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The IICRC FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Why was IICRC formed?
A. The IICRC was formed in 1972 to serve as an independent, non-profit certification body, to set and promote high standards and ethics; and to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industry.
Q. Who owns the IICRC? How does that translate into votes on the Board of Directors?
A. Sixteen regional, national and international trade associations and two original founders own stock in the IICRC. Each entity owns a block of 500 shares and has one vote on the Board of Directors. No one has controlling interest.
Q. What courses does IICRC offer?
A. The IICRC does not have schools or instructors; rather it approves schools and instructors to teach and administer IICRC certification programs. Currently, the IICRC has some 150 approved instructors.
Contact our administrative office by calling (360) 693-5675 or visit our Web site at (www.iicrc.org) for a detailed listing of Courses and Schools.
Q. How many certification courses are there? Are there different levels of certification?
A. IICRC certifications:
· Applied Structural Drying Technician
· Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
· Carpet Cleaning Technician
· Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician
· Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
· Water Damage Restoration Technician
· Odor Control Technician
· Carpet Color Repair Technician
· Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
· Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
· Floor Care Technician (Hard Surfaces)
· Health and Safety Technician
· Introduction to Substrate Subfloor Inspection
· Marble and Stone Inspector
· Ceramic Tile Inspector
· Wood Laminate Flooring Inspector
· Leather Cleaning Technician
· Stone, Masonry & Ceramic Tile Cleaning Technician
· Rug Cleaning Technician
· Resilient Flooring Inspector
· Senior Carpet Inspector
Journeyman Cleaning Technician, Journeyman Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician,
Journeyman Water Damage Restoration Technician, Master
Textile Cleaner, Master Smoke and Fire Restoration Technician, and Master Water
Damage Restoration Technicians status are advanced levels of recognition which are achieved by having several
certifications in select categories and a minimum of three to five years of experience
in the cleaning/restoration industry.
Q. Is there a course or certification process for the instructors of IICRC courses?
A. Officially, IICRC-approved instructors must have at least 5 years actual experience in the applied-for subject field. Foremost, they must be of good reputation and be respected within the industry. They must be affiliated with an IICRC-approved school, or they must have their first two courses monitored by an IICRC representative.
Every two years instructors attend the IICRC sponsored "Train the Trainer Course." Initially, all instructors are presented for approval to the Certification Board (a group of some 100-industry representatives) and to the IICRC Board of Directors for final approval.
Q. What is the criteria for an IICRC certification?
A. IICRC certification is based upon successful completion of a class in which the curriculum follows industry standards for that category as well as achieving a passing grade on a standardized exam. Once certification is achieved, registrants must earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs) to maintain their certification.
Q. How does IICRC certification benefit professional cleaners, inspectors and restorers?
A. Certified individuals and companies are respected by their customers and industry peers. They receive training in the newest techniques and information on the latest products. Increased knowledge, industry training and education leads to confidence in themselves and their services, which translates into increased sales and processing efficiency. In addition, they can expect regular referrals from the IICRC and promotion of IICRC certification through the organization's Web site, referral line and other marketing efforts.
Q. How does certification benefit consumers?
A. Consumers know that when they hire IICRC certified technicians or firms, they have hired experts who will ensure that services will be completed in accordance with the Industry's highest standards.
Q. What are the costs associated with IICRC certification and what does that fee buy?
A. For each registrant, there is a fee for each exam that is graded for certification. Also, there is a nominal annual fee required to maintain IICRC certification.
The cost breakdown is as follows:
Exam Fees
- All Technician Exams (excluding AMRT and Inspector): $50.00
- AMRT and Inspector: $150.00
- Retest: $25.00
Annual Registration Fees:
- For one or two certification categories: $30.00
- For three or four certification categories: $40.00
- For five or more certification categories: $50.00
- Master Status: $10.00
- AMRT Certification: $60.00
- Credentialed Inspector: $40.00 (no listing on IICRC Referral Search)
- Practicing Inspector: $80.00 (includes listing on IICRC Referral Search)
IICRC Certified Firm
A Certified Firm Application Request Form must be requested and returned to IICRC
with a non-refundable $25.00 processing fee. Upon approval of the Request Form, the firm will be sent an Application for Certified Firm.
The Application for Certified Firm must be forwarded to IICRC Headquarters with the annual fee of $125.00. This is seperate from the
$25.00 processing fee and is also nonrefundable. Once Certified Firm status is granted, the firm is immediately listed on the Toll-Free IICRC Referral System and the online IICRC Referral Search on the IICRC
Consumer Site. The Certified Firm is also eligible at this time to use the IICRC registered trademark for advertising purposes.
Q. How many members do you have?
A. This is a common misconception. Our stockholder associations have members. However, the IICRC has no "members"; it has registered technicians, or "registrants". Currently, they number over 43,000.
Q. How does IICRC advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industry?
A. The IICRC works hard to develop relationships between our registrants and different facets of the industry. We make direct contact with
affiliated partners in carpet and upholstery manufacturing, and in the insurance industry. We expend considerable effort informing them of
the benefits of using our registrants and firms. The IICRC maintains a Registrant Web Site (www.iicrc.org), and a Consumer Web Site (www.certifiedcleaners.org).
Additionally, the IICRC maintains a toll-free 800 number and the IICRC Referral System, to
communicate with the industry and consumers. An IICRC newsletter is distributed on a quarterly basis to our registrants, which provides
information on the organization as well as the industry.
Q. How many certified firms does IICRC have?
A. The IICRC currently has more than 4,600 Certified Firms.
Q. Who makes up the IICRC executive committee? How are they selected?
A. The IICRC Board of Directors elects the Executive Committee of the IICRC, and committee members serve as officers of the corporation. All are volunteer positions.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the foremost authority in certification and standard setting for the cleaning and restoration industry since 1972. With over 43,000 certified technicians and over 4,600 certified firms representing over thirty countries, the IICRC is the leading resource for trained floor covering inspectors, interior textile care and restoration professionals. Referrals are available through the IICRC Referral System at 800-835-4624 or at the IICRC web site at www.iicrc.org.
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