text in more detail.

WARNING: Limiting your study to only the following pages will put you in danger of failing the exam. The exam assumes a comprehensive knowledge of each reference text.

APHL, Environmental Laboratories and Indoor Air Testing: A Primer (2015)

Pages 6, 18, 19, 20, and 25

CDC, Healthy Housing Reference Manual, chapter 5 (2006)

Pages 5-2 through 5-5

EPA, Exposure Factors Handbook, chapter 19 (updated 2018)

Pages 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, and 27

Estelle Levetin, PhD, "Methods for Aeroallergen Sampling," Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 2004, 4:376–383

Pages 376, 377, 378, 380, 381, and 382

HHS, Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air (2003)

Pages 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, and 27

HUD, Healthy Homes Issues: Asthma (2012)

Pages 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23, 35, and 42

HUD, Vacuum Dust Sample Collection Protocol for Allergens (2008)

Pages 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13

1. ACAC certification should not be confused with state licensing. State license candidates should read the following section, The State Licensing Process.

2. ACAC certification candidates complete and forward the notarized application form, employer affidavits, project sheets and a copy of diploma or transcripts.

3. ACAC certification candidates pass the closed-book examination. If the examination is not successfully passed, a re-examination fee is required before retaking the examination.

4. ACAC certification candidates have up to 90 days from the date of application to complete the application process. Applications left incomplete after 90 days will be considered null and void.

5. ACAC certification candidates wait for the awarding of the certification. The Certification Board meets approximately every four (4) weeks to review the examination results and supporting materials before voting to award the certification.

1. State licensing should not be confused with ACAC certification. ACAC certification candidates should read the previous section, The ACAC Certification Process.

2. State license applicants complete and forward the notarized application form to the ACAC office.

3. ACAC does not require state license applicants to provide documentation of education or field experience in order to sit for the CEAT examination. State licensing agencies may require such documentation as part of the license application process.

4. State license applicants pass the closed book examination. ACAC reports exam scores directly to the appropriate state licensing agencies.

5. State license applicants follow individual state guidelines for completion of the license application.

1. The applicant must complete a 2-hour, closed-book, written examination. The examination questions are based on the listed core skills and required body of knowledge.

2. The examination is closed-book! It is strongly recommended that candidates read the reference materials listed above before taking the examination.

3. There are 50 questions on the examination. Each question is multiple-choice with at least four (4) possible answers. Exam items are drawn from the required body of knowledge according to a blueprint prescribed by the certification board.

4. Passing Score: The passing score for the CEAT examination is set by the CEAT certification board using the Modified Angoff Method. A score of 70% must be achieved to pass this examination.

5. The examination is delivered electronically at an authorized testing center operated by Kryterion, Inc. There are no paper exams. Once a complete application packet is on file in the Council office, the candidate may register for the examination by calling the office at (888) 808-8381.

6. Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before the testing appointment.

7. Candidates must present two forms of government-issued identification at the testing center, one of which must be picture ID.

8. Candidates must follow proctor instructions with regard to conduct, behavior, and the use of personal belongings and test materials, including submitting eyeglasses for inspection and turning out exterior pockets.

9. Candidates failing to abide by these rules will not be permitted to sit for the exam, and a re-examination fee will be required.

10. All examinations contain the same questions; however, the examination questions are presented to each candidate in random order and the examination answers are presented to the candidate in random order.

11. Examinations are graded electronically at the testing facility, and scores are available to candidates immediately. An email is sent to the candidate’s email address confirming test results. In the case of state license applicants, exam scores are also reported directly to the appropriate state licensing agency.

Fees are posed on the ACAC website.

Certification fees are for a two-year certification, and include a non-refundable processing fee.

Examination fees are required prior to taking examinations.

Recertification fees are for a two-year period and require documentation of continuing education. Recertification fees include a non-refundable processing fee.

Re-examination fees apply to those retaking a failed exam.

Penalties for late recertification may be waived in case of documented active military duty or medical issues.

