Top 11 Laundry Certifications

Certifications are important for a laundry in the job market because they demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field. In addition, employers often prefer to hire certified individuals as they are more likely to have the necessary skills and qualifications for the role. Certifications also help prospective employers assess an individual’s potential for success within their business. They can also provide evidence of experience and commitment to professional development, which can give applicants a competitive edge over others who lack certifications or other qualifications. Finally, certifications can help individuals gain access to higher-level roles that require specialized knowledge or experience.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Laundrys, and to explain how they can help enhance a laundry's career.

What are Laundry Certifications?

Laundry certification is a process of ensuring that a laundry facility meets certain standards of quality, safety, and efficiency. It can help to ensure that the laundry facility is well-maintained and managed, and is using the most up-to-date equipment and processes available. This can help to reduce costs associated with running the laundry facility, as well as helping to ensure that clothes are being washed in a safe and sanitary manner. Certification can also serve as an assurance to customers that their clothes will be treated with care and in accordance with industry standards. Additionally, it may provide access to discounts on insurance premiums or other incentives from suppliers. Ultimately, laundry certification helps to protect both businesses and customers alike by providing a level of assurance that all parties involved are following best practices when it comes to washing clothes.

Pro Tip: Make sure the laundry certification program you are interested in is accredited by a recognized body such as the American Laundry Association. This will ensure that the standards and processes for certification are consistent and reliable.

Related: What does a Laundry do?

Top 11 Laundry Certifications

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

1. Certified Laundry Professional (CLP)

Certified Laundry Professional (CLP) is a professional certification program offered by the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the laundry industry. The CLP certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years to remain current.

To become a Certified Laundry Professional, applicants must complete an online application, submit proof of at least five years of laundry experience, pass an online exam, and pay an annual fee. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as safety procedures, equipment maintenance, quality control, customer service, and other industry standards. Applicants are given two hours to complete the exam.

The cost for the CLP certification is $150 per year for TRSA members and $200 per year for non-members. The cost includes the application fee, exam fee, and annual renewal fee. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining necessary textbooks or study materials required for the exam.

2. Certified Laundry Manager (CLM)

Certified Laundry Manager (CLM) is a professional certification program designed to provide laundry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage a successful laundry operation. The CLM program is offered by the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) and provides an in-depth understanding of the principles of laundry management, including safety, operations, customer service, quality control, and financial management.

The CLM program consists of three courses: Principles of Laundry Management; Customer Service & Quality Control; and Financial Management. Each course is completed online over a period of six weeks. During this time, students are required to complete reading assignments, participate in online discussions, take quizzes and exams, and submit a final project.

In order to become certified as a Certified Laundry Manager (CLM), you must successfully complete all three courses within one year. Upon completion of the program, you will receive your official CLM certificate.

The cost for the CLM program varies depending on which package you choose. The standard package costs $1,295 USD and includes all three courses plus access to TCATA’s online library of resources. There is also an accelerated package available for $1,495 USD that allows students to complete all three courses in just four weeks instead of six.

3. Certified Laundry Technician (CLT)

Certified Laundry Technician (CLT) is a certification program offered by the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skill and experience in the laundry industry. The CLT designation is awarded to those who demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of professional laundry operations.

The CLT program consists of three levels: Certified Laundry Technician I, Certified Laundry Technician II, and Certified Laundry Technician III. Each level requires completion of a series of courses that cover topics such as safety and sanitation, equipment maintenance and operation, fabric care, customer service and management.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete all three levels of the CLT program. To qualify for the program, applicants must have at least two years of experience in the laundry industry or its related fields. They must also pass an exam administered by TCATA.

The cost for the CLT program varies depending on which level you are applying for. The cost for Level I is $200; Level II is $400; and Level III is $600. All fees include materials and testing fees.

4. Certified Hospitality Laundry Professional (CHLP)

Certified Hospitality Laundry Professional (CHLP) is a certification program created by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA). The CHLP program is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the hospitality laundry industry.

The CHLP program consists of four courses: Introduction to Hospitality Laundry, Processes and Procedures, Quality Control and Management, and Technology. Each course is offered online or in-person at TRSA-approved training centers.

