NADCA, ACR-21, and the difference between a badge and the work.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) is the industry trade body. They publish the ACR-21 standard — the recognized procedural standard for cleaning HVAC systems in North America. Their ASCS (Air Systems Cleaning Specialist) credential is the entry-to-mid-level professional certification for individual technicians.

Our ASCS exam is registered and scheduled. Until the certificate lands, we describe our work as 'NADCA-standard' — meaning we follow the ACR-21 procedure even though the credential isn't yet on the wall. You can call (855) 640-0404 to ask about current certification status. We'll never claim a credential we don't have.

Two things to distinguish: a company can be a NADCA member (paid annual fee) without any of its technicians holding the ASCS certification. NADCA-member-with-no-ASCS-techs is common in this industry. Ask any vendor for the name of their NADCA-ASCS-certified tech and the certificate number. If they can't produce it, the membership badge isn't doing the work you think it is.

Source removal cleaning — meaning physical agitation (brushes, air whips) combined with collection (HEPA vacuum under negative pressure). No 'spray-and-pray.' Plus pre- and post-clean inspection with documentation. Plus optional antimicrobial application that's EPA-registered. The standard is procedural — it describes the how, not the what-with.

Not directly. The work on a NADCA-standard job takes the same equipment and labor whether or not the certificate is framed in the office. We price by job complexity (vents, systems, add-ons), not by credential.