1	The American Indoor Air Quality Council The most respected certifications in the IAQ industry
2	IAQ Council Certification: Overview Thanks for your interest in American IAQ Council certification. IAQ Council certifications are the only accredited designations in the IAQ industry. They will provide you with the most respected credentials in your field. Candidates for IAQ Council certification must complete a rigorous process of application, examination and board review. This slide show presents a step by step explanation of the certification process.
3	IAQ Council Certification: Overview IAQ Council certification is a three-part process. All candidates must: Demonstrate field experience via the application packet. Demonstrate industry knowledge via the certification exam. Submit their application files for certification board review. Click a link for a detailed description of each process.
4	The Application Booklet The application booklet for each IAQ Council certification explains the program in full. (Download an application booklet) Click a link for more information about the application process: Contact Information Project Sheets Eligibility Verification Notarization Fees Mailing
5	The Application Booklet Contact Information You must provide current contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, on the application form. The American IAQ Council will not consider incomplete applications. If you took a course in preparation for the certification exam, please provide the course provider’s name and course dates. (Download an application booklet)
6	The Application Booklet Notarization Your application must be signed and dated and your signature notarized before the IAQ Council will consider it. If you include an employer affidavit as part of your application, the affidavit must be notarized. (Click here for more information on employer affidavits)
7	The Application Booklet Eligibility All IAQ Council certifications require at least a GED and verifiable field experience. Science-related college courses can be used to fulfill part of the experience requirement. Courses considered “science-related” include the physical and applied sciences (including math and engineering), but do not include the social sciences (sociology, psychology, history, etc.) College credit is applied according to the following table: 15 semester hours = 2 years field experience 30 semester hours = 4 years field experience If you claim college credit, you must attach transcripts to your application!
8	The Application Booklet Eligibility – continued NOTE: At least one year of actual (i.e., non-academic) field experience is required in every application file. In order to demonstrate the required number of years of field experience, you must submit project documentation dating from the first year of experience you claim. (Click here for more information on project sheets) The certification board requires that your oldest project sheet be at least one day older than the number of years of field experience you are claiming.
9	The Application Booklet Project Sheets You document your field experience by submitting FOUR (4) project sheets describing your personal involvement in four IAQ-related projects. The project sheet forms are included in your application booklet. Each project sheet must detail your own involvement, and should use the pronoun “I” in describing your activities. Each project must be verifiable. You may provide us with contact information for a person who is qualified to attest to your involvement in the project. Alternatively, employees may attach a notarized affidavit from their employer attesting to their involvement. Employer affidavit forms are included in your application booklet.
10	The Application Booklet Verification IAQ Council staff members verify project sheets by telephone for every application before passing it to the certification board. Applications for which field experience cannot be verified will not be submitted for board review.
11	The Application Booklet Fees You must attach certification fees to your application (credit card payments may be made via telephone by calling the IAQ Council office at 800-942-0832). Certification fees must be paid prior to taking the certification exam. Fees are $400 for a two-year certification. Fees are $300 for members of the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA). Fees include a $100 non-refundable processing fee.
12	The Application Booklet Mailing Mail or FAX your completed application packet to: American IAQ Council PO Box 11599 Glendale, AZ 85318 FAX: (623) 581-6270
13	The Certification Examination Once your completed application is on file, you may call the Council office at (800) 942-0832 to register for the certification examination. (Download an application booklet) NOTE: Passing the exam does not guarantee certification! Your completed application booklet must be verified and your file approved by the certification board before your certification can be granted. Click a link below for more information: Application booklets Certification board review
14	The Certification Examination Click a link below for more information about the certification examination process: Preparatory Courses Exam Registration Reference Texts Testing Centers Study Guides Results and Retakes
15	The Certification Examination Preparatory Courses There are no required preparatory courses for IAQ Council certifications. IAQ Council exams are drawn from accepted industry reference texts, not from course curriculum materials. Candidates for certification may prepare for the exam by reading the reference texts on their own or taking preparatory courses from third party providers.
16	The Certification Examination Reference Texts IAQ Council certification exams are based on accepted industry reference texts. Required texts for each certification are listed in the certification application booklet (Download an application booklet). Many of the texts are in the public domain; others are available at discounted prices from the IAQ Council website (www.iaqcouncil.org) Candidates are strongly encouraged to read the required texts, whether or not they have taken a preparatory course.
17	The Certification Examination Study Guides In accordance with standard practice for certifying bodies, IAQ Council certification boards have authorized the publication of examination topics for each exam as an aid to self-study. These documents list specific locations in each reference text that may be the source of items from each examination topic. Study guides are intended to supplement a thorough reading of each reference text. They are available free of charge on the IAQ Council website.
