ICRA Offers Certification Option

[Big Jim]

Here is something for people who have been looking for a certification option. Barry Costa and the ICRA released this today.

Certification – You Now Have Options
Recently, the industry has been asking for another option for certification. The International Cleaning and Restoration Association (ICRA) is now offering certification based upon written exams (cognitive assessments) in addition to their Performance Assessments as part of a new “Comprehensive Certification Program.” A group of industry leaders have been working on this new program since the beginning of the year.
ICRA will recognize (grandfather in) your certifications
If you have any certifications listed on the ICRA Certification Recognition Program webpage, ICRA will accept a copy of your certificate or ID card as a basis for issuing you an equivalent ICRA certification. No need to take another class or exam. Certifications from other certifying bodies, not listed on the website, will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Certification Recognition Program
 ICRA will “grandfather” your certifications from other certifying organizations at a flat fee of $40.00 regardless of the number of certifications that you have. No requirement to attend another course or take another exam.
o Information regarding certification recognition can be found at: http://icrassociation.org/certification/icra-certification
ICRA Schools and exams
 ICRA has registered 32 schools that are interested in offering ICRA certification exams. These are well known and respected schools and instructors that have been teaching in the industry for years. For a list of schools that are participating go to: http://icrassociation.org/certification/icra-registered-schools-2
Your Company can become an ICRA Registered Firm!
 Your company can register as an ICRA Registered Firm for $129. The ICRA Registered Firm program offers many benefits including discounts on programs and membership. The program is recognized by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) as well as other related industry groups.
 To apply as an ICRA Registered Firm go to: http://icrassociation.org/certification/registered-firm-application
If you have ANY questions concerning ICRA certification or filling out the online forms, please do not hesitate to call ICRA at (916) 736-1100 x 307. If you prefer, you can email ICRA at info@icrassociation.org.
We ask for your understanding and patience as we further develop this massive program. There is a lot of work to accomplish. Much more to come!!!

Barry Costa
2nd Vice President
ICRA Assessment Board Chair

 

[kingjoelking]

There are too many Barry's in this business. Which one is this?

 

[Big Jim]

There are too many Barry's in this business. Which one is this?

Barry Costa lives in Kingman, Arizona with his wife Carol. Barry holds a BS degree in education from Springfield College and was a public school teacher for 10 years and received the “Excellence in Education” Award by the State of NH and Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the New Hampshire Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Barry began his career in the carpet installation, cleaning, restoration industry in the mid 1960’s with his fathers business and continued as the owner of Carpet & Cleaning Craftsman, Inc. in Peterborough, NH until December 1999.

In the carpet installation industry, Barry’s certifications include: C.F.I. certified Master Carpet Installer (only the second to score 100% on the master’s examination.) Barry is also an F.I.T.C. certified carpet installation instructor. Barry was involved on the committee re-writing CRI 104 and 105 (Carpet Installation Standards for commercial and residential) and acted as the Vice-chair of the ANSI/IICRC S600 Carpet Installation Standards Committee.

Barry’s certifications within the cleaning and restoration industries include: IICRC certified Master Cleaner; Master Restorer; Senior Carpet Inspector. Barry was also an approved OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer. An IICRC approved instructor in the areas of Carpet Repair and Reinstallation; Water Damage Restoration, Barry has instructed across the United States, Canada, the U.K. and Australia. The recipient of the “John Mauciere Excellence in Education”, “George Cervenka Volunteerism Award”, “2003 CleanFax Person of the Year”, “The Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award”, as well as other honors bestowed in this industry including “Instructor of the Year”, twice voted by his peers in the IICRC.

Barry is a contributing author to the national water damage standard’s S500-94 and S500 2nd edition and the newly revised ANSI/IICRC S500 3rd edition as well as S100, S300, S520 and the newly approved ANSI/IICRC approved S520 2nd edition. Barry was also the vice chair of the new S600 Carpet Installation Standard. Barry has been a key speaker at many restorative symposiums, conventions, and special events, and has written many articles in I.C.S. and CleanFax magazines

 

[Ray Burnfield]

Thank goodness John was done with the rude,insulting, callous and inflammatory statements made on this board.
I wouldn't want him to see and read this thread
Glad he clicked off when he did.

 

[Jeremy N]

Cool, I'm gonna check them out. Do their phones and computers work?

 

[dgardner]

 

[Big Jim]

View attachment 5908

Kinda figured there maybe some thoughts of more of the same; certainly not unexpected with the melt down at the IICRC. In an effort to be open I should mention I am member of the CRA and as such, a member of the ICRA. For those of you who don't know the CRA (Cleaning and Restoration Association) is the west coast regional association, combined with 5 other regional associations that make up the ICRA (International Cleaning and Restoration Association). There maybe some that see no value in associations or certification, and I have no problem with that. Personally I have always believed in training, and education. I also realize that just because you've passed a test doesn't mean you're necessarily a better carpet cleaner or water damage guy than someone else. I was a member of and trained through the IICRC for 20 years. What I learned is far more valuable than any tool or piece of equipment. The IICRC was a great resource with many talented individuals contributing to our industry. This is not an effort to bash the IICRC. Many of you are aware that a few years ago a number of things started to go seriously wrong with the group. People who were instrumental in helping develop the standards and the organization realized the organization had become completely dysfunctional. It is disheartening to see people who have contributed so much realize that the organization that they contributed so much to has imploded. It is what it is. At this juncture no one can say for sure what the future holds for this fledgling effort of the ICRA. I do know having a new realistic option is something that should be considered. It would be nice for people like Jim Pemberton and many others who have given so much to have an organization that's worth being part of available. Personally I decided to transfer my certifications to the ICRA. I do believe the ICRA is at least headed in the right direction.

