How to Become an RCP-Certified Restoration Contractor

The RCP self-certification program provides a structured pathway for restoration contractors to demonstrate they have implemented the framework — moving from awareness to a verifiable credential that commercial clients can rely on. Self-certification is the appropriate model for an early-stage standard: honest about what the credential represents (contractor attestation, not third-party audit), and creating a meaningful bar that not every contractor will clear.

The RCP Self-Certification Checklist

Part 1: Knowledge and Training

• Company leadership has read and understands the RCP v1.0 framework document
• At least one employee designated as RCP implementation lead has completed the RCP calculation methodology training
• The implementation lead can explain the four primary GHG Protocol Scope 3 categories applicable to restoration work and why each is relevant

Part 2: Data Capture Implementation

• The company’s job close-out process includes capture of all 12 RCP data points (or documented proxy methods for any that cannot be directly captured)
• The data capture process has been applied to at least 5 commercial restoration jobs
• Job records from those 5 jobs are retained and available for calculation purposes

Part 3: Calculation Capability

• The company can produce a complete RCP per-job carbon report for each of the 5 pilot jobs, covering all four primary Scope 3 categories
• The calculation uses RCP-specified emission factors from EPA or DEFRA sources
• Each report includes a data quality section noting any points where estimation was used

Part 4: Client Delivery

• At least one per-job carbon report has been delivered to a commercial client
• The company has an ESG vendor profile including the five RCP vendor profile components
• The company’s standard commercial contract can include an RCP data delivery commitment

The Certification Process

Complete the checklist, submit it along with five sample redacted per-job carbon reports, and attest that the information is accurate. The RCP program reviews submissions for completeness and consistency — not to audit the underlying data, but to verify that reports are structured correctly and the methodology is applied as specified. Contractors who complete the review process receive the RCP Certified designation and may use the RCP Certified badge in commercial materials and vendor profiles.

What RCP Certification Signals

RCP Certified tells a property manager’s ESG team three things: the contractor understands Scope 3 methodology (training completed), they have a functioning data capture system (reports produced for five jobs), and they are committed to ongoing delivery (client delivery process established). For ESG-aware preferred vendor programs, RCP certification reduces due diligence burden — property managers can require it as a qualification criterion and rely on it to indicate capability.