Millersvill, MD, March 14, 2003 -- The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration is initiating a program to certify the array of courses available to professionals in the cleaning and restoration industry. The effort is designed to bring order to a haphazard industry-wide educational system.

"This certification program will benefit students, providers of quality courses and the insurance industry equally," said Larry Jacobson, executive director of ASCR. "Our goal is to bring efficiency and effectiveness to how the industry educates its professionals and ensure that consumers are getting the best possible service."

The certification program will recognize quality courses offered throughout the industry and count them toward ASCR certifications and designations. Ultimately, the course credits could build toward college degrees. Students who have already completed certified courses outside the ASCR system will be able to apply those credits to advanced ASCR designations rather than starting over.

A blue-ribbon panel of experienced industry experts will assist in designating those courses that provided the highest value. Criteria for course certification will include conformity to current practice, academic rigor, quality and fairness of the course examination.

Initial evaluations began at the ASCR annual meeting in Savannah, Ga. March 11-15. Courses that have been certified will be listed on the ASCR website at www.ascr.org beginning on or about May 1.