Order the 2009 edition of Successful Chimney Sweeping (.pdf)
The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® credential is acknowledged by a growing number of industry organizations, insurance underwriters, local, state and federal agencies as the measure of a chimney sweep’s knowledge about the evaluation and maintenance of chimney and venting systems. In order to ensure a verifiable level of expertise within the trade, the Chimney Safety Institute of America must evaluate the relevance of the credential and occasionally increase the standards of the credentialing process. When your potential client judges your knowledge against your competitor’s, their best gauge is the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential. To ensure the continued integrity of the credential in an ever-changing world, CSIA is preparing to implement changes that will make the credential even more meaningful. CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps enjoy benefits including: Professional credibility among clients and competitors. National recognition of your accomplishment. The right to use the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep trademark in your advertising and on vehicles. Aggressive protection of the trademark. Referrals from the Find a Certified Professional search engine online at www.CSIA.org. Professional representation among and referrals from affiliated industries (REALTORs, home inspectors, oil heating service managers, home builders, etc.) Marketing and public relations materials designed to enhance your professional image.    Please note that the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential is a one-year credential which may be renewed by paying an annual certification fee each year. Every three years, you must test again or submit the appropriate number of continuing education units to renew.  The annual certification fee is allocated toward administration of the program, marketing of the credential to the public and related industries, certification program development and enhancements and aggressive protection of the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® trademark. Frequently asked questions regarding the annual certification fee. To renew your certification without retesting: CSIA's Certification Renewal Policy Learn more about the CSIA Code of Ethics and Trademark Policy.
Earn the Credential          Renew the Credential Get the Study Material Take a Review Session  Take the Exam
Earn the Credential To earn the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential, individuals must now pass two exams: The first is a one-hour closed-book exam based on the Successful Chimney Sweeping (2009 edition) and the NFPA 211 (2006 edition). The second is a ninety-minute open-book exam based on the 2006 International Residential Code. Candidates for the exam must bring their copy of the IRC to the testing site in order to complete the exam.  Additionally, first time CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep candidates are required to attend either an in-person or online review session to become eligible to sit for the exam set. Once candidates have completed the online review session, most schedule proctored exams. The exams are available both in paper and online versions. (Download the Proctored Exam Request form .pdf here). College and university testing centers and CSIA Approved Proctors are permitted to administer the exams. Effective September 1, 2009, when earning a new credential, a candidate is required to: □ Attend an online or in-person review session.  □ Pass a one-hour exam based on Successful Chimney Sweeping (2009) and NFPA 211 (2006) □ Pass a ninety-minute open-book exam based on the 2006 IRC®. □ Agree to pay the Annual Certification Fee.  □ Sign CSIA Code of Ethics.  When renewing a credential earned after September 1, 2009, a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® is required to: □ Submit a minimum of 9 CEUs earned within the preceeding 3 years (in any category) before testing. NOTE: This requirement will not apply to CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps already holding the credential on September 1, 2009 until their next 3-year certification cycle. □ Pass a one-hour exam based on Successful Chimney Sweeping (2009) and NFPA 211 (2006) □ Pass a ninety-minute open-book exam based on the 2006 IRC® □ Agree to pay the Annual Certification Fee.  □ Sign CSIA Code of Ethics.  OR □ Submit appropriate number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in the relevant categories. □ Agree to pay the Annual Certification Fee.  □ Sign CSIA Code of Ethics.  Get the Study Material Successful Chimney Sweeping (2009 Edition) Available for purchase through CSIA at (317) 837-5362 or online: Order the 2009 edition of Successful Chimney Sweeping (.pdf) NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances (2006 Edition) Available for purchase through CSIA or the National Fire Prevention Association at (800) 344-3555 or online at www.NFPA.org. 2006 IRC®  Available for purchase through the International Code Council at (800) 786–4452 or online at www.iccsafe.org. This text is also available through various additional reference sources			.
Take a Review Session  Onsite Reviews Single-day intensive review sessions are held frequently throughout the country and quarterly at the CSIA Technology Center in Indianapolis to help candidates prepare for the exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for advanced study. Private companies and organziations may sponsor a review at their location. Contact Sara Sicting at CSIA for details. Self-Paced Online Reviews CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® review sessions are offered each month online. The online review sessions feature five sets of lessons and quizzes to be completed on your schedule anytime during the seven day timeframe.
Take the Exam   CSIA Technology Center (paper or online) CSIA staff can serve as proctors at the CSIA Technology Center in Indianapolis from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Eastern. Please order your exam set (Proctored Exam Request form. pdf) at least five business days before your appointment. Your paper exams will be graded and results will be available later that same day. Online exam results are available immediately. After an Onsite Review Session Exams will be offered immediately after a single-day review session has ended. Candidates may register for the exams individually and are not required to attend the review session on the same day as sitting for the exams. Proctored Exams (paper or online) To arrange a proctored exam set, whether paper or online, contact your local CSIA Approved Proctor (list available at www.CSIA.org/proctors) or university testing center to schedule a minimum of two-hours of uninterrupted time. CSIA will not send exams to public libraries. Then, order your exams through CSIA at least two weeks prior to your exam appointment to ensure delivery. (Proctored Exam Request form. pdf) Paper exams will be returned by the proctor to CSIA for grading and additional processing. Online exam results are available immediately. Questions?  Please call (317) 837-5362  or email certification@csia.org