ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification)
ACAC offers indoor environmental certifications including the CIEC (Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant) and CMC (Council-certified Microbial Consultant) for professionals who assess mold, moisture, and indoor air quality.
Prerequisites
- ACAC certifications have specific education and experience prerequisites that vary by designation
- The CIEC requires documented education and experience in indoor environmental assessment
- The CMC requires demonstrated expertise in microbial assessment
- Check acac.org for the detailed prerequisites for each certification
Exam details
ACAC certifications require passing a proctored examination. Exams test knowledge of indoor environmental science, assessment procedures, and reporting standards. Each designation (CIEC, CMC, etc.) has its own exam. Check acac.org for current exam formats, locations, and registration.
Cost
Check the ACAC website (acac.org) for current certification and exam pricing. ACAC membership may be required or may offer pricing benefits.
Renewal period
ACAC certifications require periodic renewal. Check acac.org for current renewal timelines and requirements.
Continuing education
Continuing education is required to maintain ACAC certifications. Check acac.org for current CE hour requirements and approved activities for each designation.
Career relevance
ACAC certifications are respected credentials for indoor environmental assessment professionals. In the restoration context, the CIEC and CMC designations are particularly relevant for mold assessment and indoor air quality work. Some states reference ACAC certifications in their mold regulations. For restoration companies that provide assessment services (separate from remediation), ACAC credentials establish third-party credibility.
Indoor Environmental Assessment Credentials
ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification) certifies professionals who assess indoor environmental conditions, including mold, moisture intrusion, and indoor air quality. In the restoration industry, ACAC credentials are most relevant for the assessment side of mold and environmental work. While IICRC AMRT certifies technicians who perform mold remediation, ACAC certifies the consultants who evaluate the problem, write remediation protocols, and perform post-remediation verification.
This distinction matters because many states require that the mold assessor and the mold remediator be separate, independent parties. ACAC credentials serve the assessment side of that separation.
Key ACAC Certifications
The CIEC (Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant) is ACAC's broad indoor environmental credential. It covers mold, moisture, air quality, and other indoor environmental factors. The CIEC is designed for consultants who assess conditions, write remediation protocols, and advise property owners on indoor environmental health.
The CMC (Council-certified Microbial Consultant) is a specialized credential focused specifically on microbial assessment. It requires deeper knowledge of microbiology, sampling methods, and the interpretation of laboratory results. The CMC is appropriate for professionals whose practice centers on mold and bacteria assessment.
ACAC offers additional designations covering specific areas like radon, lead, and asbestos. Check acac.org for the full list of current certifications.
How ACAC Fits Into the Restoration Workflow
On a water damage claim where mold is discovered, the typical workflow involves three parties: the adjuster who evaluates the insurance claim, the assessor who evaluates the mold condition and writes a remediation protocol, and the remediator who performs the cleanup. ACAC-certified consultants fill the assessor role. Their protocols define the scope of remediation work, which directly affects the claim amount.
For restoration companies, partnering with an ACAC-certified assessor (or having one on staff if your state allows it) strengthens the credibility of your mold projects with carriers.
How to Get ACAC Certified
Visit acac.org for current certification programs, prerequisites, exam details, and pricing. ACAC has specific education and experience requirements for each designation, so review the eligibility criteria before applying. The exams are proctored and test both theoretical knowledge and practical assessment skills.
Frequently asked questions
IICRC's AMRT certification is focused on mold remediation (the removal process). ACAC's CIEC and CMC certifications are focused on assessment and consulting (evaluating the problem and writing protocols). In many states, the assessor and the remediator must be separate entities to avoid conflicts of interest. ACAC credentials serve the assessment side.
CIEC stands for Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant. It is ACAC's broad indoor environmental credential covering mold, moisture, air quality, and other indoor environmental concerns. It is designed for consultants who assess conditions and write remediation protocols.
CMC stands for Council-certified Microbial Consultant. It is ACAC's specialized credential for professionals who focus specifically on microbial (mold and bacteria) assessment. It requires deeper expertise in microbiology and microbial ecology than the CIEC.
Convert your PDF estimates to ESX
Upload a PDF estimate. CapOut processes it and sends it directly to your Xactimate account.
Get started free
No credit card required