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.

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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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

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.