Top 10 Laundry Aide Certifications

Certifications for a laundry aide are important in the job market because they demonstrate that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job effectively. Certifications also show employers that an individual is committed to their profession, as well as having a dedication to providing quality service. They can provide evidence of competency in laundry-related tasks and processes, such as proper washing techniques, stain removal, and clothing care. Certification can also help employers assess an applicant’s level of commitment to the position, since obtaining certification often requires taking courses or workshops that demonstrate a willingness to learn and stay up-to-date with industry trends. Having certifications can also help individuals stand out from other applicants who may not have them.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Laundry Aides and explains how they can help to advance a laundry aide's career.

What are Laundry Aide Certifications?

Laundry aide certification is a type of professional certification program designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a laundry attendant in a variety of settings, such as healthcare facilities, hotels, nursing homes and other businesses. The certification provides formal recognition for those who have completed a specific set of coursework and training related to laundry services.

The certification program covers topics such as proper handling of linens, sorting items for washing and drying, loading machines and folding techniques. It also includes instruction on proper sanitation techniques and safety protocols. By completing the coursework, laundry aides are able to demonstrate their competency in the field, which can lead to increased job opportunities or promotions within their current position.

Having laundry aide certification can provide individuals with an edge over other applicants who may not have this type of credential. Employers may be more likely to hire someone who has completed these courses because they know that they are knowledgeable about the tasks required for the role. Furthermore, having this credential can give employees confidence in their abilities, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and better performance overall.

Pro Tip: When considering a laundry aide certification, make sure to research the requirements for certification in your area. Different states may have different regulations and requirements for certification, so it's important to be aware of them before you begin the process. Additionally, look into what type of continuing education might be required to maintain your certification.

Related: What does a Laundry Aide do?

Top 10 Laundry Aide Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Laundry Aides today.

1. Certified Laundry Aide (CLA)

Certified Laundry Aide (CLA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a commercial laundry setting. The program is offered through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, specifically working in a hotel or hospital laundry.

The CLA certification program consists of two courses: Certified Laundry Aide I and Certified Laundry Aide II. Each course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and can be taken online or at an AHLEI-approved training center. Upon successful completion of both courses, participants will receive their CLA certification.

The cost of the CLA certification program varies depending on whether you take it online or at an AHLEI-approved training center. If taken online, the cost is $199 USD; if taken at an approved training center, the cost may vary depending on location.

2. Certified Nursing Home Laundry Aide (CNHLA)

Certified Nursing Home Laundry Aide (CNHLA) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). The program is designed to provide laundry aides with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.

The CNHLA certification requires completion of an online course that covers topics such as safety, infection control, equipment operation, linen care, and laundry management. The course typically takes approximately 10 hours to complete. After successful completion of the course, individuals are eligible to take the CNHLA certification exam.

To get certified as a CNHLA, individuals must first register for the online course at AATCC's website. The cost of the course is $150 USD. Once registered for the course, individuals can begin taking it immediately and have up to one year from registration date to complete it. Upon successful completion of the course, individuals will be eligible to take the CNHLA certification exam.

The cost of taking the exam is $125 USD. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours in order to receive a passing score. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive their official CNHLA certificate.

3. Certified Healthcare Laundry Aide (CHLA)

Certified Healthcare Laundry Aide (CHLA) is a certification program designed to provide healthcare laundry professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively process laundry in a healthcare setting. The program is designed to help healthcare laundry personnel understand the importance of proper laundering techniques, as well as how to properly handle and store linens, garments, and other items.

The CHLA certification program consists of an online course that covers topics such as infection control, safety practices, linen handling, sorting and storing linens, garment care and maintenance, and more. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and includes a final exam. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive their CHLA certification.

The cost for the CHLA certification program varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 USD for the course materials and exam fee.

