National Center for Healthy Housing

Finding an effective consultant or contractor to assess or control a healthy homes hazard is challenging. Consultants and contractors tout their qualifications but only an experienced buyer can discern the strength of the qualifications. They often cite various credentials they hold to highlight their knowledge and experience. Some of these credentials can help you distinguish a seasoned performer and a newcomer with little professional expertise. Others are less helpful indicating only that the person sat through a class or joined an association.

NCHH evaluated more than 80 credentials and identified those that were directly relevant to healthy homes and were credible enough to be useful to someone seeking a healthy homes professional. It found 22 credentials that met the criteria. See below for a list of credentials arranged by the purpose of the work or the type of hazard (see below). For more information on the selection process.

Go to www.hhcontractors.org for search a database of consultants and contractors who have one or more of these credentials and who have joined the program. There is no charge for users or for consultants or contractors to participate. NCHH and National Capitol Contracting, LCC developed the website with sponsorship from the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 
 

Follow the link to learn more about each credential. Each page has the following format:

• Credential Name
• Purpose of Credential
• Description of Organization that Issues the Credentials
• Link to www.hhcontractors.org and to Related Credentials
• NCHH’s Cautions to Users
• Contact Information