Quick answer
WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) is the entry credential with no prerequisites — water categories, classes of loss, basic drying. ASD (Applied Structural Drying) requires WRT first, covers efficient structural drying, and is in-person only because students dry a real mock flood house. AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) is the mold credential, also in-person. Ask which certifications the technician on YOUR job holds — not what logo is on the company website. Call (888) 840-6512 to reach a certified water damage restoration company in your area; the line is answered 24/7.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed August 20, 2026· Next review Feb 2027
The Alphabet Soup, Decoded
The IICRC issues a long list of credentials, and restoration companies display them like badges. Three of them actually matter for water and mold work — and knowing which is which turns "we're IICRC certified" from a marketing line into a checkable claim.
| Credential | Covers | Prerequisite | Online? |
|---|---|---|---|
| WRT — Water Damage Restoration Technician | water categories 1/2/3, classes of loss, psychrometrics, drying basics | none | yes (45-day exam window) |
| ASD — Applied Structural Drying | efficient drying of structures and contents, equipment strategy | WRT required | no — in-person only |
| AMRT — Applied Microbial Remediation Technician | microbial growth, containment, Category 3 losses | recommended after WRT | no — in-person only |
WRT: The Baseline
Every restoration career starts here, and every water damage crew chief should hold it. It covers the framework the whole industry runs on — the S500 standard's water categories, the classes of loss that determine drying strategy, and the psychrometrics behind why a dehumidifier and an air mover do different jobs. No prerequisites, three days, about $530 all-in.
ASD: Where Drying Becomes a Skill
This is the credential that separates crews who *place equipment* from crews who *design a drying plan.* ASD covers how to dry a structure efficiently — equipment counts, placement, and reading the psychrometric data daily rather than leaving fans running and hoping.
The detail that gives ASD its weight: it cannot be taken online. Students dry an actual mock flood house as part of the course. When a company tells you their team holds ASD, they are telling you someone did the hands-on work.
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AMRT: The Mold Credential
Applied Microbial Remediation Technician is the mold certification, covering microbial growth, containment protocols, and Category 3 (contaminated water) losses. Also in-person only. For any mold job — and for any sewage backup, which is Category 3 by definition — this is the credential to ask about.
Certification Is Not Licensing
The distinction that trips up most homeowners: IICRC certification is a voluntary industry credential held by individuals. Licensing is a legal requirement that varies by state. Several states require a mold remediation license, and IICRC certification does not substitute for it. Ask for both, separately:
- Technicians: which IICRC certifications, held by whom, certification numbers
- Company: state license where required, current liability insurance, workers' comp
How to Actually Verify
A badge on a website is a graphic. A certification number is checkable. Ask for the number of the technician who will run your job and verify it with the IICRC rather than trusting the logo — company-level marketing says nothing about who shows up at your door on a Sunday night.
This is one line item in a longer vetting process; our guide to choosing a restoration company covers the written scope, moisture documentation and change-order questions that matter just as much. And if you are considering the trade yourself rather than hiring, the career path guide maps the same ladder from the inside.
Bottom Line
WRT is the floor, ASD is the drying skill, AMRT is the mold credential — and the last two can only be earned in person. Ask which technician on your job holds which, get the certification number, and check license and insurance as separate questions. Five minutes of asking beats a week of arguing later.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WRT, ASD and AMRT?
WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) is the entry credential covering water categories, classes of loss and basic drying — no prerequisites. ASD (Applied Structural Drying) covers the efficient drying of structures and contents, requires WRT first, and must be taken in person because it uses a hands-on flood house.
AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) is the mold credential, covering microbial growth and Category 3 losses, and is also in-person only.
Which IICRC certification should a restoration contractor have?
At minimum, the crew chief on a water job should hold WRT. For anything involving significant structural drying, ASD on the team is what separates a competent drying plan from fans placed by guesswork.
For mold work, insist on AMRT. A company that cannot name which technician holds which certification is telling you something.
Can IICRC certifications be taken online?
WRT can be taken online, with the exam required within 45 days of completion. ASD cannot — it is a hands-on course where students dry an actual mock flood house, which is precisely why it carries weight. AMRT is also in-person. Be sceptical of any provider claiming to deliver hands-on certifications remotely.
Is IICRC certification the same as a license?
NoAnd the difference matters. IICRC certification is a voluntary industry credential held by individual technicians.
Licensing is a legal requirement that varies by state, and some states require mold remediation licenses that IICRC certification does not substitute for. Ask for both: certifications for the technicians, license and insurance for the company.
How do I verify a technician's IICRC certification?
Certified technicians receive an IICRC certification number. Ask for it, and verify through the IICRC's own verification tool rather than accepting a logo on a website — company-level logos say nothing about who is actually on your job today.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.
If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
Sources
- IICRC — ASD certification
- IICRC — certification body
- IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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