What Is Nadcap?
Also known as: NADCAP accreditation, National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program, special process accreditation
Definition
Nadcap is the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program, run by the Performance Review Institute (PRI), that audits and accredits suppliers of special processes such as heat treating, non-destructive testing, welding, chemical processing and coatings.
Nadcap Explained
Special processes are processes whose result cannot be fully verified by inspecting the finished part, so control of the process itself is critical. Primes and large aerospace manufacturers created Nadcap so that one industry-standard audit, with detailed checklists per process, replaces many duplicate customer audits. Suppliers are audited by approved auditors and accreditation is granted by task groups of subscribing customers.
Accreditation is scoped by commodity, for example heat treating, chemical processing, non-destructive testing, welding, materials testing laboratories, coatings or sealants. Audit checklists add process-specific requirements on top of the quality system baseline, which is typically AS9100 or AS9104 related certification. Audit scheduling and findings run through PRI's eAuditNet portal, and suppliers that perform well can earn merit status with longer audit cycles.
Accreditation does not replace customer approval. A prime may still require its own flow-down, approved process specifications and source approval. A Nadcap-accredited sub-tier is usually a purchasing prerequisite, so ERPs commonly carry an approved supplier list with accreditation scope and expiry dates per vendor and per process.
Inside the ERP, special process control shows up as routing operations flagged as outsourced special processes, purchase order lines carrying the specification and revision, receiving inspection that checks supplier certifications, and holds on lots until process certificates are received and verified.
Why It Matters
- Buying a special process from a supplier with lapsed accreditation can invalidate every part processed and force rework or scrap.
- Many primes make Nadcap accreditation a condition of award for specific processes, so it affects who can bid.
- Audit findings must be closed on a deadline, so tracking corrective actions and expiry dates in a system beats spreadsheets.
- Process certificates are legal evidence in the product record and must follow the lot or serial through to shipment.
In Practice
Example: a machine shop routes a titanium housing out for anodizing. The routing operation is flagged as an outsourced special process, the PO line states the specification and revision, and the vendor master shows chemical processing accreditation valid until a stated date. At receiving, the certificate of conformance is attached to the lot. If the vendor's accreditation expired last month, the ERP should block the PO release or at least warn the buyer. The usual gotcha is an approved supplier entry that is checked once at onboarding and never re-verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nadcap the same as AS9100?
No. AS9100 certifies a quality management system. Nadcap accredits specific special processes against detailed process checklists. Many Nadcap participants also hold AS9100 certification.
Who runs Nadcap?
Nadcap is managed by the Performance Review Institute (PRI). Subscribing aerospace and defense companies set the requirements through industry task groups and approve accreditation.
Do I need Nadcap to be an aerospace supplier?
Only for the special processes your customers require it for. Many parts suppliers do not hold Nadcap themselves but must buy special processes from accredited vendors when their customer demands it.
Related Terms
AS9100
AS9100 is the quality management system standard for the aviation, space, and defense industry, published by SAE and the International Aerospace Quality Group, which incorporates all of ISO 9001 and adds sector-specific requirements for safety, configuration, and risk.
AS9102 First Article Inspection
AS9102 First Article Inspection is the aerospace requirement to verify that a production process reliably produces conforming parts by fully inspecting and documenting a representative first article against every drawing and specification characteristic.
Traceability
Traceability is the ability to follow the history, location, and application of a part or material through the supply chain and production process, both backward to its sources and forward to every product and customer it reached.
Certificate of Conformance (CoC)
A certificate of conformance (CoC) is a document from the manufacturer or supplier, signed by an authorised person, stating that delivered goods or services meet the purchase order, drawing and specification requirements, with traceable lot or serial references.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is the international standard specifying requirements for a quality management system, enabling an organization to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements and to improve through a process-based, risk-aware approach.
Go Deeper
AS9100 Audit Readiness Checklist
A 30-point checklist for AS9100 Rev D certification and surveillance audits, weighted toward the aerospace-specific requirements where auditors write the most findings.
Free ToolAerospace Supplier Scorecard
Rate a supplier across 10 criteria - OTD, quality escapes, AS9100 status, FAI performance, CAPA responsiveness, compliance flowdown, and financial health - for an instant risk rating.
SyteLine Inspection Plan Configuration
Configure SyteLine inspection plans with test criteria, sampling rules, and measurement specs. Set up receiving, in-process, and final inspection plans in CloudSuite.
Working with Nadcap in a live environment? Our engineers do this every day - and our AI agents automate most of it.