NCI Certifications and Recertification Information
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National Comfort Institute, Inc. Certification and Recertification Requirements and Rules
National Comfort Institute Inc. (NCI) provides training, test instruments, and consultation to HVAC contractors worldwide so they may provide safer, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient homes and offices.
National Comfort Institute has trained and certified over 50,000 industry professionals during the past three decades. NCI introduced the concept of High-Performance HVAC™ to describe a contractor who delivers proven, measured performance on the HVAC systems he or she services. This term also extends to the home performance work performed, which is rooted in HVAC system performance.
“For technicians, certification classifies a worker as a top-notch performer, and also serves as a confidence builder for customers and others across the industry. Each individual notification provides the recipient with international credibility, status, and legitimacy throughout their specialty area.”
The certifications are achieved by attending the training related to the certification and passing a written and/or hands-on certification exam. General prerequisites for entry level NCI training include basic HVAC or energy-testing field experience, and formal training, and certification in basic HVAC.
Certifications are valid for two years from the certification date. See NCI Recertifications (below) for details regarding how to renew.
NCI HVACR Certifications & Recertifications
NCI Certifications
Residential:
- Certified Residential Air Balancer
- Certified Residential System Performance Specialist
- Certified Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Analyst
- Certified Duct System Optimization Specialist
- Certified Refrigerant-Side Performance Technician
Commercial:
- Certified Hydronic Balancing Technician
- Certified Commercial Air Balancer
- Certified Commercial System Performance Specialist
- Certified Economizer and Ventilation Specialist
Large Commercial:
- Certified Advanced Air & Hydronic Balancing Professional
NCI Recertification Details
If your NCI Certification has recently expired, or if it expires soon, you must attend NCI Continuing Education training to get recertified. To achieve NCI recertification, you are required to complete a minimum of one (1) day (8 hours) of NCI training, Advanced Air & Hydronics requires two (2) days (16 hours) of training. This training must be completed within two (2) years of your last certification or recertification date.
There are currently two ways to recertify in any given NCI discipline:
- You can attend a class you have not taken before in the allowable categories listed below, and apply those training days towards recertifications.
- You can attend one day of training in a class ONLY if you have previously taken that class.
Important: You cannot partially attend a class you have not previously taken – for any reason, including recertification purposes.
Recertification in each specific NCI discipline can be achieved through taking related training. Below are the current NCI certifications followed by training that can be taken to meet recertification requirements:
Performance Testing and Air Balancing Certifications Eligible for Recertification:
- Certified Residential Air Balancer
- Certified Residential System Performance Specialist
- Certified Duct System Optimization Specialist
- Certified Refrigerant-Side Performance Technician
- Certified Hydronic Balancing Technician
- Certified Commercial Air Balancer
- Certified Commercial System Performance Specialist
- Certified Economizer and Ventilation Specialist
- Certified Advanced Air & Hydronic Balancing Professional
NCI Training that meets recertification requirements in any of the certifications listed above:
- Residential Duct System Optimization
- Residential HVAC System Performance
- Residential Air Balancing
- Commercial HVAC System Performance
- Commercial Air Balancing
- Hydronic Testing, Adjusting & Balancing
- Refrigerant-Side Performance
- Test & Certify Ventilation Systems and Economizers
- Advanced Air & Hydronics
Important: You cannot partially attend a class you have not previously taken – for any reason, including recertification purposes.
Carbon Monoxide Safety & Combustion Recertification Options
- Retake 1 day of the Carbon Monoxide Safety & Combustion class. Note: Day 3 is a test day and does not qualify for recertification training hours.
- Take the Commercial Combustion Safety and Diagnostics class
Training hours can only apply to one recertification. If taking a two-day class, where applicable, each day can qualify for an 8-hour training day towards a recertification.
*NCI provides a courtesy grace period of one year following expired certifications. If a certification is expired, the student has up to one year to take required recertification training. This grace period does not extend the length of his recertification period, which would still last for two years following the original required recertification date.
Please note: You can take recertification training up to one year before your current certification expires. This will extend your certification period for two years beyond your current expiration date.