The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep (CCS) exam has two parts taken in one appointment: a one-hour, 100-question closed-book test on the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual and NFPA 211, followed by a 90-minute open-book test on the International Residential Code using your own copy. You reach the exam by completing a CCS review — the six-day National Training Academy, a one-day live review, or a 28-day self-paced online review — then scheduling with CSIA. Study the manuals directly, order your exam at least three business days ahead, sign the Code of Ethics on exam day, and plan for a $249 annual fee in the first two years of each three-year certification cycle.
What is the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential?
The CCS credential assesses knowledge of evaluating and maintaining chimney and venting systems. To earn it, you complete a CCS review and pass the exam.
CSIA also offers Certified Chimney Specialist and Master Chimney Sweep designations recognizing continuing education and experience, plus a separate Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician exam. Check that your registration and study materials are for CCS.
Sources: Becoming a Certified Chimney Sweep — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/certified-chimney-sweep; Certification — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/certification/; CDET 1-Day Review and Exam — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/cdet-1day
How the two-part exam works
Part one is a one-hour, 100-question closed-book exam on the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual and NFPA 211. Part two is a 90-minute, 30-question open-book exam on the International Residential Code. Both portions happen in the same testing appointment.
You cannot split the exam across days: CSIA states both portions of the CCS exam must be taken during the same testing appointment. Plan for roughly two and a half hours of testing, and if you use a proctor, book a 2.5-hour session.
NFPA 211 and the IRC need different preparation. NFPA 211 is listed as optional to purchase, but part one is based on both the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual and NFPA 211, so the content is still in scope. For the open-book IRC portion you must supply your own copy of the code, in print or PDF — it is not provided for you.
Your score appears immediately when you finish, so you will know your result before you leave the appointment or log off.
| Exam part | Questions | Time | Books allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 — Chimney and Venting Essentials | 100 multiple choice | 1 hour | Closed book |
| Part 2 — International Residential Code | 30 multiple choice | 1 hour 30 minutes | Open book — your own IRC copy (print or PDF) |
Sources: Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/exam-guide; CCS 1-Day Review and Exam — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/ccs-1day-review
Materials to gather before you study
Buy the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual and your own copy of the International Residential Code. NFPA 211 is optional to purchase, but its content is part of the closed-book exam.
CSIA's exam guide lists the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual and the IRC as what you need for the CCS exam, with NFPA 211 marked optional. Because part one draws on NFPA 211 regardless, treat the manual and code coverage as required study even where the purchase is labeled optional. The current review pages list the 2024 edition of the IRC.
- Chimney and Venting Essentials manual — required study for part 1.
- International Residential Code (review pages list the 2024 edition) — required for part 2; bring your own print or PDF copy.
- NFPA 211 — optional purchase, but its content is part of the closed-book exam.
- For online testing: desktop or laptop with webcam, one monitor, Google Chrome.
- Online testing does not support phones, tablets or Chromebooks; use Chrome rather than Edge.
Sources: Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/exam-guide; CCS 1-Day Review and Exam — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/ccs-1day-review
Three routes to the exam
You can reach the exam through the six-day National Training Academy, a one-day live review, or a 28-day self-paced online review. Each route ends with the same two-part CCS exam.
Choose the format that fits your experience, available time and travel plans. The table compares the three routes CSIA lists.
Whichever route you take, CSIA cautions that the review is not a substitute for studying the material itself. Budget time with the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual, NFPA 211, and the IRC beyond whatever review you attend.
On price, the online review page lists the review at $315 and the exam at $345. The one-day review charges per-person course pricing with the exam priced separately, so compare the current totals for your chosen format directly on CSIA's pages before booking.
| Route | Time commitment | Exam timing |
|---|---|---|
| National Training Academy (Plainfield, IN) | Six days | Final day of the program |
| One-day live review | One day, in person or virtual | Same day, or up to one year later |
| Online review (SureFire) | 28 days of self-paced access | Schedule up to one year after completing the review |
Sources: Becoming a Certified Chimney Sweep — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/certified-chimney-sweep; CCS 1-Day Review and Exam — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/ccs-1day-review; CCS Online Review — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/ccs-online-review; Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/exam-guide
Scheduling your exam, online or with a proctor
Order your exam from CSIA at least three business days before your test date. Online, ProctorFree monitors you through your own computer for a $15 fee; otherwise, arrange a 2.5-hour session with an accepted proctor.
For online testing, order the exam from CSIA and note that you will use ProctorFree — you do not set up an account with them in advance. CSIA needs at least three business days of notice, and after processing you will receive login instructions by email. When you start the exam, you create your ProctorFree account and pay their $15 proctoring fee; note that the proctor's fee is separate from the exam fee you pay CSIA.
If you prefer an in-person proctor, CSIA accepts its own center in Indiana, local college and university testing centers, and Sylvan Learning Centers, among others. Contact the proctor to arrange a date, book a 2.5-hour session for the CCS exam, then order the exam from CSIA with your details, the proctor's information, and payment. Proctors may set their own testing fees.
Sources: Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/exam-guide
The Code of Ethics requirement
Before certification you must sign and agree to abide by CSIA's Code of Ethics. Review it before exam day, because you sign it at the time of the exam.
Sources: Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/exam-guide
Renewal: the three-year cycle and its costs
Certification runs on a three-year cycle. You pay $249 annually for the first two years, then renew in the third year by retesting, retesting after 9–47 CEUs, or applying with 48 CEUs in set categories.
CSIA lists three renewal options: take a CCS review and retest; earn between 9 and 47 CEUs and retest; or earn 48 CEUs across set categories and apply to renew with CEUs. The 48-CEU route breaks down as 12 technical, 8 codes and standards, 6 communication and liability, 6 health and safety, and 16 additional from any category, including business. CEUs come from approved classes, and you can track them in your online transcript.
Budget for both initial certification and its ongoing costs. Confirm the fees for your selected review format and testing method before paying.
Sources: Becoming a Certified Chimney Sweep — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/certified-chimney-sweep; CCS Online Review — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/ccs-online-review
A preparation checklist you can act on this week
Order the manuals, choose your review route, and put the three-business-day ordering rule on your calendar. Confirm current prices and dates with CSIA, since review schedules and fees change.
- Buy the Chimney and Venting Essentials manual and your own IRC copy (print or PDF); decide whether to add NFPA 211 given its role in part 1.
- Choose your review route and confirm its exam-scheduling window.
- Set aside study time with the manuals themselves; CSIA is explicit that the review alone does not replace studying the material.
- If testing online, verify your computer, webcam, browser, and single-monitor setup against the platform requirements.
- Pick an exam date, then order the exam from CSIA at least three business days beforehand (or arrange a 2.5-hour proctor session first).
- Read the Code of Ethics before exam day and make sure you understand the commitment.
- Check CSIA's current class dates and prices before paying — the figures in this guide reflect the pages current as of September 2026.
Sources: Becoming a Certified Chimney Sweep — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/certified-chimney-sweep; Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America — csia.org/exam-guide
Sources
Facts checked:
- Becoming a Certified Chimney Sweep — The Chimney Safety Institute of America
- Exam Guide — The Chimney Safety Institute of America
- CCS 1-Day Review and Exam — The Chimney Safety Institute of America
- CCS Online Review — The Chimney Safety Institute of America
- Certification — The Chimney Safety Institute of America
- CDET 1-Day Review and Exam — The Chimney Safety Institute of America