Water Loss Specialist (WLS) Advanced Pillar Designation

2024 Water Loss Specialist Course

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 careers 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.

How to Achieve the WLS Designation
 

To achieve the WLS Designation, students must complete the following:

Step 1. Submit a Candidate Application & Required Work Verification
 

Candidates for the WLS must meet the pre-qualifying education & work experience requirements which include the following:

  • Either five years of verifiable work experience or three years of 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.

Candidate Application & Required Work Verification

Candidates must submit a Candidate Application & Required Work Verification which includes the submission of the following information:

  • A resume documenting the required work experience
  • Submission of two (2) work project summaries documenting field experience and the work experience necessary for the designation they are attempting to register for.  

Candidates must submit the application at least 60 days before the start of the designation course.

Information Needed on the Project Summaries

  • Project Name
  • Project City/State
  • Project Date (Year and Month)
  • Project Type (Choose from a menu, check all that apply)
  • Applicants' titles and duties
  • Project Summary (300 words or less including the summary of the problem, an explanation of responsibilities, and a statement of outcome in the first person

Review Process

Once candidates have submitted the Candidate Application & Required Work Verification the application and work experience documentation will be verified by the work verification committee within 10 business days. If the application is approved, the RIA staff will provide registration access to the candidate where they will be prompted to pay the registration fee and submit all prerequisite documents. RIA staff will notify the applicant if the application has been denied. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Complete the Candidate Application & Work Verification


Step 2. Complete WLS Prerequisites
 

Once the candidate application is approved, candidates will receive access to the registration system where they will be able to submit the prerequisite documentation. All prerequisite requirements and documentation must be submitted by August 12, 2024 in order to participate in the WLS training course.

Domain

Prerequisite Courses

Domain #1:
Basic Skills in Water Damage Restoration (Minimum 21 Contact Hours)
 

Mandatory Requirement:

Domain #2:
Hands-on Water Damage, Restoration & Drying Training
(Minimum 21 Contact Hours)

Mandatory Requirement:

Domain #3:
Microbial Remediation (Minimum 18 Contact Hours)

Must be a minimum of 18 contact hours in any of the following:
Domain #4:
Health & Safety Training
(Minimum 12 Contact Hours)

Must be a minimum of 12 contact hours in any of the following:

  • IICRC Health and Safety Technician (HST) course (14 Contact Hours)
  • OSHA Haz-Com Course (1-4 Contact Hours)
  • Other OSHA/Red Cross training equivalent (PPE, Respiratory Training, Confined Space, LockOut/TagOut, Bloodborne Pathogens, Fall Protection, etc.)
Domain #5: Building Science

Mandatory Requirement: 

Domain #6:
Project Management  
(Minimum 12 Contact Hours)
Must be a minimum of 12 contact hours in any of the following:

Step 3. Attend the WLS Training Course (2024)
 

Water Loss Specialist (WLS) Designation In-Person Training Course
September 11 - 13, 2024
Jon-Don Langhorne, PA
835 Wheeler Way, Suite B
Langhorne, PA 19047
(Light breakfast and lunch will be provided)
19.5 CE Credits Awarded for Attendance

Course Hotel
BUCKS COUNTY SHERATON (SFS)
215-269-3420

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. In the unlikely event the course must be canceled or rescheduled, RIA will contact you to register you in a comparable program.


Step 4. Pass the WLS Exam
 

The WLS Exam will be administered by the IICRC via online proctoring and candidates will have two weeks after the course to complete the exam. An additional exam registration fee of $250 applies.


Step 5. Submit a Formal Report
 

Upon passing the WLS exam, candidates must submit the WLS Formal Report within 60 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.

Have questions? Contact us info@restorationindustry.org