"Getting Certified Is The Only Way I Recommend To Do This Business"

If you qualify, you may be able to obtain your Certified Hood & Duct Cleaner's certification via mail.

This option is only for experienced kitchen exhaust cleaners.  If you are currently certified by IKECA or PWNA please click here or go to bottom of page.  

You must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have been personally cleaning hoods for at least 12 months
• Currently own or operate a kitchen grease exhaust cleaning company that has been in business for at least 12 months
• or Currently be an employee of a kitchen grease exhaust cleaning company for at least 6 months (helper or crew leader)

Procedure:

• Submit application with appropriate fee (See Pricing Structure for fees)
• Submit Name and Address of Official Proctor (Local Librarian)
• Submit current copy of IKECA or PWNA certification (if applicable)
• Supply 10 sets of before/after pictures of restaurants that you have cleaned
• Call Russell Clark @ 1-888-848-6636 when you have completely studied the NFPA 96 2008 Standards and are ready to take your exam.  The exam is based on the NFPA 96 2008 edition and the practical experience that you have obtained by cleaning kitchen exhaust systems in your area.

What we do:

• We process your application
• Verify copy of IKECA or PWNA certificate (if applicable)
• Call/Contact your Proctor and mail the sealed exam to the Proctor
• Inspect your 10 sets of before/after pictures of hoods that you have cleaned
• We process your exam and notify of you of your Pass/Fail status.
• Upon Passing, your official Certified Hood & Duct Cleaners Association Certificate will be mailed to you.
• Upon Failing, you will be notified and arrangements made to retake the test after 14 days of additional studying.  There is no additional fee for retest.

What the Proctor does:

• Sign that they personally administered the exam
• Allow no more than 2 hours for the exam
• Verify that no books or notes of any kind were used
• Verify that no copies of any kind have been made of the exam
• Seal and mail the completed exam back to Certified Hood & Duct Cleaners Association

What the student does:

• Study the NFPA 96 2008 from cover to cover (memorize)
• Arrange with the Proctor a date and time to take the exam
• Get good sleep and come to the exam well prepared
• Sign name clearly at the top of the exam
• Mark answers clearly on the exam, making sure that all erasures are complete

Special Instructions for anyone who is currently certified by either IKECA or PWNA.

• You do not have to take the written test if you have a valid current certification from IKECA or PWNA.  Simply submit your IKECA or PWNA certification along with 10 sets of before/after pictures, and your application.  Since you will not be retaking a written exam, there is no need for a proctor.  Call 1-888-848-6636 for any questions about this option.