Spray Foam Training and Certification

Profoam Corporation has now incorporated SPFA PCP CERTIFICATION into its Nationally Recognized Spray Foam Technical and Business Training Schools.

Contractors will be able to take prep courses and exams that will earn them the SPFA Certification for various levels:

1. Level 1 – Spray Foam Assistant
2. Level 2 – Spray Foam Insulation Installer

To become certified under SPFA’s new program, you must pass the exam and meet the criteria for any level of Certification you would like to achieve. It is a progressive program with each level based on the candidate passing the exam for the previous level. In other words, EVERYONE must begin with SPF Assistant criteria. If your ultimate goal is to be a Certified Project Manager, you must pass the written exams for Assistant, Installer, Master Installer, and Project Manager to become a Certified SPF Project Manager. You must also fulfill the pre-qualifications for the level of certification you wish to achieve. The pre-qualifications for each level are listed in the Certification Handbooks.

SPFA PCP Program Details

Contractors, manufacturers, distributors and systems houses within SPFA came together to assist in development and deployment of the PCP.  While each of these companies typically have their own training programs, the majority have incorporated SPFA PCP into their programs, making certain their training covers the Learning Objectives of the PCP.  With approval, any training program can utilize SPFA PCP materials with the intention of preparing the candidate – the professional contractor – for the PCP exams.  SPFA issues the exams upon request to an approved, recognized Written Examiner (Proctor), the tests are completed, sent back to SPFA, graded, and upon passage and completion of other level requirements, the candidate receives their certification along with a wallet card and certificate.  Each certification is valid for five years with annual renewal, and a recertification exam is required after five years to retain certification.

The SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP) is the only one of its kind for the professional SPF industry.  It is international ISO-17024 standard compliant, an enormous accomplishment that brings rigorousness, credibility and comprehensiveness to the program.  It is industry consensus-developed, and this professional certification replaces the SPFA Sprayfoam Accreditation program of old.  The PCP has a variety of categories and levels to accommodate the diversity of the SPF workplace.  The core of the program is focused upon the professional contractor and provides for two tracks – insulation and roofing.  Within both tracks are four levels:

• Assistant
• Installer
• Master Installer
• Project Manager

Each level requires passage of an extensive written exam before the candidate can move on to a higher level of certification.  The Master Installer level also requires the candidate to pass a Field Exam, an over-the-shoulder practicum that emulates the SPF spraying experience from start-up to shut-down.

Additionally, each level has a variety of secondary but mandatory requirements that must be met to achieve certification for the level, such as declarations of experience and other elements.  The requirements for certification at each level are available in convenient checklist format within the Insulation and Roofing PCP handbooks available on this website..

The various committees that were tasked with developing the program approached it with the following core principles: 1. Make it comprehensive, demanding and thorough. 2. Make it accessible and affordable 3. Make it consistent with the best practices in industry, and 4. Make it compliant with demanding appropriate internationally recognized and independent standards.  Done.

As part of the ISO-17024 process, a complete Job Task Analysis (JTA) was performed to identify and correctly place each major task an SPF professional would conduct in the field.  From that, a Knowledge, Skill, and/or Ability (KSA) was established for each JTA, and from the KSAs appropriate Learning Objectives (LO) were established which were utilized to populate the exam preparatory curriculum and the test questions.  The curriculum and related materials were reviewed independently outside the organization, including by representatives of EPA and OSHA, adding to their completeness.  Why does SPFA think it matters enough to put this process information here?  Because there is no higher standard for a certification program to pursue, the commitment to compliance with the process resulted in a world-class program that the members and industry are very proud of, and the customer can have confidence in.

PCP exams are also available online, but certain requirements must be met for remote monitoring of the exam to assure identity of the tester, and to conform to ISO-17024 procedures.  The tests are available in Spanish from Assistant to Master Installer levels, in-person and also online.

Achieving SPFA PCP Certified status means that the contractor has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities established by industry and SPFA to be deemed proficient at the respective level.  A contractor will have had to embrace the process, requirements, testing and related obligations, as well as the cost of certification, to be called SPFA PCP Certified.  This demonstrates a commitment and dedication to the industry and their craft, and allows for the contractor to differentiate themselves and their services from uncertified competition.

There is much more to the program.  You are invited to visit the various pages and documents on this website to better inform yourself and understand PCP certification.

ALL INDIVIDUALS MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING STEPS TO BECOME CERTIFIED:

1. Determine which certification you want to pursue – Roofing or Insulation. Then choose the Level of Certification you wish to pursue (Assistant, Installer, Master Installer, or Project Manager).
2. Fill out and return SPFA Certification Program Registration Form with one-time fee.
3. Sign and return the SPFA Professional Certification Program Certification Agreement.
4. Fill out the Experience Declaration Project List (for Installer, Master Installer, and Project Management levels).
5. Submit a digital color photo of yourself for your Certification ID card.

Spray Polyurethane Foam Chemical Health and Safety Training

This spray foam insulation safety training online course provides information about the use, handling and disposal of SPF, potential health hazards and control measures, including engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). There are two courses available. Trainees have the option of taking one or both of the CPI SPF Training courses. Select the course(s) that best fits your profession.

1. Low Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training* provides information for weatherization professionals, applicators or helpers who work with one-component SPF or two-component low pressure SPF kits/systems for air sealing/insulating. REGISTER HEREThis training is approved for 2.5 Building Performance Institute (BPI) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and 2.0 RCI, Inc. Continuing Education Hours (CEHs).
2. High Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training provides information for SPF contractors, applicators or helpers who work with two-component high pressure SPF systems. REGISTER HEREThis training is approved for 2 Building Performance Institute (BPI) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and 1.5 RCI, Inc. Continuing Education Hours (CEHs).