CERTA Train-the-trainer

CERTA is for roofing workers who want to be trained in safely applying torch-related roofing products. Trainees must successfully complete a registered CERTA training session conducted by an authorized CERTA trainer and pass hands-on and classroom training activities. This certification belongs to the individual roofing worker and not his or her employer.

Only authorized CERTA trainers can teach certification training sessions. Authorized trainers typically include roofing contractors, their key managers, safety consultants and some union apprenticeship trainers. training sessions must be registered with NRCA in advance. NRCA and many insurance industry loss-control representatives randomly audit registered training sessions without notice to ensure quality training is occurring in the field.

Learn more about NRCA’s CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization program.

Certification can only be completed by individual workers. Certification belongs to and stays with an individual roofing worker and not his or her employer.

There are 515 authorized NRCA CERTA trainers and 12,220 certified roofing torch applicators as of October 2018. Find a CERTA Trainer here.

The NRCA CERTA program is a requirement for certain insurance industry underwriters as a condition for coverage. Some private building owners, branches of the U.S. military and general contractors also have implemented the CERTA program as a requirement in construction contracts. Some state and local government agencies also require the CERTA program for building code compliance.

Additional information about the CERTA program can be found in the student manual, authorized trainer's instructor's guide, on NRCA's CERTA webpage or by contacting NRCA at CERTAadmin@nrca.net.

Yes.

Certification fee: $200 per person

Recertification fee: $160 per person

A roofing worker is not certified until this fee is paid. The fee is payable after a roofing worker successfully passes a registered CERTA applicator training class conducted by an authorized CERTA trainer. This fee is subject to change without notice.

Yes.

Authorized trainer: $695 per person for members; $995 for nonmembers

Reauthorization: $595 per person for members; $895 for nonmembers

Attendees who fail either the classroom or hands-on portion of the class may retake that portion of the class at a future date. There is no charge to retake any portion of this class.

If a roofing worker does not pass the applicator training session, he or she must attend another training session conducted by an authorized trainer. The worker must repeat the section of the class he or she failed until successfully passing.

The authorized status of a trainer and certification of a torch applicator are valid for three years after the date they successfully passed their respective program.

Yes.

Authorized trainers
Trainers who wish to conduct torch applicator recertification training must take the trainer reauthorization course.

Certified torch applicators
Applicators must successfully recertify before their original training expires. They will be required to retake the NRCA CERTA torch applicator class.

Notification of upcoming expiration will be sent to a trainer’s employer via mail six months before their certification expires. Trainers will receive an email six months before their ID expires.

Roofing contractors whose employees are certified under the CERTA program are your best bet to avoid a catastrophic fire. You should be aware that some insurance companies, building owners, military bases, general contractors and local building code authorities require CERTA-certified roofing mechanics as a contract condition.

CERTA is the roofing industry's certified roofing torch applicator program that establishes best practices in the design and application of torch-applied roof systems and use of a roofing torch to reduce fire losses.

CERTA is a requirement for roofing contractors who use roofing torches as a condition of general liability coverage by some insurance companies. Learn more.

Peel-and-stick products are approved as an encapsulating base ply for flashing applications.

Base plies that are fully adhered in cold-applied asphalt-based mastics, cements or adhesives are not approved as an encapsulating base ply for flashing applications.

Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the industry best practices for the safe installation of torch-applied polymer-modified bitumen roof systems. Follow best practices for every torch application. Keep your CERTA student manual handy for reference in the future.

Use the CERTA Instructors Guide provided during your class to familiarize yourself with all the training requirements. Prepare for and schedule your first registered torch applicator certification class as soon as possible to ensure all information is top of mind.

You must register for each training session three business days in advance through the trainer portal. NRCA will register and confirm your session by providing you with a session number. Do not proceed with a training session unless you have received a session registration number. Training sessions conducted without first being registered will not be recognized.

You must pay certification fees for each trainee you wish to certify. Roofing workers who have completed training are not considered certified until the fee is paid. Instructions for submitting payment are in your Authorized Trainers Guide.

Yes. It is possible that NRCA or CNA may audit your class. Audits are conducted randomly and without notice.

If an authorized CERTA trainer is not complying with the policies and procedures set forth in the CERTA program or he or she engages in any inappropriate behavior, NRCA may take the following actions:

• Revoke the trainer's authorized status
• Revoke the certified status of all individuals the trainer has trained

The authorized trainer, individuals the trainer has certified and their employers immediately will be notified of the inappropriate behavior and revocation of certification. Under no circumstances of noncompliance will NRCA refund tuition fees, certification fees or recertification fees.

Certification and Recertification documents are available here. The materials contained on the website are copyright-protected and may not be used for resale by any individual. If your company has any CERTA training materials on CD-ROM, they are outdated and should be discarded.

Use the CERTA Instructors Guide provided during your class to familiarize yourself with all the training requirements. Prepare for and schedule your first registered torch applicator certification class as soon as possible to ensure all information is top of mind.

Your employer must complete and submit the Employer Verification form that you received during your CERTA Authorized Train-the-trainer class. The employer also must pay a fee for your torch applicator certification. This form contains instructions for submittal to NRCA. If you do not have this form, you can request a copy by contacting Diana S. Arroyo, manager of NRCA University, at (847) 299-9070, ext. 7597 or CERTAadmin@nrca.net.

If you currently have a CD-ROM that includes these training materials, please discard it as changes have been made to the documents. The Certification and Recertification documents have been updated and are available for you to download from NRCA's website in the CERTA classes section under Trainer resources by clicking here. The materials contained on the Web are copyright-protected and may not be used for resale by any individual.

Yes, a trainer can have more than 20 students in the classroom except during the hands-on portion. A ratio of 20 students per authorized trainer must be maintained for the hands-on portion of a registered applicator training session.

You must submit payment of the certification fees to NRCA for each trainee you wish to certify. Roofing workers who have completed training are not considered certified until the fee is paid. Instructions for submitting payment are in your Instructors Guide.

• NRCA staff will help students find a testing center where they can retake the exam.
• Students can sit through the classroom portion of another CERTA Train-the-trainer class and retake the exam during the lunch hour.

Students do not have to participate in the hands-on portion of the class again. If they prefer the latter option, their tuition will be comped.

For trainers who are company owners, they must provide a third-party contact who can attest to the trainer’s minimum of three years torching experience.

Yes. A trainer must have torching skills to the pass the hands-on portion of the test. To gain torching skills, a trainer should spend time on-site with a roofing crew to learn torch handling and setup techniques.