As the green movement evolves, more organizations are offering programs for remodelers. These range from education and certification of individuals and companies to rating systems for houses.

“There are two advantages to being certified,” says Dennis Allen, president of green remodeling company Allen Associates, in Santa Barbara, Calif. “First, it pushes you to learn about green. Second, it will help you talk to clients [about sustainable building practices] and market yourself.”

Remodelers should review the programs to find the best fit. “There are many options out there,” says green consultant and educator Carl Seville, president of Seville Consulting, in Atlanta. “Take advantage of them to learn about green building and remodeling.”

National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Green Certified Professional (GCP)

www.nari.org/certify

PROCEDURE

  • Complete the current Green Certified Professional application for the GCP program.
  • All experience and coursework must be completed at the time that the application is submitted.
  • Once the application is accepted, you will receive an acknowledgement.
  • Successful applicants are qualified to take the exam once during the next 24 months. If unsuccessful on the first attempt, subsequent examinations taken within this two-year window are subject to a retest fee of $50 per test.

REQUIREMENTS

  • You must be employed by or own a company engaged in commercial or residential green remodeling.
  • You are required to have a minimum of five years continuous full-time experience in the remodeling industry.
  • You must have completed 16 hours of education addressing green or sustainable building and/or remodeling principles within the last five years.

EXAM

The GCP exam is typically conducted annually at participating NARI chapters.

Depending on demand and availability, tests may be given in conjunction with regional trade shows such as the Remodeling Show and the JLC Live trade show — both produced by Hanley Wood, which publishes Remodeling. The exam is offered in a single four-hour session.

COST

A fee ($550 for NARI members, $750 for nonmembers) must accompany the application.

The GCP application documents your qualifying experience, technical competence, professional development activities, and attestation to uphold NARI’s Code of Ethics.

A nonrefundable processing fee is part of the application fee. If you fail to meet the application requirements, your application fee will be returned to you, less the $200 nonrefundable portion.

MARKETING/ADDED BENEFIT

Consumers will be able to find local NARI GCPs at www.greenremodeling.org or on the NARI Web site.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Annual renewal ($75) requires 10 hours of continuing education per year in the green or sustainable building area.

INDIVIDUALS CERTIFIED

65

National Association of Home Builders Certified Green Professional (CGP)

www.nahb.org

PROCEDURE

  • The CGP designation is not specific to remodeling. It is open to anyone in the building profession, including builders, architects, and sales and marketing professionals.
  • The courses are the same, regardless of someone’s area of expertise.
  • Students take the two-day “Green Building for Building Professionals” course with a 20-question test at the end of day two.
  • Next, they take the one-day “Business Management for Building Professionals” course with a 20-question test at the end.
  • Graduation applications should be submitted after the student receives his or her course certificates.

REQUIREMENTS

  • A minimum of two years building industry experience.
  • Adherence to the CGP Code of Ethics — you must sign the code with your application.
  • Completion of the Green Building for Building Professionals two-day course.
  • Completion of the Business Management for Building Professionals course, or you must hold another NAHB University of Housing designation.

EXAM

Exams are part of the two courses. Applicants cannot take the tests without having taken the courses.

COST

CGP graduation fee: $145 for members, $245 for nonmembers.

Green Building for Building Professionals course: $395 for members, $445 for nonmembers.

Business Management for Building Professionals course: $195 for members, $245 for nonmembers.

MARKETING/ADDED BENEFIT

Consumers are able to search by designation, state, or ZIP code at www.nahb.org/designationsdirectory.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Annual renewal fees: $50 for members, $75 for nonmembers.

To maintain your CGP designation, you are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education every three years. A minimum of six hours is required to come from The NAHB University of Housing educational activities. A minimum of eight hours is required to come from green-building industry-related educational activities.

INDIVIDUALS CERTIFIED

1,500 (There is no data on how many of these CGPs are remodelers.)