The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) and AIHA Registry Programs, LLC, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will lead the way toward joint development of a registry for qualified indoor air quality (IAQ) practitioners.

IAQA President Donald M. Weekes, CIH, CSP, AIHA President Allan K. Fleeger, CIH, CSP, and AIHA Registry Programs Managing Director Mary Ann Latko, CAE, CIH, CSP, QEP, signed the MOU during the AIHA IEQ Committee meeting which took place at the 74th annual American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) 2013 in Montreal.

IAQA, AIHA, and AIHA Registry Programs, LLC, will define the skills and knowledge a competent person should possess and be able to demonstrate in the area of indoor air quality practice. A team of subject matter experts from IAQA and AIHA will collaborate to develop the body of knowledge upon which the registry program will be based. AIHA Registry Programs will be responsible for the long-term administration and maintenance of the program while IAQA and AIHA will provide educational opportunities for those interested in qualifying for listing in the registry.

“An AIHA Registry is a listing of individuals who continually demonstrate their competency in a specialty area within the practice of industrial or occupational hygiene, environmental health, or safety. Through the application and competency assessment process, AIHA Registry Programs verifies an individual's knowledge and abilities, and identifies a level of quality performance among professionals, technicians, and operators in a specialized area of practice,” said Latko. “IAQA is thrilled to partner with AIHA and AIHA Registry Programs, LLC. While there are a myriad of ‘IAQ certifications’ in the marketplace, few of them provide consumers with a strong basis upon which to determine if a consultant or professional is qualified.

"This registry program will fill that void and I believe members from both organizations will benefit,” Weekes added.

According to Fleeger, “AIHA Registry Programs LLC provides recognition for individuals who have developed skills and expertise in a single or limited number of the industrial/occupational hygiene profession’s core competencies. These registries fill a credential gap for specialized professionals, technicians, and operators for which a broad certification is not currently applicable. I am very pleased to see the IEQ committee moving forward with the MOU to help develop the body of knowledge around indoor air quality practice.”