"Hood cleaning certification" refers to two different things that are easy to confuse: the certification sticker a cleaning company posts inside your hood after a job, and the professional credential a technician or company holds to do that work. The credential most recognized in the industry is IKECA's CECS (Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist), earned by passing an exam on NFPA 96 cleaning methods and safety practices. Neither type of certification is issued or verified by this site — always confirm a technician's credential status and a completed job's sticker directly.
Two meanings, one word
The service sticker. After a compliant cleaning, the crew places a sticker or tag inside the hood documenting the date of service, the company's contact information, and any areas of the system that weren't accessible during the visit. NFPA 96, the national fire code for commercial kitchen ventilation, expects this kind of documentation so fire inspectors and the next cleaning crew know the service history at a glance.
The professional credential. This is what makes a company qualified to do the work in the first place. IKECA (the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association) offers the CECS designation for individual technicians, covering NFPA 96 requirements, proper degreasing methods, and fire and life-safety considerations specific to commercial kitchen exhaust systems. IKECA also offers acCESI, a separate credential for inspectors who assess system condition and code compliance rather than perform the cleaning itself.
Why the distinction matters
A kitchen can have a sticker in the hood from a company that isn't actually well-trained — the sticker only proves someone showed up and claims to have cleaned it, not that the technician holds a recognized credential or that the job met NFPA 96's "bare metal" standard. Conversely, a company can employ CECS-certified technicians but still cut corners on a given job if it isn't held accountable. Checking both — the credential of the people doing the work, and the documentation left behind — gives you a fuller picture than either alone.
Is hood cleaning cleaning regulated by the state?
Licensing for kitchen exhaust cleaning varies significantly and, in most places, there is no state license specific to this trade the way there is for electricians or plumbers. That's part of why the industry credential (CECS) and the compliance standard (NFPA 96) matter — they're the main way to distinguish trained, standards-following companies from anyone with a pressure washer and degreaser. Some cities and counties do have local permitting or inspection requirements tied to fire code enforcement, so check with your local fire marshal or AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) for anything beyond the national code baseline.
What to ask before hiring
- Do your technicians hold current CECS certification? Ask for names and be willing to check status yourself.
- Will you leave a certification sticker documenting the date and any inaccessible areas?
- Does your cleaning process reach the rooftop or exterior exhaust fan, not just the hood and filters?
- Can you provide proof of liability insurance?
A company confident in its qualifications should answer these without hesitation.
FAQs
Is CECS required by law to clean a hood? No — CECS is an industry credential, not a government license, and requirements vary by jurisdiction. However, many insurers and some AHJs favor or require documentation from a company with trained technicians, so it functions as a practical requirement even where it isn't a legal one.
How is acCESI different from CECS? CECS certifies cleaning technicians; acCESI is IKECA's separate credential for inspectors who evaluate a kitchen exhaust system's condition and NFPA 96 compliance, which is a distinct skill from performing the physical cleaning.
Does a sticker in my hood mean the job was done to code? Not necessarily — the sticker documents that a company serviced the system and should note any areas not accessed, but it doesn't independently verify the technician's training or that every surface reached bare metal. That's why checking the underlying credential matters too.
How to choose and verify a kitchen exhaust cleaning company
Check IKECA's member directory for companies with certified staff, and review the NFPA 96 standard resources to understand what a compliant cleaning is measured against. Our listings are compiled from public, source-backed records — we are an independent directory and do not certify or endorse any kitchen exhaust cleaning company, so verify current CECS certification, licensing, and insurance directly with the company before you hire.