Kickin’ Customs Installer Certification
Certification is earned by demonstrating the work. Attendance alone does not award a credential.
Ages 18+ · Hands-on shop instruction · Reviewed individually
Attendance is not certification.
- 01 / Attendance
Complete all scheduled training. This confirms attendance, not certification.
- 02 / Standard
Pass the applicable hands-on Standard test.
- 03 / Advanced
Hold the corresponding active Standard certification in good standing and pass the harder Advanced test.
- 04 / Development Graduate
Complete the applicable 20-day Development program and pass its applicable Advanced Certification.
Completing training is not certification. These are Kickin’ Customs credentials, not XPEL or other manufacturer certification or authorization.
The same distinction applies whether you attend a short program, complete Development or apply for testing based on existing experience.
Prove the quality of your work.
Earn certification by demonstrating that you can complete a clean, consistent installation independently. Your finished work and installation technique are evaluated against standardized criteria.
Vehicles and panels may vary. The scoring standards remain the same. Allow one testing day per discipline, with all required work completed during that day.
Both requirements must be met. A strong result in one area cannot make up for a section below standard.
Demonstrate independent work.
- No coaching. Clarification and safety intervention only.
- Self-correction is allowed. A maximum of two full restarts per section; a third full restart fails that section.
- A minor correction is not automatically a restart. Poor judgment, excessive waste and intervention can affect scoring.
- Safety intervention fails the affected section. A serious safety issue may end the test.
Advanced Certification.
You must hold the corresponding active Standard certification in good standing. Advanced is normally pursued through Professional Installer Development. Exceptional experienced outside candidates are considered case by case.
Advanced Window Tint
- Full windshield is mandatory
- Difficult rear glass
- Side glass or a challenging frameless window, as appropriate
- Tighter contamination, shrinking, edge, light-gap, debris and finish standards
Advanced PPF
- Difficult bumper, large or complex hood, fender and mirror
- Advanced pattern modification or bulk installation, as appropriate
- Tighter contamination, stretch, finger, edge, alignment and finish standards
One testing day per discipline, without coaching. Both pattern modification and bulk work are not automatically required for Advanced PPF. Passing remains performance-based.
Which Training programs include testing?
Attendance confirms that you completed training. Kickin’ Customs certification is earned by passing a separate hands-on evaluation. Course completion does not guarantee a pass, and these programs do not grant XPEL or other manufacturer certification or authorization.
| Program | Included attempt |
|---|---|
| 1 day | No certification attempt |
| 2 days | Only for an experienced installer when specifically approved |
| 3 or 5 days | One applicable certification attempt |
| Combined 5 days | One Window Tint attempt and one PPF attempt |
| 20-day Development | Applicable Advanced Certification testing |
The final scheduled training day may become the test day when both agree you are ready. There is no automatic extra training or testing day. If you return later, travel and lodging remain your responsibility. We send one courtesy reminder around month four; you remain responsible for scheduling.
Retest when you are ready to try again.
Every retest is paid. The normal wait is 30 days unless an earlier retest is approved. An earlier date is not guaranteed.
Standard retests are $1,495 for Window Tint and $1,995 for PPF. Advanced retests use the full Advanced test price: $2,995 for Tint and $3,495 for PPF.
Renewal reflects continued work.
Standard and Advanced credentials are active for three years. The renewal window opens 90 days before expiration, and you must still be actively installing.
Recent work portfolio
- Five installations on five different vehicles, completed within the last three months
- Overall vehicle views and close-up details
- PPF: edges, corners, bumpers, mirrors, hood/fender transitions and difficult areas
- Tint: edges, corners and rear glass; full-windshield work for Advanced Tint
Portfolio plus practical review
You or your employer may submit the portfolio, but it must clearly identify you as the installer who performed the work. We may request evidence of authenticity.
Renewal includes portfolio review and a practical skill check. Weak, outdated or inconsistent work, or quality concerns, may require a full retest.
The awarded certification names.
- Kickin’ Customs Certified Window Tint Installer
- Kickin’ Customs Certified Paint Protection Film Installer
- Kickin’ Customs Advanced Certified Window Tint Installer
- Kickin’ Customs Advanced Certified Paint Protection Film Installer
Professional Development designations additionally require the applicable 20-day program and Advanced pass. Development Graduate status is permanent; public display still requires an active certification.
Review Development Graduate requirements →Certified Installer Directory Coming Soon.
The upcoming directory will help customers verify active Kickin’ Customs installer certifications. Listings will show active certifications only. Expired, suspended or revoked credentials are removed from active public display immediately. Development status may display only with active certification.
A future listing may include the installer’s name, business, city/state, active certification type and level, applicable Development designation and an approved website or social link.
Certification IDs, expiration dates and historical records remain internal. Contact Kickin’ Customs for historical verification.
Certification questions.
Is attendance the same as certification?
No. A Certificate of Attendance confirms full completion of scheduled training. Standard and Advanced certification require passing the applicable hands-on test. Development Graduate status additionally requires satisfactory completion of the applicable 20-day program and its Advanced pass.
Can I apply for testing without taking training first?
Experienced installers may apply for certification-only testing, subject to review of work history and a recent portfolio. Advanced candidates must hold the corresponding active Standard certification in good standing. Exceptional experienced outside candidates are considered case by case.
What do I need to pass the Standard test?
Standard Certification requires at least 80% overall and at least 70% in every section. Both requirements apply. Your finished installation and technique are evaluated using standardized criteria. Allow one hands-on testing day per discipline.
What makes Advanced Certification different?
Advanced testing requires the corresponding active Standard credential in good standing. The minimum is 90% overall and 80% in every section, with more demanding work and tighter finishing standards. Advanced Window Tint includes a full windshield. Advanced PPF uses pattern modification or bulk installation as appropriate, not automatically both.
Can I defer an included attempt?
Yes. You and the instructor must both agree you are ready. Deferring does not consume the attempt. Beginning the test uses it, whether you pass or fail. Qualifying included attempts must be used within six months of training completion. The final scheduled training day may become the testing day; an additional day is not automatic.
What happens if I do not pass?
Every retest is paid. Standard Tint retests are $1,495 and Standard PPF retests are $1,995. Advanced Tint retests are $2,995 and Advanced PPF retests are $3,495. The normal wait is 30 days unless an earlier retest is approved.
How do I renew certification?
Standard and Advanced certifications are active for three years. Renewal opens 90 days before expiration and requires active installation work, a portfolio of five installations on five different vehicles from the last three months, and a practical skill check. A full retest may be required. A 90-day late-renewal window is available; active public status ends at expiration.
Is there a public installer directory?
A public directory of certified installers is coming soon. Until it launches, contact Kickin’ Customs to verify a credential. Listings will show active certifications only; expired, suspended or revoked credentials are removed from active public display. Certification IDs, expiration dates and historical records remain internal. Contact Kickin’ Customs for historical verification.
Apply for Certification or Testing.
We review your experience and goals before recommending a program or offering dates. Applicants must be 18 or older. An inquiry is not approval or a date reservation.
Experienced certification-only applicants provide work history and recent portfolio evidence during review. This first step asks whether a portfolio is available; no upload is needed here.
2. Add your contact details
Your program answers are included in the message. Complete the standard form to send your inquiry.