Restoration Industry Association Contents Loss Specialist (CLS) Certification Program

RIA’s new Contents Loss Specialist Advanced Certification Program is one of the four pillars of the enhanced Certified Restorer (CR) program. 

The course assists Contents Restoration Specialists across the country and internationally. A training program that is not only top of the line as far as content, but also brings a systematic approach to the way contents are dealt with in general.

This program is recognized by insurance companies across the country as the best of its kind. 

 

Be sure to review our CLS Candidates guide for exam info, formal report requirements, FAQ's and more!

Download the CLS Candidates Guide

Step 1: Meet Pre-Qualifying Requirements (Education & Work Experience)

• High school diploma or equivalent education 
• Training school that teaches courses similar to contents and 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. 

Step 2: Complete the Content Loss Specialist Prerequisite Courses

To be eligible to take the Content Loss S Prep Course and sit for the exam, you must complete prerequisite course requirements in each of the following domains. A certificate of completion will be required as verification that each domain requirement has been satisfied. Candidates will have until March 31, 2021 to complete the required prerequisites in order to become certified.

Domain	Prerequisite Course
Domain #1 Basic Skills in Contents Restoration (minimum of 18 contact hours)	RIA Contents Science and Theory (Mandatory Requirement) RIA Certified Restorer (CR) Certification Prep Course IICRC Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT)
Domain #2 Hands On Restoration Training (minimum 48 contact hours)	Any of the the following IICRC Courses: Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) Contents Processing Technician (CPT) Odor Control Technician (OCT) Stone, Masonry and Ceramic Tile Cleaning Technician (SMT) Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician (UFT) Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) Contents pack-out course (certificate required) Contents inventory course (certificate required)
Domain #3 Health and Safety (minimum 12 contact hours)	IICRC Health and Safety Technician (HST) course OSHA Haz-Com Course Other OSHA/Red Cross training equivalent (PPE, Respiratory Training, Confined Space, Lock-Out/TagOut, Bloodborne Pathogens, Fall Protection, etc.
Domain #4 Project Management  and  Commercial  Contents (minimum 18 contact hours)	RIA 2013 2-day Project Management course (mandatory course) IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist Course (CDS) RIA Project Management Workshops Equivalent industry project management course (ex. Violand Management’s Kent State University course)
Domain #5 Building Science	No specific study required for this domain
Domain #6 Microbial Remediation (minimum 7 contact hours)	RIA CMP Certification Prep Course RIA MRS mold course IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) IAQA mold training courses of at least 3-days in length American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) mold or higher level IEQ training courses of at least 3-days in length
Domain #7 Textiles (minimum 12 contact hours)	IICRC Rug Cleaning Technician (RCT) IICRC Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician (UFT) Dry cleaning course (certificate required) Soft goods cleaning course (certificate required)
Domain #8 Specialty Contents Restoration (minimum 12 contact hours)	Art restoration (certificate required) Furniture refinishing (certificate required) Electronics cleaning course (certificate required)

Step 3: Take the CLS Prep Course and Exam

Register for the next CLS course and exam. Be prepared to upload the following documents with your application:

• Resume
• Letter of Recommendation (from immediate Supervisor)
• Certificate of completion for each domain of prerequisite courses

This is the final course for those pursuing their RIA advanced certification, the Contents Loss Specialist, and incorporates lectures, specialized presentations from subject matter experts in their field, case studies and group study work.

Step 4: Complete the Content Loss Specialist Formal Report

Bring a draft of your Formal Report to the CLS Course and receive immediate guidance and advice. Finalize your Formal Report within 180 days of completing the course. 

Restoration Content Loss Reference Documents

• CLS Formal Report and Research Paper Guidelines
• RIA CEC Submission Instructions - Tracking CECs
• CEC Submission Policy and Form 
• Download the CLS Candidate's Guide! Exam info, formal report requirements, FAQ's and more!