For nearly five decades, the IICRC has offered career paths that lead to various roles within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. Education is at the root of each path.

Here are the top seven roads to success within the IICRC. While these are all independent, constituents can combine different pathways to carve out a unique and beneficial career supported by the Institute. No matter where you begin in the organization, there is a right fit for your career aspirations and educational goals.

1. Certified Technician

A career in the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries begins as a Certified Technician. One must pass rigorous exams to hold certifications from the IICRC. With 25 certifications on offer, the choices are expansive to build technical knowledge and gather educational training. The Textile Cleaner track centers on the science of fabric cleaning of various textiles; the Restoration track educates on restoring, containing and/or removing harmful pollutants to repair the habitat or structure; while the Inspection track provides advanced training to determine if materials meet performance standards or to define cause of failure. IICRC requires key knowledge of specific floorcovering classifications. 

2. Master

As Certified Technicians accumulate certifications, they can build a career as a Master – the highest education and training in the cleaning and restoration industries. There are three Master Designations: Master Textile Cleaner, Master Fire and Smoke Restorer, and Master Water Restorer. The Master Designations illustrate one who has invested significant time and commitment to widen their technical scope and knowledge base.  

3. Triple Master

For those who desire to move forward with their mastery and education, the Triple Master Designation is the most challenging route available within the IICRC. At this level, all three Master Designations are achieved. It’s a supreme level of trust for the customer and industry professionals alike when Certified Technicians move their education forward to the highest plateau available.

4. Certified Firm Owner

A prerequisite to becoming a Certified Firm owner is at least one technician in the firm must also be an IICRC Certified Technician. Certified Firms bring value to customers who rely on unparalleled knowledge to return normalcy to their lives. Additional perks are bestowed on Certified Firms. A listing in the IICRC Global Locator helps consumers find qualified and highly trained certified technicians. Third-Party Administrators raise the bar on firms they award jobs to by only working with IICRC Certified Firms, who are competent to handle complex jobs of assorted magnitude.

5. Standards Consensus Body Member

IICRC Standards are developed within various ANSI guidelines, and serve to develop common, industry-accepted language and terminology that enable the industry to more universally discuss concepts and procedure regarding inspection, cleaning and restoration. Those who participate have a vote on the Standard and can influence what is included and what is not. Participation gives a voice in the development of the Standard.

6. Approved Instructor

As an IICRC Approved Instructor, one challenges, inspires and motivates the next wave of technicians in the industry. This is amplified by one’s own accomplishment as every IICRC Approved Instructor must also be a Master in at least one designation on offer.

7. MRS Stand alone certification

The Mold Removal Specialist (MRS) certification recognizes professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to: perform mold remediation for structures and contents; design and maintain containment; control pressure differentials; safely work in mold contaminated environments; understand common remediation work practices; review protocols; design and implement remediation processes; understand and follow industry standards and legal requirements; recognize conditions conducive for causing mold growth; and prevent amplification and contamination for a variety of building environment types. Anyone who has been in the mold industry for more than one year qualifies to sit for the IICRC Mold Removal Specialist Exam.

The IICRC has long built its reputation on being a full-service education provider for constituents in the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. The knowledge acquired, the experience gained, the passion pursued is all possible in one organization. The choice is yours to: Learn. Grow. Earn.