Fire Restoration Certification
In order for a business to obtain fire restoration certification it must follow and abide by the stringent requirements of The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). A not-for-profit certification body, the IICRC is an independent organization that sets and regulates high standards for restoration procedures and ethics.
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The IICRC
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According to the IICRC website, it was formed in 1972 to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industry. The organization is comprised of 15 regional, national and international trade associations, along with two original founders, which all own stock in the IICRC. The website also states that the organization does not have its own schools or instructors; it simply approves schools and instructors to administer each certification program.
Types of Certification
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The IICRC has a variety of certifications, ranging from fire restoration to rug cleaning. It also has different levels of certification that are based on both the number of certificates a person has in addition to the person's number of years of experience. Someone who completes one certification course and has minimal experience will be considered a Journeyman. If the person obtains multiple certificates and has many years of experience, he can rise to the level of Master.
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Benefits
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The biggest benefit to certified companies and individuals is the increase in reputation from a consumer standpoint. A consumer who needs fire restoration work is more likely to choose an officially credited company or technician. Having proper certification is also a form of advertising. Accredited technicians and companies are listed on IICRC's website and are given business referrals.
Maintaining Certification
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Fire restoration certification is not a one-time process. Once certification is obtained by taking and passing the requisite courses and standardized exam, a technician must earn Continuing Education Credits (CEC). Technicians earn CECs by taking educational courses or workshops that teach them the latest skills, techniques and technologies so they can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry.
Costs
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As of 2010, there is a $50 fee to take the IICRC fire restoration exam and $25 for each retest. There are also various annual fees for renewing memberships and statuses:
One or two certification categories: $30
Three or four certification categories: $40
Five or more certification categories: $50
Master Status: $10
Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) Certification: $60
Credentialed Inspector: $40 (no listing on IICRC Referral Search)
Practicing Inspector: $80 (includes listing on IICRC Referral Search)
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References
- Photo Credit restoration sign image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
