I have been doing a lot of research here on the RCIA’s site and have found it to be very informative. I like the idea of a certificate. (which you normally would get for completing a coarse or a class) With the site being open to all and no physical building to study in, this is a place where you really have to use your head to figure out the process, mixtures, equipment and techniques that are needed so you don’t damage a customer’s property. The idea of everyone sharing information, ideas and advice is wonderful and has really helped out so many. (members here that have been certified) I’ve read that the final step in the cert is a phone call and a verbal test, which means the RCIA isn’t just handing out certs without making sure that the person knows the right answers. I’m lead to believe that the Certification that the RCIA is issuing is more like a right of passage and not a graded piece of paper; a welcoming into a family of caring individuals that are taking ordinary people under there wing and educating them. (this comes from reading so many of the member’s posts that are really willing to share what they know and have learned)

I would much rather have a Certificate that I earned from RCIA then to get one from a college, that when your done you may or may not be able to find a job in your coarse of study.

I read that some have addressed the issue of customers being able to log on and read how to clean their own roofs. I myself think that a customer might find a forum a bit confusing if they’re trying to verify a contractor’s credentials. I’m sure that this has been asked before, but has anyone thought of creating a site that customers could be directed to in advertising (listed on own marketing materials) that might add additional creditability to having a RCIA certification? There sure seems to be a lot of factual information that could be used in it.

OSM - Jo