1. The American Council for Accredited Certification is the certifying body for this certification program.

2. All decisions regarding application materials, examinations and the awarding of certifications are made by the CEAT Certification Board, which functions as part of the ACAC.

3. The certifying body’s responsibility to applicants is to provide a credible certification. Operation of the certification program is closely monitored to ensure that reference materials remain current with the industry guidelines and standards and the eligibility requirements for certification are at appropriate levels. Examination questions are developed by certified personnel who are currently active in the field of environmental allergen consulting. Pass/fail scores are set by the CEAT Certification Board using the modified Angoff method. The Board authorizes a periodic statistical review of examination item performance and test reliability and updates the examination to reflect the latest changes in our rapidly evolving field.

4. Certification Board members are required to abstain from voting on any applicant’s completed file that may present a conflict of interest, either personally or professionally.

ACAC certifications are current for two years from the date of issue. The certificate holder must accumulate forty (40) Re-certification Credits (RCs) prior to the certificate’s expiration date. Each RC represents one (1) hour of continuing education or professional development. The certificate holder may accumulate the required hours at any time during the two-year certification period. An updated list of typical recertification activities is available on the Council website.

Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technicians who do not acquire sufficient CEAT Re-certification Credits by their recertification date will be notified in writing to cease using the CEAT designation. They will be listed as expired on the Council website and will no longer be listed as a CEAT in any ACAC publication until such time as they resubmit to the certification process and successfully meet the current criteria for certification. Appropriate fees will apply.

1. The CEAT Certification Board is responsible for all facets of the certification program, including the review and evaluation of applications, the development and administration of examinations, the granting and reissuing of certificates and the adjudication of complaints against certificants.

2. Suspensions: If a Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technician does not accumulate the required re-certification credits, certification shall terminate unless, in the judgment of the Certification Board, extenuating circumstances exist and the deficiency can be readily overcome. Examples of extenuating circumstances include documentation of active military service or documentation of a serious medical condition.

3. Complaints: If a Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technician fails to abide by the ACAC Code of Conduct or is formally accused of gross negligence in the performance of his or her professional duties, the Certification Board may vote to refuse re-certification.

4. Appeals: Any holder of a valid Council certification or applicant for such a certification may appeal the decisions of the Certification Board.

5. Complaints or appeals shall be made in writing via certified mail to the Certification Administrator.

6. In the case of complaints, the Certification Administrator shall forward the complaint to the accused certificant and allow him or her ample time to respond.

7. The Certification Administrator, at the direction of the Executive Committee, may forward complaints or appeals to the appropriate Certification Board.

8. The Certification Board shall rule on all complaints or appeals by unanimous vote.

9. Complaints or appeals may be continued in writing via certified mail to the National Advisory Board.

10. The National Advisory Board shall be the final court of appeal and will rule on complaints or appeals by unanimous vote.

11. In resolving complaints or appeals, ACAC may rule only on its own decisions to grant or deny certification and recertification.

1. Retired Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technicians may be granted emeritus status in their designation as long as they are retired from professional practice as a CEAT. Such persons will be granted the title “Emeritus.”

2. Re-certification Fees for Emeritus (Retired) Status: $100 USD for each two-year certification.

3. Continuing education is not required,

4. To return to active status, emeritus certificants must notify the Council in writing and pay a fee for a two-year active certification. At the end of the two-year period, all normal re-certification policies will apply.

1. A CEAT may use the designation name on organization letterheads, business cards and all forms of address. When using the CEAT designation, we encourage the spelling out of the designation fully in smaller print immediately below the signature block, as in the following example:

   John Doe, CEAT
   Council-certified Environmental Allergen Technician
   Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification

2. Certification is for individuals only. The CEAT designation may not be used to imply that an organization or firm is certified.

3. The CEAT designation may NOT be used by individuals who pass the CEAT examination in order to obtain a state license, unless those individuals also complete the ACAC certification process as described in this handbook.

The ACAC code of conduct applies to all certificants, staff and volunteers of the organization.