FGIA InstallationMasters

Certified Installer candidates practice in the construction field and are physically involved in product installation. Certified Professional candidates work in the fenestration industry with valid non-field experience and knowledge. Both seek certification and both take the InstallationMasters certification exam; the distinction is field versus non-field background.

Yes. Trainee candidates are individuals seeking certification with less than one year of installation experience physically installing products on a construction site. Trainees attend classes sponsored by an accredited instructor and take the exam. When they reach the required installation experience, they may become certified if they have passed the exam.

Possibly. Self-Study Certification candidates must meet one or more published criteria and not wish to participate in a training class; they study independently in lieu of classroom training and then take the exam. Check the self-study eligibility criteria on FGIA's site before assuming this route applies to you.

The source states a passing score of at least 80%, but that figure appears in the instructor policy describing installer recertification, not as a general statement about the initial certification exam. Confirm the passing standard for your specific exam with FGIA before you sit for it.

Both new construction and replacement installation of residential and light commercial windows and exterior glass doors. Training runs from initial site inspection to final cleaning and maintenance of installed product, and focuses on understanding windows and doors plus current installation practices. Expect applied questions rather than pure recall.

The source confirms proctored exams and states that Spanish-language proctored exams are completed in the FGIA Learning Management System. It does not publish a general exam duration, question count, or delivery format for every candidate, so confirm those details with FGIA when you register.

The source does not publish a validity period. It does say certified installers in the Original, Combined, Replacement, and New Construction programs are contacted with recertification details approximately three months before their expiration date. Keep your contact information current by emailing [email protected].

Accredited instructors may teach any class type - combined, replacement only, or new construction only - depending on participating installers' needs. If your work is entirely replacement, a replacement-only class is efficient; if you do both, the combined class avoids a second sitting. One instructor credential covers both areas.

Treating installation as product knowledge only. The program emphasizes practices from site inspection through final cleaning and maintenance, so candidates who skip flashing and integration sequencing, shimming and anchoring, sealing, and post-install care tend to struggle. Study the manual and study guide alongside real job sequences rather than memorizing terminology alone.

FGIA maintains an Upcoming Training Classes page and a contact form on the InstallationMasters page. You can also email [email protected] for class, eligibility, recertification, or instructor questions. FGIA's main office number is (847) 303-5664 and [email protected] handles general inquiries.