How NACE CIP Level 2 Certification Protects Your Coating Investment
When you’re investing $50,000, $100,000, or more in a protective coating project for your facility, you want to know that money is well spent. But how do you know the contractor applying the coatings is doing it right? That’s where NACE CIP certification comes in.
What is NACE CIP Certification?
NACE CIP stands for Coating Inspector Program, developed by NACE International (now part of AMPP — the Association for Materials Protection and Performance). It is the most widely recognized coating inspection certification in the world.
The program has three levels:
- Level 1 — Foundational knowledge of coating inspection, surface preparation standards, and basic testing methods
- Level 2 — Advanced inspection capabilities including specification writing, failure analysis, complex testing methods, and project management
- Level 3 — Expert-level knowledge for program management, specification development, and expert witness work
Each level requires passing a rigorous multi-day examination covering coating technology, surface preparation, application methods, inspection techniques, and industry standards.
Why Level 2 Matters
A NACE CIP Level 2 inspector doesn’t just check the finished work — they’re involved in every phase of the project:
Before the Project
Reviewing specifications, verifying coating system compatibility with the service environment, ensuring materials meet specification, and establishing quality control checkpoints.
During Surface Preparation
Verifying the surface preparation meets the specified SSPC/NACE standard, measuring surface profile with replica tape or profilometer, checking for contaminants, and documenting environmental conditions.
During Coating Application
Monitoring wet film thickness during application, verifying environmental conditions remain within parameters, checking for defects like pinholes, runs, and sags, and ensuring proper cure times between coats.
After Application
Measuring dry film thickness, performing adhesion testing, conducting holiday (spark) testing for lining systems, and producing complete inspection documentation for the facility owner’s records.
How Rare is This Credential in Florida?
There are roughly 369 NACE CIP Level 2 certified inspectors in all of Florida. But when you add specialty endorsements, the numbers drop dramatically:
- 🔹 CIP Level 2 in Florida: 369 people
- 🔹 CIP Level 2 with Bridge endorsement in Florida: 27 people
- 🔹 CIP Level 2 with Marine endorsement in Florida: 9 people
- 🔹 CIP Level 2 with BOTH Bridge AND Marine in Florida: Only 5 people
- 🔹 CIP Level 2 with both endorsements in Central Florida: 1 person
At TrustedBrush Painting, our owner Allie Smaidi is that 1 person in Central Florida. He’s one of only 5 people in the entire state who hold NACE CIP Level 2 with both Bridge and Marine Technology endorsements.
What This Means for Your Project
When you hire TrustedBrush Painting for an industrial coating project, you’re not hiring a painting company that will subcontract the inspection to a third party. You’re hiring a company whose owner IS the certified inspector.
This means:
- Direct oversight from a NACE CIP Level 2 certified professional on every project
- No disconnect between the application crew and the inspector — they work as one team
- Complete documentation that meets the requirements of engineering specifications, municipal procurement, and insurance carriers
- Accountability — the person certifying the work is the same person whose reputation depends on it
Get Certified Quality on Your Next Project
Whether you’re a facility manager, engineer, or procurement officer, choosing a coating contractor with NACE CIP Level 2 certification is the single best way to protect your investment. TrustedBrush Painting serves industrial and commercial projects across all of Florida.
Contact us for a free facility assessment and certified coating recommendation, or call (863) 209-5771.