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The Chimney Safety Institute of America has taken one of the boldest steps in the history of the Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (or C-DET) credential by partnering with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. The CSIA board on May 23, 2014 approved a first-ever Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between both associations. NADCA has more than 1,000 member companies with over 1,700 Air Systems Cleaning Specialists, a certification specifically for HVAC system Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration that includes any ventilation/exhaust ducts, except kitchen exhaust. NADCA’s member companies have an estimated 5,000 technicians, many of whom include Dryer Exhaust (DE) cleaning with their duct cleaning services. “Presently we do not have a separate certification for Dryer Exhaust and do not wish to develop one. The CSIA C-DET certification is an excellent fit for our NADCA members,” said Jodi Araujo, Executive Director, NADCA, of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. “We are looking forward to a fantastic and mutually beneficial relationship.” CSIA’s C-DET credential was launched in February 2000 during the National Chimney Sweep Guild convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There are close to 300 industry pros throughout the U.S. who have this credential, many of them certified chimney sweeps. Under terms of the MOU, CSIA will provide an instructor to present the C-DET review and exam at NADCA’s Fall Technical Conference Sept. 18 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the same rate that is offered to National Chimney Sweep Guild members. CSIA also will make available to NADCA members their online courses at the member price. NADCA will promote these courses as part of its education program. “We have more than 1,400 professionals who hold the CCS, or Certified Chimney Sweep, credential. We think the number of people who hold the C-DET certification could be just as big, if not larger,” said Mark A. Stoner, CSIA president. “We are in the process of preparing to launch a special website, c-det.org, devoted just to C-DET pros. It’s an affordable certification and, based on the number of unwanted fires annually because of lint-clogged ducts, it’s critically important that homeowners get the information that will prevent an unwanted fire.” Besides the C-DET training in Atlanta, the CSIA will host C-DET Review and Exams on July 30-31 and Nov. 6-7 at the Technology Center, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, Indiana. More on the program: The CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® (CDET) program is a comprehensive examination that is administered and graded by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. The examination evaluates a Dryer Exhaust Technician’s understanding of the basic information technicians must master to become competent dryer exhaust safety and fire prevention specialists such as: *Applicable building codes *NFPA 211 and NFPA 54 standards *All facets of inspecting and cleaning residential and commercial dryer exhaust systems. Cost for members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild: $65 (90-page manual), $169 (for exam). Reviews vary in price based on in-person 1 or 2 day courses. Online review is $199. Sign up information: (317) 837-5362 More on NADCA: http://www.nadca.com/en More on CSIA's C-DET program: