The American Council for Accredited Certification offers the Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM) to individuals who understand the relationship between their careers in corporate policy-making, risk management, facilities management, asset management or property management and the various disciplines related to indoor air quality.

1. To raise the standards of those engaged in indoor air quality and related fields.

2. To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of indoor air quality and the standards and regulations affecting Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Managers.

3. To award special recognition to those Indoor Air Quality Managers who have demonstrated verifiable field experience as well as a high level of competence and ethical fitness.

Applicants for the CIAQM 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 two-year post-secondary degree or its equivalent (15 credit hours) in microbiology, engineering, science, architecture, industrial hygiene or related field of science with a minimum of one (1) year of documented field experience in property management, risk management, asset management or corporate policy-making.

• No degree with at least two (2) years of documented experience in property management, risk management, asset management or corporate policy-making. (high school diploma or GED required.)

(Click here to purchase reference texts)

The effective practice of indoor air quality management requires detailed knowledge of a variety of subjects, from HVAC to the building sciences. For certification purposes, the candidate for the CIAQM designation must demonstrate familiarity with the basic concepts and reference materials relating to indoor air quality management summarized in the following list:

1. Shirley J. Hansen and H. E. Burroughs, Managing Indoor Air Quality, 5th ed. (Lilburn, GA: The Fairmont Press, Inc., 2011)

2. EPA, Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers (Washington: EPA, 1991)

3. NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic (2004)

4. ACAC, CIAQM Exam Study/Review Guide (2015)

A Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM) has demonstrated the following skills through a combination of documented experience, documented education and training and the successful completion of an examination process.

Understand the factors affecting Indoor Air Quality and the relationships between them

1. Consider the role of building occupants in affecting and being affected by indoor air quality

2. Comprehend the range of indoor air contaminants and their sources in the built environment

3. Confront the various transport mechanisms existing within the building envelope (including the HVAC system) and realize their impact on IAQ

Develop and Administer an IAQ Management Program

1. Assemble an interdisciplinary IAQ Management Team

2. Develop an IAQ Building Profile

3. Implement an IAQ Management Plan

   • Apply knowledge of guidelines, regulations and liabilities related to indoor air quality

   • Establish effective communication and documentation procedures

   • Establish effective facility maintenance and incident prevention procedures

Address IAQ problems effectively

1. Oversee an IAQ investigation

   • Conduct an initial walk-through investigation

   • Collect and organize detailed information related to the problem

   • Determine the need for sampling or the assistance of an indoor environmental professional

2. Develop a remediation strategy

   • Apply knowledge of guidelines and safety regulations relating to IAQ remediation

   • Design an effective scope of work that may include any or all of the following activities:

     • Develop project specifications

     • Engineer containment systems

     • Remove damaged material and debris

     • Clean building structure and contents

     • Conduct remediation of the HVAC system

3. Determine the need for assistance from a remediation professional

(Click here to purchase reference texts)

To prepare for the CIAQM exam, first read the listed reference texts 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.

ACAC, CIAQM Reference Manual

Entire

EPA, Building Air Quality

Pages 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 45, 46, 51, 53, 76, 84 and 85.

Burroughs et al., Managing Indoor Air Quality, 5th edition

28, 37, 43, 47, 48, 50, 52, 57, 74, 77, 80, 88, 105, 117, 119, 120, 124, 126, 129, 133, 134, 136, 139, 142, 143, 149, 151, 153, 154, 169, 171, 178, 179, 189, 196, 201, 208, 212, 251, 252, 263, 265, 276, 280, 283, 286-287 and Table 3.1

NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic (2004)

Pages 1, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20 and 22

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 CIAQM 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 CIAQM examination is set by the CIAQM 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 CIAQM 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 indoor air quality management. Pass/fail scores are set by the CIAQM 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 Indoor Air Quality Managers who do not acquire sufficient CIAQM Re-certification Credits by their recertification date will be notified in writing to cease using the CIAQM designation. They will be listed as expired on the Council website and will no longer be listed as a CIAQM 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 CIAQM 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 Indoor Air Quality Manager 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 Indoor Air Quality Manager 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 Indoor Air Quality Managers may be granted emeritus status in their designation as long as they are retired from professional practice as a CIAQM. 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 CIAQM may use the designation name on organization letterheads, business cards and all forms of address. When using the CIAQM 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, CIAQM
   Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager
   Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification

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

3. The CIAQM designation may NOT be used by individuals who pass the CIAQM 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 Indoor Air Quality Assistant Manager (CIAQAM) to individuals whose knowledge of indoor air quality management warrants professional recognition.

1. To raise the standards of those engaged in indoor air quality and related fields.

2. To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of indoor air quality and the standards and regulations affecting Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Assistant Managers.

Individuals are eligible for the CIAQAM certification who can attest to their involvement in property, asset or risk management or corporate policy making related to indoor air quality.

(Click here to purchase reference texts)

The effective practice of indoor air quality management requires detailed knowledge of a variety of subjects, from HVAC to the building sciences. For certification purposes, the candidate for the CIAQAM designation must demonstrate familiarity with the basic concepts and reference materials relating to indoor air quality management summarized in the following list:

1. Shirley J. Hansen and H. E. Burroughs, Managing Indoor Air Quality, 5th ed. (Lilburn, GA: The Fairmont Press, Inc., 2011)

2. EPA, Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers (Washington: EPA, 1991)

3. NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic (2004)

4. ACAC, CIAQM Exam Study/Review Guide (2015)

(Click here to purchase reference texts)

To prepare for the CIAQAM exam, first read the listed reference texts 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.

EPA, Building Air Quality

Pages 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 45, 46, 51, 53, 76, 84 and 85.

Burroughs et al., Managing Indoor Air Quality, 5th edition

28, 37, 43, 47, 48, 50, 52, 57, 74, 77, 80, 88, 105, 117, 119, 120, 124, 126, 129, 133, 134, 136, 139, 142, 143, 149, 151, 153, 154, 169, 171, 178, 179, 189, 196, 201, 208, 212, 251, 252, 263, 265, 276, 280, 283, 286-287 and Table 3.1

NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic (2004)

Pages 1, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20 and 22

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. 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 CIAQAM examination is set by the CIAQAM 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 CIAQAM 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 indoor air quality management. Pass/fail scores are set by the CIAQAM 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 Indoor Air Quality Assistant Managers who do not acquire sufficient CIAQAM Re-certification Credits by their recertification date will be notified in writing to cease using the CIAQAM designation. They will be listed as expired on the Council website and will no longer be listed as a CIAQAM 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 CIAQAM 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 Indoor Air Quality Assistant Manager 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 Indoor Air Quality Assistant Manager 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 Indoor Air Assistant Quality Managers may be granted emeritus status in their designation as long as they are retired from professional practice as a CIAQAM. 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 CIAQAM may use the designation name on organization letterheads, business cards and all forms of address. When using the CIAQAM 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, CIAQAM
   Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Assistant Manager
   Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification

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

3. The CIAQAM designation may NOT be used by individuals who pass the CIAQAM 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.