The Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) announced that Peter Schultz, president, Pleasant View Landscapes, Arnold, Md., became the first contractor to complete the necessary educational requirements to earn "ASCA Certified" status.

About an hour after Schultz, Stephanie Sauers-Boyd, president, Sauers Tree and Landscape Service, Dresher, Pa., became the second contractor to complete the 10-hour education track and receive certification status, says ASCA Executive Director Kevin Gilbride. 

"I'm also happy to report that a few hours Later Crystal Arlington became the third person to Achieve ASCA certified Status." Gilbride adds. "I congratulate all three of these individuals for the commitment to furthering their education their commitment to themselves, their companies and the industry.

Since then, three more contractors have earned their ASCA certified status. They are: Joe Gibbons, Tim's Snowplowing (TSI), Chicago; Jim Anderson, Troy Clogg Landscape Associates, Wixom, Mich., and Alex Bell, Four Seasons Landscape Design, South Plainfield, N.J. 

The coursework went live on Monday morning and it appears a number of contractors have begun the curriculum through the educational website, Gilbride says. "It's great to see so many professional snow and ice managers begin the process of attaining ASCA certification," he says.

The association's "ASCA Certified" program is the result of establishing the first "industry standards" for the professional snow and ice management industry. The overall goal of establishing standards and a certification process is to lower instances of baseless slip-and-fall claims and get a handle on controlling insurance premiums. It is believed that the "ASCA Certified" designation, along with ISO9001/SN9001 certifications, will serve as a strong deterrent to litigators pursuing frivolous slip-and-fall lawsuits.

“The ASCA educational programming to achieve ‘ASCA Certified’ status is intended for the individual, and to provide you as professionals, the key members of your staff and your service providers an educational based certification,” Gilbride says. "ISO9001and SN9001 are company-based certifications that prove you have the process and procedures in place to provide the level of service you have contracted to provide and that you are indeed abiding by industry standards.”

In addition to reinforcing the ASCA's Industry Standards and certification program, "ASCA Certified" status will allow contractors to participate in special insurance programs through ASCA partner Mills Insurance.

ASCA members receive the certification status after completing 10 hours of one-hour, ASCA-approved online educational classes. After each session, a test is issued and must be passed (80% is a passing grade) to receive credit. Once the required class work is completed ASCA certification is issued to the contractor. This is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Contractors are required to take 10 hours of online continuing education through the ASCA in order to update their certification status.

ASCA members wishing to begin the educational process to receive "ASCA Certified" status can log on HERE, or they can log on to ascaonline.org and go to the "Learning Center."


CLICK HERE to join the ASCA.