To get a head start on a healthier and cleaner home, The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends hiring an experienced cleaning service provider. For those tasks that may require a specialist (e.g., carpet, upholstery, hard surface, and other cleaning or restoration work), consider hiring only certified professionals. [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with IICRC (The cleantrust) and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC (The cleantrust)].
What is the IICRC?
The IICRC was formed in 1972 to serve as an independent certification body to set and promote high standards and ethics, and to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industries. It became a non-profit organization in 1986/87. Sixteen regional, national and international trade associations and three individuals own stock in the IICRC. Each entity owns a block of 500 shares and has one vote on the Board of Directors. No one shareholder has controlling interest.
The IICRC does not own or operate schools or employ instructors; rather it approves independent schools and instructors to teach and administer the cleantrust-certification programs. Currently, the IICRC has about 150 approved instructors.
The IICRC works hard to develop relationships between its registrants and other groups such as affiliated partners in carpet and upholstery manufacturing, and in the insurance industry. We expend considerable effort informing them of the benefits of using cleantrust registrants and firms. The IICRC maintains a Registrant Web Site, and a Consumer Web Site. Additionally, the IICRC maintains a toll-free number (1-800-835-4624) and The IICRC Referral System, as a service to registrants and consumers. An IICRC newsletter is distributed on a regular basis to our registrants, which provides information on the organization as well as the industry.
What Certifications are Available?
There are twenty two certifications including:
- Applied Structural Drying Technician
- Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
- Carpet Cleaning Technician
- Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician
- Rug Cleaning 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)
- Leather Cleaning Technician
- Resilient Floor Maintenance Technician
- Health and Safety Technician
- Stone, Masonry & Ceramic Tile Cleaning
- Introduction to Substrate Subfloor Inspection
- Resilient Flooring Inspector
- Marble and Stone Inspector
- Ceramic Tile Inspector
- Wood Laminate 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 Technician status are advanced levels of recognition which are achieved by having several certifications in select categories and three years of experience in the cleaning/restoration industry.