Haag certified master level: raising the bar in damage assessment
Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company, is thrilled to announce exclusively to our monthly blog subscribers, Haag’s most advanced certification yet — the Haag Certified Inspector – Master Level certification! This prestigious designation is designed for those seeking the highest standard in damage assessment expertise, like an academic MBA, within the insurance and roofing restoration fields. Achieving the HCI Master-level signals an elite understanding and mastery of Haag’s industry-leading certifications (HCI-R, HCI-C, HCI-W) damage assessment practices, all founded on Haag’s 100-years of scientific hands-on field and laboratory experience.
Haag introduced the Haag Certified Inspector – Residential (HCR-R) program more than 17 years ago. Haag’s pioneering certification program has been widely respected across the insurance and restoration industries, setting a new standard for knowledge, accuracy, and expertise in damage assessment. Haag Certified inspectors, including adjusters, estimators, and consultants, are recognized for their skills and commitment to excellence.
After a successful rollout of the HCI-Residential Roof program, Haag introduced our second industry damage assessment certification– the HCI-Commercial Roof program in 2009. This certification was custom-designed for field adjusters, damage estimators, and damage consultants seeking advanced expertise in assessing damage to flat/low-slope roofing systems, backed by Haag Engineering’s unparalleled expertise on roofing damage.. Within just a few years, over 5,000 damage professionals had attended an HCI class, and passed the Haag Certification exam(s), making them the first “Haag Certified” damage assessors in the industry.
In 2014, Haag expanded its certification offerings with the Haag Certified Inspector – Wind Damage program – expanding focus beyond roofing alone . Those who have earned the HCI-W certification stand out amongst their peers with advanced knowledge about how the peril of wind affects an entire structure from foundation to exterior cladding, windows & doors, roofing structures, and roof covering.
Once a damage assessment professional has successfully completed each of the HCI programs individually, they will qualify for the HCI-Master Level certification exam. No additional coursework is required. However, all individual certifications must be active (not-expired), to qualify for the HCI-Master Level exam. The HCI-Master level exam will test and affirm an inspector’s knowledge of the damage assessment principles found in each certification. An inspector must score 80% or higher to earn the HCI-Master level certification. See the details here.
Previously, each of the HCI certifications had to be renewed and updated independently. Once the HCI-Master Level is earned, HCIs will only need to renew this ONE certification annually!
To date, inspectors have earned more than 30,000 certifications from Haag. Be one of the first to earn your HCI-Master Level certification, and you could be featured in a future Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company publication!
HCI-Master Level certification. The new benchmark in mastering damage assessment for field inspectors. Get Haag Certified, today! haageducation.com
Ryan Holdhusen, Vice President of Education
Ryan Holdhusen began his career at Haag in 2002 as Seminar Manager. He also served as Director of Education and currently serves as Vice President of Education. Ryan has overseen the development and promotion of Haag’s Certified Inspector and Certified Reviewer programs, Haag’s collection of Damage Field guides, Haag’s shingle and metal roof gauges, and the continued development of the Haag On-Demand Learning platform accessed by thousands of damage professionals every year. Ryan has assisted in the leadership of multiple re-branding efforts and Haag’s company-wide 100@100 customer service initiative. Ryan also oversees the sales and marketing of Haag’s educational products and licensing, along with the day-to-day operations of the Education division. Haag joined Salas O’Brien in 2024.
Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Haag Technical Services, Haag Engineering Co., Haag Education, or parent company, Haag Global, Inc.