IICRC: Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification
The IICRC is committed to providing training materials and standards of performance to cleaning companies and their staff. Both businesses and individuals receive training and certification in a variety of specialties. The certifications and training hours are ongoing and based on changes in current and future cleaning technology as well as changes in upholstery, fabric, carpet and building technology.
In order to obtain any certifications, staff and business owners must attend courses that vary from 2 to 5 classroom days. These classes are presented by qualified trainers in controlled settings. All attendees must achieve a total test score of greater than 75% to pass the certification.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, more commonly known as the IICRC, is a certification and standard-setting non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. Present in more than 25 countries worldwide, the IICRC has a mission to identify and promote an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety, and welfare of the built environment.
History
The IICRC, originally named the International Institute of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Inc. (IICUC), was founded in 1972 by Ed York. Since starting in 1972, the IICRC has evolved into global organization with more than 53,000 active certified technicians and more than 6,000 Certified Firms around the world. Currently, the IICRC is headquartered in Vancouver Washington, and has offices in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Certifications and Cleantrust Program
As a professional certification organization, the IICRC does not have members but instead has registered technicians or “registrants.” The IICRC does not operate certification schools but instead approves schools and instructors to teach and administer its certification programs.
Cleantrust, a program created by the IICRC, helps consumers identify businesses with high ethical standards and technical proficiency. The cleantrust logo was designed to help promote the IICRC’s mission and certification programs and to help broaden the reach of the institute. Certification is based upon successful completion of a course in which curriculum follows the standards for that category as well as a passing grade on a standardized exam. Once certified, IICRC registrants must earn continuing education credits (CECs) to maintain their certification.
