Earn Your CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® Designation: The Pinnacle Achievement for Chimney Professionals
The CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation is awarded to those CSIA certified pros who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to stay at the very front of the chimney and venting industry. It’s a goal for long-term certification holders to strive for. A credential that’s tough to attain, but that shows you’re committed to ongoing education and to becoming an expert in the chimney and venting industry.
Here’s what you need to know about earning this distinguished credential…
How Do You Become a CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® ?
To make the cut and become a CSIA Master Chimney Sweep®, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be an active CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®.
- You must have held the CCS® credential for a minimum of nine consecutive years or 18 non-consecutive years.
- You must have completed or met at least six of the following CSIA courses and/or requirements:
- Active certification as a CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET)®
- Chimney Science, Chimney Physics Two-Day In-Person, or Chimney Physics Online
- Chimney Documentation to Reduce Liability & Increase Profits, Inspection & Report Writing Two-Day In-Person, or Diagnosis and Documentation
- Masonry Five-Day School (In-Person), CSIA Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals (In-Person), or CSIA Advanced Masonry Repair (In-Person)
- CSIA Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel (Online)
- CSIA Rope/Roof Access (In-Person)
- NFI Core Review + NFI Specialty Review or NFI Waiver
- Advanced Inspection & Documentation
- CSIA MCS EPA BurnWise (Online)
- 12 hours of CSIA online training (not to include Reviews, Lining Masonry Chimneys, or Chimney Physics Online)
- You must have an active NFI Certification obtained through the CSIA Installing & Troubleshooting Wood Heating Appliances class or the CSIA Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances class. This requirement may be substituted by an active NFI Certification held for a minimum of six years, a current F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector credential, or an Associate level (or higher) degree in Fire Science from an accredited college.
What’s the Application Process Like?
Step 1:
Mail your application, along with a check (made out to Chimney Safety Institute of America) covering your application fee of $299 to the following address:
ATTN: CSIA Certification Coordinator
2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168
OR
Email your application and all supporting documents to certification@csia.org. If you email your application, you can pay your application fee by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
Step 2:
The CSIA Certification Coordinator will vet all requirements before submitting qualified applicants to the Master Committee for a final decision within 30 days of receiving the application.
Step 3:
The Master Committee (composed of four people, including the CSIA Certification Coordinator and at least one active board member) will be commissioned by the current CSIA Board President. They will render a decision regarding the CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation within 30 days. In the event an impasse occurs, the CSIA President will cast the deciding vote.
Step 4:
The CSIA Certification Coordinator will notify you by mail as to the final decision regarding the CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation. You can expect to hear from CSIA within 60 days of receipt of application.
Other Questions You May Be Asking
Can your credential be revoked?
Your CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® credential can be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Master Committee. Additionally, failure to retain any of the certifications required for the CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation will result in disqualification.
Is there an annual fee?
CSIA Master Chimney Sweeps® pay an annual fee of $279. However, on renewal years, the annual fee is waived, and you only pay the renewal fee.
When does the CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation have to be renewed?
You’ll need to renew your CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® credential every three years. You’ll find everything you need to know about renewal right here.
Take a Look at Who You’ll Be Joining When You Earn Your CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® Designation
When you earn your CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation, you’ll be joining the best of the best. Here’s a list of the current CSIA Master Chimney Sweeps® you’ll be in the company of:
Jeffrey Simmons
Opelika
Trent Simmons
Opelika
Arkansas
Jacob Cromwell
Springdale
James “Calvin” Ralls
Conway
California
Michaele Dempsey
Visalia
Colorado
Dan Akers
Silverthorne
Randy Bosanko
Greeley
Matt Dambrosky
Bailey
Delaware
John Zeron
New Castle
Florida
W. Mark Hudson
Middleburg
Jay Walker
Tallahassee
Ashley Eldridge
Marianna
Illinois
Terry Dearborn (1949-2019)
Yorkville
Richard Martinez (honorary)
Algonquin
Bo Tasso (1953-2020)
Stillman Valley
Indiana
Joseph Sauter
Speedway/Indianapolis
Iowa
Janie Fraser
Des Moines
Matt Ellis
Fairfield
Russ Dimmitt
Fairfield
Kansas
Jeremy Biswell
Kansas City
Robert Berry
Olathe
Bart Ogden
Wichita
Kentucky
Douglas Hetsch
Louisville
Jeff Gitlin (honorary)
Nonesuch
Louisiana
Kevin Russell
Frierson
Maryland
Kurt Evers
Prince Frederick
Jerry Neal
Barnesville
Robert Waid, Jr.
Columbia
Massachusetts
Dave Bancroft
North Reading
Joe Bento (honorary)
Teaticket
Edward Berg, Jr.
North Eastham
Michael Elliott
North Oxford
Michigan
Bob Sciba
Midland
Minnesota
Steven Trumble
Burnsville
Missouri
Gregg Boss
Valley Park
Nebraska
Randall Redding
Fremont
New Hampshire
John Ceaser
Manchester
Andrew Davenport
Manchester
Jesse Doucette
Hooksett
David Long
Lisbon
Steven Scally
Fremont
New Jersey
Robert Brancaccio
Westwood
Didier Trujillo
Westwood
Ed Ridgeway, Sr.
Mickleton
Michael Segerstrom
Bridgewater
Dan Cevikewich
Lanoka Harbor
New York
Diane Pilger
Smithtown
John Pilger
Smithtown
North Carolina
Bob Priesing
Havelock
Ohio
Ken Hoelscher
Brookville
Pennsylvania
Lou Curley
Drexel Hill
Rhode Island
Richard Rua
Portsmouth
Ron Brigman
Laurens
Bill Kline (honorary)
Greer
Tennessee
Tommy Nelms
Franklin
Ken Robinson
Memphis
Kenny Robinson
Memphis
Mark Stoner
Smyrna
Dennis Dobbs
Smyrna
Chuck Roydhouse
Lebanon
Texas
Lee Roff
Houston
Vermont
Bob Fish
Londonderry
Harry Lux, III
Manchester Center
Chris Pugliese
Manchester Center
Virginia
Jim Bostaph
Newport News
Jim Brewer
Chesapeake
John Briscoe
Thaxton
Chuck Hall
Fairfax
David Newton
Chesterfield
Tristan Raycroft
Alexandria
Wisconsin
Howard Rowell
Milwaukee
Jasper Drengler
Shawano
Are Your Skills & Expertise Next Level?
You’re one of the best. Apply for the CSIA Master Chimney Sweep® designation and let’s make it official. If you have questions during the application process or about any of the qualifications or requirements, please reach out to us at 317-837-5362 or at office@csia.org. We’re here to help.
If you’re looking to add a different skill to your certifications, see what you need to know to become a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®.