When Tonilynn Collins became the first woman to lead the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification in 2023, she inherited an organization with strong technical credibility but limited reach into communities that have historically been underrepresented in the restoration trades.
Two years into her tenure, Collins has launched three initiatives specifically aimed at expanding certification access: the Women in Restoration Scholarship Program, a partnership with historically Black colleges and universities to offer IICRC-approved coursework, and a Spanish-language version of the Water Restoration Technician study materials.
"Certification is the great equalizer in this industry," Collins said in a recent interview with R&R Magazine. "When you have the credential, your expertise is documented. It doesn't matter who you are or where you came from — the certification speaks for itself."
Under Collins' leadership, IICRC has also expanded its online examination options, making it possible for candidates in rural areas to sit for certification exams without traveling to a testing center. That change has disproportionately benefited women, who are more likely to have caregiving responsibilities that make extended travel difficult.
IICRC now has more than 68,000 certified professionals in North America, up from 61,000 when Collins took office.
