Getting Certified

Considered the premiere certifications within the restoration industry, the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) oversees a variety of advanced certification programs:

Certified Restorer® (CR)

Water Loss Specialist^SM (WLS)

Certified Mold Professional^SM (CMP)

Certified Rug Specialist^SM (CRS)

Within each specialty, Candidates undertake a rigorous course of study and research, compliance with precertification education course requirements, completion of a standardized certification examination, in addition to the creation and submission of a Formal Report and Paper. Upon acceptance of the Final Report, Candidates are approved for the advanced certification and receive the Association’s appropriate advanced certification.

The Certification Process

To assist those interested in attaining any of RIA’s advanced certifications, the following is a step-by-step guideline for the RIA’s advanced certification process. Those pursuing any RIA Advanced Certification are strongly advised to begin the application process well in advance of registering for their specific certification school.

Step 1: Application Process

The first stage for individuals interested in pursuing an RIA advanced certification is to:

1. Complete the appropriate Application for Candidacy
2. Submit the requested documentation
3. Pay the non-refundable processing fee
4. Submit to a confidential background and credential check.

Step 2: Candidate Acceptance

Once RIA receives the completed application paperwork, application fees, prerequisite course requirements (copies of the course certificates of completion), and the applicant passes the credential check process, they then qualify as a “Candidate.”

Step 3: Prerequisite Requirements

1. Candidates MUST COMPLETE all prerequisite coursework prior to attending their specific Certification School.
2. Candidates who have not completed the prerequisite courses cannot attend the Certification School.
3. Each RIA Certification School’s week-long education and instruction is extremely intensive, with a great deal of the review and refresher based on knowledge attained during the prerequisite coursework, ancillary recommended readings and self-study. Those who have not taken the necessary prerequisite courses cannot attend the final Certification School.
4. If prerequisite courses have been completed when the Application for Candidacy is submitted, the Candidate may then register for their specific Certification School.

Step 4: Certification School Week

Once the prerequisite requirements are met, Candidates can register for and attend their specific Certification School.

Caveat: a Candidate may register for their specific Certification school as long as their prerequisite courses are completed PRIOR to the actual Certification School dates.

Step 5: Certification Exam

1. At the conclusion of the specific RIA Certification School Week, the final day is devoted to the actual certification exam, which is proctored by the RIA Certification Advisor and conducted within a set time frame.
2. Exam scores are sent via email to the Candidates approximately 10 - 14 business days after the actual Certification School has been completed.
3. If Candidates pass their certification exam with a score of 80% or higher, they qualify to move onto the final stage of the certification journey: the creation and submission of a Final Report and/or research paper.

Step 6: Formal Report and/or Research Paper

1. During the Certification School week, Candidates will meet with the Certification Advisor to discuss and select the topic of their Final Capstone Report and/or Research Paper.
2. The Candidate then has a *designated amount of time to complete and submit the Final Report for review and acceptance by the Certification Advisor Review Team.
3. Upon acceptance of the Final Report, the Candidate is granted full Certification with all the rights and privileges of an RIA Advanced Certification. 

*Specific timeframes vary with each RIA Advanced Certification. Please read details as contained in the specific Application for Candidacy.

Additional Reference Documents

1. 2010 RIA Advanced Certification Path Flowchart
2. 2010 RIA Advanced Certification CEC Submission Form