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How to Get and Maintain IICRC Certification for Your Restoration Company

Certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a staple of the restoration industry. Here’s everything restoration contractors need to know about getting and maintaining IICRC Certification from the experts at OCS.

Man takes an online IICRC continuing education course for restoration contractors.Why IICRC Certification Matters

Learn Essential Skills

The IICRC provides globally recognized standards, guidelines, and training for restoration professionals. To become certified in one of the 26 certifications offered by the IICRC, technicians have first to take a comprehensive course tailored to the certification subject matter.

The educational component is a big part of why most restoration professionals consider IICRC certification a must-have. “It’s essential,” Stephen Smith, OCS Contractor Success Manager, says. “Without [IICRC certification], not only are you behind the eight ball, but you just don’t know what you need to know.”

Build Industry Trust

Within the industry, the IICRC is well-known. “My feeling is that being IICRC certified is more about the confidence that you have in the industry when you’re talking to peers, insurance carriers, [and] other contractors,” Stephen says. Being certified indicates a basic level of competency to other industry professionals.

Build Customer Trust

The IICRC may not be well-known by customers, but being certified can still help build trust with them. When property owners see that a restoration business is certified by an independent expert authority, it tells them that the restorer they’re working with knows what they’re doing. 

How to Get IICRC Certification

Here’s the process for becoming IICRC certified in a skill:

  1. Visit the IICRC website & find the skill you want to become certified in. The IICRC offers 12 different types of restoration certifications.
  2. Use their locator tool to find a course near you. They offer a mixture of in-person and broadcast courses depending on the skill.
  3. Attend the course. Courses last from 1-5 days, depending on the certification course subject.
  4. Take a written examination and document skills in the subject. If you pass, you are certified! If you fail, you can retake the exam up to 2 times within the next 45 days.

How to Maintain IICRC Certification

After you get certified the first time, you need to renew annually. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Sign in to the IICRC site and pay your annual renewal fee. Renewal fee amounts vary by certification.
  2. Participate in continuing education courses (CECs). Most certifications require 14 CEC hours every four years. You can find CECs using the CEC search tool.

The Importance of Continuing Education

Stephen has experienced firsthand the importance of continuing education and revisiting industry standards like the S500. “You’re going to continue to find things that help you do your job better and help you understand what you’re trying to do as a mitigation company,” he says.

Continuing education courses are also an excellent opportunity to keep up with any new industry developments since your initial training.

Get More Restoration Industry Insight

Want to get more tips on running a successful restoration business and insight into the industry? Check out One Claim Solution’s newsletter

Connor Trahan

Account Executive

Hi there! I’m Connor, the Account Executive for One Claim. My goal is to guide our contractors through the sales process, ensuring you’re equipped with all the information you need to make your decision and hit the ground running once aboard. We view ourselves as an extension of your business and I strive to make the process an enlightening and consultative one.
My career has primarily been focused in software sales over a few different industries but the last few years were spent helping general contractors solve similar problems to what we’re doing here at OCS! Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, cooking and boating during the summer months.

Nicole Liesenfelt

Director, Human Resources

Hello! I’m Nicole, and I’m here to champion for our employees, recruit for new talent, and impact culture at One Claim Solution. I find satisfaction in supporting a memorable employee experience and bring innovation, problem solving, and strategic view to the process. Nothing is more important than our people, and a healthy culture is my top priority! I have had the pleasure of building my career in various sectors, specializing in small to medium size firms focused on high-growth. My experience is centered around driving and implementing change, leading high-performing teams, and driving process improvements. I am excited to make an impact at One Claim. Outside of work, my family and I enjoy getting outdoors as much as possible to explore beautiful Colorado!

Elizabeth McGlone

Demand Generation Manager

Great to meet you! I’m Elizabeth, and I’m the one behind all the emails and advertisements you’ve been seeing. As the Demand Generation Manager at One Claim Solution, my mission is to connect with contractors like you who need our services. I’m passionate about having an impact on others and I bring a wealth of experience in demand generation and marketing strategy to create moments of delight, curiosity, and education for you.

