Lexington, Ky.-based Ross-Tarrant Architects will team with the Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) to sponsor a local installer certification program Sept. 17-18 at Southland Flooring Supplies in Louisville. The event marks the first time in CFI history that an architectural firm has hosted such an event. Approximately 40 to 50 flooring professionals are expected to attend.

"Ross-Tarrant is raising the bar in the state of Kentucky," said Rod Von Busch, CFI National Marketing Committee co-chairman. "It's the first firm in the state to require all contractors bidding on the organization's projects to have CFI certification, and this sponsorship just takes that commitment to quality one step further."

"Our clients expect quality products and professional installation," said Dan Colvin, IIDA, CID, senior interior designer of Ross-Tarrant Architects. "By requiring CFI certification of our contractors, we're ensuring that our firm is able to meet, and hopefully exceed, client expectations on every project."

CFI certification is available at six levels -- Residential I, Residential II, Commercial I, Commercial II, Master I and Master II -- that are conferred based on years of experience and a passing score on written and field tests tailored to each specific experience level. The ultimate goal of the organization is to ensure customer satisfaction though well-trained professionals. CFI currently has more than 15,000 members in 41 chapters around the world, including approximately 60 installers in the state of Kentucky. Ross-Tarrant Architects is a full-service firm that provides architectural design, interior design, civil engineering, and landscape architecture to clients across Kentucky.