The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) is pleased to announce a program that will allow individuals with expired IAPMO certifications a path to renew their certifications in an easier and less costly way. Typically, holders of expired certifications beyond the six-month grace period — no matter how far past the grace period they are — pay additional reinstatement fees and have to take additional steps to demonstrate their continued industry competence. Outside of this amnesty program, individuals whose certifications expired more than three years ago would have to pay for and retake the initial certification exam, with costs up to $250.

This one-time program will give users needing to reinstate their certification, or needing to retest completely, an alternative option to renew their certifications. With this option, individuals can pay a reduced fee of $95 and then take the relevant amnesty exam. These are 40-question, open-book exams that are taken online. Once an individual passes the exam with a score of 70 percent or better, he or she will receive new credentials in the mail within three to four weeks.

“IAPMO understands the importance of professional certification and the need to have certified experts protecting the public in the field,” said Tony Marcello, vice president of training and credential services for IAPMO. “We also understand that renewing an expired certification can be expensive, and the thought of starting the process from scratch can be intimidating. Because of this, we wanted to create a way for those individuals whose certification has lapsed to renew it in a more cost-effective and less stressful manner.”

For more information about this program, visit www.iapmo.org/certification-amnesty, call (708) 995-3005 or email certifications@iapmo.org.