 

[Mikey P]

View attachment 5908

How many would never know the difference?

 

[Big Jim]

How many would never know the difference?

Based on the level of dissatisfaction with the IICRC its understandable why some may be jaded. At least this provides the option that really didn't exist before. I understand some carpet cleaners may not see the value in certifications or associations. Certifications are important to those in the water damage and mold fields. If nothing else many of the costs are less. I saved over $100.00 by renewing my certifications through them.

 

[Scott S.]

i wonder if any of the people who built the iicrc have a opinion on this new certification business.

 

[Big Jim]

i wonder if any of the people who built the iicrc have a opinion on this new certification business.

Scott a number of the people who were instrumental in building the IICRC have been involved the developement of the new ICRA certifications program. People like Jim Holland, Barry Costa, and more. They got tried of watching a once excellent organization fail so badly.

 

[Big Jim]

Cool, I'm gonna check them out. Do their phones and computers work?

Yup

 

[dgardner]

Kinda figured there maybe some thoughts of more of the same; certainly not unexpected with the melt down at the IICRC. .

I was only suggesting "switching to ICRA" in a humorous way, not implying anything else.

 

[FB19087]

I was implying something else when I liked your post. You should be more clear

 

[dgardner]

Indeed....

 

[Desk Jockey]

Certifications are important to those in the water damage and mold fields.

I think it depends upon where you live. Out here in the sticks it don't mean shittt to anyone but out tech's.

 

[Desk Jockey]

They got tried of watching a once excellent organization fail so badly.

They didn't want to correct the old one when they were a part of it?

 

[Big Jim]

Many efforts were made. What you have now is the end result of extremely poor leadership. Like the IICRC and how things are; how they respond, and feel like you're heard then by all means stick with them. I wouldn't want to put anyone on the spot but consider why someone as reasonable as Jim Pemberton and others don't chose to work with them anymore. It's a shame that thing's are they way they are. Their actions over the past few years (including the Clean Trust fiasco & the Las Vegas building purchase) illustrate bad decisions and their disregard for the people who helped make the once outstanding organization. It is unfortunate.

 

[Desk Jockey]

As usual when there is a break up each side has their own story. Sad, really that our industry can't be unified but ego usually comes into play.

It means very little to our business either way but starting all over seems to be a giant step backwards.

I'm in no hurry, just going to pop my corn and see how it plays out.

 

[Big Jim]

As usual when there is a break up each side has their own story. Sad, really that our industry can't be unified but ego usually comes into play.

It means very little to our business either way but starting all over seems to be a giant step backwards.

I'm in no hurry, just going to pop my corn and see how it plays out.

You're absolutely right Richard. It is unfortunate. Sometimes things happen that could have been avoided. A customer of ours is the CEO of a well known company and his license plate reads LVCHGN. Life is change ready or not.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Thats good! But honestly change isn't always better, sometimes its just change.

 

[kingjoelking]

Scott a number of the people who were instrumental in building the IICRC have been involved the developement of the new ICRA certifications program. People like Jim Holland, Barry Costa, and more. They got tried of watching a once excellent organization fail so badly.

There was a time when the IICRC was good? Ive only been in business 8 years. I didnt know that.

 

[dgardner]

Lol...

 

[Loren Egland]

I wonder if this is like the old days with the phone book. Since there was only one yellow page book there was a monopoly and advertisers were charged each month with very high advertising rates. So some wished there was competition, but when new competing yellow pages arrived, that actually increased the cost because businesses had to advertise in 2 or 3 yellow pages instead of just one.

 

[Big Jim]

I wonder if this is like the old days with the phone book. Since there was only one yellow page book there was a monopoly and advertisers were charged each month with very high advertising rates. So some wished there was competition, but when new competing yellow pages arrived, that actually increased the cost because businesses had to advertise in 2 or 3 yellow pages instead of just one.

The ICRA is offering lower certification, test, and certified firm costs. Chose whomever you wish to work with, but to say the IICRC has failed dramatically is being kind. Also I don't feel the need to pay excessive fees and be completely ignored. The ICRA has done an excellent job putting together it's certification and assessment programs. I respect the standards and the incredible work and effort it took to create them. I maintain my certifications through the ICRA, pay a good deal less, and have never had a problem communicating with them. For us any future training or certification needs will be with the ICRA.

 

[TomKing]

Nice conversation but as usual I went to the web site no quick link to the transfer / grandfather process.
Just a hard to navigate web site.
Hey make it easy for some one to buy from you.

Correction just found the link at the bottom of the page in a small quick link.

Really if you are trying to get market share pin the sucker on a badge at the top of the page big and bold.

You are trying to steal the other guys business, at least act like you want it.

 

[Big Jim]

Nice conversation but as usual I went to the web site no quick link to the transfer / grandfather process.
Just a hard to navigate web site.
Hey make it easy for some one to buy from you.

Correction just found the link at the bottom of the page in a small quick link.

Really if you are trying to get market share pin the sucker on a badge at the top of the page big and bold.

You are trying to steal the other guys business, at least act like you want it.

Training and certification menu is at the top of every page. Not hard to find. http://icrassociation.org/certification/icra-certification
Time to get off your TRAC phone Thomas! I'd put one of those smiley winkey faces here but I don't have them.

 

[Jeremy N]

In fairness I found it in plain sight the first day I went to the site. It was in the most obvious place.

Maybe Tom has a case of the old eyes?