Kansas City, Mo.—The International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) has announced new requirements starting this year that are designed to enhance the value of certification by ensuring members are current on all the latest techniques, products, tools and backings.

“CFI has become the go-to source of flooring professionals as well as consumers who are more knowledgeable than ever about their desire for a quality flooring installation,” said Jim Walker, CEO. “What we’ve done is considered a form of continuing education that is required for most professional careers. Today, it is more important when one has attended an up-to-date program than to state how many years of experience. Systems, products, tools and techniques change rapidly.”

Some of the major changes CFI is implementing for the new year include:

• All CFI certified installers will be required to update every three years to maintain the credibility for the CFI organization and its members.

• Installers who participate in the update process maintain their current level of certification and may register for advancement if they choose, up to R-II or C-II, at a regular certification event.

• The CFI Member Directory and Web site will list the current update with the installer’s information.

• CFI installers will also be recognized at various levels of achievement to coordinate with the current identifications. R-I (Residential) and C-I (Commercial) will carry the bronze logo; R-II, C-II and Master designations are identified with a silver logo; Master Updated is a gold logo, signifying the installer recently updated his skills, and Master-II is identified with a platinum logo.

The colored designations, said Jon Namba, the organization’s executive director, make it easier for consumers to understand the levels of certification. “After speaking with consumers, manufacturers and dealers who offered positive responses and did not thoroughly understand the requirements of the various levels of certification, CFI’s board concluded this type of labeling is a universal understanding of achievement.”

• Successful completion of the CFI Patterned Carpet Workshop will be required to be awarded the C-II (advanced) level of commercial installation.

“The commercial field desperately needs flooring professionals who are proficient in the installation of patterned carpet,” explained Leon Harrison, CFI’s president. “Earning the C-II designation not only enhances the skills and knowledge of the installers, but makes them more marketable.”

• CFI installers who fall behind two years on their dues may retain the R-I and C-I Certification designation by paying $290.

“They lose any certification above these levels and are required to retest in order to regain the advanced categories,” Namba said. “This is necessary due to the increased requirements of the testing program. It’s critical at advanced levels installers are skilled and knowledgeable with the most current information. The industry has come to expect CFI installers to perform at a level far above what’s normally accepted.”

He said the days of just supplying labor are over. “We encourage all installers to get involved, as customers demand professionals who are highly qualified and hold advanced communication skills and knowledge to install their floorcoverings.”

For more information, call CFI at 816.231.4646 or visit www.CFIinstallers.com.