Prior to One Claim Solution, I had the privilege of building marketing departments from the ground up at companies in a variety of industries, including IT consulting, first protection, and healthcare. Personally, I love being outdoors, playing Dungeons and Dragons and board games, singing, and traveling.

Alisha Yartzoff

Director of Contractor Success

Welcome! I’m Alisha, and I’m here to champion your success as the Director of Contractor Success at One Claim. With a passion for helping contractors thrive, I bring a wealth of experience in onboarding, customer service, and account management to ensure your journey with us is nothing short of exceptional.

Prior to joining One Claim, I had the privilege of scaling SMB and Enterprise Customer Success teams at fast-growing SaaS startups. With over six years of experience at companies like Mavenlink, Teamwork, and ServiceTitan, I honed my expertise in building high-performing teams and fostering proactive, consultative relationships. This background has equipped me with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses like yours, and I’m dedicated to helping you overcome them.

Eric Terry

CTO

Hi there, my name is Eric! I am the Chief Technology Officer here at OCS, spearheading our technical strategy. I have a background in computer science, graduating cum laude from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology.

Before coming to One Claim, I served as the Director of Engineering at Slingshot Technology, Inc., a company later acquired by WorkWave in 2021. My professional journey has spanned both emerging startups and established corporations, with a steadfast focus on cultivating high-trust, low bureaucracy teams and innovating technology using agile methodologies.

In my free time, you can find me flying drones, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with my family.

Cam Smith

COO

Hello, my name is Cam, I’m the COO of One Claim Solution! I come from a management consulting background (Bain & Company) and hold an MBA from the University of Michigan. I have worked at a wide variety of organizations, from Fortune 500 to small-cap, in an equally wide variety of industries. I have over 15 years of experience in operations and strategic growth, and I have spent much of my career focused on developing high-performing tech-enabled service organizations through early stage and high growth phases.

Outside of work, my wife Brittny and I have four kids, ages 13 to 6. As residents of Mesa, Arizona, we love to ski and explore the national parks of the southwest!

Dan Doud

CEO

Hello, my name is Dan, and I am the CEO of One Claim Solution. I am super excited by everything we are doing at OCS to be the market leading insurance billing specialist that advocates on behalf of our restoration contractors. 

My professional experiences are predominantly corporate in nature. My career started at General Electric in finance and accounting. Immediately prior to joining OCS, I spent time as an investor at Bondcliff Partners and management consultant with Bain & Company. I also hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and got my BS in finance and accounting from Northeastern University.

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my wife, two young children, and our family dog, Whiskey. We live in Charleston, SC and take advantage of the beautiful weather by spending as much time as possible outside at the beach or adventuring around town

Josh Ehmke

Co-Founder and General Counsel

Hi, I’m Josh! In 2016, I co-founded One Claim Solution with my partner Jeremy Traasdahl, and I serve as General Counsel of One Claim Solution. Working in the restoration industry, Jeremy and I saw contractors struggling to get paid quickly and fairly and we knew there was a need for change. We founded One Claim Solution to be this change and it’s been my privilege to see our company grow and to advocate for our clients as general counsel.

Outside of my passion for helping the restoration industry, I enjoy spending time outdoors, fly-fishing, hunting, skiing, and coaching my kids’ baseball teams. I’ve been married to my amazing wife for 20 years and we have a beautiful family of 5 children.

Jeremy Traasdahl

Co-Founder

Hey, I’m Jeremy! In 2016, I co-founded One Claim Solution with my partner Josh Ehmke. Working in the restoration industry, Josh and I saw contractors struggling to get paid quickly and fairly and we knew there was a need for change. We founded One Claim Solution to be this change and it’s been my privilege to lead our amazing team.

Prior to One Claim Solution, I started my career as an inside sales rep for Avnet, then moved to Pepsico as a district sales manager. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife and four children, two boys and two girls!