Most professionals working in the restoration field feel their profession is unique and special. And a natural outcome of that thought is believing the people who succeed in the restoration business are appropriately skilled and highly respected.

Within the industry, there are few certifications as respected as RIA’s Certified Restorertm.  Many professionals who hold this advanced certification have long felt that RIA should develop an event that was organized exclusively for those who have distinguished themselves as a CR. And now is the time.RIA is conducting its first-ever Leadership Summit, May 8-9, in Silver Spring, Md. The “by-invitation-only” event is for those who have achieved the RIA advanced certification of CR or who have been recognized for substantial accomplishment in the restoration field.

Designed to maximize networking and to secure the future of the industry, RIA’s Summit is the starting point for shaping our destiny and fulfilling RIA’s mission “to provide industry leadership, support science, and promote best practices in cleaning and restoration.” The two-day agenda will focus on issues key to RIA’s constituency: positive legislative action and the Certified Restorer advanced certification program.

Many of RIA’s CRs expressed interest in how they could initiate needed legislation in their home states similar to the Insurance Consumer Freedom of Choice bill adopted by Colorado in 2007. On Day 1, experts in state-level government relations will speak on the legislative process and how you can implement a grass-roots legislative program.

Our second subject, the CR program, is close to our hearts. How does an industry replace a man like Martin L. King? Martin, in a way, invented “restoration professionals” when he created the CR program oh-so-many years ago. Through RIA (then ASCR), Martin taught every CR school, graded every test, read every report, and pinned the CR badge on every professional who met his standard. However, while Martin is irreplaceable, he is not immortal.

For nearly four decades the CR program has been a one-man show. When Martin King retires, it will be RIA and the CR members of RIA who must carry on his vision for the industry and profession.The participation of CRs in the Leadership Summit is vital to the industry. The goal is to leave with a game plan for building on involvement in legislation at the grassroots level and building on Martin King’s legacy. By participating, restoration professionals will be able to wield major influence in shaping the meaning of a “Certified Restorer” and setting the standard for those who will seek the certification in the post-King era.

RIA’s Pathway to Achieving Advanced Certification
   For nearly 40 years, RIA has developed and managed what are considered the premier certifications in the restoration industry. These six advanced certification programs are: Certified RestorerSM; Certified Rug Specialist®; Certified Mold Professional®; Certified Mechanical Hygienist®; Certified Fabric Specialist®; and Water Loss Specialist®.

Within each specialty, candidates undertake a rigorous course of study and research, compliance with pre-certification education course requirements and 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 designation.

Benefits of RIA advanced certifications include a high level of recognition and respect within the restoration field; quality assurance for clients and the general public; recognition as experts by the insurance industry; discounts through RIA’s benefits and services program; access to advanced technical knowledge in the field; and a competitive edge over the competition

For complete details on any of RIA’s advanced certification programs, contact RIA Director of Education and Certification Cynthia Mullaly at cmullaly@restorationindustry.org or call (443) 878-1008.