Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Certification Requirements

NEBB Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Certification Program

The purpose of NEBB's Testing Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) certification is to offer tangible proof of competent firms and professionals qualified in the proper methods and procedures for testing building systems for optimum performance. The objectives of NEBB's TAB certification program is:

To establish industry standards, procedures and specifications for environmental systems TAB.
To set minimum educational standards and other requirements for the qualification of certified professionals who perform this work.
To establish educational programs for training certified professionals in the proper methods and procedures for environmental systems TAB.
To certify as qualified for the performance and supervision of environmental systems TAB, those firms who meet the requirements for certification as established by NEBB, who agree to comply with the objectives of NEBB, and who employ certified professionals who have met the NEBB requirements of qualification.
To serve as a clearinghouse for educational and technical materials pertinent to TAB work.

TAB Certified Professionals

Develop and plan the work
Handle report preparation
Recommend corrective action
Set overall safety plan
Maintain instruments and calibration program
Have experience with control strategies, sequences of operation, control systems, equipment and software
Review, check, sign and stamp final report

TAB Certification Requirements for Firms

Have operated for a minimum period of 12 months continuously with full time employees as an installing piping contractor; installing sheet metal contractor; installing mechanical contractor; or contractor engaged in TAB work.
Enjoy a reputation for integrity and responsible performance. Six letters of endorsement, five from consulting engineers, architects or building owners and the sixth may be from a contracting firm. All should reflect related work that the applicant firm has completed. Firms who are already NEBB Certified in another discipline will not need these letters.
Be affiliated and in good standing with a local NEBB Chapter.
Possess the various TAB instruments (listed herein) which are required for the category of certification sought. The local NEBB Chapter must visually confirm compliance.
Confirm in writing that it will conform to the NEBB guidelines for the calibration and maintenance of the TAB instruments required for the category of certification sought.
Possess the current NEBB Procedural Standards for Testing, Adjusting and Balancing of Environmental Systems.
Designate in writing one or more certified professionals who will represent the firm and be responsible for the supervision of TAB work. The certified professional must meet the following minimum qualifications listed below.

TAB Certification Requirements for Certified Professionals

Be employed by a NEBB Certified Firm or Application Firm.
Demonstrate knowledge of Testing, Adjusting and Balancing of Air and Hydronic Systems by successfully passing the appropriate NEBB Certified Professional Written and Practical Exams.
Hold a full time position in the firm, be able to represent the firm on TAB matter and have a reputation of integrity with consultants and awarding authorities.
Meet all the conditions in any one of the following categories (note that all requirements cannot be conducted concurrently):

Category A	Category B	Category C	Category D
• Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering AND • Have at least two years of supervisory experience in selected discipline (TAB, S&V, or BSC)	• Hold an Associate’s Degree in Engineering Technology AND • Have at least four years of supervisory experience in selected discipline (TAB, S&V or BSC)	• Have at least four years of experience in selected discipline AND • Have at least four years of supervisory experience in selected discipline (TAB, S&V or BSC)	• Have a minimum of four years of HVAC related experience (which could include accredited apprenticeship) AND • Have at least six years of experience in selected discipline with at least four of those years in a supervisory position

TAB Written and Practical Exams

Persons must meet the criteria for TAB Certified Professional to be eligible to take the NEBB Examinations. Marginal cases may be referred to NEBB by the Chapter Technical Committee, including supporting documentation for determination of eligibility.

The TAB CP Written Examination includes Fundamentals, Air and Hydronics sections. To be eligible for testing, an applicant must submit their application to the chapter.
Practical Examinations are prepared and administered by the Chapter Technical Committee, based on guidance provided by NEBB. All candidates applying for NEBB TAB Certified Professional status have three years from their initial test date to pass all sections of the Written and Practical exams. When this time period expires, the candidate must wait a period of at least two additional years before re-applying for qualification.

TAB Certification Requirements for Certified Technicians

Online examinations for TAB Certified Technicians are conducted at local chapters. Applicant must pass the TAB Certified Technician online examination to receive Certified Technician status with their NEBB Certified Firm. In addition to taking the test, the applicant must have one of the following qualifications:

Four years (1000 hours minimum per year) or more of TAB fieldwork.
Two years (1000 hours minimum per year) or more of TAB Fieldwork AND has successfully completed the NEBB TAB Technician Course (please attach certificate).
Successfully completed a program equivalent to NEBB’s Technician Qualification testing program (please include documentation).
Other (please attach resume for consideration).