PDAA's VIP Certification was introduced in November, 2000.  The process was thoroughly reviewed, updated, and modernized in January, 2008.  The testing procedures were created by the PDAA Certification Director, with input from several PDAA graphic installation professionals and submitted to the PDAA Board of Directors for their review.  They were asked to check for relevance, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.  It was then submitted to the technical representatives of the vinyl manufacturers that currently endorse the PDAA’s VIP Certification for their review.  These companies include Arlon, Avery, FLEXcon, MACtac, and Oracal.  They were also asked to check for relevance, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.  The result is a test we believe to be fair, accurate, relevant, and comprehensive in regard to assessing the knowledge and expertise of today’s graphic installation professional.

PDAA Master Certification is currently endorsed by Arlon, Avery, FLEXcon, and MACtac.  All PDAA Member companies that pass the PDAA VIP Master Certification Testing and meet the other PDAA Master Certified requirements will be recognized not only as PDAA Master Certified, but also as Arlon, Avery, FLEXcon, and MACtac Certified.

Although we do have two levels of Certification, Basic and Master, we currently offer only one complete test (if you would like to take the Basic Certification Test only, please inform us of that when you register and special arrangements / pricing can be arranged).  The Basic Certification status was created for two situations.  First, we want to accommodate companies that have absolutely no interest in doing vehicle wraps with complex curves, but would like to be certified for flat installations (signs, glass, walls, and flat with rivet box trucks and trailers).  Secondly, there are individuals that pass the Basic Certification Tests but fall short on the Master Certification tests. Those individuals can earn some distinction for their effort and recognition of their current skill level.  These individuals will be encouraged to keep honing their skills and retake the test when they are ready.  They do not have to retake the complete test, only the portions they did not pass the first time.

A complete description of the testing procedures is included in the 2008 PDAA Membership Application Guide.  The 2008 PDAA VIP Guide is a great resource for graphic installers, and is also a great study guide for the VIP Certification Tests.
 
The testing is administered in a one-day session that starts usually at 8:00 a.m. and generally finishes between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.  For 2008, all testing will be held in the Kansas City, Missouri area. The cost of the test is $800 per person. Registration and payment must be received three weeks prior to testing date.

There are other requirements for Master Certified Members in addition to passing these tests. We must have a signed copy of the PDAA Rules of Conduct and Policies statement, certificates of insurance, the last two pages of the PDAA Membership Application and the $400 dues difference between a General Member and a Master Certified Member. Make sure you have all of these with you, if you have not already taken care of them.

If you have questions, just give me a call.

Rob Ivers
PDAA Certification Director

816.331.2079 (office)