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 Certification Program

The NADCA Certification Program is an independent verification of assessed knowledge. The certificate is not a license. It is recognition of proficiency within the defined goal of examination material, with knowledge being gained through educational programs and practiced through application. Each candidate is required to pass the specified examinations and fulfill the minimum apprenticeship period to become certified. Certification will be effective for three years. Maintenance of certification or re-certification is as described under General Procedures and Issues.

The North American Die Casting Association Certification Program is divided into three levels of requirements: (1) Level I is certification for the Die Casting Technician (2) Level II consists of three categories: Master of Die Casting Maintenance, Master of Die Cast Tooling, and Master of Die Casting Process (3) Level III is the Master of Die Casting Technology.

Level I: Certified Die Casting Technician*

The first level is the foundation for a professional die caster. As a basis for future growth, candidates are introduced to the safe operation of the die casting machine and exposed to the proper ways to handle molten metal. This level consists of the following mandatory examinations listed below or the NADCA Operator Training Program examination. No electives are required.

Required Courses
EC-102: Introduction to Die Casting
EC-302: Metal Melting and Handling
EC-902: Operating the Die Casting Machine
EC-908: Die Casting Machine Safety

OR

IH-OT: Operator Training Program

Level II: Master of Die Casting Maintenance*

The Maintenance Certification covers the machine aspects of die casting and is aimed specifically at maintenance and set-up personnel. Four subjects cover the various technologies of die cast machines. Candidates learn how to reduce machine downtime and to improve process capability. This category consists of the following mandatory courses and three electives. Note: Level I courses cannot be chosen as electives.

*Six months on-the-job training/apprenticeship in this area is required. Waiver may be obtained based on past experience.

Level II: Master of Die Casting Tooling*

The Tooling Certification is intended for those who wish to gain knowledge in tooling, dimensional control and related aspects of die design. The six courses explain how to build both simple and sophisticated dies. A candidate is instructed on the proven techniques of die design and manufacture. This category consists of the following mandatory courses and two electives.

EC-211: Dimensional Repeatability
EC-415: Die Cooling Systems Engineering
EC-501: Die Material Metallurgy & Extending Die Life
EC-506: Engineering Die Casting Dies
EC-514: Gating Design
EC-606: Product Design
Electives: Two required

Level II: Master of Die Casting Processes*

The Process Certification is intended for those who are involved with the die casting process, automation and related aspects of the product and its manufacture. The six subjects cover aspects of the process to enable engineers to solve problems and be able to fully control and improve the production process. This category consists of the following mandatory courses and two electives.

EC-305: Metallurgy of Aluminum Die Casting Alloys
EC-407: Machine Maintenance: Mechanics
EC-410: Process Control
EC-411: Die Casting Lubricants and Coolants
EC-415: Die Cooling Systems Engineering
EC-515: Die Casting Defects
EC-420: Machine Systems
Electives: Two required

Level III: Master of Die Casting Technology

The Master of Die Casting Technology is the advanced level that encompasses all aspects of the die casting operation, from customer requirements to final shipping.

At this level, the candidate will achieve the highest educational honor the die casting industry has to offer. To qualify as a Master of Die Casting Technology, the candidate must have achieved all four certifications listed. The examination process has been established to determine eligibility. A total of 22 different courses and three years of directly-related experience are required for the Master of Die Casting Technology certification. Note: The Operator Training Program counts as the four individual Level I courses.

1. Examinations will normally be taken online. In general, they will be held at the end of NADCA-sponsored courses or in conjunction with the local chapter. The online address and password will be provided when attending a course.

2. Examinations will usually be open book

3. Examinations will ordinarily take about 60 minutes, unless otherwise specified by the NADCA Education Committee.

4. Examination questions will be prepared by NADCA staff and approved by the Education Committee. Each examination will normally consist of multiple choice or true/false questions. The questions are usually equally scored questions and taken from a list approved by the senior instructor/examiner. The student is responsible for proper identification of the examination answer sheet. Mislabeled and inaccurate information will prevent proper application for credit for said examinations.

5. For standard examinations, a passing grade of 70% is required.

6. Examinations may be taken a maximum of three times.

7. "Waiver by Examination." A candidate may sit for an examination from any level, where he/she feels his/her experience and education precludes a NADCA course. A one-time attempt to pass the examination is authorized. The passing grade is 80%–RETAKES will not APPLY. All examination questions presented at the time of the exam will apply. Also, the examination fee applies to the "Waiver By Examination" option.

NO MORE THAN 5 COURSES MAY BE WAIVED BY EXAM!

1. Examinations will ordinarily occur at the conclusion of a NADCA-sponsored educational course, in which case no fee will be charged to the registered attendants. In the event that a course attendee can not take the examination at the conclusion of the course, the online exam will be available for a 30 day period.

2. In cases where the candidate has not taken a NADCA course or needs to retake the exam, an exam fee will be charged.

3. The fees for EXAMINATIONS ONLY are as follows:

NADCA Members (Corp. & Individual): $50.00 each

Non-Members:                                          $150.00 each

4. Video courses are also eligible for certification. The fee for examination will be charged.

5. The examination fee must accompany the application (Check, Money Order, Visa®, or MasterCard® accepted). Applications submitted without the proper fees will be returned unprocessed.

6. THE EXAMINATION FEE COVERS ONLY ONE EXAM.

7. Each candidate is responsible for his or her own study and examination preparation. To aid the candidate, NADCA offers national education courses and video courses. Training is available through in-plants, at chapters, and suitable publications.

8. Candidates are requested to contact their respective Chapter Education Chairperson or their company’s in-house trainer. Please advise this individual of your needs and intentions. The Chapter or your company is your contact point for testing and instruction. 

1. The NADCA Education Committee is responsible for all aspects of control and regulation of the certification program.

2. The NADCA Headquarters’ Education office will maintain accurate and confidential records of courses attended, examination score results, and all other pertinent data.

3. With online testing results are automatically computed and provided on screen and via e-mail.  Simultaneously, the test grade will be e-mailed to NADCA and included in NADCA's records.  Candidates may take a test online up to three times within 30 days of course completion and the highest grade will be recorded.  Course completion certificates will be mailed to participants within a week or two of completing the test.

4. Completed examination answer sheets will be retained at the NADCA Headquarters’ Education office for a period of two years. They will not be available to candidates for reviewing.

5. Appeals should be made in writing to Chairperson of the NADCA Education Committee.

6. Certification is effective for three years from the date of issuance of the Certificate or three years from January 1998, whichever is later. In order to maintain certification, individuals must provide proof of continuing education through attendance at NADCA courses, college courses, adult education courses, or technical sessions at the NADCA International Die Casting Congress & Exposition or Chapter meetings. Individuals must have attended two courses or nine technical sessions within the three years of their certification.

7. Individuals, such as management and sales personnel, who do not have an opportunity to participate in a hands-on fashion via an apprenticeship program or on-the-job-training and thus, cannot fulfill the requirements for standard certification, can receive an Associate Certification for any level upon successful completion of the examinations required for the applicable level.

8. The certification requirements and procedures may be changed at any time without any written or previous notice to the candidates. The most recent changes and corrections will apply in all classes.

For more information regarding certification, or NADCA's Education Program in general, please write, phone or fax:

Stephen P. Udvardy, Director
Research, Education & Technology
c/o North American Die Casting Association
241 Holbrook Dr
Wheeling, Illinois 60090 USA

Tel: (847) 808-3163  •  Fax: (574) 656-8376

E-mail: udvardy@diecasting.org