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.

What Are Credentials?

Credentialing is an umbrella term for concepts such as professional certification, certificate programs, licensure, accreditation, and regulation. There are three main types of credentials:

In contrast to certification and licensure, a certificate program is an educational or training program that is used to teach learning objectives and assess whether those objectives were achieved by the student.  Certificates may not include a credential.

Industry Examples:

  • Facility Management Professional
  • Construction Manager-in-Training

A certification is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a particular job and, upon successfully passing a certification exam, to represent a declaration of a particular individual’s professional competence.  In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment or practice.  Certifications requirements do not vary based on location.

Industry Examples:

  • Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)

Licensure tests an individual’s competence but is a mandatory process by which the government grants time-limited permission for that licensed individual to practice a profession.  License requirements vary based on location.

Industry Examples:

  • Professional Engineer (PE)
  • Professional Surveyor (PS)

Why Credentials Matter

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.

  • 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

    Requirements

    Education:

    High School Graduate, 2-Year College, Bachelor's Degree

    Experience:

    Mid-Level, Senior Level

    Accreditation:

    Independently Accredited, Industry-Recognized (Widely sought after by employers)

    Delivery Format:

    Online, In-Person

  • 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:

    2-Year College

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    N/A

  • 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:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Experience:

    Mid-Level

    Accreditation:

    ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited

    Delivery Format:

    In-Person

  • 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:

    N/A

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    Hybrid

  • 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:

    N/A

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    Hybrid

  • 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:

    N/A

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    Hybrid

  • 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:

    N/A

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    Hybrid

  • 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:

    N/A

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    Hybrid

  • 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:

    N/A

    Experience:

    N/A

    Accreditation:

    N/A

    Delivery Format:

    Hybrid

  • 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:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Experience:

    Mid-Level

    Accreditation:

    ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited

    Delivery Format:

    In-Person

  • 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:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Experience:

    Mid-Level

    Accreditation:

    ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited

    Delivery Format:

    In-Person

  • 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:

    Bachelor's Degree

    Experience:

    Mid-Level

    Accreditation:

    ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited

    Delivery Format:

    In-Person

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