Verify state or county licensing requirements for a hood-cleaning contractor before hiring them

Steps

1. Check whether the state or local jurisdiction where the work will occur has its own hood-cleaning licensing program — this is not universal, but several states/localities have confirmed programs (e.g., Massachusetts requires individual certificates of competency plus a company certificate of registration from the Department of Fire Services; Utah requires both a company license and an individual certificate of registration from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, including passing an exam based on NFPA 96/17A and the state's administrative rule; New York City requires FDNY certification of companies performing this work)
2. For jurisdictions with a program, confirm the contractor holds the current, non-expired license/registration by checking directly with the issuing state or city agency (e.g., a state's official license-verification portal) rather than accepting a contractor's self-reported status
3. Where no state-level program exists, check for city/county-level requirements and confirm with the local fire marshal's office directly, since licensing presence varies significantly by state
4. Separately confirm any relevant industry certification (e.g., IKECA CECS/CESI) the contractor holds, understanding that an industry certification is not a substitute for a legally required state/local license where one exists
5. Document which licensing regime (if any) applies to the specific job location before finalizing the hire, since a contractor licensed in one state/city is not automatically authorized to work in another