From Good to Great

NAEC’s QEI certification program is on an upward trajectory. 

National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) members are celebrating continued progression of the Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) certification that increases safety in the industry. Since receiving the prestigious accreditation in July 2022 (ELEVATOR WORLD, October 2022) from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which is based on international standard ISO/IEC 17024 for personnel certification, participant numbers have been rapidly increasing. NAEC leadership perceives the program has made the leap “from good to great.”

NAEC joins NAESA International, which has offered its own program for 51 years, and QEI Training Fund (QEITF) — previously Quality Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund — as accredited providers of QEI.

A One-Stop Shop

NAEC Global Education & Safety Officer David Smarte observes the association set up its QEI program at the request of members who wanted a “one-stop shop” where they could complete the QEI, Certified Elevator Technician (CET^®), Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (CAT^®) and Vertical Transportation Management Program (VTMP) programs. “The addition of the QEI program is of great value, and NAEC has invested significant resources to offer this important program to its members,” Smarte says. 

NAEC Director of Credentialing Rosewinter Kodzwa explains that, because of the three main organizations (NAEC, NAESA International and QEITF) all conforming to ANAB and ASME QEI-1 standards, this allows some QEI-certified inspectors who are in good standing with their current organizations to transfer their QEI certifications without needing to retake the 8-h certification examination. She points out the QEI certification and maintenance program (under the direction of the Certification Board) continuously ensures NAEC keeps up with the competence requirements and relevance to the industry. NAEC’s annual QEI recertification period is October 1 with a three-month grace period.

Since rolling out its QEI program, Smarte, who is QEI certified, travels nationally offering QEI training regional workshops and for continuing education (CE). Smarte has provided code prep course sessions across the East Coast at Kencor Elevator Systems, Elevator Control Service and Delaware Elevator to help individuals prepare for the QEI exam. He states efforts to spread the word about the QEI program are ongoing, with NAEC representatives promoting it at all events and on social media platforms. 

Third-Generation Elevator Man Earns His QEI

Looking at how a third-generation elevator man Ryan Dalvano, service manager at Hauppauge, New York-based All-Ways Elevator, Inc., earned his QEI certification illustrates how NAEC’s marketing efforts influenced his decision. Dalvano, who previously completed the CET and is currently enrolled in the VTMP training program with NAEC, learned of the opportunity to participate in a pilot of the QEI certification exam while attending the 2022 NAEC Spring Educational Conference in Sarasota, Florida. He immediately signed up. Like other members, he was pleased that all his certifications could be maintained in one place.

As Dalvano recalls, the NAEC QEI certification process was essentially seamless. “Everyone at NAEC was very responsive and helpful — always available,” he says. Kodzwa confirms the NAEC QEI transfer application now available is also an easy and quick process.

As for taking the QEI exam, Dalvano, who has spent roughly half of his 32 years in the elevator industry at All-Ways Elevator, learning the ins and outs of elevator codes from his father, CEO Richard, and brother, President Nick, found studying for the exam as not so daunting. He describes NAEC exam delivery as “easy,” though he adds:

“You really have to know your stuff. Elevators are in my blood, but I still had to look up a lot from the approved references. Of the 158 or some odd questions, I knew probably about half off the top of my head from all the requirements of New York State, NYC and OSHA. Plus, the CET provides a lot of the background knowledge and phrases you need to know.”

Preparing Applicants for the Exam

To help potential QEI applicants prepare for the examination, NAEC provides a complete list of more than 12 codebooks covering all types of VT equipment and components, fire safety code and even sprinkler systems. The QEI applicant handbook provides an examination content outline to better prepare those who may be considering taking the certification as meeting the A17.1 Code definition of elevator personnel* and any one of the following eligibility criteria: 

Method 1: 

A. Four years’ documented education and experience in the industry, and 1) Meets definition of elevator personnel, and 2) has one year of experience performing inspections and witnessing tests 

Method 2: 

B. Two years of college courses (documentation required) in an industry-related engineering field, and one year of experience performing inspections and witnessing tests 

Method 3: 

C. Meets definition of elevator personnel, and has documented training

You really have to know your stuff. Elevators are in my blood, but I still had to look up a lot from the approved references.”

 — All-Ways Elevator Service Manager Ryan Dalvano 

One year of experience performing inspections and witnessing tests as an:

• Elevator inspector, or 
• Elevator inspector trainee, or 
• Elevator inspector licensed by an enforcing authority, or 
• Elevator inspector trainee licensed by an enforcing authority Study resources may be purchased from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the ISH Standards Store and EW at Elevator Books. 

After passing his QEI certification examination in January 2023, Dalvano promptly received from NAEC an electronic ID card for an affidavit he needed to sign on a jobsite. Soon after, he received the physical ID card and a one-time wall certificate in the mail.

Kodzwa states interest in NAEC’s QEI program has grown tremendously since it became ANAB certified. She adds:

“The numbers are definitely in line with our growth projections, so we can say with confidence that we are meeting our members’ expectations for that one-stop shop and in providing their ongoing maintenance needs with a variety of upcoming CE offerings that are applicable to not just our members alone but any QEI inspector out there. The ISO/IEC 17024 standard with ANAB promotes an important concept of impartiality in that we provide these educational and certification programs to cater to the needs of the vertical transport industry at large. So, our products and services are not exclusive to only our organizational members. This is why our QEI accreditation with ANAB has gotten off on a good track.” 

Dalvano strongly recommends that fellow elevator professionals obtain QEI certification, whether it’s from NAEC or another organization. From his experiences, he observes:

“QEI is definitely something we need on Long Island. The NYC elevator license is good, but only works for the five boroughs. If you want to do inspections pretty much anywhere else, you need to be a QEI.”

*A person deemed to meet the A17.1 Code definition of “elevator personnel” described as: “Persons who have been trained in the construction, maintenance, repair, inspection or testing of equipment.”