The IICRC continues to move forward with the development of a new advanced mold remediation certification that will be submitted for ANSI third-party accreditation. The certification is expected to meet all the licensing requirements for mold remediation in Florida and other states. The goal is to have the new credential ready for candidates to apply and test by this summer.
Work has begun in the development of a new training and certification category in the use of thermography in assessing structural water damage. The class is in the early stages of development, with expectations of presenting the beginning documentation to the Certification Council in the fall.
The development of the IICRC S-600 Standard for Carpet Installation is moving forward nicely. Co-sponsored by the Carpet & Rug Institute and the World Floor Covering Association, once the standard is complete, it is anticipated that a new certification category in Carpet Installation will soon follow. Discussions have already begun around forming the technical task force to work on this new category.
Notice has been filed that the IICRC intends to begin work soon on a standard for Trauma and Crime Scene cleanup. This specialty service currently does not have any established industry standard or best practices document. IICRC Standards Chairman Jim Holland is quick to point out that this new category is in the very early stages of development, and publication may still be years away.
In April, IICRC president Patrick Winters and IICRC Chairman of the Board Paul Pearce traveled to Melbourne, Australia, where they joined IICRC International Vice President David Jones to attend an annual cleaning industry conference and trade show. While there they met with IICRC registrants, IICRC-approved trainers, and many other industry contacts. IICRC is continuing to expand into international markets, and is gaining recognition and credibility worldwide.
The semi-annual IICRC Certification Council and Board of Directors meeting was held mid-April in Clearwater Beach, Fla., just before the Connections Conference and Exhibition. New instructors and schools were approved, new categories of training and certification discussed, and current training programs and exams were updated over the three days of meetings.
During the meeting, IICRC Certification Council Chairman Barry Costa announced the establishment of a new Education Task Force with the goal of reviewing and upgrading the IICRC educational programs and structure. The purpose of this new task force/committee is to make sure all IICRC programs are in compliance with ANSI-accreditation standards as either certificate or Certification programs. This will insure that IICRC continues to be the “gold standard” for credentials in the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries.
Looking ahead to October, the IICRC will be conducting its bi-annual Instructor Symposium in Vancouver, Wash. This “train the trainer” symposium happens every other year, and provides resources and networking opportunities for the IICRC-approved trainers and instructors.
