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Air Duct Cleaners Schedule Certification Training

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has scheduled certification testing for September in five different North American cities.

NADCA surpassed its goal of 1,000 Certified Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) by the year 2000, a goal the group’s Certification Committee set in 1997.

Tim Hebert, ASCS, NADCA Certification Chairman, said reaching that early goal “means more than just more Certified ASCSs — it means that the industry and the public are taking notice of good indoor air quality, and the need for hvac systems hygiene and cleaning.”

NADCA began its Certification Program in late 1995. According to NADCA, it was developed in accordance with testing procedures created by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), under close supervision of independent test development experts. These procedures included an industry-wide survey, which gauged the criticality and frequency of various industry practices, as well as knowledge and subject matter areas that contractors in the industry felt were important.

The certification exams will be held September 17 in Philadel-phia, PA, Los Angeles. CA, and Montreal, P.Q., Canada; and September 26 in Chicago, IL and Atlanta, GA.

The exam includes 150 questions on four subject areas: assessing problems; assessing mechanical systems; protecting worker and occupant health and safety; and performing cleaning. The typical pass rate per administration is 60%.

To maintain certification, a contractor must fulfill continuing education requirements by attending industry meetings, passing hvac courses, writing articles for industry magazines, or helping to write quality questions for use on future NADCA Certification Exams.

For more information, contact NADCA at 1518 K Street, N.W., Suite 503; Washington, DC 20005; 202-737-2926; 202-347-8847 (fax); nadca@aol.com (e-mail) or: www.nadca.com (website).