What Does “Nadcap Certified” Mean?
“Nadcap certified” (more precisely: Nadcap accredited) means a company has passed an industry-managed audit program for special processes used in aerospace, defense, and space manufacturing—providing prime contractors confidence that those processes meet rigorous quality and safety requirements.
What is Nadcap, in plain English?
Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is a global, industry-run system that audits and accredits suppliers performing special processes—the kinds of processes where you can’t fully verify quality later without destructive testing, so tight controls and documented compliance are essential. Nadcap approval is granted based on industry consensus, not just a generic third-party checklist.
What “special processes” can Nadcap cover?
Nadcap spans many critical process areas (scope depends on the supplier), commonly including:
- Chemical processing
- Heat treating
- Welding
- Non-destructive testing (NDT)
- Materials testing
…and additional critical process categories managed under Nadcap’s accreditation programs.
Tip: Always confirm a supplier’s exact Nadcap scope (which process families and approvals they hold), not just the word “Nadcap.”
Why does Nadcap accreditation matter to aerospace & defense buyers?
For OEMs and primes, Nadcap helps ensure that:
- Process controls are proven (documentation, calibration, training, traceability, and corrective action systems)
- Risk is reduced for safety-critical and compliance-heavy parts
- Audit duplication is minimized because one industry-consensus audit can replace multiple customer-specific audits in many cases
In short: Nadcap can be a strong signal that a supplier’s special processes are managed to the standard expected in high-regulation supply chains.
How to verify if a company is “Nadcap certified”
The most reliable way is to verify accreditation in EAN (formerly eAuditNet), Nadcap’s online system. EAN includes the Online QML (Qualified Manufacturers List) used to search for Nadcap-approved suppliers and confirm their status/scope.
Best practice checklist when verifying:
- Confirm the supplier’s name and site location
- Confirm the process category (e.g., NDT, chemical processing, heat treat)
- Confirm current approval status and scope (not all approvals are equal)
What this means when sourcing composite parts & assemblies
If your program involves special-process-dependent requirements (testing, coatings, inspection regimes, or other controlled steps), Nadcap-aligned supply chains can simplify supplier qualification and reduce downstream risk.
Composites Universal Group supports aerospace and defense teams by helping align projects with the right quality expectations—whether that means working within customer flow-downs, documentation requirements, or coordinating with qualified suppliers when special-process accreditation is required.
Need help confirming supplier compliance or building a qualified sourcing plan?
Contact Composites Universal Group to discuss your program requirements and documentation needs.
Nadcap Certified FAQs
Is “Nadcap certified” the same as “Nadcap accredited”?
People often say “certified,” but Nadcap is typically referred to as accreditation through the Nadcap program administered by PRI.
Does Nadcap replace ISO 9001 or AS9100?
No—Nadcap focuses on special processes. Many aerospace suppliers also maintain AS9100/ISO systems, but Nadcap is a separate, process-specific accreditation.
How do I find Nadcap-approved suppliers?
Use EAN/eAuditNet and its Online QML to search for suppliers and confirm their approvals and scope.
What does a Nadcap audit evaluate?
Audits typically review items like process documentation, equipment controls and calibration, personnel qualifications/training, and quality system implementation related to the special process being accredited.
