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How To Obtain & Maintain Essential Restoration Certifications

To get most restoration certifications and licenses, you need to prove a certain level of training and proficiency. That remains true for IICRC certifications and General Contractors’ licenses, the two types of certifications OCS considers most important for restoration contractors. Here’s everything you need to know about getting and maintaining them.

A restoration contractor takes an examination to get restoration certifications

What Licenses or Certifications are Essential for Restoration Contractors?

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been discussing restoration licenses and certifications, their role in the industry, and how they impact restoration contractors’ claims negotiations with insurance providers. In our recent blog post, we laid out which licenses and certifications OCS considers must-haves for restoration contractors and why. In short, there are two types of licenses and certifications that are essential:

  • IICRC Certification: In our view, certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is necessary for every restoration technician, no exceptions. The IICRC provides a variety of certifications, including twelve different certifications for restoration skills. Which certifications you should get should be based on which services your restoration company provides for property owners.
  • General Contractor’s License: According to the 2023 State of the Industry Report by C&R Magazine and KnowHow, three out of every four restoration companies in the United States and Canada offer reconstruction services. Some of these companies subcontract out restoration work. But for restoration companies that handle reconstruction work in-house, OCS strongly recommends getting your General Contractor’s license.

IICRC Certification

How to Get IICRC Restoration Certification

Here is how you can become IICRC certified in a restoration skill:

  1. Go to the IICRC site and browse the restoration certifications they offer. Select the certification you would like to get.
  2. Choose a course using the class locator tool. The IICRC offers both broadcast and in-person courses for many of their certifications. 
  3. Go to class. Listen attentively and learn new restoration skills from seasoned industry instructors. 
  4. Pass the written skill test at the conclusion of the course. 

Once you pass the examination, you are officially certified.

 

How to Maintain IICRC Certification

To maintain your IICRC certification, you need to do two things:

  1. Pay your renewal fees annually. You can do this by logging into the IICRC website. Fees vary by certification.
  2. Take continuing education courses, also known as CECs. Generally, every four years you need to complete fourteen CEC credit hours to remain certified. The IICRC site has a CEC search tool that can help you find continuing education courses.

General Contractor’s License

How to Get Your Contractor’s License

Unlike IICRC certification, General Contractor’s License requirements vary from state to state. Typically, becoming licensed requires some mixture of the following:

    • Education: Some states only require high school diplomas while others require construction education.
    • Experience: Most states require a few years of construction experience before you can become licensed.
    • Tests: Some states require written or oral examinations on relevant laws, building codes, and safety regulations.
    • License Fees: You will typically be required to pay licensing fees. Dollar amounts vary by state.
    • Background Check: You may be required to pass a background check.

Research and become familiar with the license requirements in your state. 

How to Maintain Your General Contractor’s License

Again, the requirements for maintaining a General Contractor’s license vary by state. Generally, you will need to renew every one to three years and pay a renewal fee. In some states, there are also continuing education requirements. Research what is necessary to maintain your license where you live. 

Restoration Industry Guidance & Insight

To get more industry advice subscribe to One Claim Solution’s newsletter, Claims Corner.

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!