Train-the-Trainer Authorization

The Certified Roofing Torch Applicator (CERTA) program has been designed to address the concerns of building owners, roofing contractors, the insurance industry, fire and code authorities, roofing material manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and fuel suppliers.

This program provides the latest best practices and new industry requirements for the safe use of roofing torches.

CERTA Schedule

Program success

The number of serious roofing torch-related fire incidents has decreased significantly since 2004 when the Torch Safety program was implemented in the roofing industry. For example, in 2002, one major insurance company paid 35 roofing torch-related fire losses of more than $1,000 and 11 of more than $500,000. In 2005, after only one year of the Torch Safety program implementation, the same insurance company paid 13 losses of more than $1,000, including only two of more than $500,000. The Torch Safety program had made a significant effect on the safe use of roofing torches throughout the roofing industry.

Note: Class size is limited; prior registration is required.
Tuition fee includes all course materials, lunch, and morning and afternoon beverage service.

For more information, contact Diana Arroyo, manager of NRCA University at (847) 299-9070, ext. 7597, or CERTAadmin@nrca.net.

CERTA Schedule
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In addition to proper use of torches and safety procedures, I learned training techniques that will help in teaching this and other classes I conduct with our employees.

 

Brian Laney

Safety Coordinator, William Molnar Roofing, Riverview, Mich.

 

The organization and presentation of material was excellent. The personalities of the trainers led to great interaction with the students. The opportunity to talk with other class members from around the country was beneficial.

 

Chuck Sadowski

Safety Manager, SDC Group Inc., Norfolk, Va.

 

This class was one of the most informative I have ever attended. If you are new to being a trainer, this class will be especially helpful in polishing your technique. I highly recommend it.

 

Shawn McGoff

Titan Roofing Inc., Springfield, Mass.

 

Attending was worth my time and effort because now I can train my own employees without going to an outside source. Learning the steps needed to register a class was very useful.

 

Paul E. Fisher IV

Fischer's Inc., New Orleans

 

Great class—full of interaction and good information on how to become a respected trainer.

 

Ronald Lechlitner

Hoekstra Roofing Co., Kalamazoo, Mich.

 

I came to the class with decent knowledge of proper torch safety procedures. But, after completing the CERTA course, I feel I gained a lot of valuable information that I can teach to others.

 

Caleb Stauss

Don Stauss Big "D" Roofing, Ocala, Fla.

 

The class was efficiently presented and the time went very quickly. The subject matter is extremely important and valuable to all companies that utilize torching on roofs.

 

John Lupo, General Manager

John Lupo Construction Inc., Aberdeen, Wash.

 

All furthering education for our tradesmen is a bonus. The ability to help our workforce perform their jobs safely in order to save lives and property is crucial.

 

Rodney Brown

Architectural Roofing Contractors Inc., Louisville, Ohio

 

It was well worth my time taking this class. It opened my eyes to a lot of information about working with open flames that I never knew before. Our work is repetitive in the field and knowing the 'why's' behind the dangers helps us to apply and teach more effectively.

 

Peter Lang

Bay Area Roofers & Waterproofers, Livermore, Calif.

 

Terrific class! Learned a lot about torch safety and how to teach and train others. It was well worth the investment in time and money.

 

Jim Stalcup

Paragon Roofing Inc., Dallas

 

I received a lot of valuable information to not only keep me save, but to also help my coworkers have a better understanding of safety precautions in torching.

 

Rosendo Duran Gonzalez

MidAmerica Roofing, Romeoville, Ill.

 

 

FAQs

Yes. The number of serious roofing torch-related fire incidents has decreased significantly since 2004 when the CERTA program was implemented in the roofing industry. In 2002, one major insurance company paid 35 roofing torch-related fire losses of more than $1,000 and 11 of more than $500,000. A decade later, in 2012, the same insurance company did not have any recordable losses. Many factors have influenced this decline, and CERTA is one that has clearly has played a significant role in the safe use of roofing torches throughout the roofing industry.
Familiarize yourself with all the requirements in the CERTA Instructors guide that you received during your class. Prepare for and schedule your first registered torch applicator certification class as soon as you can while the information still is fresh in your mind.
You will need to register each training session in advance. NRCA will register and confirm your session by providing you with a session number. Once registered, you may conduct the training at anytime within seven business days after receiving a valid training session number from NRCA. 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.
Yes. It is possible that NRCA or CNA may audit your class. Audits are conducted randomly and without notice.

If at any time during an authorized CERTA trainer's term he is found not complying with the policies and procedures set forth in the CERTA program or takes any action or behavior deemed inappropriate relating to the conduct of his training efforts, 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 these actions. Under no circumstances will NRCA refund tuition fees, certification fees or recertification fees paid by the trainer or on their behalves.

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.
You must complete and submit to NRCA the Training Session Roster report. This form is formatted as an Excel spreadsheet and is available on NRCA's website in the CERTA classes section under Trainer resources. You can email or fax this form to NRCA. You will find a description of the information needed for this form and instructions for submitting it in your CERTA Instructors Guide.
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.
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.
Click here to read the instructions provided in the "Renewal Policies and Procedures" section of NRCA's website.
For more information, click here, or contact Diana S. Arroyo, manager of NRCA University at (847) 299-9070, ext. 7597 or CERTAadmin@nrca.net.
If students fail the written exam, NRCA staff will work with them to find a testing center where they can retake the exam. If students prefer, they can sit through the classroom portion of another CERTA Train-the-trainer class and then retake the exam during the lunch hour. They 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.
If the trainer is the boss or owner, NRCA needs a reference (name and contact information) of someone outside the company who can attest to them having a minimum of three years' torching experience. NRCA will call the reference to verify a trainer's experience.
Yes, a trainer can have more than 20 students in the classroom, however, not in 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.
Yes, otherwise, he will not pass the hands-on part of the class. If he does not possess torching skills, he should spend time before the class with a roofing crew to learn how to handle a torch, set it up, break it down and practice using it.