How to do it. 

There are several different ways you can earn your CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® credential, designed to best fit your needs and your schedule. But the process can be summed up into 3 steps: 

Order the Books

Purchase and study the following three publications (all found here):

• ​Chimney and Venting Essentials (2019) 
• The NFPA 211 (2019)
• International Residential Code (IRC) (2018)​

​Take the Review

Attend an In-Person review as they come to your area, or take an online review anytime. 
​

Pass the Exam

You can take your exam electronically with a proctor in person or an online proctor. See the bottom of the page for more info. 

Do it all in one go by attending

CSIA National Training Academy

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A six-day hands-on and classroom training program held four to five times per year for those in the chimney and venting industry. Includes manuals, exam, and one of a kind classroom instruction from industry titans.  Learn more about CSIA's flagship program here: CSIA National Training Academy. 

Need more info? Let's look at each step a little closer.

 

Step 1: Order the Books

Purchase the required study materials- available A-la-carte or as a Bundle:
​A-la-carte:

• Chimney and Venting Essentials (2019) - $190
• The NFPA 211 (2019) - $65
• International Residential Code (IRC) (2018) - $120

Bundle (includes all 3 books): $375

Buy the Study Bundle

A-La-Carte study manuals and code books

 

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Step 2: Take the Review

Take the Review Online, attend an In-Person Review Session, or attend CSIA National Training Academy.
​
Online Reviews
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® reviews are offered online for your convenience. The online review features lessons and quizzes to make sure you are ready for the exam. This can be completed within your own schedule since you have one month to complete the online review once you purchase it. The online review is also available as part of a CSIA eLearning subscription.

​In-Person Reviews
Single-day in-person review sessions are held frequently throughout the country and at the CSIA Technology Center in Indiana to help candidates prepare for the exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for advanced study. (Private companies and organizations may sponsor a review and exam event at their location. Contact the Education Department at CSIA for details.)
​
CSIA National Training Academy
A six-day hands-on and classroom training program held four-five times per year for those in the chimney and venting industry. Includes exam.  Learn more about CSIA's flagship program here: CSIA National Training Academy. "All-in-one" bundle of books and exam included. 
​

register for an online review

Find an in-person Review

csia nATIONAL tRAINING aCADEMY

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Step 3: Pass the Exam

​After completing the review, you have up to one year to take the exam. The Certified Chimney Sweep® exam consists of a one-hour, 100-question exam based on Chimney and Venting Essentials (2019)* and the NFPA 211 (2019) and  a 90-minute open-book exam based on the International Residential Code (2018). Candidates for the exam must bring their copy of the IRC to the testing site in order to complete the exam.  You must sign the CSIA Code of Ethics at the time of the exam. Both portions of the exam must be taken during the same testing appointment. 

*As of January 15, 2020, the 2 part exam will be based on Chimney and Venting Essentials (2019) the NFPA 211 (2019), and International Residential Code (2021). 

CSIA Technology Center
CSIA staff can serve as proctors at the CSIA Technology Center from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Please order your exam at least 5 business days before you wish to take the exam. Your exam will be graded and results will be available immediately. 

After an in-person one-day 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. You can register online here.

Proctored Exams    ​
Once you complete the review, schedule a proctored exam using a local testing center or ProctorFree - Find a CSIA accepted proctor here.
Make sure to schedule a minimum of two and a half hours of uninterrupted time. Then, order your electronic exams through CSIA (below). Exams must be requested at least 3-5 business days before your exam date. Online exam results are available immediately.

Order your Online Proctored exam

When registering online, please register for the event/month that correlates with the month you have scheduled your exam (example: if exam is in August, register for the Aug 1-31 event).