Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) and Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) Certifications Benefit Your Business and Provide a Tremendous Competitive Advantage

Posted on 05/21/2020

It’s a tough world out there when it comes to making your business shine bright in what can often be a marketplace cluttered with competitors. Considering the air duct cleaning industry is plagued with scams, “blow-and-go” schemes, and bait and switch tactics with bargain-basement prices, it can be even harder to compete. But there’s good news! Professional certifications will help your business stand apart in a sea of competitors — and provide an enormous competitive advantage. 

NADCA offers two distinguished certifications: The Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) Certification and the Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) Certification. With each certification, candidates engage in a rigorous course of study and complete a standardized certification exam that reflects the most current practices in the industry, and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for inspecting, cleaning, and restoring HVAC systems.

Why get certified? Most successful businesses understand that a continuous thirst for knowledge is a key element for building a growing, thriving business. And while continuing education and certification programs can be an investment of both time and resources, they help provide recognition of specialized knowledge and skill sets, which can be a significant benefit when it comes to winning new customers or projects. 

Not only can certifications jumpstart careers for individual technicians, they also build professional credibility, recognize competency, and show commitment to the profession. Having technicians with specialized training that your competitors don’t have will easily set your company apart when pursuing new business. And, the time and effort invested in professional certifications typically result in increased sales. By placing two businesses side-by-side (one with certified technicians and one without), customers can easily identify the key areas where the company with certified employees will out-perform those without, leading to increased market share, and ultimately, increased profits.

Plus, more and more public and private organizations – especially large commercial and/or government projects – require certifications for bidding on large jobs. Certification is often a requirement for doing business with certain customers, and if your organization has technicians who are ASCS or CVI certified, but your competitor does not, you instinctively have the upper hand! While certification is voluntary, it signifies a commitment to being best-in-class, and builds the organization’s credibility. 

NADCA’s landmark certification, the Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) certification, is a world-wide credential recognizing a person’s knowledge and skills related to HVAC system hygiene. The exam covers a range of topics like indoor air quality, safety, mechanical, field experience, and applying practical knowledge. ASCS certification not only sets HVAC technicians and air duct cleaners ahead of the competition, it shows customers that the technician is highly skilled, consistent, and committed. 

Much like the ASCS, NADCA’s Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) certification is also recognized world-wide, and is an advanced certification developed to distinguish those industry professionals involved in the inspection of HVAC systems as it relates to system hygiene. These individuals demonstrate expert-level knowledge in the field. Individuals must have an active ASCS certification in order to take the CVI exam; since the CVI is an advanced certification, individuals seeking certification must have the basics in place. CVI certified individuals are qualified to perform inspection of commercial HVAC systems. 

Both ASCS and CVI Certification can benefit individuals in many ways, like:

  • Increased compensation
  • Enhanced career mobility and marketability
  • Recognition by employers, customers, and industry peers

Plus, many job specifications actually require that a certified ASCS is involved in a project, and the demand for HVAC system inspection is consistently increasing. Having an ASCS and/or CVI certified technician on staff can benefit your company in many ways, including:

  • Meeting bid specifications
  • Attracting more customers
  • Expanding the ability to offer inspection services
  • Meeting the ASCS requirement for NADCA membership

Once certificates are earned, it’s important to keep them up to date! NADCA’s Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) certification must be renewed each year by June 30, and our Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) certification must be renewed every three years, also by June 30

To learn more about NADCA certifications, visit https://nadca.com/nadca-certifications.