The entire program takes approximately six months to complete and includes both self-study and instructor-led instruction. Upon completion of all four courses, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their CHLP certification.

The cost of the CHLP program depends on which format you choose; online courses range from $150-$200 per course while in-person classes range from $450-$600 per course. The exam fee is $225.

Overall, the Certified Hospitality Laundry Professional (CHLP) program provides individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality laundry industry and helps them develop the skills necessary to become successful professionals in this field.

5. Certified Linen Care Professional (CLCP)

Certified Linen Care Professional (CLCP) is a certification program designed to provide linen care professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly handle, store, and maintain a variety of linens. This certification is offered by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).

The CLCP certification requires a two-day course which covers topics such as proper laundering techniques, fabric selection, stain removal, and more. The course also includes hands-on practice with different types of fabrics. Once the course is completed, applicants must pass an exam in order to become certified.

To get the CLCP certification, applicants must first register for the AATCC CLCP program online or through their local AATCC chapter. Applicants must pay a fee of $495 USD to participate in the program. After completing the two-day course and passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CLCP certificate from AATCC.

The cost of getting certified as a Certified Linen Care Professional (CLCP) is $495 USD for registration plus any additional fees associated with attending the two-day course.

6. Certified Healthcare Laundry Professional (CHLPro)

Certified Healthcare Laundry Professional (CHLPro) is an industry certification program developed by the Association for Linen Management (ALM). It is designed to recognize and reward those individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skill, and expertise in the field of healthcare laundry operations. The CHLPro certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment.

The written exam covers topics such as safety, infection control, linen management, quality assurance, and customer service. It takes approximately two hours to complete the exam. After passing the written exam, candidates must pass an on-site practical assessment which evaluates their ability to perform tasks related to healthcare laundry operations. This assessment typically takes three to four hours.

To become certified as a CHLPro, individuals must first submit an application along with proof of experience in healthcare laundry operations and payment of the required fee. The fee for certification is $250 USD for members of ALM or $300 USD for non-members. Once approved, applicants are sent instructions on how to register for the written exam and practical assessment. Upon successful completion of both components, applicants will receive their official CHLPro certificate from ALM.

7. Certified Industrial Launderer (CIL)

Certified Industrial Launderer (CIL) is a certification program designed to recognize the expertise of industrial launderers in the commercial laundry industry. It is offered by the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA). The CIL certification demonstrates that an individual has a thorough understanding of the proper techniques and procedures for laundering items in a commercial setting.

The CIL certification requires applicants to complete a series of courses, which generally takes three to six months to complete. The courses cover topics such as safety, sanitation, water chemistry, garment care and maintenance, and equipment operation. After completing the courses, applicants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining the CIL certification varies depending on the number of courses taken. Generally, it costs between $300 and $500 for all required course materials and exams.

In addition to passing the exam, individuals must also meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for CIL certification. These include having at least two years of experience in industrial laundering or related fields, being at least 18 years old, and having no criminal record or history of drug use.

8. Certified Commercial Dry Cleaner (CCDC)

Certified Commercial Dry Cleaner (CCDC) is a certification program designed to recognize professional dry cleaners who meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The certification is administered by the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), an independent accreditation organization.

The CCDC certification process requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in all aspects of dry cleaning operations, including customer service, equipment maintenance, chemical handling, and environmental compliance. Applicants must also pass a written exam and complete a practical performance evaluation.

The entire process typically takes between three and six months to complete. To apply for the CCDC certification, applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as proof of training or experience in dry cleaning operations. The cost of the application fee varies depending on the applicant's location; however, it generally ranges from $100 to $500.

Once certified, dry cleaners are required to maintain their CCDC status by completing continuing education courses every two years. This ensures that they stay up-to-date on industry best practices and continue to provide high-quality services to their customers.

9. Certified Textile Care Specialist (CTCS)

Certified Textile Care Specialist (CTCS) is a certification program offered by the International Fabricare Institute (IFI). The program is designed to provide industry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to become an expert in textile care. It covers topics such as fabric care, stain removal, garment construction, pressing techniques, and more.

