Get to know ACAC

  • ACAC is the ONLY certifying body in the IAQ field to achieve independent third-party accreditation from the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB).

    Additionally, ACAC was the FIRST indoor air quality certifying body to:

    • Operate independently of training providers

    • Operate independently of industry membership associations

    • Refuse all revenue agreements with product manufacturers or service providers

    • Award its certifications by unanimous vote of a board of peers

    • Develop its examinations in compliance with published psychometric standards

    • Deliver its examinations via independent third-party proctors

    • Employ secure high stakes computer based testing

    • See its designations listed as prerequisites for a state license

    • See its examinations listed as prerequisites for a state license

    • See its designations specified by the US government

    • Offer third-party accredited certifications in structural drying, environmental infection control and IAQ management

    • Refuse to give exam questions or answers to prep course providers.

  • • There are more than 100 ACAC certification board members.

    • ACAC certification boards must approve applications by unanimous vote.

    • ACAC certifications are board awarded, never staff awarded.

    • Accredited ACAC certifications require verified field experience.

    • ACAC grants two (2) years of field experience for 15 college semester hours of qualifying courses and four (4) years of field experience for 30 college semester hours of qualifying courses. Qualifying courses include "hard" sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.), mathematics, engineering and related disciplines. Social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, etc.) do not qualify. All applicants must demonstrate at least one year of verified field experience in addition to college credits.

    • ACAC requires 40 hours of verified professional development for every two-year recertification.

  • Organizations and agencies that require, recommend, or recognize ACAC certifications include the following (Download a printable copy of this list with hyperlinks):

    • EPA

    • NASA

    • The American Lung Association

    • CDC

    • FEMA

    • HUD

    • NIH

    • HHS

    • US Army Corps of Engineers

    • US Naval Facilities Engineering Command

    • US Air Force Civil Engineer Center

    • State of New Hampshire

    • State of Connecticut

    • State of Georgia

    • State of Florida

    • State of Arkansas

    • State of Mississippi

    • State of New Mexico

    • State of Maryland

    • State of New York

    • Montgomery County, MD

    • Craven County, NC

    • National Institute of Building Sciences

    • National Environmental Health Association

    • National Center for Healthy Housing

    • Cornell University

    • Louisiana State University

    • The Environmental Information Association

    • The Indoor Air Quality Association

  • • ACAC uses the only psychometrically rated examinations in the indoor air quality industry.

    • ACAC exams are based on published texts, rather than training courses.

    • ACAC exams undergo annual psychometric review.

    • Prep course providers cannot administer ACAC certification exams.

  • • ACAC offers the CESB-accredited certifications specific to the indoor air quality industry.

    • ACAC offers the only IAQ certifications accredited at the CESB Engineering-related level.

    • ACAC offers the only IAQ certifications accredited at the CESB Engineering Technician level.

  • • ACAC is a professional credentialing body.

    • ACAC sells no publications or products.

    • ACAC sells no advertising.

    • ACAC develops no training or prep courses.

    • ACAC has no agreements with course providers.

    • ACAC is not a membership association.

    • ACAC is not an industry trade organization.

  • ACAC serves the public interest by consulting with professionals in environmental and related fields, verifying their knowledge and field experience for purposes of third-party certification.