RIA’s Contents Loss Specialist Advanced Pillar Designation is one of the four advanced pillar designations of the enhanced Certified Restorer (CR) program. The CLS designation is for those individuals who wish to advance their career and become a recognized subject matter expert in this field.

This course provides a comprehensive approach to contents loss including perils impacting contents, critical business practices, pack-out/pack-back best practices, cleaning methods, structuring your company for contents restoration, health and safety, specialty contents and contents in commercial losses. The course content is delivered by industry experts and provides a systematic approach to contents.

In order to achieve the CLS Designation, students must complete the following:

1. Meet the Pre-Qualifying Requirements (Education & Work Experience)

High school diploma or equivalent education; Training school that teaches courses similar to contents & restoration; Five years of verifiable work experience or three years verifiable supervisory experience, project supervisor, estimator, consultant, inspector, restoration company manager, facility manager, restoration instructor. This designation program is recommended for those with five years or more of active experience in the restoration industry.

2. Complete CLS Prerequisites

All prerequisite requirements and documentation must be submitted by October 3, 2023 in order to participate in the CLS training course.

3. Attend the CLS Training Course

Contents Loss Specialist (CLS) Designation In-Person Training Course
November 1-3, 2023
Aramsco in Santa Fe Springs
11020 Bloomfield Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670  
(Light breakfast and lunch will be provided)
19.5 CE Credits Awarded for Attendance

4. Pass the CLS Exam

The CLS Exam will be administered via online proctoring on the final day of the course through the IICRC. Additional exam registration fee of $250 applies.

5. Submit Formal Report

Upon passing the CLS exam, candidates must submit the CLS Formal Report within 180 days of completing the course. Once the CLS Formal Report is approved, candidates will then receive their CLS designation and be eligible to be pinned at the RIA Designation Pinning Ceremony at the RIA Convention.

Course Fees

$1540 - RIA Member
$1855 - Nonmember

Course Cancelation and Refund Policy

The training course availability is limited to 30 attendees. Please be sure you are available to attend when registering. Cancelations must be made in writing to info@restorationindustry.org. Cancelations received less than 30 days prior to the course start date will not be granted a refund. Cancelations received 30 days prior to the course start date will be granted a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. Course registrations can be transferred to another individual within the same company if requested at least two weeks in advance of the course event. In the unlikely event the course must be canceled or rescheduled, RIA will contact you to register you in a comparable program.

The RIA's Environmental Risk Specialist (ERS) Advanced Pillar Designation is the newest, and final, of the four pillars of the enhanced Certified Restorer (CR) program. The Environmental Risk Specialist (ERS) designation course will prepare the Environmental Specialist to navigate resources, industry guidelines, and regulations. The course provides the student with awareness and understanding of the environmental hazards, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) and risks associated with disaster sites. This course is an excellent opportunity for students in the industry to gain a fundamental understanding of evaluating front-end risks associated with such events.

In order to achieve the ERS Designation, students must complete the following:

1. Meet the Pre-Qualifying Requirements (Education & Work Experience)

High school diploma or equivalent education; Training school that teaches courses similar to contents & restoration; Five years of verifiable work experience or three years verifiable supervisory experience, project supervisor, estimator, consultant, inspector, restoration company manager, facility manager, restoration instructor. This designation program is recommended for those with five years or more of active experience in the restoration industry.

2. Complete ERS Prerequisites

All prerequisite requirements and documentation must be submitted by September 18, 2023 in order to participate in the ERS training course.

3. Attend the ERS Training Course

Environmental Risk Specialist (ERS) Designation In-Person Training Course
October 17 - 19, 2023
Jon-Don Philadelphia
835 Wheeler Way # B, Langhorne, PA 19047
(Light breakfast and lunch will be provided)
19.5 CE Credits Awarded for Attendance

4. Pass the ERS Exam

The ERS Exam will be administered via online proctoring on the final day of the course through the IICRC. Additional exam registration fee of $250 applies.

5. Submit Risk Assessment Assignment

Upon passing the ERS exam, students will submit a risk assessment assignment for review and approval by the course instructor. Upon approval, the student will receive their ERS Designation and be eligible for participating in the RIA Designation Pinning Ceremony at the RIA Convention.

Course Fees

$1540 - RIA Member
$1855 - Nonmember

Course Cancelation and Refund Policy

The training course availability is limited to 30 attendees. Please be sure you are available to attend when registering. Cancelations must be made in writing to info@restorationindustry.org. Cancelations received less than 30 days prior to the course start date will not be granted a refund. Cancelations received 30 days prior to the course start date will be granted a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. Course registrations can be transferred to another individual within the same company if requested at least two weeks in advance of the course event. In the unlikely event the course must be canceled or rescheduled, RIA will contact you to register you in a comparable program.

The Restoration Industry Association (RIA)'s Fire Loss Specialist Advanced Pillar Designation is one of the four pillars of the enhanced Certified Restorer (CR) program. The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) saw a need for specialized education and developed an advanced fire restoration course. There are many informative technical courses and certifications that lead to becoming a Master Fire and Smoke Restorer. However, there has not been a course that deals with contracts, ethics, project management, report writing and consulting in the discipline of fire damage.

The Fire Loss Specialist (FLS) course covers a wide array of subjects including emergency response management, scoping and estimating, pre-structural restoration phase management, project management, odor removal and abatement, impact of heat and smoke on the built environment, fire restoration in unique environments and much more. This designation is for those individuals who wish to advance their career and become a recognized subject matter expert in this field.

