In June I completed the 4 day National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Intermediate Installation course in St. Louis. To say the course was beneficial would be a vast understatement. Having attended hundreds of classes/courses in my collegiate and Army careers, this course was extraordinary from all angles. The instructors subject matter expertise was astounding, which I assumed was going to be the case. What I was not expecting was how much I learned from the other guys attending the course. There were guys from throughout the US and Canada, each with unique ways of accomplishing the same task. It was great to collaborate and walk away with a whole new set of techniques for my kit bag.
While at the course I completed the hands-on portion of the Installer Certification test and completed the written portion of the test when I got back home. I’m proud to say that I passed both tests and achieved the Installation Certification. I’m now the only Certified Installer in the state of Ohio. The NWFA has a website to locate certified professionals in your area. (http://woodfloors.org/certified-professional-search.aspx) In order to maintain my certification I’m required to complete yearly continuing education. I think this is the best part of being a Certified Installer. First, it validates an installer’s willingness to “stick with it” (dedication) and second, it ensures installers are learning new things each year. As I've previously stated, learning new things is one of my favorite aspects of life.