Explore Credentials That Help Build Your Career

The Careers Building Communities Credentials Hub connects you to trusted credential opportunities from leading industry organizations — helping you discover what’s possible and when you may be ready to take the next step.

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What Are Credentials?

Credentials are certifications, licenses, certificates, and professional designations that demonstrate knowledge, experience, and professional achievement.

Across the built environment, credentials help professionals:

  • Build specialized expertise

  • Increase credibility with employers and clients

  • Qualify for leadership opportunities

  • Stay current with industry standards and technology

  • Advance into new career pathways

Some credentials are required for specific careers, while others help professionals grow their skills and stand out in a competitive job market.

Why Credentials Matter

Grow Your Career

Credentials can help open doors to promotions, specialized roles, and leadership opportunities.

Build Industry Knowledge

Many credentials provide advanced technical, operational, financial, or management training.

Stand Out to Employers

Credentials show initiative, professionalism, and commitment to your career.

Expand Your Network

Many credential programs connect professionals with industry communities, mentors, and continuing education.

Stay Current

Credentials often include ongoing education requirements that help professionals keep pace with changing technology, regulations, and best practices.

When Might You Be Ready?

Entry-Level Professionals

You may be ready if you want to:

  • Build foundational industry knowledge

  • Explore a career pathway
  • Demonstrate commitment to employers

Mid-Career Professionals

You may be ready if you want to:

  • Specialize in a focus area
  • Advance into management or leadership
  • Expand technical expertise

Experienced Professionals

You may be ready if you want to:

  • Demonstrate advanced expertise
  • Lead teams or projects
  • Strengthen credibility with clients and employers

Explore Credentials

The built environment offers many career pathways — and each sector includes unique credentials that support professional growth. Explore examples of credentials connected to careers across the industry.

  • Construction Superintendent Certification Program

    Strong superintendents drive safety, productivity and client satisfaction. In fact, fully engaged leaders can boost team engagement by 65% (ADP). NCCER's Construction Superintendent Certification Program builds the leadership skills your field leaders need to succeed.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Construction Foreman Certification Program

    Every day, foremen make the calls that keep projects moving. They play a critical role in balancing safety, quality and deadlines. They coordinate crews, solve problems on the spot and ensure work gets done efficiently.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Crane Operator

    Every safe lift starts with the right certification. NCCER's nationally-recognized and trusted crane operator certifications are flexible, efficient and safety-focused.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Rigger & Signal Person

    NCCER's Rigger and Signal Person Certifications are developed with industry experts and are designed to ensure safety through assessments and practical exams that meet or exceed ASME B30 and OSHA 29 CFR part 1926 Subpart

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Certified Property Manager® (CPM®)

    Owners, investors, and employers know that if you hold an IREM Certified Property Manager® designation, you have the knowledge to maximize the value of any property, in any asset class. With the CPM designation, property

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)

    To become an effective residential property manager, you need to know it all: budgeting, leasing, maintenance, risk management, resident relations and retention – all while being accessible to your residents 24/7. And that’s exactly what

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Accredited Commercial Manager (ACoM®)

    To make your mark early in your commercial property management career, you need to do it all. You need to be an organized manager of on-site maintenance staff. You need to be the owner's secret

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Certified Construction Manager

    CCMs are committed to excellence in construction management, career advancement, and the pursuit of knowledge. CCMs provide professional services which apply effective management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project or program

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Certified Associate Construction Manager

    CACMs understand the lifecycle of a construction program and project. They have experience and knowledge that can support the efforts of large-scale construction programs to help achieve a successful outcome for a project team. Having

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Construction Manager-in-Training

    Earning the Construction Manager-in-Training (CMIT®) designation is the entry point for the CMIT Program and the first step to help develop a successful career in the construction management industry. The CMIT is a professional credential

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Certified Facility Manager (CFM)

    The CFM is the globally recognized certification to help you showcase the mastery of your skills across the entire FM body of knowledge.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Facility Management Professional (FMP)

    The FMP is designed for facility professionals looking to strengthen their hard and soft skills in facility management.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    None

    Mid-Level

  • Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP®)

    The SFP credential equips you with the skills to lead through resource optimization, energy management, and data-driven decision-making to deliver real, tangible value to your organization.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    None

    Mid-Level

  • Certificate of Advanced Study in Real Estate Development

    Commercial real estate professionals wanting to advance their careers by earning their certificate can focus their efforts on either the development by pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Study in Commercial Real Estate Development.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Certificate of Advanced Study in Real Estate Finance

    Commercial real estate professionals wanting to advance their careers by earning their certificate can focus their efforts on either the development by pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Study in Real Estate Finance.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • LEED Green Associate

    Looking to make a difference in the world of sustainable design and construction? LEED Green Associates are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and implement green building practices in your workplace and

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • LEED AP with specialty

    A LEED AP credential distinguishes those with advanced knowledge in green building, plus expertise in a particular LEED rating system. Previous experience working on a LEED-registered project is strongly recommended.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Professional Certificate in Institutional Real Estate

    The NCREIF Certificate Program offers a unique and exciting opportunity for professionals pursuing a career in institutional real estate investment.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    None

    N/A

  • Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP)

    The BCxP certification program validates competency to lead, plan, coordinate and manage a commissioning team to implement commissioning processes in new and existing buildings.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP)

    The BEAP certification validates competency to assess building systems and site conditions; analyze and evaluate equipment and energy usage; and recommend strategies to optimize building resource utilization.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP)

    The BEMP certification validates competency to model new and existing buildings and systems with the full range of physics; and evaluate, select, use, calibrate and interpret the results of energy modeling software where applied to