In order to achieve the FLS Designation, students must complete the following:

1. Meet the Pre-Qualifying Requirements (Education & Work Experience)

High school diploma or equivalent education; Training school that teaches courses similar to contents & restoration; Five years of verifiable work experience or three years verifiable supervisory experience, project supervisor, estimator, consultant, inspector, restoration company manager, facility manager, restoration instructor. This designation program is recommended for those with five years or more of active experience in the restoration industry.

2. Complete FLS Prerequisites

All prerequisite requirements and documentation must be submitted by October 16, 2023 in order to participate in the FLS training course.

3. Attend the FLS Training Course

Fire Loss Specialist (FLS) Designation In-Person Training Course
November 14-16, 2023
Aramsco in Chicago, IL
11222 Melrose Ave Ste 200, Franklin Park, IL 60131
(Light breakfast and lunch will be provided)
19.5 CE Credits Awarded for Attendance

4. Pass the FLS Exam

The FLS Exam will be administered via online proctoring on the final day of the course through the IICRC. Additional exam registration fee of $250 applies.

5. Submit Formal Report

Upon passing the FLS exam, candidates must submit the FLS Formal Report within 180 days of completing the course. Once the FLS Formal Report is approved, candidates will then receive their FLS designation and be eligible to be pinned at the RIA Designation Pinning Ceremony at the RIA Convention.

Course Fees

$1540 - RIA Member
$1855 - Nonmember

Course Cancelation and Refund Policy

The training course availability is limited to 30 attendees. Please be sure you are available to attend when registering. Cancelations must be made in writing to info@restorationindustry.org. Cancelations received less than 30 days prior to the course start date will not be granted a refund. Cancelations received 30 days prior to the course start date will be granted a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. Course registrations can be transferred to another individual within the same company if requested at least two weeks in advance of the course event. In the unlikely event the course must be canceled or rescheduled, RIA will contact you to register you in a comparable program.

RIA’s Water Loss Specialist Advanced Pillar Designation is one of the four advanced pillar designations of the enhanced Certified Restorer (CR) program. The WLS designation is for those individuals who wish to advance their career and become a recognized subject matter expert in this field.

This course provides a comprehensive approach to water loss including standards, safety, psychrometry & drying techniques, antimicrobial chemicals, building structures & dynamics, drying equipment & instruments, microbial & IAQ issues, drying of building materials and contents, operations and ethics.

In order to achieve the WLS Designation, students must complete the following:

1. Meet the Pre-Qualifying Requirements (Education & Work Experience)

High school diploma or equivalent education; Training school that teaches courses similar to contents & restoration; Five years of verifiable work experience or three years verifiable supervisory experience, project supervisor, estimator, consultant, inspector, restoration company manager, facility manager, restoration instructor. This designation program is recommended for those with five years or more of active experience in the restoration industry.

2. Complete WLS Prerequisites

All prerequisite requirements and documentation must be submitted by September 25, 2023 in order to participate in the WLS training course.

3. Attend the WLS Training Course

Water Loss Specialist (WLS) Designation In-Person Training Course
October 24-26, 2023
Jon-Don Atlanta
5933 Peachtree Industrial Blvd A, Norcross, GA 30092
(Light breakfast and lunch will be provided)
19.5 CE Credits Awarded for Attendance

4. Pass the WLS Exam

The WLS Exam will be administered via online proctoring on the final day of the course through the IICRC. Additional exam registration fee of $250 applies.

5. Submit Formal Report

Upon passing the WLS exam, candidates must submit the WLS Formal Report within 180 days of completing the course. Once the WLS Formal Report is approved, candidates will then receive their WLS designation and be eligible to be pinned at the RIA Designation Pinning Ceremony at the RIA Convention.

Course Fees

$1540 - RIA Member
$1855 - Nonmember

Course Cancelation and Refund Policy

The training course availability is limited to 30 attendees. Please be sure you are available to attend when registering. Cancelations must be made in writing to info@restorationindustry.org. Cancelations received less than 30 days prior to the course start date will not be granted a refund. Cancelations received 30 days prior to the course start date will be granted a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. Course registrations can be transferred to another individual within the same company if requested at least two weeks in advance of the course event. In the unlikely event the course must be canceled or rescheduled, RIA will contact you to register you in a comparable program.

The Restoration Industry Association's Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) committee is the restoration industry’s first unified advocacy team. It seeks to unite the restoration industry and advocate for the best interests of restoration contractors nationwide, and develop and implement strategies to help create and maintain equity between restorers and insurers and their partners. The AGA committee will advocate for the financial and legal interests of restoration contractors while working collaboratively and fairly with insurers and the other stakeholders involved in the restoration process.

This session focuses on the 50-State Summary of Assignment of Benefits Laws.

The RIA sees widespread ignorance of the law of assignments and underutilization of assignments as a significant threat to the health of the restoration industry and the availability of high-quality restoration services to consumers. Accordingly, the RIA has compiled this collection of excerpts of cases and statutes that address certain aspects of the enforceability of assignments for each state, and insurance bad faith. It is not a complete statement of the relevant law, and as laws change, the legal principles may be reversed or become outdated. However, this material will provide a good starting point for restorers, working closely with their lawyers, to formulate an assignment strategy that fits their businesses.

The AGA Pricing Task Force has seen spikes in pricing for building materials across the US and Canada. We have been monitoring these increases and how Xactware has handled these increases. Similar to what many estimators do when utilizing third party evaluations for flooring, this document provides tips for you to change your material pricing to reflect the real cost for your area.

Ed Cross discusses challenges with Third Party Administrators (TPAs) and what the RIA AGA is doing to work on these issues.

4-13-RIA-AGA Academy - Symbility Q&A