Become a CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET)® & Make a Mint from Dryer Lint
Whether you’re looking to start a new business or offer a valuable add-on service that can make the homes of existing customers safer and more efficient, earning the CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET) credential can be a huge benefit to your bottom line and your community.
Because it’s the only nationally recognized credential for dryer vent cleaning, when homeowners need a qualified dryer technician, they know where to look: right here on the CSIA website. Which means your certification can bring you business, all year long, for free.
The C-DET® Credential: What Is It & How Do You Earn It ?
The C-DET® credential is the ONLY nationally recognized credential for dryer vent cleaning, and it’s awarded to individuals who pass a certification exam based on the C-DET manual.
So, if you want to earn your credential, you’ll first need to get familiar with the CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® manual, which you can buy right here – digital or print. You can also order the manual when registering for an event (like the three-day workshop below).
Three Ways to Get Up to Speed for Your Exam
There are three ways to get up to speed and ready to ace your C-DET® exam.
#1 Attend the Three-Day Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Workshop
At the C-DET® workshop, you won’t just sit there, pouring through the manual, and chugging coffee to stay awake. You’ll get hands-on training taught by experts at the CSIA Technology Center in Plainfield, IN. The training facility is the only of its kind and was specifically built for training chimney and venting technicians.
During the workshop, you’ll learn:
- The basics of how dryers work and how to disassemble as needed for cleaning
- Proper venting and clearances
- How to reroute damaged or unusable vents
- The dryer vent cleaning and maintenance tools needed to do the job
- Dryer vent testing and cleaning practices
- Technician safety practices and tips
- How to market your dryer vent cleaning business
And at the conclusion of the course, you’ll take the exam to earn your credential. A brand-new, money-making career or service offering in just three days? Can’t beat that.
Save your spot at the 3-day C-DET® workshop.
#2 Study the C-DET® manual on your own
Prefer to study on your own? All you need to get started is the C-DET manual. Once you feel like you know the material well, you’ll need to:
- Complete the online review, which you can order here. Note: The online review is not required, but it’s highly recommended as prep for your exam. If you have an eLearning subscription, the online review is included in your subscription.
- Order and pass the proctored online exam. You can order your exam right here.
#3 Attend the One-Day Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Review & Exam
Maybe test prepping alone takes you back to the torturous days of high school History and all of those dates and names. Not to worry. You can always register for and attend an in-person review session.
The in-person review is a thorough and extensive review of the C-DET® manual and material. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you have of CSIA’s experienced and knowledgeable C-DET® instructors.
The review is designed to prepare you for the CSIA C-DET® exam, but you still need to study the manual on your own before attending. At the end of the in-person review session, you’ll take the exam and earn your credential.
What’s the Exam Like & Where Do You Take It?
The C-DET® exam is a 50-question exam that tests the participant’s knowledge of the CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® manual. Participants must earn an 80% or higher to pass the exam and receive their credential.
If you’re attending the three-day Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® workshop or the in-person review, you’ll take your test on-site in the presence of an exam proctor. Otherwise, the exam can be scheduled at an approved testing site or online with ProctorFree.
To find a local testing site or learn more about our ProctorFree option, check out Your Guide to Taking the CSIA Exam right here.
It’s Not Just What You Do, It’s How You Do It
Earning your C-DET® certification isn’t just about knowing what to do – it’s about knowing how to do it. And that’s why all C-DETs must also sign and agree to adhere to our Code of Ethics at the time of their exam.
Find out what makes our credential holders a step above in the way they conduct themselves and do business and be prepared to hold yourself to the same high standards when you earn your credential.
What Else Do You Need to Know About the C-DET Credential?
Once you have your credential, you’ll need to renew it every three years. You’ll do that by either completing the online review OR by taking the exam again. There is no renewal fee, so you’ll just pay for the price of the online review or exam. Learn more about renewing your C-DET® credential right here.
There is no annual maintenance fee for the C-DET® credential.
Your C-DET® certification gets you in front of interested customers on both the CSIA website and www.dryersafety.org.
If you hold the credential, you can add the C-DET logo to your marketing materials to give your company a competitive advantage. C-DET logos are aggressively protected from trademark violations through all legal avenues. Read more about trademark use here.
Serve Your Community & Make Good Money Doing It – Become a C-DET® Today
Ready to make a mint on lint and help prevent dryer fires in your community? Become a CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® today. If you have any questions or hit any roadblocks along the way, please feel free to reach out to us at office@csia.org or call 317-837-5362. We’re here to help.
Looking for how to renew your C-DET® Certification? Click here for more info.
Take the first step toward professional chimney certifications by earning your CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep® designation.