The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announces the development of a certification exam for professionals in the mold remediation industry. The Mold Removal Specialist (MRS) Certification exam will certify that successful candidates meet all state required licensing requirements.
 
The MRS certification does not replace the current Applied Microbial Restoration Technician (AMRT) exam and is an additional level of certification. The differences between the MRS certification and the AMRT certification are:
• Upon completion of the Mold Removal Certification exam, there are no continuing education requirements — only an annual renewal fee and a recertification every five years.
• The actual exam will be completed at a testing center located closest to the test taker.
• While strongly encouraged, no training pre-requisites are required to take the exam.
• This is the first IICRC exam not associated with a specific IICRC training course.
 
The IICRC is currently seeking mold technicians and specialists to participate in a beta-test for this exam. Beta-testing is limited to 200 participants and those participants will receive a discounted rate of $150 and, if passed, will be among the first to hold this certification. The test is available for registration (www.iicrc.org/mrs) through October 14, 2011.
 
"As the IICRC seeks to be the leading independent, non-profit certification and standard setting body within the industry, it is important we remain proactive throughout all new regulation and legislation changes, such as in the mold remediation industry," said Paul Pearce, IICRC chairman of the board.
 
The IICRC Mold Removal Specialist exam will certify that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform mold remediation for structures and contents, design and maintain containments, control pressure differentials, safely work in mold contaminated environments, understand common remediation work practices, review protocols, design and implement remediation processes, understand and follow industry standards and legal requirements, recognize conditions conducive for causing mold growth and how to prevent amplification and contamination for a variety of building environment types.
 
To sign up for beta-testing or for additional information, click here.