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP)

    The CDP certification program validates competency of the decarbonization professional to assess, analyze, and develop effective and sustainable strategies that reduce/eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint of new and existing buildings.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • Certified HVAC Designer (CHD)

    The CHD certification validates competency to design HVAC systems to meet building/project requirements, including equipment, equipment sizing, load calculations, mechanical equipment room design, duct and piping design and layout, and develop HVAC plans for permit

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • Healthcare Facility Design Professional (HFDP)

    The HFDP certification validates competency to Incorporate standards and guidelines as well as unique healthcare facility requirements and design principles in HVAC system design.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP)

    The HBDP certification validates competency to design and integrate sustainable building systems, including HVAC&R, into high performing buildings.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Mid-Level

  • Property Administrator Certificate (PAC)

    For professionals who manage the overall operations of a building or a portfolio of buildings. Keep your property in top operational condition, inside and out. Learn how to manage the ongoing operation and maintenance of

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Property Management Financial Proficiency Certificate (PMFP)

    For professionals responsible for analyzing, managing, and investing in real estate assets. Take control of your assets and improve overall efficiencies by understanding all areas of investment decision making, including how to analyze financial statements

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Facilities Management Certificate (FMC)

    For professionals who oversee the ongoing operation and maintenance of facilities. Learn how to maximize building efficiency, manage operations and maintain building systems in a cost-effective manner.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Building Systems Maintenance Certificate (SMC)

    For professionals who operate and maintain multiple building systems. Educate yourself on key building principles, including efficient energy management and water treatment and gain a better understanding of how HVAC, plumbing, and other building systems

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Building Energy Certificate (BEC)

    For professionals in operational and system maintenance roles. Learn the necessary foundational concepts that help reduce energy consumption from a technical perspective. Gain the skills necessary to implement sustainability efforts in the built environment for

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Real Property Administrator (RPA®)BOMA

    For assistant property managers, property managers, and those who manage real estate assets. Learn the many aspects of operating a commercial building and maximizing a building's net income while minimizing risk.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Facilities Management Administrator (FMA®)

    For assistant facility managers, facility managers, and professionals responsible for daily operations and maintenance. Manage facilities in a way that best supports staff and fits into the organization's overall objectives while providing information on new

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®)

    For maintenance technicians and professionals involved in maintaining major building systems such as heating, refrigeration, electrical, and plumbing. Master technologies and trends in the maintenance field so you can run energy-efficient, environmentally sound, and cost-effective

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®)

    For professionals who are responsible for the operations of the building, as well as management of the team of technicians assigned to the building. Improve operations, create energy efficiencies, reduce costs, enhance the value of

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • High-Performance Sustainable Building Management (BOMI-HP®)

    For industry professionals responsible for implementing sustainable initiatives. Define, initiate, pay for, complete, and obtain a return on investment for sustainable initiatives within all segments of a building or portfolio.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • CREFC Certificate

    The certificate curriculum is designed to provide critical skills and industry insights into the CRE finance markets. Courses will incorporate cutting-edge market data that drive decisions and investments and provide thought leadership on recent developments

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Registered Apprenticeship Programs

    ABC offers U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship programs that combine classroom and hands-on training, leading to an apprenticeship certificate upon completion.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)

    LAAB evaluates landscape architectural degree programs objectively and judges whether a school's landscape architectural degree program is in compliance with the accreditation standards.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • CCIM Designation

    CCIM Designees represent the top tier of commercial real estate investment specialists, including investors, asset managers, brokers, developers, lenders, appraisers, and other industry leaders.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Accredited Land Consultant Designation

    The ALC Designation recognizes the nation's top-performing and most experienced land real estate professionals across a wide range of land specialties.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate

    The certificate program covers a broad range of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics through a series of live sessions and webinar recordings.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Workplace Experience Certificate Program

    This course builds on employee experience foundations to explore how people experience work across office, remote, and hybrid environments, helping participants develop practical insights and a focused 90-day action plan.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Environmental, Social, Governance Certificate Program

    Prepare for a future that is here now! Understand how the SEC climate disclosure ruling will impact your organization within the broader context of sustainability, gain more confidence in your ability to help your company

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • QPCR Virtual Group Program

    70+ Hours of group programs provide substantial networking opportunities with CRE professionals and faculty leaders to further build your professional circle.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) Designation

    The MCR workplace specialization (MCR.w) is designed for those who are interested in learning about and demonstrating expertise in the study of workplace strategies. 

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    Mid-Level

  • NCIDQ Certification

    The NCIDQ Certification validates an interior designer’s knowledge, experience, and skills and is required for many types of interior design practice in regulated jurisdictions across North America.

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    2-Year College

    N/A

  • Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)

    The Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®) certification is the only ANAB-accredited certification specifically designed for professionals who manage the financial operations of construction companies. It validates expertise across key areas such as accounting and

    Requirements

    Education:

    Experience:

    N/A

    N/A

Latest News

America Is Shifting Toward Skills-Based Workforce Training

The Financial Times reported on the growing national movement toward skills-based hiring, apprenticeships, certifications, and industry training as employers increasingly prioritize practical competencies over traditional degree pathways alone.

Connecticut Launches Expanded Industry Credential Pathways for Students

Connecticut introduced more than 300 industry-recognized credentials available to high school students across fields including manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Maryland Expands Industry-Led Workforce Credential Programs

Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced an additional $2.6 million in workforce development grants to help employers connect workers to occupational training and industry-recognized credentials.