NRCA ProCertified Asphalt Shingle Installer

It verifies that an installer has demonstrated both knowledge and hands-on skill in steep-slope asphalt shingle installation. Certification is typically based on a written assessment plus a practical evaluation, showing competence in safety, deck preparation, fastening, flashing, ventilation, code compliance, and defect recognition rather than attendance alone.

Experienced asphalt shingle installers, crew leaders, and foremen who want portable proof of competence. It also suits workers moving into supervisory or quality-control roles, and contractors who want a verifiable standard for hiring or promoting field staff. Beginners should build supervised field experience first, because the practical evaluation assumes real installation ability.

The assessment combines a multiple-choice, knowledge-based written test with a performance-based practical evaluation. The written portion checks technical understanding across the eight domains; the practical portion observes your workmanship on installation and detailing tasks. Expect questions and tasks that require applying manufacturer instructions and code requirements, not just recalling definitions.

Candidates with solid field experience usually find the format fair, but detailing and sequencing cause the most trouble: valley construction, step and counterflashing at walls, penetration boots, and fastener placement relative to exposure. Others lose points on fall-protection setup, ventilation math, or failing to follow the specific manufacturer instructions for the product being installed.

Those details are set by NRCA and can change, so this page does not state them. Check the official NRCA ProCertification website for the current number of questions, time limit, fee, and passing score before you schedule. Confirm the figures at the time you register rather than relying on older secondhand information.

Retake rules, waiting periods, and any additional fees are set by NRCA and are not fixed here. Review the official policy on the NRCA website before scheduling so you understand eligibility and any limits on attempts. In the meantime, target the domain where you lost points, such as flashing detailing or fastening, with supervised practice.

Start with the highest-weight domains: shingle application and fastening, then flashing, valleys, and penetration detailing. Add safety and fall protection early because it applies to every practical task. Then cover deck and underlayment preparation, ventilation, code and manufacturer compliance, inspection and repair, and documentation. Finish with hands-on mock-ups and spoken walkthroughs of your decisions.

Reference materials allowed during the written or practical portions are governed by NRCA's candidate rules, so confirm what is permitted when you register. Regardless, study as if references are unavailable: know common exposure, fastener placement, and flashing sequence from memory, and be able to explain why a detail meets the manufacturer's instructions and the applicable code.

Validity periods and recertification requirements are set by NRCA and are not stated here. Check the official program page for the current cycle and renewal options, which may include continuing education or reassessment. Mark your expiration date when you certify and plan renewal early so your credential does not lapse while you are bidding work.

No. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NRCA. Registration, eligibility, scheduling, fees, and all official policies are handled by NRCA. Use its official ProCertification website to apply and to confirm current requirements before making travel or payment decisions.