4. Certified Hospitality Laundry Aide (CHLA)

Certified Hospitality Laundry Aide (CHLA) is a certification program designed to provide laundry personnel the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively and efficiently manage hospitality laundry operations. The program focuses on the fundamentals of hospitality laundry management, such as linen inventory, laundering techniques, and customer service. It also covers topics such as environmental sustainability, cost control, and safety.

The CHLA certification requires completion of a two-day course which includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training. The cost of the course is typically around $400-$500 depending on location. After completing the course, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

The CHLA certification is valid for three years from the date of issue. In order to maintain the certification, individuals must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education every three years. This can be done through attending workshops or seminars related to hospitality laundry operations or by taking online courses offered by industry organizations such as the International Association of Hotel Laundry Managers (IAHLM).

Overall, obtaining a Certified Hospitality Laundry Aide (CHLA) certification can help individuals demonstrate their expertise in hospitality laundry operations and gain recognition within the industry.

5. Certified Industrial Laundry Aide (CILA)

Certified Industrial Laundry Aide (CILA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills required to work in an industrial laundry setting. The certification program is administered by the Association of Linen Management (ALM).

The CILA certification program consists of three courses: Introduction to Industrial Laundry, Fabric Care and Finishing, and Sanitation and Safety. Each course requires a minimum of 40 hours of instruction and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practice. Upon completion of all three courses, individuals will be eligible to take the CILA exam which is administered by ALM.

It typically takes approximately 10 weeks to complete all three courses and obtain the CILA certification. However, this timeline may vary depending on individual learning goals and availability.

Individuals interested in obtaining their CILA certification can contact ALM directly or find a local training provider that offers the coursework needed for certification. The cost of the program varies depending on the training provider but generally ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD.

6. Certified Medical Laundry Aide (CMLA)

Certified Medical Laundry Aide (CMLA) is a certification program that is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a medical laundry setting. The program focuses on the safe handling of soiled linens, proper laundering techniques, and infection control procedures. It also covers topics such as the use of appropriate chemicals, safety protocols, and customer service skills.

The CMLA certification requires completion of an online course and passing an exam. The course typically takes about 10 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion that you can submit along with your application for certification.

The cost for the CMLA certification varies depending on where you take the course; however, it typically ranges from $100-$200 USD. Additionally, some organizations may offer discounts or scholarships for those who are unable to pay the full fee.

Once you have passed the exam and received your certificate of completion, you will need to register with the National Association of Certified Medical Laundry Aides (NACMLA). This registration process involves submitting proof of identity and payment of a one-time non-refundable fee which is currently set at $50 USD. Upon successful registration, you will receive an official NACMLA ID card which allows you access to exclusive benefits such as discounts on products related to medical laundry operations.

7. Certified Commercial Laundry Aide (CCLA)

Certified Commercial Laundry Aide (CCLA) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in commercial laundry operations. The program is administered by the International Fabricare Institute (IFI), an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, training, and certification for professionals in the fabricare industry.

The CCLA program consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level requires successful completion of an online course and a written exam. The courses are self-paced and can be completed at any time within a six-month period. Upon successful completion of all three levels, candidates receive their CCLA certification.

The cost for the CCLA program varies depending on the level you choose to pursue. The Basic level costs $150 USD; Intermediate costs $200 USD; and Advanced costs $250 USD. Additionally, there is a one-time registration fee of $25 USD that must be paid prior to taking any of the courses or exams.

Overall, it typically takes about two months to complete all three levels of the CCLA program if you are studying full time. However, it could take longer if you are studying part-time or have other commitments that limit your study time.

8. Certified Residential Laundry Aide (CRLA)

Certified Residential Laundry Aide (CRLA) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality laundry services in residential settings. The certification is granted by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).

The CRLA certification requires applicants to complete an online course and exam. The course covers topics such as proper laundering techniques, fabric care, stain removal, and safety precautions. It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the course and exam.