18	The Certification Examination Exam Registration You register for the certification exam by calling the IAQ Council office at (800) 942-0832. IAQ Council exams are electronically delivered continuously at secure electronic testing sites throughout North America and overseas. Our helpful staff will assist you in scheduling your exam at a time and place convenient to you.
19	The Certification Examination Testing Centers IAQ Council exams are electronically delivered – that is, you will take the test at a secure computer terminal. Your exam is closed book – you will not be allowed to bring any references or personal effects into the testing room. To maintain exam security, both the order of exam items and the order of answer choices within each item are electronically randomized for each test session. All questions are multiple choice. You may answer the questions in any order and review/change your answers as often as you like before submitting the exam.
20	The Certification Examination Results and Retakes You must earn a 75% or better to pass the exam. Our electronic system grades your examination as soon as you complete it and displays your score instantly. The IAQ Council sends you an official score report via email the same day. If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it after a 30-day waiting period for a fee of $100. Simply call the office at (800) 942-0832 to register for the retake.
21	Certification Board Review Once your application file is complete, your field experience has been verified and you have passed the certification exam, the IAQ Council staff submits your file to the certification board for a formal review. Click a link below for more information about the board review process: Certification boards Board review process
22	Certification Board Review Certification boards IAQ Council certification boards are composed of certified industry peers who volunteer their time and expertise. Certification board members have no financial ties to the IAQ Council or to organizations that offer training or preparatory courses for IAQ Council certifications. The certification board is solely responsible for all aspects of the certification program, including the development of examinations and certification policies as well as the awarding and suspension of certification.
23	Certification Board Review Board review process The certification board meets monthly to review each certification application. The board’s vote to award certification must be unanimous. IAQ Council staff notifies candidates within two weeks of the board’s decision. Unsuccessful candidates are informed of deficiencies in their applications and of ways they may be corrected.
24	Privileges & Responsibilities As a Council-certified professional, you will carry the most prestigious credential in the IAQ industry. IAQ Council certifications are independently accredited by the Council for Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB). IAQ Council certifications are compliant with ISO international standards 9000, 9001, 17000 and 17024. IAQ Council certifications are recognized for their credibility and integrity.
25	Privileges & Responsibilities Use of Logo and Titles Use of the IAQ Council logo on websites, letterheads, business cards and other forms of address is limited to Council-certified individuals or the companies employing them. You may use the designation title with your name on organization letterheads, business cards and all forms of address, as in the following example: John Doe, CIEC™ Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant™ Board-awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council™ Certification is for individuals only. IAQ Council designations may not be used to imply that an organization or firm is certified.
26	Privileges & Responsibilities Code of Conduct As a Council-certified professional, you will be required to abide by the IAQ Council code of conduct. If you fail to abide by the code of conduct or are found guilty of gross negligence in the performance of your professional duties, the certification board may refuse to recertify you. You may appeal the decision of the certification board according to IAQ Council due process procedures.
27	Privileges & Responsibilities Appeals and Due Process Procedures Complaints or appeals must be made in writing and sent via certified mail to the certification board. The certification board rules on complaints or appeals by unanimous vote. Complaints or appeals may be continued to the National Advisory Board. The National Advisory Board is the final court of appeal and rules on all cases by unanimous vote.
28	Recertification IAQ Council certifications are valid for two years from the date of issue. Before the expiration of the certification term, certificants must earn recertification credits (RCs) for professional development activities. As of January 1, 2008, all new certifications will require 40 re-certification credits (RCs) during the certification term. Certificates expiring before January 2010 require a pro-rated number of RCs. (Download the RC table)
29	Recertification Recertification Activities The IAQ Council has registered a wide variety of activities for recertification credit. These include professional development courses, home study courses, online reading tests, IAQA chapter meetings, association membership, government committee work, and many more. For a complete list of registered RC activities, visit the IAQ Council website.
30	Recertification Recertification Procedures To apply for recertification, simply complete the recertification application available from the IAQ Council website and submit it along with your recertification fee before the expiration of your current certificate. You must attach documentation of all professional development activities. Acceptable forms of documentation include attendance certificates, receipts, transcripts, etc.
31	Recertification Fees You must attach recertification fees to your recertification application (credit card payments may be made via telephone by calling the IAQ Council office at 800-942-0832). Recertification fees are $350 for a two-year certification. Fees are $300 for members of the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA). Fees include a $100 non-refundable processing fee.
32	Suspension & Reinstatement If you fail to accumulate the required RCs before the end of your certification term, your certification will expire. The certification board may vote to extend a grace period for extenuating circumstances such as documented active military service or a documented serious medical condition. To reinstate your expired certification, you must re-apply as a new candidate, which includes taking the examination. Appropriate fees will apply.
33	More Information Web: www.iaqcouncil.org Email: info@iaqcouncil.org Tel: (800) 942-0832 FAX: (623) 581-6270 Mail: American IAQ Council PO Box 11599 Glendale, AZ 85318