The CTCS program consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on workshop. The online course covers all the necessary topics for certification and can be completed in about 8 hours. The hands-on workshop provides practical experience in fabric care, stain removal, pressing techniques, and other related topics. This part of the program typically takes 2 days to complete.

To get certified as a CTCS, you must first complete both the online course and the hands-on workshop. Once you have done this, you can apply for certification through IFI's website. You will need to submit proof of completion of both parts of the program along with your application fee ($250 USD). After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive your official CTCS certificate.

10. Certified Fabric Care Specialist (CFCS)

Certified Fabric Care Specialist (CFCS) is a certification program offered by the International Fabricare Institute (IFI). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly care for fabric items. The program consists of an online course and an exam that covers topics such as fabric identification, cleaning methods, stain removal, and other related topics.

The online course takes approximately 10 hours to complete and costs $299 USD. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants will receive their CFCS certification. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking a refresher course or retaking the exam.

The cost of the refresher course is $99 USD and it takes approximately 5 hours to complete. To take the exam again, it costs $149 USD and takes 2-3 hours to complete.

11. Certified Environmental Hygienist in Textile Care and Management (CEHTM).

Certified Environmental Hygienist in Textile Care and Management (CEHTM) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage textile care operations in an environmentally responsible manner. The CEHTM certification is administered by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (IACHI) and is recognized by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC).

The CEHTM certification requires applicants to complete a comprehensive online training course that covers topics such as environmental regulations, hazardous materials management, air quality management, water quality management, and waste management. The course also covers topics related to textile care such as laundering techniques, fabric care products and processes, stain removal methods, and dry cleaning. Upon completion of the course, applicants must pass a written exam to become certified.

The CEHTM certification takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete depending on individual learning pace. To get certified individuals must register for the course through IACHI’s website and pay a fee of $295 USD. Once registered, individuals have access to all of the materials needed for successful completion of the program including textbooks, videos, quizzes, exams and more.

In addition to completing the online training course and passing the written exam, applicants must also demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship by participating in at least two hours of continuing education activities each year after becoming certified. This requirement helps ensure that CEHTMs remain up-to-date on best practices for managing textile care operations in an environmentally responsible manner.

Do You Really Need a Laundry Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the context in which you are asking it. Are you asking if you need a laundry certificate for a job, or are you asking if you need one for personal use?

If you are asking if you need a laundry certificate for a job, then the answer is that it depends on the specific requirements of the position. Some jobs may require certification as proof of knowledge or experience in laundry operations. A laundry certificate could show potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage a commercial or residential laundry facility.

If you are asking if you need a laundry certificate for your own personal use, then the answer is probably no. Most people do not need to obtain certification in order to operate their own home washers and dryers. However, if you are interested in learning more about how to properly clean and care for textiles, then obtaining a laundry certificate can be beneficial. It could provide valuable information about proper cleaning procedures, best practices for stain removal, and more.

Related: Laundry Resume Examples

FAQs About Laundry Certifications

Q1. What is a laundry certification?

A1. A laundry certification is a credential given to professionals who demonstrate expertise in the care and handling of laundered items. It is a recognition of individuals who have successfully completed an approved training program and passed the necessary examinations.

Q2. Who typically needs a laundry certification?

A2. Laundry certifications are typically required for people working in dry-cleaning, textile cleaning, and linen rental businesses, as well as those involved in laundering healthcare linens or other related industries.

Q3. What are the benefits of having a laundry certification?

A3. Having a laundry certification demonstrates knowledge and experience in proper laundering techniques and offers employers assurance that their employees have been properly trained to handle their products safely and effectively. Additionally, it can help increase job opportunities and may lead to higher wages or promotions for certified individuals.

Q4. How do I get a laundry certification?

A4. To obtain a laundry certification, you must complete an approved training program and pass the necessary examinations with satisfactory scores. Depending on your state requirements, you may also need to obtain additional certifications from local governing bodies or organizations such as the International Fabricare Institute (IFI).

Q5. How long does my laundry certification last?

A5: The duration of your laundry certification depends on the issuing organization; most certifications last between one to three years before needing to be renewed or updated in order to remain valid.