To get certified, applicants must register for the online course through AATCC's website. The cost of registration is $195 USD plus applicable taxes. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, applicants will receive their CRLA certification certificate from AATCC.

9. Certified Institutional Laundry Aide (CILA)

Certified Institutional Laundry Aide (CILA) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to perform laundry duties in an institutional setting. This certification is provided by the International Association of Healthcare Textile Management (IAHTM). The CILA certification requires successful completion of a written exam and practical demonstration of skills.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as laundry operations, safety, quality control, and customer service. To be eligible for the exam, candidates must have at least one year of experience working in an institutional laundry setting. Candidates must also submit proof of their experience as well as a completed application form.

The cost for the CILA exam is $150 USD. The exam can be taken either online or in person at IAHTM’s testing centers located around the world. It typically takes about 2-3 hours to complete the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive their CILA certification which is valid for three years from date of issuance.

10. Certified Senior Living Laundry Aide (CSLLA)

Certified Senior Living Laundry Aide (CSLLA) is a certification program that provides laundry aides with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective laundry services in senior living facilities. The program is designed to help prepare individuals for entry-level positions in the senior living industry.

The CSLLA certification program consists of two courses: an online course and an in-person practicum. The online course covers topics such as infection control, safety protocols, proper handling of linens, and laundering techniques. The practicum focuses on hands-on training in a senior living facility.

It typically takes about 8 weeks to complete the CSLLA certification program. To get started, you must first register for the program through the National Association of Senior Living (NASL). Once registered, you will receive access to the online course materials and instructions on how to complete the practicum portion of the program.

The cost of the CSLLA certification program varies depending on your location and whether or not you are a member of NASL. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 to become certified.

Do You Really Need a Laundry Aide Certificate?

Yes, a laundry aide certificate is essential for anyone looking to pursue a career in the laundry and housekeeping field. Having a certificate can help demonstrate an individual’s knowledge of the industry and provide employers with assurance that they are hiring someone who is qualified for the position. A laundry aide certificate also provides proof of completion of a specialized course that covers topics such as cleaning techniques, safety protocols, and proper use of chemicals. Additionally, having a certificate may make it easier to find employment in this field since many employers prefer to hire those who have completed formal training.

In addition to providing prospective employers with evidence of expertise, earning a laundry aide certificate can open up opportunities for more advanced positions within the industry. Those who possess certification may be given priority consideration when applying for higher-level jobs such as supervisor or manager positions. Furthermore, having a laundry aide certificate may also lead to increased pay as employers often reward those with additional qualifications.

Overall, obtaining a laundry aide certificate is beneficial both to individuals seeking employment in this field and to employers looking for reliable candidates. It provides assurance that job seekers have the necessary skill set required for success in this profession while also offering potential career advancement options. Therefore, obtaining a laundry aide certificate is highly recommended for anyone interested in pursuing a career in this field.

Related: Laundry Aide Resume Examples

FAQs About Laundry Aide Certifications

1. What is a Laundry Aide Certification?

Answer: A Laundry Aide Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has met the qualifications to work in a laundry setting, such as a hospital or hotel. It shows employers that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge for safely and effectively performing laundry tasks.

2. How do I get certified as a Laundry Aide?

Answer: To become certified as a Laundry Aide, you must complete an accredited certification program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. The program may also require you to pass an exam before you can receive your certification.

3. What are some of the duties of a Laundry Aide?

Answer: The duties of a Laundry Aide include sorting, washing, drying, folding, ironing and mending clothing; operating commercial laundry equipment; cleaning and sanitizing laundry areas; maintaining inventory; and following safety protocols.

4. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified as a Laundry Aide?

Answer: Most programs require applicants to have basic math skills and be able to read and understand instructions in English. Some programs may also require applicants to have prior work experience in the field or related areas such as housekeeping or janitorial services.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a Laundry Aide?

Answer: The length of time needed to become certified varies depending on the program you choose, but most programs can be completed within four weeks or less.