Our Mission

Coatings Academy was founded on a simple conviction: the polyurea industry needed better training. Not manufacturer-sponsored courses that were really sales pitches. Not theory-only online modules disconnected from the reality of field application. Real, comprehensive, manufacturer-neutral training that produces applicators who can walk onto any job site, with any compliant material, and deliver exceptional results.

Since opening our first training facility in Houston, Texas, we’ve trained more than 2,400 applicators, inspectors, and coatings business owners. Our graduates work in every sector of the coatings industry—from bedliner shops to multinational industrial contractors—and in every region of the United States and Canada.

What Makes Coatings Academy Different

Manufacturer-Neutral Curriculum

We’re not affiliated with any single polyurea manufacturer or equipment brand. Our curriculum is built around fundamental principles of polymer chemistry, application physics, and quality assurance that work regardless of which approved products you use. Our graduates can read a technical data sheet, evaluate a new formulation, and make intelligent decisions about materials—not just follow a brand-specific script. This intellectual independence is what makes our certification genuinely valuable.

Hands-On, Field-Realistic Training

Our live workshop facilities are equipped with real-world spray equipment, prepared concrete and steel substrates, and all the environmental variables that field applicators encounter. Students don’t just watch demonstrations—they spray. They set up equipment, diagnose problems, adjust for conditions, and deliver quality work under instructor supervision. By the end of a Coatings Academy workshop, you’ve already made your early-career mistakes in a controlled environment where they cost nothing.

Active Alumni Community

Your relationship with Coatings Academy doesn’t end when you complete your certification. Our member community connects thousands of active professionals for technical support, project referrals, equipment recommendations, and business development collaboration. Many of our graduates cite the community as one of the most valuable long-term benefits of their Coatings Academy training.

Our Training Facilities

Coatings Academy currently operates three training facilities in the United States, with additional regional workshop locations:

• Houston, Texas (Main Campus): Our flagship training center, hosting the majority of our live workshops and housing our administrative offices. The Houston facility features 8,000 square feet of spray application area with multiple substrate types and environmental control systems.
• Atlanta, Georgia: Our Southeast facility, hosting monthly workshops and serving the growing Southeast coatings market. Opened in 2021.
• Portland, Oregon (New – 2026): Our newest facility, opened in spring 2026 to serve the growing Pacific Northwest market. Currently hosting quarterly workshops with plans to expand to monthly sessions in 2027.

Industry Recognition

Coatings Academy certifications are recognized by leading polyurea manufacturers including major suppliers of aromatic and aliphatic polyurea systems used in commercial, industrial, and infrastructure applications. Our Inspector Certification is referenced in project specifications by engineering firms and transportation departments as a recognized qualification standard. We maintain active relationships with the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the Protective Coatings Institute, and regional contractor associations to ensure our curriculum reflects current industry standards.

Ready to Join the Coatings Academy Community?

Explore our course catalog, read about our instructors and leadership team, or reach out to our admissions team to discuss which program is right for you. We look forward to being part of your professional development.