WHERE TO LEARN THE TRADE.

IN-PERSON · Rotating — Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago

IKECA Training School

Three-day hands-on program hosted at partner facilities. Covers NFPA 96, chemical handling, containment, access panels, and the CECS exam prep. Includes field time on a live hood system.

This is the most direct path to the CECS exam. If you can only do one thing before launching, do this.

Duration

24 hours

Cost

$1,895 member / $2,295 non-member

Prepares you for: IKECA Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist (CECS)

Visit IKECA Training School →

HYBRID · Ann Arbor, MI + field

HOODZ University (franchise-internal)

Franchise training. Only accessible if you buy a HOODZ franchise ($60–$90k all-in), but it's the most productized curriculum in the trade — SOPs, marketing playbooks, and the actual truck build.

If you have capital and want to skip the 'figure it out yourself' phase, a franchise is a legitimate path. We are not endorsing — just noting what exists.

Duration

80 hours

Cost

Bundled into franchise fee

IN-PERSON · Vendor-dependent

Kaivac / Steamericas — on-site grease systems training

Equipment-vendor-led training. If you buy a hot-water skid, get the vendor to train your crew on-site. Most skid manufacturers include 4–8 hours of training for free.

Don't underrate this. The chemistry and temp curves for hood degreasing are different from general pressure washing.

Duration

8 hours

Cost

Typically included with equipment purchase

IN-PERSON · Rotating

PWNA Annual Convention + Trade Show

Four days of tactical sessions from contractors running $2M+ pressure-washing and hood operations. The cheapest MBA you'll find in this trade.

Duration

32 hours

Cost

~$495 member; ~$195 expo-only

Prepares you for: PWNA Environmental Wash Contractor (EWC)

Visit PWNA Annual Convention + Trade Show →

ONLINE · Various

NFPA 96 — Standard for Ventilation Control

It's a code document, not a course — but reading it cover to cover is a rite of passage. The 2024 edition is 80 pages. If you can't explain access-panel spacing, cleaning frequency tables, or grease-duct enclosures from memory, you haven't read it enough.

Cost

~$75 digital / ~$95 print

Visit NFPA 96 →