ROCKVILLE, Md. - Significant changes within the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry have brought a new level of training and certification for industry professionals. One of the most dramatic changes brought about by the union of the organizations is the change to the education and certification programs. The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is now responsible for all training and education programs, and the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQ) is the recommended and endorsed certification body for IAQA members. The Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) recently accredited the AmIAQ Council with a certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) designation. IAQA conducts indoor environmental quality education courses that prepare candidates seeking AmIAQ certification. This accreditation of the certification program, and the separation of training from certification, is unique amongst all organizations that specifically deal with IAQ issues.

"The goal to have a clear separation between training and certification accomplished," said Joe Hughes, chairman of IAQA's Education Committee. "This new position for IAQA brings an unsurpassed level of professionalism and credibility that will further the certified members' abilities to accurately and effectively provide services to the public."

Three major educational and certification tracks are either online or in the final stages of consolidation. They include Indoor Environmental Quality Consulting, Microbial Consulting/Investigation, and Microbial Remediation. "The training tracks are the most professional that I have seen and will surely benefit not only the IAQ professionals involved but also any person or company faced with preventing, investigating, or mitigating an IAQ problem," said Glenn Fellman, executive director of IAQA.