What is certification in decorative painting? Every faux finishing school in the country will offer a Certificate upon completion of a professional decorative painting class. A certificate of completion, however, does not a Certified Faux Finisher make! Certification or Mastery Programs in decorative painting take years of undying devotion. Under the tutelage of a master, the apprentice will study all aspects of decorative painting until the master feels he or she is ready for the rigorous testing process. The failure of an apprentice is a reflection of the master. Therefore, apprentices rarely complete the process in less than seven years. Unfortunately, “certification” in the United States, no matter how attractively packaged, is just a school certificate. It does not make one a “Certified Decorative Painter”.

Certification for decorative painters is a loaded political issue in the United States. Several organizations have tried and failed to institute a certification process for decorative painters. The issues are many; the topic fierce!

Dedicated decorative painters throughout the country balk at the thought of a watered-down version of the certification process. Having the fortitude to withstand the rigorous testing involved in certification is not an easy task. An applicant for Certification must possess an undying love of the craft, drive and determination. They must demonstrate a commitment to excellent craftsmanship. Our European counterparts have set the bar; and it is high. An attempt on our part to satisfy the American yearning for instant gratification by certifying faux finishers without intense training and testing would be laughable on a worldwide scale. Therefore, any attempt at certification must involve a highly qualified judging board, an apprenticeship program long enough to insure complete mastery of decorative painting techniques, a rigorous written examination of knowledge and skills and an on-site, objective demonstration of technical expertise.

Is national certification possible? Not in the U.S. at this time. In both England and France decorative painters are awarded certification after several years of meticulous schooling and testing. Those programs do admit Americans who qualify.

A the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes, we honor and admire those few individuals in the U.S. who have proven themselves masters by obtaining the European title “Certified Decorative Painter.”