Which Restoration Training Course Should You Take First?
A complete guide to choosing the right starting point—whether you are brand new to restoration, building CEC credits, or expanding your skills into new specialisations.
The Recommended Course Order
Restoration knowledge builds in layers. Each course assumes some understanding of the concepts taught in the one before it. Taking courses in the right order means you learn faster, retain more, and avoid confusion when advanced topics reference foundational concepts you have not covered yet.
Here is the recommended path from start to finish:
Introduction to the Restoration Industry
The starting point for beginners
If you have no prior experience in restoration, start here. This course gives you the big picture—what the restoration industry is, what technicians do, how jobs work, and the foundational concepts you will build on in every course that follows. It covers all major areas (water, fire, mold, odour) at an introductory level so you understand how they connect.
Duration: ~16 hours · Prerequisites: None · Certificate: RT360
View Course →Water Damage Restoration Technician Training
The foundation of all restoration work
Water damage is the most common type of restoration work, and the science behind it—moisture behaviour, psychrometry, drying technology, contamination categories—underpins everything else you will learn. Whether you plan to specialise in water, fire, or mold, this course should be your first technical training. Most experienced professionals in the industry recommend starting with water damage fundamentals before moving into any other specialisation.
Duration: ~16 hours · Prerequisites: None (Intro course recommended) · CEC: 14 hours · Certificate: IICRC + RT360
View Course →Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Training
The natural next step after water
Fire jobs almost always involve water damage too—from fire suppression efforts that leave properties soaked. Having a solid water damage foundation makes fire restoration training much easier to absorb. This course covers fire damage assessment, soot and smoke behaviour, cleaning techniques, odour treatment, and project management for complex fire losses.
Duration: ~16 hours · Prerequisites: Water damage training recommended · CEC: 14 hours · Certificate: IICRC + RT360
View Course →Applied Microbial Remediation Training
Mold builds directly on water damage knowledge
Mold is a direct consequence of uncontrolled moisture—which is why water damage training comes first. This course covers microbial assessment, containment, remediation techniques, PPE, post-remediation verification, and documentation. It builds on moisture behaviour and contamination concepts from the water damage course and takes them into the microbial space.
Duration: ~16 hours · Prerequisites: Water damage training strongly recommended · CEC: Yes · Certificate: IICRC + RT360
View Course →Odour Control Technician Training
The specialist skill that ties everything together
Odour problems can come from any loss type—fire damage, biological contamination, chemical exposure, or long-term moisture issues. This course is most effective after you have a working knowledge of water, fire, and mold restoration, because odour treatment often overlaps with all three. It covers odour sources, treatment methods, equipment operation, and elimination techniques.
Duration: ~6 hours · Prerequisites: Other restoration training recommended · CEC: Yes · Certificate: RT360
View Course →OSHA Weekly Safety Compliance
Take alongside any course — ongoing
This is not a one-time course—it is a year-round weekly safety training programme. It runs alongside everything else and keeps your team OSHA compliant with 52 weeks of restoration-specific safety content. Start it at any point in your training journey and keep it running.
Duration: 52 weekly sessions · Prerequisites: None · Price: $12/month
View Course →Your Learning Path at a Glance
Quick Recommendations Based on Your Situation
"I am completely new to restoration and have no experience."
Start with Introduction to the Restoration Industry, then move to Water Damage Restoration Training. These two courses together give you the foundation to start working on real job sites.
"I already work in restoration and need my CEC hours."
Pick any CEC course in a subject you have not studied before. If you have WRT, try Fire and Smoke or Mold Remediation. Earning CEC credits in a new area makes the training more valuable than repeating what you already know.
"I have my WRT and want to expand my skills."
Take Fire and Smoke Restoration next—it is the natural progression from water damage. Then move to Mold Remediation. These three certifications together (WRT + FSRT + AMRT) put you on the path to the IICRC Journeyman designation.
"I need to train my whole team fast."
Start everyone with Water Damage Restoration Training since it is the most common loss type. Add OSHA Weekly Safety Compliance from day one to cover your safety training requirements simultaneously. Then expand into fire and mold as your team gains experience.
"My team speaks Spanish."
RestoreTech360 offers Water Damage (WRT) and Fire and Smoke (FSRT) CEC courses fully in Spanish. Start with WRT CEC en Español and follow the same recommended order—all in the language your team learns best.
"I just want to knock out my 14 CEC hours as fast as possible."
The WRT CEC course earns you all 14 hours in a single self-paced course. Enrol, complete at your pace, and get your certificate instantly. Read our guide: The Fastest Way to Earn 14 IICRC CEC Hours Online.
Why the Order Matters
You can technically take these courses in any order—RestoreTech360 does not lock you into a sequence. But the recommended order exists for a reason: each course assumes you understand concepts from the previous one.
- Water damage is the foundation. Moisture behaviour, drying science, psychrometry, and contamination categories are referenced in every other course. Without this foundation, fire, mold, and odour training is harder to absorb.
- Fire builds on water. Fire suppression creates water damage. Understanding how to dry a structure after extinguishment is a core part of fire restoration work.
- Mold builds on water. Microbial growth is caused by uncontrolled moisture. The assessment and containment skills taught in mold training assume you already understand moisture movement and material behaviour.
- Odour ties everything together. Odour problems can originate from fire, water, mold, or biological contamination. The odour control course is most effective when you have context from all three preceding specialisations.
Ready to Start? Choose Your First Course
Every course is online, self-paced, and available on any device. Earn your certificate instantly upon completion.
The IICRC does not endorse specific providers, products, or offerings. Confirm accepted CEC status for your circumstances before relying on any course for renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take courses in this order?
No. You can take any course at any time. But the recommended order helps you learn more efficiently because each course builds on concepts from the previous one. Water damage training in particular provides the foundation for everything that follows.
Can I skip the Introduction course if I already have experience?
Yes. If you have worked in restoration before or already hold an IICRC certification, you can go directly to the technical CEC courses. The Introduction course is designed for people who are completely new to the industry.
Which course earns me the most CEC hours?
The Water Damage (WRT) and Fire and Smoke (FSRT) CEC courses each award 14 IICRC CEC hours—the full amount needed for a technician certification renewal cycle. One course can cover your entire CEC requirement.
Can I take multiple courses at the same time?
Yes. You can be enrolled in multiple courses simultaneously. However, most students find it more effective to complete one course before starting the next, especially when following the recommended sequence.
Are bundles available to save money?
Yes. RestoreTech360 offers course bundles tailored to your role that combine multiple courses at a discounted price. Visit the bundles page to see available options.
Which courses are available in Spanish?
Water Damage (WRT) and Fire and Smoke (FSRT) CEC courses are both available fully in Spanish—with complete video instruction, manuals, exams, and certificates in Spanish.
I only need CEC hours, not a new skill. Does it matter which course I pick?
Any accepted CEC course earns you the same hours regardless of the subject. But if you are going to invest the time anyway, choosing a course in a subject you have not studied before gives you both the credits and new knowledge—making the training doubly valuable.